SIDE STORY – Elgagrove (Part 7)

It was a fantastical reality. Or rather, reality felt like a fantasy. She completely lost her sense of reality in this dreamlike landscape.

Standing by the lakeside, she watched for a long time. She tried to imprint the spectacular view in her memory. To fully feel the temperature, smell, and colors of the air. Until the brief twilight faded silently. Until the fireflies in the deepening darkness gradually thinned out.

It was then that the man, who had been waiting quietly and patiently by her side, spoke.

“Shall we go now?”

Evelyn slowly turned her head.

“The final destination. We’re almost there.”

He extended his hand. Evelyn took it without hesitation. In the distance, a forest covered in blue darkness was visible. Her heart pounded with anticipation.

Bryant’s secret hideout was a little away from the lakeside. They had entered the edge of the forest, quite a distance from the mansion. It seemed somewhat dangerous for a child to come and go alone. 

What was he thinking when he came all the way here to escape the adults? 

Evelyn felt a pang of sympathy for young Bryant.

The old log cabin was clearly untouched for a long time. Judging by its size and structure, it wasn’t meant for living but perhaps built for workers or hunters to stay a day or two. A rough wooden table and a bed without a mattress. Several dust-covered chairs. And a fireplace. In front of it was a very worn carpet. A rug so frayed and worn out in places.

“It’s a wonderful cabin. It would be perfect as a setting in a novel.”

Evelyn murmured as she approached the window frame. Delicate light clung to the intricate spiderweb.

“Include it in your next work. As a murderer’s hideout.”

The man replied from behind her. His voice tinged with laughter.

“Let me start a fire. It’s too dark.”

Evelyn turned her body to watch him. Bryant crouched in front of the fireplace, opening a rusty tinderbox. His movements in striking the flint and starting a fire were so skillful that she couldn’t help but laugh. As he transferred the flame to small kindling, the surroundings brightened. Not too bright, but enough to discern the interior.

After checking the fire in the fireplace, the man stood up. As if waiting, Evelyn asked,

“You said you mostly read books here, right?”

“Yes.”

“Specifically, how?”

“Sitting on that bed. Sometimes lying here.”

He pointed to the floor in front of him as he answered. Evelyn imagined a boy lying in front of the shabby fireplace reading a book. A boy with slightly brighter blonde hair and a beautiful pale face. Dressed in fine clothes befitting a noble, lying on the floor reading a novel. What dreams did that boy have?

“It’s a bit shabby to host a lady, but I didn’t clean it. I wanted to show it as it is.”

“Good job.”

“Instead,”

Bryant picked up a blanket from one corner. It was thick, quite large, and clean, a new one. Evelyn watched as he spread the blanket on the floor.

“Sit down.”

Here? 

She looked up at him with questioning eyes.

“I’ve prepared a gift.”

Bryant replied, extending his hand. 

What kind of gift required sitting here? 

Evelyn, with an expression of uncertainty, followed his instructions. She sat on the gray blanket, her skirt rustling. The gift’s identity was soon revealed. He retrieved something from a chair in the corner, and as soon as Evelyn saw the glossy wooden case, she recognized it.

A smoothly curved instrument. A violin.

“Are you going to play for me now?”

“I might make a mistake, so please forgive me in advance. It’s been a while since I played.”

“Don’t worry at all. I’ll forgive you as much as you want.”

Evelyn looked up at him with a face full of anticipation. Thinking it must be the piece she loved. Even as the man placed the instrument on his shoulder, she waited for the familiar first notes. But when he set the bow on the strings, her expectations were shattered.

The piece Bryant played was not “that piece.” The unfamiliar introduction, a far more aggressive composition, and a much more seductive melody. The unexpected choice was indeed a surprise gift. His earlier apology for potential mistakes was unwarranted modesty. His playing skill was better than any amateur she had heard. It didn’t seem like something he learned just for the sake of culture. His violin playing was even more impressive than she had anticipated.

“Bravo.”

So Evelyn couldn’t help but applaud.

Bryant, who exaggeratedly bowed like a performer finishing a stage, set the instrument down. After carefully placing it back in the case on the chair, he approached her. Evelyn looked up at him from where she sat on the blanket. Praises naturally spilled from her mouth, which she couldn’t quite close.

“That was truly excellent. So, so wonderful. Amazingly so.”

“My goodness. I’m more surprised that I can receive such high praise from you.”

“I can praise you even more.”

“Do you know the piece?”

“Of course. It’s a famous serenade.”

She replied as if it was obvious how she could not know. In fact, it was so famous that not knowing it would be strange. One of the representative songs of Ritten. A song with very romantic lyrics.

“I am yours.”

She said.

“You know it well.”

He smiled.

“Now, give me a reply.”

“…….”

“I gave you a gift.”

Bryant smiled as he leaned in. Kneeling at her feet, he brought his face close. Evelyn willingly extended her hands to his face. And slowly, gently, she caressed him.

