Chapter 29

The time was already pointing to 11 o’clock.

Vivi and Sir Costance sat side by side on the sofa, watching the sleeping cat. When she shivered from the cold, he pulled a blanket over her shoulders.

It was the only blanket. As much as she was warm, she hoped he was warm too. She sat close to him, sharing the blanket and warmth.

“Have you ever raised a cat, Costance?”

“No. But I plan to study hard from now on.”

His sincere words made her laugh.

“I’m serious.”

“I didn’t say it was a joke. Then, would you like to name this little one, Sir?”

At her suggestion, he nodded slightly. He stared intently at the cat, carefully thinking of a name that would suit it. She was curious about what name he would give.

The sound of the clock ticking could be heard. His contemplation was deeper than expected. She had entrusted the naming to him out of gratitude…

Was he feeling pressured?

She looked up at him. The furrowed brows showed his deep consideration.

“You don’t have to feel so pressured.”

“I want to give it the best name in the world.”

“Is there such a thing as the best name in the world?”

“There is.”

He looked at her.

“Ah…”

She quickly averted her gaze.

Vivi Ferren. It’s a pretty name, but it’s not her real name. To hide her bitterness, she forced a smile.

“How about Irini?”

After much thought, he spoke.

“Irini?”

“Yes. It’s a male and sharp-looking one, so it might not suit it, but I’ve heard that having a name opposite to one’s appearance leads to a long and healthy life.”

“It’s a very cute name.”

She liked it. Irini, sleeping so soundly, seemed unaware of anything.

She checked the time. It was about time to go home. Realizing this, he showed his disappointment.

“Are you leaving already?”

“It’s quite late.”

She had sobered up.

As she got up, he didn’t let go of the hand he was holding under the blanket. She held her breath, noticing his firm gaze. She could tell what he wanted.

Darkness settled in the room. The TV screen changed, and a gentle piano melody flowed.

“I told you.”

He whispered softly.

“I regretted not even being able to ask for a cup of tea that day.”

“But it’s late at night…”

“It is late at night.”

He repeated her words. He wasn’t wanting tea right now.

“I just want to hold you.”

He tempted.

“I’ll just hold you, so…”

“……”

“Please stay by my side, Vivi.”

His wet eyes pleaded with her. The music from the TV reached its climax. A languid breeze blew between them.

The humid air, and the scent of him everywhere. Everything was cozy and nice.

“Then.”

She whispered quietly.

“Sir, please honestly tell me why you came to like me.”

Her lips parted. His anxious face brightened with color.

“I want to know.”

“Gladly.”

* * *

“The Orsi Marquisate is very conservative due to its long history. They enforce outdated noble systems and noblesse oblige. I was born as the eldest son of such a family and naturally received all of my father’s expectations.”

He said, lifting his lips from her neck. He held her waist with one hand and fiddled with her collar with the other.

“I see.”

His hand invaded her clothes. Unlike her, who stiffened, he smiled slyly and kissed her lips. She felt the heat from his face and breath.

Before undressing her, Sir Costance unbuttoned his own shirt one by one.

“The Orsi mansion has everything. A large garden, an airfield, a library, an annex, and even a lake. As a family that builds fleets, there are several ships. But I hated that mansion.”

“Why…?”

With the last button undone, he revealed his body. She was taken aback by the sight. His bare body was covered in scars she hadn’t noticed during the hotel incident. He looked down at her with a bitter smile.

“Because I was afraid of my father.”

“……”

“These are scars from my childhood. They were left by my father.”

Her mouth fell open. She didn’t know Marquis Orsi was capable of such things. She thought he was just an imposing person.

“It’s the first time I’ve shown these scars to a woman.”

His words startled her.

“The first time?”

“Yes. You’re the first, Vivi. Everything I’m doing now, I’m doing for the first time, with you.”

Was I really the only woman to touch this beautiful man?

It was unbelievable.

But it felt good. She slowly reached out and touched his scars.

“Ugh.”

He groaned.

“Does it hurt?”

“No.”

“……It’s my first time too.”

“Vivi?”

“It’s my first time too, everything I’m doing with you, Sir.”

Their eyes met.

“I’m really… a bad guy, Vivi.”

