Deep Boredom - Part 2

Rasha opened her eyes.

It was the morning after a dark night. Despite the dawn, the morning felt unusually dark, and the sound of rain pattering could be heard. The panoramic windows that overlooked the outdoors were dotted with raindrops.

It was rare for a bedroom to have a wall of glass, as they usually had a terrace built into it. The bedroom they used, made entirely of floor-to-ceiling glass like the adjacent reception room, was purely Chedev’s consideration for Rasha. He personally ordered the construction for Rasha, who enjoyed looking out at the view.

She squeezed her eyes shut and bowed her head as she felt a heavy weight around her waist. A thick forearm, densely packed with muscle, wrapped itself around her waist. Rasha stroked it lazily, then carefully pushed herself to her feet.

‘When did he come back.’

The man who had left me alone last night, had returned at some point like a devoted dog.

Rasha’s gaze shifted beyond his shoulder. The space behind him was vast. The bed was wide enough for five people to lie comfortably, but Chedev, as always, slept clinging to Rasha, who was much smaller than him.

At first, it had been awkward and suffocating, but this had now become a habit, as she slept soundly without the slightest complaint. Rasha watched Chedev, who was sound asleep without any movement, and then slowly lowered her upper body.

Toward the collar of his clothes.

‘…….’

The scent of perfume that could be worn by a lady was present today as well. It didn’t make her heart race as much as when she first smelled it, but her chest still felt tight. Another crack appeared in the dry interior, and she couldn’t tell how many times it had happened.

Rasha rubbed at the collar, wanting so badly to pull it open and feel the flesh inside, to see if there was a secret kiss mark on the other side, along the lines of the stranger’s scent. Her heart tossed and turned in the sea of anxiety each time.

But she didn’t actually do it. She couldn’t distinguish whether it was because she believed in him and restrained her impulses, or if it was a terrifying fear of becoming reality.

Instead, she straightened her upper body and looked out the window.

The sound of the rain invaded her mind, bringing back memories of the past that now seemed like a distant memory. Rasha’s gaze drifted to the corners of the mansion, to the stables as if stepping on the pouring rain.

Originally, she was of a status that couldn’t even be in the bedroom of the Duke, Chedev. As the daughter of a stableman, she was someone who could only reveal herself in that shabby stable, reeking of horse manure.

Their first meeting was seven years ago.

It was after Chedev Cecilion, deputy leader of the Knights of Sterne and the sole heir to the dukedom, had returned from a revolutionary campaign against another nation. His accomplishments at such a young age, even before his coming-of-age ceremony, earned him praise as the perfect next Duke.

At that time, Chedev didn’t know Rasha, but she knew him well.

She had followed her father as a stablehand, tending horses and often running errands, until one day she spotted him in the training grounds.

Was it his red hair damp with sweat? Or his sharp golden eyes shining like the sun? Or perhaps his agile and streamlined movements, free of any superfluousness?

It was impossible to determine what had captivated Rasha’s attention so completely. However, it was certain that she stood there, seemingly unable to move, watching the Duke.

Some people had said that recognizing love might take quite some time, but falling in love happened in an instant. Following those words, Rasha had fallen head over heels for the graceful young master who wielded his sword fiercely. Fortunately or unfortunately, it didn’t take her long to realize that it was the emotion corresponding to love.

‘So you’re his horse.’

From that day on, she began taking special care of the horse that Chedev cherished among the ones she tended to in the stables.

The black steed, which occasionally trotted through the battlefield, thankfully didn’t reject her touch. Compared to others, it behaved remarkably gently towards her. That made her even happier. As a daughter of a mere servant who received a salary and worked in a mansion, Rasha was content with just that. She had no desire to approach the young master any further. She knew very well that it was an unrealistic wish.

However, it seemed that the gods felt some sympathy for her heartfelt love and personally provided an opportunity.

‘Who are you?’

It was the Duke himself, now a man of distinction not only within his family but within the empire, who had come to the stables. It started with him wanting to inspect his own horse, and that had been the link that brought him and her together.

On a dark night, Rasha was shocked and speechless when she saw Chedev appear in the shabby stable. It was only when his face took on the faint rays of light filtering through the cracks that she regained her composure.

She quickly stepped back, folding her hands politely. The black steed snorted, recognizing its owner, and stomped its feet. Chedev gently stroked the horse’s mane, calming it down, then looked down at Rasha.

‘I didn’t hear your answer.’

‘I-I am… the daughter of the stablekeeper here.’

‘Daughter?’

‘I was checking on the horses in my father’s place. I thought they might be hungry…….’

Chedev’s gaze slipped from the hay in her hands to her face and soon shifted back to his horse.

‘He’s a picky eater.’

Rasha’s face turned pale, thinking that it might be a warning to not touch him recklessly.

“Seeing how gentle you are, it seems your touch is quite pleasing.”

However, upon hearing his next words, she realized it didn’t mean that. Gathering her courage, she raised her head slightly and saw Chedev softly caressing the black steed with a gentle smile.

He turned his head back toward her. Their eyes met in the dim space. Even in the environment illuminated only by moonlight, Chedev’s golden eyes emitted a brilliant light like precious jewels. The arch of his eyebrow, which had been gazing at Rasha who couldn’t meet his eyes, twitched slightly.

