Chapter 120

Eugene’s room, where they arrived, was decorated exactly the way children his age would love.

The wallpaper was adorned with a space theme, and models of airplanes and ships decorated the shelves. With books for teens and toys popular among kids his age, it was clear that Costance had put a lot of thought into every detail.

The library wasn’t as grand as the Papal States Library, but it had everything they needed. From world encyclopedias to several cookbooks Benny had been reading recently, the collection was impressive.

The atmosphere of the room was cozy. Benny especially loved the soft green sheet laid out for comfortable reading.

She had chosen that design herself. The potted plants placed beside the bookshelf were also something she had arranged the day before. Finding traces of her work scattered throughout the house was surprisingly enjoyable.

“How is it?”

Costance asked her every time they looked around a room.

Watching her expressions carefully, he kissed her on the face repeatedly.

Moved by his effort, Benny hugged him tightly.

“I absolutely love it.”

A pleasant laugh came from above. Costance slowly descended the stairs and led her to the backyard.

It was the garden he had been so eager to show her.

“Wow…”

It was filled with azaleas. Benny stepped out of his embrace and walked barefoot on the cool ground. In the middle of the azaleas was a wooden swing and a small table.

“Did you… make all this yourself?”

“While you were at work.”

There was even a slide that Costance had built himself. The play equipment made from tires would surely be a hit with Eugene and the other kids.

Benny sat in the middle of the azalea field. Leaning her back against the ground, she gazed up at the vast, bright blue sky.

The air was fresh, and the surroundings were utterly tranquil. The distant chirping of birds brought a sense of peace to her heart.

Costance lay down beside her. Benny rested her head on his outstretched arm.

“…Wasn’t it hard to do all this alone?”

“As I said earlier, it was fun. Especially imagining how you’d react made it even more enjoyable.”

Eventually, she climbed on top of him. Costance extended his arms and wrapped them around her back.

She kissed his red lips several times. The more their lips met, the wider their smiles grew.

This place was wonderfully quiet. There were no prying eyes. They could do anything here—create secrets, indulge in little rebellions.

Benny quietly gazed down at Costance’s face. She touched the strands of hair covering his forehead and stared intently into his gray eyes.

“…This is nice. We’ve got jobs now, and we’ve found a home.”

As her lips parted, Costance’s throat bobbed noticeably.

“Yes.”

“So, when will you marry me?”

Her tone was languid. His eyes, which had been watching her actions, widened in surprise.

“What?”

Even though he had heard her clearly, he asked again.

“Marriage.”

“Could you… say that again?”

“I want to marry you.”

“…”

“Technically, we’re already living like a married couple, but just as Eugene is now officially your brother, I want us to officially be husband and wife too.”

She lightly tapped Costance’s cheek as she spoke.

“I’m proposing to you right now.”

His lips slowly parted.

“Is… is this a joke?”

“I don’t joke about things like this, Costance.”

His expression, which had been filled with astonishment, now brightened with overwhelming joy. He tightened his arms around her back.

“Ah!”

Costance shifted, laying her down on the ground. Seeing his trembling eyes, still in disbelief, she chuckled.

“Did you never plan to marry me, Costance?”

Her question flustered him.

“No!”

His voice boomed.

“I’ve always planned to propose to you first… I’ve been waiting for the right moment, but work kept piling up, and you were so busy…”

His rushed words were jumbled. Frustrated, he furrowed his brows.

“Is this a dream?”

Finally, Costance gave up on making excuses and asked her.

What an adorable man!

Suppressing her laughter, Benny cupped his cheeks.

“No. This is reality.”

“…Bite me. Hard.”

He held his finger to her lips. She bit down firmly on the finger that had slipped past her lips, staring directly into his eyes.

She had expected him to smile as he realized the truth, but instead, tears welled up in his eyes.

“Ah…”

Just as she was about to speak, her lips were sealed. The sound of their mingling breaths was vivid.

He embraced her, swallowing her lips as if it were second nature. The gentle scent of him made her body tremble. His large hand swept over her leg and reached her back, fiddling with the buttons of her dress.

Costance laid her head down and removed his arm from beneath her. He exhaled softly, looking at her flushed cheeks.

A shadow loomed over her body.

“When… should we get married? What season do you like?”

As she asked, Costance, who had been removing his cumbersome outerwear, froze.

“Spring sounds nice.”

“Spring? Then next year…”

“No, now. As soon as possible.”

Costance spread his coat beneath them and pulled her onto it.