Evelyn knew that this pleased him. Bryant liked being touched by her, especially on his face, as if he were cute and lovable. Just like he often did to her.

When she touched his face, the man obediently closed his eyes. His long, thick eyelashes were beautiful. Evelyn smiled silently. The tips of her fingers felt the rough texture of his skin. By evening, his jawline would become slightly bluish. Evelyn found even that endearing. So irresistibly charming that she couldn’t help but lean in for a kiss.

She pressed her lips lightly and closed her eyes. Even though he didn’t respond, she wasn’t flustered. She knew well how to open his closed lips by now.

She pulled back slightly and tilted her face again. A bit more forcefully this time, and as expected, he soon opened up. Bryant couldn’t resist her allure for long. He would rather get excited ahead of her. He pretended otherwise, but Evelyn knew everything.

So she retreated at the right moment. When their lips parted, he opened his eyes. His eyes, tinged with a crimson light, looked almost black. The small flames burning inside the fireplace.

“You said no one can find us here.”

“…….”

“Are you sure?”

When Evelyn whispered, the man laughed. A dry laugh.

“Probably.”

Bryant answered, touching her face. He was still kneeling on both knees. He lowered himself like a beast walking on all fours, ready to pounce at any moment.

“You must be sure. That’s why you brought me here.”

She replied coyly, and he chuckled softly.

“You’ve become quite perceptive.”

Thanks to you. 

Those words never escaped her lips.

*

Slight

The night in June was not hot. The old log cabin, situated between the lake and the forest, was even a bit cool. There was a small fire in the fireplace, but it was mainly for light. The heat it emitted was only slightly better than a lamp.

Nevertheless, Evelyn was flushed as if she had been suffering from intense heat.

Her body and mind had melted in the blazing heat. Everything was hot and sticky. Her n*ked body. The man’s body pressing against hers. Sweat formed wherever bare skin touched. Hot, sticky, sweet sweat.

“Ah.”

At times like this, Evelyn felt like a beast. She communicated not with words but with sounds. Good. A little more. Stop. Bryant understood the sounds resonating from her throat. Although he often lightly ignored them.

When he acted like a master, she had no choice but to become a willing sl*ve.

The dry kindling quickly caught fire. Since it wasn’t piled high, it didn’t last long. The flame-like tongue soon subsided, but the light remained. The ember’s crimson glow soaked into the man’s bare body and face. Evelyn watched him, catching her breath.

At times like this, she fell into a delusion. When they were this close, sitting as one, she felt like she knew everything about this man. She felt like she knew Bryant Clifton better than even God. It seemed that no one else in the world truly knew him except Evelyn Dale.

In that overwhelming delusion, she reached out to him.

“Bryant.”

When she whispered, the man looked up. Evelyn stretched out her hand and cupped his face. The warmth and moisture touched her palm. Yet she was anxious because she couldn’t get closer. Even though their entire bodies were already touching.

“Bryant.”

He answered with a silent gaze. In the dim room, his eyes were black. In those eyes, Evelyn could see. Relief. Satisfaction. Fulfillment. Emotions that filled her as well.

Perhaps it was those emotions that emboldened her.

With a rather firm strength, she pushed the man’s body. Bryant, who was pushed to the floor, looked up at her. Evelyn, with her upper body straightened, looked down at him. And she began to drive him forward. The senses that had dulled for a moment sharpened again. New excitement surged between their gazes.

Without a thread of clothing, they shared the most primal senses. A peculiar expression appeared on Bryant’s face as he looked up at her. Her lovely lover. The man who looked only at her. Meeting his gaze with lowered eyes, Evelyn realized.

Names don’t matter. They are just part of the identity. Just as she is Evelyn Dale and Dennis Howle. Just as he is Bryant and Henry and Clifton. Marriage and vows. Husband and wife. What do such names mean at this moment?

Here and now, there are two people looking at each other. A man and a woman. Two people who completely possess each other. A woman and a man who belong entirely to each other.

Truly, what other names are needed beyond that?

“Evelyn, wait a moment.”

The man’s large hand grasped her waist. Although he was at his limit, Evelyn didn’t stop. She had no intention of stopping. She rushed forward, following her senses. To the place she wanted to be.

Until the man, who had been holding on, finally surrendered.

“Ah.”

Evelyn closed her eyes toward the air. Her breath, running wild beyond control, was overwhelming. Her rough breathing didn’t feel like her own. It was like a storm.

Bryant was trapped helplessly within her. Completely belonging. When she acted like a master, he had no choice but to become a willing sl*ve.

Possessing while being possessed. Being possessed and thus completely possessing.

The only emotion that allows such a paradox.

A relationship where only that emotion is everything.

“Ha….”

Her breath caught at her throat. Her heart pounded as if it would burst. A hot pleasure shook her entire body.

At last, Evelyn Dale was free.

*