“Uh.”

“I can’t just hold you. Let’s do everything you’re doing for the first time, together.”

His breath came out hot between his teeth. The veins on his neck stood out as he clenched his jaw to calm his excitement. But he couldn’t hold back for long and kissed her immediately.

He was persistent and stubborn. His hands explored every part of her body.

When he parted their lips, he scanned her body. Wherever his hot gaze passed, it felt like her skin was burning. She hugged her upper body with her arms, trying to hide herself.

“……You’re beautiful.”

He said.

“Sir.”

“Why are you hiding such beauty?”

“Sir…”

“Costance.”

He corrected her title.

“C-Costance.”

“Yes, Vivi.”

Sir Costance removed her arms. Under his glued gaze, her hands clenched tightly. Her heart pounded wildly. At this rate, she might be exhausted before they even did anything.

“P-please stop looking.”

“No.”

“You promised to tell me why, why you came to like me.”

He laughed at her words. He replied, “As you command,” and lightly bit her neck. Her lower abdomen tingled. He kissed the spot where he left a mark several times.

“Ugh…”

“Such a pretty sound.”

“Hurry and tell me.”

Her body felt strange. This time he kissed her shoulder and left a mark on her protruding collarbone.

“I first saw you at the cathedral. You were with Alonso.”

Alonso. Eugene.

“Wh, when?”

“A year ago. At that time, due to Rando’s continued provocations, I was always stationed at the command. I was exhausted from staying up all night and patrolling.”

His hand brushed her thigh. Her body flinched.

“Ugh…”

“When I finally had a chance to rest, the first place I went was the cathedral. There, I saw you smiling.”

“C-Costance.”

She was just as anxious. Feeling ticklish, she suddenly hugged his neck. She felt Sir Costance’s body stiffen.

“Haa, Vivi…”

“Keep talking, keep going.”

“……I might have fallen for you at first sight. Since then, Vivi, you’ve been on my mind.”

His hand, which had been holding her waist, moved up.

“Even when I went to see Alonso, my eyes were always on you. You were beautiful, radiant, gentle… and smelled incredibly good.”

A good smell. How could he smell me from afar?

“I just felt it.”

He immediately spoke, noticing her expression.

Even while gripping her tightly, he was sometimes as careful as handling glass.

“Vivi.”

He said something, but she couldn’t understand due to the strange sensation.

She just hoped he would quickly resolve this itch.

“Haa.”

“Vivi.”

Something touched her. She lowered her gaze. At the same time, her body tensed.

“Relax.”

Sir Costance grunted. The indescribable sensation made her hands and feet curl.

This was very strange. She hurriedly grabbed a pillow beside her and hid her face. She couldn’t do it with a bare face.

“Vivi…”

“It’s strange.”

“I’ll make it not strange…”

“H, how?”

“I can do it if I see your face.”

He grabbed the pillow covering her face.

“Please show me your face. I want to do it while looking at your face.”

“That’s, strange… Ah.”

Her eyes widened. Her body and arms stiffened. In that gap, he snatched her pillow and greeted her with a languid smile. Before she could say anything, he kissed her.

His lips calmed her tense mind.

“Haa… Sir.”

“I don’t want to make you, ugh, uncomfortable.”

“I’m, I’m a little scared. If it hurts…”

Sir Costance didn’t answer. Normally, he would have confidently said, “It won’t hurt,” “It’ll be okay,” or something. But his silence was frightening.

“Sir?”

Sir Costance’s Adam’s apple was clearly visible.

He seemed to be struggling even to stay still, sweating profusely. A drop of sweat that had just fallen from his chin was hot. Sir Costance gritted his jaw and his eyes reddened.

He was struggling in his own way.

“Ah…”

“Vivi. Vivi. I love you.”

He hesitated, desperately suppressing his desire.

“Ugh.”

“You have a nice scent.”

“……”

“When I get close, it’s so nice that I lose my mind.”

He buried his nose in her neck and bit again. Her moan made him flinch. At the same time, something snapped. Sir Costance was no longer in his right mind.

“Vivi, if it hurts, please tell me. I’ll try my best.”

What exactly was he trying to do? 

That was his last bit of reason and warning.