Before she could answer, her lips were captured again. His strong arms encircled her body. She glanced around, wondering if he intended to go through with it here. No one was around, but she still pushed against his chest.

“Costance.”

“Yes.”

“Here, umph!”

He kissed her again, giving her no chance to speak. The buttons of her dress came undone, and a cool breeze brushed her bare shoulders, making her shiver. Costance held her close.

The earthy scent of their bodies filled the air. Benny grabbed his flushed cheeks and passionately returned his kiss.

Lifting her into his arms, he tucked her flowing hair behind her ears and caught her breath.

Her dress, nearly undone, slipped down to her chest. Costance kissed her exposed shoulder before looking at her.

“You have no idea how much I’ve wanted this.”

His red eyes glistened as he spoke.

“I’ve been waiting for this since a year ago. Wondering when to say it, when to propose to you… I held back countless times, thinking it wasn’t the right moment.”

His voice quivered.

“I wanted to say it when we found this house…”

“I was really busy back then.”

“Yes. You were so incredibly busy.”

There was a hint of reproach in his voice.

Carrying her inside, Costance headed straight for the bedroom. The wide bed he had proudly prepared earlier now awaited them.

As he pulled down her dress and kissed her skin, her hands clenched.

“This room… you just set it up today, and now…”

“This is exactly why I set it up.”

He left no part of her untouched, leaving his mark everywhere. Feeling his hands explore, she clenched her eyes shut. His gentle voice soothed her, even as his tearful gaze betrayed his emotions.

Her proposal hadn’t been made lightly either. As Costance said, things had been busy. She had swallowed her words countless times, waiting for the right moment. Finally saying them aloud had overwhelmed her too.

“I want to live with you forever. I want to have your child…”

Her words were cut off as his lips suddenly silenced her.

“Why do you keep saying things I should be saying, Vivi?”

He whispered between kisses.

“Well… since you no longer have a family name, you’ll take mine, ‘Ferren,’ so it’s only fair that I propose.”

“Ah.”

He let out a short exclamation as if he had just realized something.

“Why? Don’t you like it?”

“Of course not. You have no idea how much I’ve wanted that name.”

“…”

“I really wanted it…”

She regretted not saying it sooner.

But that regret was short-lived as a rush of sensations overwhelmed her. The once-pristine bedspread was now wrinkled from her squirming body and hands.

Holding his neck tightly, she gasped for breath. The faint scent of azaleas lingered on their bodies.

Biting her shoulder, Costance quickly sought her lips again.

“I love you, Vivi.”

He confessed. The sweetness of his words made her tense up. Above her, she heard Costance’s groan. Her body reacted strangely too.

As tears of joy welled up in her eyes, she realized how long and difficult the journey had been.

When he had first rejected her proposal, her heart had shattered, and she had cried uncontrollably. She had never imagined such a happy ending.

“I love you too. I really do.”

This was a perfect happy ending. It felt like a dream.

***

After washing up, Benny and Costance wrapped themselves in a blanket and sat on the sofa.

Night had fallen. The surroundings were pitch dark, with only the light from inside the house illuminating the darkness.

“Actually, I intended to give you this… when proposing.”

He slipped a hidden ring onto her finger as he spoke.

“Now, there’s no need for us to bite each other’s fingers anymore.”

Benny kept staring at the ring. It was far more beautiful and expensive than the bracelet she had given Costance.

The blue gemstone sparkled with every movement, and she couldn’t help but fall in love with it.

“Still, please bite my finger.”

“…I’ve been wondering, do you have a thing for that?”

She asked.

“I’m not that much of a deviant. I don’t enjoy pain, but a little wouldn’t hurt.”

Costance shrugged as he spoke.

“Shall we try it later?”

“W-what?”

“You could lightly spank me, or the other way around.”

Benny immediately bit his finger hard. It was her way of expressing refusal. Costance pouted his lips as if disappointed.

“By the way, is that a jukebox?”

She pointed at the machine in the living room. The jukebox was smaller than the one they had seen at the old cabin and looked brand new.

“Want to hear it?”

When she nodded, Costance moved. After a few adjustments, the jukebox lit up with a dazzling display.

Soon, the sound of a trumpet accompanied by jazz music filled the room. A middle-aged man’s soothing voice followed.

Benny and Costance leaned back on the sofa, listening to the music.

We dream of peace.

Look at how beautiful this world is.

We dream of peace.

Listen to the laughter of happy lovers.

We dream of peace.

Feel this warm and comforting air.

〈Don’t Propose, Please!〉 THE END