Chapter 117

A weight like a boulder pressed down on her body.

When she opened her eyes, she saw the wings of a bird fluttering past the window. The weather was clear, and people with backpacks were already wandering around.

“Ugh.”

A groan escaped her lips. Just sitting up made her waist and inner thighs ache.

That wretched Costance.

But judging by the tidied floor and the absence of any traces on her body, she couldn’t entirely hate him for what he’d done the previous night.

“Awake?”

Costance’s voice came from the bathroom. He lay down beside her with a smile in his eyes. Before she could reply, his arm wrapped around her waist.

“You’re… heavy.”

Her words stuttered under the weight.

Startled, Costance slightly lifted his arm but didn’t move away from her side. Groaning softly, she turned to face him. His harmonious features filled her view.

“Are you in a lot of pain? Where does it hurt?”

His tone was filled with concern.

“I’m fine.”

Costance began massaging her arm slowly.

“Mm. That feels good there.”

“Here?”

“Yes… But what time is it now?”

“One o’clock.”

“One o’clock… one o’clock?”

She was startled and tried to bolt upright but stopped.

“Benny?”

“You mean it’s one in the afternoon?”

Costance nodded.

Goodness, one o’clock! 

She couldn’t believe it. She glanced at the wall clock, and sure enough, the hands had just passed one.

No wonder the sunlight was brighter than usual for the morning. She had never slept this long before.

Well, not that long. She had only closed her eyes as dawn was breaking…

“I need to get ready. I was planning to visit the nun.”

“At the orphanage?”

“Yes. I came here with the children from Canary Cathedral, remember?”

“Can’t you rest today? I just want to stay in bed with you all day.”

He grumbled like a child.

“I’ll just say hello and come back ho—ugh.”

“Benny?”

“No, I’m fine.”

She straightened her back. The muscle aches were manageable, and after moving a few times, she got used to it. Still, her movements were noticeably slower than usual, prompting Costance to pick her up in his arms.

“Ah!”

Her feet left the ground so suddenly that she stiffened.

“Hold still so you don’t fall.”

“Wait, wait… puh.”

Costance, who kissed her face all over, carried her to the dining table. On it were bowls of cereal and yogurt, beautifully arranged as if he had prepared them beforehand.

After carefully setting her down in front of the table, Costance pushed one of the bowls toward her.

“Thank you. I’ll eat well.”

Her shy gratitude made him grin.

She picked up the spoon. Though she was hungry, her reduced appetite meant she couldn’t eat much.

In the end, she couldn’t even finish half the bowl and had to put the spoon down. Costance, looking genuinely disappointed, urged her to eat more. When she shook her head, insisting she was full, he scraped up everything, including her leftovers, and ate it all himself.

“I can walk on my own.”

As soon as the dishes were empty, Costance approached her.

“Stay still. I may not be able to drive, but I’m good at carrying you.”

Ignoring her protests, he picked her up. Nestled in his arms, she couldn’t help but laugh at the repeated mention of driving. One of his eyebrows arched.

“You know that’s adorable, right?”

“What is?”

He looked at her, genuinely puzzled.

“You not being able to drive. It’s so cute. And the fact that you’re aware of it makes it even better. Do you know that’s part of your charm?”

“…That doesn’t sound like a compliment. Feels like you’re teasing me.”

It was a compliment.

When she kissed his cheek, his expression softened immediately. Not to be outdone, Costance peppered kisses all over her face as he carried her to the bathroom.

“Huh?”

He set her down in the bathtub and began removing her clothes layer by layer.

“I’ll wash you.”

“No nee—”

“Arms up. That’s it.”

In an instant, everything she was wearing was gone. He deftly removed even her undergarments and turned on the water. After checking the temperature, Costance began unbuttoning his own shirt.

She was utterly shocked.

“You already washed earlier!”

“I only washed my face.”

Liar! Your hair still smelled strongly of shampoo!

Now fully undressed, he naturally sat behind her and encircled her body with his arms. With a man of his stature in the tub as well, it felt incredibly cramped. The water level, which had only reached her ankles, suddenly rose significantly.

“…I really want to go to the orphanage today.”

“Then go.”

“I really mean it.”

“I know.”

He lightly squeezed her chest. Though a clear prelude, she couldn’t help but chuckle internally.

She had struggled too, but seeing his actions now, she marveled at how he had managed to suppress his desires and keep his teeth hidden back then.

Before she knew it, the water had risen to her navel. Feeling warm, she reached back and playfully touched a spot that would surprise him.

“…Wait!”

His reaction was immediate.

“It’s not fair if I’m the only one suffering.”

“Hah.”

“If it gets too much, you can bite my shoulder.”

These were the words he had often whispered to her in the early hours of the morning. Costance, seemingly exasperated, let out a chuckle before biting her shoulder.

“…Ah.”

This time, she was the one surprised.

She hadn’t expected him to actually bite her.

Instinctively, her grip tightened.

