Chapter 23

“Thank you for your hard work.”

Dragging her into the bathtub and refusing to let go, he resembled a sulking child throwing a tantrum. At first, she intended to scold him, but seeing him bury his face in the crook of her neck and close his eyes, Catherine was reminded of something Alto had told her about Henry’s past.

His birth mother had abandoned him, and his stepmother despised him.

Catherine felt a pang of sympathy for Henry, who had grown up completely alone at an age when he desperately needed a mother’s embrace. She wrapped her arms around his body.

“You’ve worked so hard.”

Henry kept his eyes closed as he mulled over Catherine’s words.

‘You’ve worked hard.’

‘You’ve done well.’

Had anyone ever said such words to me before?

Even as he pushed his body to its limits in training and poured all his effort into accomplishing his tasks, no one had ever acknowledged his struggles or told him he’d done well.

This was the first time someone recognized and understood his efforts and dedication. A warm sensation spread through his chest as Henry hugged Catherine tightly.

“Thank you.”

Henry’s voice carried genuine sincerity. With her ear pressed against his chest, Catherine could feel the vibrations in his voice.

This was different from the nights they had spent undressing each other and exploring each other’s bodies. Although their bodies were pressed together, and his lower half stirred with desire, Henry found great solace simply holding her.

Catherine, too, felt her heart race as she listened to the sound of his heartbeat. When Henry had pulled her into the tub earlier, she had assumed he intended to be intimate with her immediately upon returning to the castle. Normally, Henry would catch her off guard and press his body against hers without warning, as if he enjoyed seeing her startled expression. She had expected the same this time, but his behavior was entirely unexpected.

Henry lifted his head and rested his chin on top of Catherine’s head. Adjusting his position in this way made it easier for him to embrace her. Their bodies lay flush against each other, with no space in between.

It was a pleasant kind of lethargy. Floating in warm water, enveloped in his embrace, felt surprisingly comforting.

They lay there holding each other for a long time.

The once-hot water gradually cooled. When the lukewarm temperature caused goosebumps to form on Catherine’s arms, Henry opened his eyes.

“Are you cold?”

Catherine nodded in response. Henry tightened his arms around her, pulling her closer.

“You’re suffocating me.”

Catherine’s muffled voice emerged from beneath the weight of his embrace. She felt as though her body might be crushed. When Henry refused to loosen his grip, Catherine tilted her head to look up at him. It seemed he had been waiting for her to meet his gaze, as he immediately pressed his lips to hers.

The kiss was soft and warm, like the water in the tub. Henry kissed her slowly and deliberately, his lips brushing against hers without haste. Their noses bumped each time he moved, causing Catherine to stifle a laugh against his mouth.

Still holding her, Henry stood up from the tub. The air outside the water was noticeably chilly, and Catherine instinctively curled into herself. Henry hugged her tightly as he opened the bathroom door.

“Let’s head to bed.”

His tone was so serious it sounded almost like a declaration of war, which Catherine found amusing. She couldn’t hold back her laughter.

***

The morning light had arrived.

Sunlight streaming through the window made Catherine squint and bury her face into the pillow.

“Mmm…”

She was utterly exhausted from waking up in the middle of the night to share an intimate moment with Henry. But thanks to that, she had fallen into such a deep sleep that she hadn’t even dreamed. Rubbing her face against the soft pillow, she paused when she felt a warm touch against her cheek.

The bed, which should have been empty, was occupied by a large man.

Catherine blinked at the sight of Henry lying there, bathed in the morning sunlight. Dazed, she called out his name.

“Henry…”

For some reason, Henry had not left the bedroom and was still by her side.

She had wished countless times for him to stay with her in the morning, but she hadn’t expected today to be the day. Just as she was about to call his name again, Catherine stopped herself.

She couldn’t waste this golden opportunity to observe him while he slept. Turning onto her stomach, Catherine pressed herself close to his side and began studying his face up close.

Beneath his tightly shut eyelids, long, dark brown lashes extended like the strands of his hair. Perhaps those lashes were what made her feel so captivated whenever she looked into his eyes.

Her gaze drifted downward to the bridge of his nose, which rose high and straight between his eyes. The perfectly smooth line of his nose was like a sculpted masterpiece, with no flaws to be found. Catherine was reminded of the torsos she had seen during her time at the Royal Academy of Arts. She thought to herself that a sculpture modeled after Henry Leonard’s face would make for a wonderful decoration. If such a sculpture existed, she would place it in her bedroom and admire it every day. Catherine lightly touched the bridge of his nose with her fingertip.

Next, her attention shifted to his lips. As her eyes lingered on his deep, reddish-purple lips, Catherine’s face flushed. Even though she wasn’t doing anything but looking at them, she couldn’t help but feel a strange sensation, which she blamed entirely on Henry. Those seemingly innocent lips had explored every inch of her body the night before, ignoring her pleas for restraint and moving as they pleased. Just looking at them now made her want to hit him. Her hand, which had been tracing the bridge of his nose, hovered over his lips as she debated whether to press or poke them. Her eyes sparkled with amusement.

“…Have you finished admiring me?”

Henry, who she thought was asleep, opened his eyes and looked at her. She had been caught red-handed sneaking a look at his face. Embarrassed, Catherine buried her face in his chest.

She was mortified.

It was their first morning together, the first time she had seen his bare body fully illuminated by sunlight, and the warmth of his skin against hers—all of it was too much for her to handle.

“If you keep rubbing against me like that, it’ll be a problem.”

At Henry’s words, Catherine lifted her head. He was looking at her with an odd expression, his gaze lowered.

“What’s the problem?”

“This.”

Henry grabbed her hand and guided it downward. The heat radiating from his arousal startled Catherine, making her yelp.

“Oh, my goodness!”

“Well, if you cling to me n*ked like this, of course this happens.”

Henry’s muttered words implied that his current state was entirely her fault.

“You’re saying this is because of me?”

“Yes.”

“Liar.”

Catherine’s cheeks grew redder as she pouted.

“If not you, then who else would cause this?”

Henry slipped his hand under Catherine’s body and lifted her. With nothing between them, his warmth seeped directly into her skin.

Henry bent his knees and spread Catherine’s thighs apart.

“What are you doing?”

His length brushed against her inner thigh as her voice rose in panic. But Henry didn’t stop.

“Since this is because of you, you need to take responsibility.”

Henry adjusted his position as if he were about to enter her.

“No!”

“Why not?”

“How can we… in broad daylight?”

“It’ll be even better in the light. We’ll be able to see each other clearly.”

Henry grinned. He had always regretted only being able to see her body in the dark at night. Now, he had the chance to admire her bare form in the bright morning sun.

Henry slid his hand between her legs and began stroking her entrance. Despite her protests, she was already wet. He guided her hands to his shoulders, encouraging her to lean against him. Being face-to-face and lying on top of him made her feel strange.

Henry kissed her as he continued to tease her wet folds with his hand. The sensations from his lips and fingers overwhelmed her, filling her with excitement. Catherine wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. Henry slipped a finger inside her, testing to see if she was ready for him.

“Ah…”

Catherine moaned, twisting her hips. Her voice was muffled against Henry’s mouth. He withdrew his finger and positioned himself at her entrance. Her slickness made it seem as though her body was eagerly inviting him in.

“For someone who said no, your body seems perfectly prepared.”

Henry murmured as he pulled back slightly. Though she often claimed to be shy, her body always responded honestly to his touch. He gently pushed the tip of his length inside her, making her shudder.

“It’s because you always… want me.”

She had momentarily forgotten—Catherine was a woman who always returned his teasing twofold. Henry chuckled and kissed her cheek lightly.