‘I’ll be counting on you from now on.’

With those parting words, he left the stable. In that moment of facing each other, Rasha, who had been unable to breathe properly, finally took a deep breath.

That small night was the beginning of their fate.

Since then, Chedev often visited the stable at night. Each time, he encountered Rasha and had short conversations. Strangely, the frequency of these encounters increased, and gradually, the topic of their discussions shifted from only being about the horses.

The meeting that began in autumn continued through the harsh and severe winter until spring finally returned.

Every time Rasha was with him, she felt the happiness. Being able to be by the side of a presence she could only observe from a distance was truly a thrilling experience.

Perhaps that’s why she unintentionally ignited a spark on the already hidden gunpowder.

One day, Chedev arrived at the stable before her. Having returned from another grueling battle, he was leaning against the wall, still in his uniform, and sleeping. It seemed he had come to see the horses but dozed off for a moment. Rasha was mesmerized, first by his uniform and then by his vulnerable appearance that she rarely get to see.

When she came to her senses, she found herself discreetly approaching him, carefully observing him by his side. The beauty that shone even from a distance was beyond compare up close. As she pondered how popular he must be among other young ladies, a dark jealousy quickly enveloped her.

She was immersed in that bottomless melancholy.

Amidst her contemplation, Chedev’s eyelids unexpectedly flickered open.

Startled, Rasha froze in that state. Chedev’s eyes, which never lost their brilliance, were fixed upon her. The proximity was too close, and she knew she should step back immediately, but the unexpected eye contact made that reality fade into the distance.

‘……You.’

Chedev’s usually clear pupils appeared unusually confused, whether due to drowsiness or something else. Rasha held her breath and focused entirely on his voice. Her heart pounded loudly.

‘Do you have feelings for me?’

Finally, the words that slipped from his lips were nothing short of a death sentence for Rasha. It felt as if lightning had struck her mind.

She knew all too well that an affirmation in this situation would be nothing more than a triviality and a nuisance to him. It had been a good time, all these years without anyone knowing, and the only way it could continue was if she kept her secret crush to herself.

She knew that, she knew it, but…

‘Yes.’

‘……’

‘I like you…’

Love couldn’t be hidden in the end, as if she had been enchanted just like the moment she first fell for him. Chedev’s pupils trembled. Soon, he lazily stood up. Then, without saying a word, he left the stable. Only Rasha’s confession remained there, alone, pitifully writhing.

Chedev never came to the stables after that. Though news of his return from the war reached Rasha consistently, he never appeared before her, and she became increasingly melancholic. The regret of that one momentary mistake seemed to ruin their entire relationship, leaving her indescribably heartbroken.

As spring passed, a hot summer arrived.

The sticky and oppressive heat persisted day and night. And in typical summer fashion, the rainy season came, with occasional showers. Shh… the piercing sound entered their ears, and the world sank into a quiet stillness. Rasha felt as if her own heart was sinking somewhere as well.

Chedev’s coming-of-age ceremony took place in the midst of summer.

The night he finally became an adult and took a step closer to the position of the duke was incredibly dark. Only the sound of rain was heard, strangely quieter than usual, creating a subtle tension in the air.

As Rasha quietly examined the horses and stepped out of the stable, she was suddenly startled by a strong grip on her arm, causing her eyes to widen in surprise. She was pushed against the wall, but it didn’t hurt. It was because something firm was wrapped around her waist. Through the urgent gaze that met her eyes, there was a man she had longed to see, who always made her heart flutter.

“Mas… master…?”

“I lost.”

Chedev seemed desperate, as if being chased by something. At first glance, it gave the impression that he was directly confronting something he had denied all along. His disheveled hair, sweat-drenched face, and burning gaze were different from usual. However, his appearance still harmonized perfectly with the hot summer air.

Soon, Rasha’s eyes widened as if they were about to roll out. It was because he boldly pressed his lips against hers. Startled, Rasha instinctively brought her fingertips to the moist flesh that intruded between her lips.

Chedev ravaged her mouth fiercely, like a patient suffering from obsession, stealing every drop of saliva. The scorching breath, beyond boiling point, mingled with each other in a frenzy she didn’t recognize. It was a frantic exchange of kisses.

After a moment, their lips parted with a wet sound. Rasha, in a dazed state, barely held onto him, not understanding what was happening. Chedev, unlike earlier, raised her chin with a clear and resolute gaze.

‘I have no intention of stopping now.’

‘Haa, ha…’

‘But if you don’t mind, accept me.’

Whether it was the heat of summer or the temperature of his emotions, the confession was as sticky and humid as their kiss. There was no reason to refuse. Rasha responded by pulling him closer, her arms wrapped around his neck.

It was a chaotic summer day, with piercing heat, the sound of cicadas, and the patter of rain, all tangled together.

At first, they shared stolen kisses hidden throughout the mansion, but as time went on, the intensity of their physical connection deepened. Naturally, their bodies entwined, and eventually, they began using his bedroom as well.

That was the seven years they spent together. Within that time, they faced many hardships. From the cold opposition of the previous Duke and Duchess to the cold gazes of those around them.

At the end of the arduous journey we had traversed, ironically, was my man’s boredom.