Caught off guard by the sudden stimulation, Costance couldn’t bite her shoulder hard and instead let out a groan of frustration. Though she felt a twinge of pity, her mischievous desire to torment him further outweighed it.

“Ah…”

“Don’t move.”

“It’s so…hah.”

“I want to do more, but I’ll restrain myself…ah!”

His teeth sank deeply into her shoulder.

“…”

“…”

A tense silence followed. Releasing her shoulder, Costance embraced her and let out a long sigh.

“That ‘more,’ may I do it instead?”

“…You’ll do it even if I say no.”

“Yes, clever Benny.”

His voice, mixed with laughter, came from behind her.

With a firm grip on her sides, he lifted her body. Sitting fully on his lap, she felt her mind reel.

A bird’s cry echoed close by, as if it had perched near the window. Even the mere presence of the bird made her anxious, prompting her to bite her lip and suppress a m*an.

She lowered her head forward.

“Benny.”

Costance tilted her chin up. He sought her lips, kissing her as if parched.

The cathedral bells rang, signaling the start of mass.

***

They arrived at the orphanage just before five o’clock.

“Vivi!”

The nun ran to her with a bright smile.

“How have you been?”

The two embraced tightly. The nun’s face looked healthier than before, putting her at ease.

They settled in the backyard of the orphanage, sharing stories about their journey to the Papal State. Like her, the nun had endured many events before finally arriving here.

The nun expressed her deep affection for the beautiful Papal State—the kind people, the lovely scenery, and the meticulously crafted architecture…

“By the way, is it true that the one who often visited Canary Cathedral was Captain Orsi?”

Spotting Costance playing with the children under the tree, the nun asked.

Despite his apparent exhaustion, he was lifting children onto his shoulders and catching them as they jumped. The children’s laughter grew louder as they flocked to him, stretching out their arms, asking for a turn.

His stamina was remarkable.

“Yes. I was surprised at first too.”

Hearing her reply, the nun couldn’t take her eyes off Costance.

“He seems to care deeply for you. Though, of course, that’s to be expected.”

She gave an awkward laugh.

“…You’ll stay in the Papal State for good, right?”

“Yes, probably. If Costance is okay with it.”

“Have you found work?”

The sudden dose of reality left her speechless. It was something she hadn’t even begun to consider. Though she had been worried, she hadn’t seriously thought about it.

Sensing her unease, the nun smiled apologetically.

“Sorry. That was too forward of me.”

“Oh, no. I’ll figure it out gradually.”

“It might be a bit early to say this, but if you’re interested in working, consider the orphanage.”

The nun’s eyes sparkled.

“Pardon?”

“They say orphanages in the Papal State are always short-staffed. Of course, you wouldn’t be able to start right away, but…I think you’d be great at this.”

Seeing her hesitation, the nun explained the orphanage’s work in detail. Hearing that it wouldn’t be too difficult if she liked children, she smiled.

It felt reassuring to know there was a place that wanted her. Regardless of how challenging the work might be, that fact alone lightened her heart.

She shifted her gaze, observing the children one by one. As she watched them idly playing, she suddenly jumped up when a child hanging from a tree fell.

The nun’s face turned pale.

“I-I’m sorry. I wasn’t paying attention…”

Costance, who had rushed over, stammered.

The nun reassured him and checked the child’s injured knee. Though it was bleeding, the wound wasn’t deep. There didn’t seem to be any damage to the muscles or other areas either.

“It’s okay.”

“But it hurts so much!”

The child cried louder, making her chest tighten. The nun tended to the wound while trying to distract the child with a different topic.

“Brave Kimi, close your eyes and think of an animal with two legs. That’ll make the pain go away.”

“Sniff…”

“Shall we all help Kimi think of one?”

At the nun’s suggestion, the other children joined in. Eugene, Anna, Seth—they all participated.

As the children called out names, Kimi stomped her feet before finally coming up with a two-legged animal. While the children listed various animals, she and Costance stood silently, unable to do anything but watch.

The situation quickly resolved itself.

The nun, experienced in such matters, handled it wisely. Though other minor incidents occurred shortly after, she managed those effortlessly as well.

She and Costance couldn’t stay long at the orphanage. Not wanting to be a hindrance amidst the busyness, they left early.

As they entered the square, the setting sun painted the sky in hues of red and orange. Hand in hand, they made their way home.

“Do you want to work at the orphanage?”

When she shared her conversation with the nun, Costance asked.

“No.”

“…”

“I didn’t grow up receiving enough love from my parents. How could someone like me give those children the love they deserve?”

Costance didn’t respond.

“Even if I could, I’m not confident. I just…prefer watching from afar.”

“I wasn’t born into love either.”

“Costance.”

“But Benny, why don’t we face this together?”

He stopped walking and looked at her. Holding her breath, she smiled. Seeing her smile, Costance’s tense expression softened.

“Of course. Let’s face it together, Costance.”

As they always had, they would overcome this too.