Zephion answered, pressing his lips to hers. It was just a kiss, yet a tingling sensation spread to the tips of her fingers. They stood there with their lips pressed together, quietly absorbing each other’s essence.

After a long time, Zephion pulled away, smiling shyly. As she gently stroked the rough patches where his tears had dried, his face flushed slightly and he suddenly sat up straight.

Rubbing his face hard with his sleeve, he muttered that he was going to wash up, then slipped into the bathroom.

Reina blinked, her face a little dazed, then let out a small laugh.

‘Love.’

She had never really wondered what kind of feeling it was. Her fingertips still tingled faintly as she toyed with them.

Calling it love made it feel like love—and yet, somehow, not quite. But one thing she was certain of: she enjoyed being with Zephion.

She felt at ease in his presence. When he was younger, she had even wished their time together would never end.

Reina turned her thoughts inward, examining her own heart.

‘Why me?’

Was it simply because she had saved his life? Or was it because of the guilt she felt for causing his leg injury? Or was it simply because she was the woman by his side?

As she pondered these thoughts, Zephion returned, his hair dripping with water. When she held out her hand, he tilted his head curiously and stepped closer. Without a word, she took the towel from him and began to dry his hair.

She tried to recall Rose’s deft touch, but her own movements were clumsy and awkward.

Even so, Zephion seemed unbothered, resting his head obediently under her hand. He sat at her feet, smiling up at her like a child with his chin on her knee.

“Zephion.”

“Yes.”

“Why do you love me?”

“Do I need a reason?”

“I want to know.”

“Then why does Reina love me?”

“I… don’t know.”

“I don’t know either. I just… one day I woke up and realized I already loved you.”

“Since when?”

“Since long ago.”

Zephion reached out and wrapped his arms around her waist. His still-damp hair darkened the hem of her skirt.

“Every time, you tells me I’m too young. I hated that so much.”

“…”

“No matter how hard I tried, I could never close the gap in our ages.”

She set the damp towel aside. His hair was still slightly wet.

“You won’t call me too young anymore, will you?”

He lifted his head and gave her a wide grin. His face still held traces of boyishness, and she couldn’t help but smile.

“You’re still young.”

“…Will you still say that when I turn thirty?”

‘When he turns thirty.’

The words struck her strangely. She had never imagined a future with Zephion. She had thought she would never see him grow older.

Reina gently stroked his dark hair, her gaze lingering on the face that had only just stepped into adulthood.

‘Could I truly promise him a future? Could I really spend the rest of my life with this boy—no, this man?’

After a brief pause, she smiled faintly.

“Even when you’re a hundred, I’ll say the same.”

Zephion frowned at that. The way he stuck out his lip was so childish that she couldn’t help but laugh. In response, he scowled deliberately, as though to show her.

Leaning down, Reina pressed a light kiss to the crease between his furrowed brows. She had never wanted to kiss him first before.

‘Is it because I love him that I find him so endearing?’

As her lips lingered, he hesitated, then tilted his head slightly upward. Their noses brushed faintly. The memory of their first kiss flashed in her mind—and judging by his expression, Zephion was thinking the same.

Tilting his head, he leaned closer until his lips nearly touched hers. At the very brink, he whispered.

“May I kiss you?”

Her lashes lowered as she blinked slowly. After a moment’s hesitation, Reina gave a small nod.

Their lips met. She felt the smooth slide of his tongue as it slipped inside.

“Ah—mm…”

She closed her eyes at the sensations swirling through her mouth. This kiss was different from the first. Perhaps it was because they had already confessed their love for each other.

Carefully, she wound her arms around his neck. Zephion’s tongue traced the delicate inner curve of her mouth, drawing her closer. Skillfully, he tugged at the soft, yielding flesh within.

Her fingers brushed the damp ends of his hair. It felt as though more than a hundred declarations of love were being conveyed through this kiss alone. For the first time, she understood why lovers kissed and made love.

She half-opened her eyes. His golden eyes, fierce as a beast’s, met hers.

“Mm.”

He almost seemed to be smiling. He stroked her tongue, pressing deeper still.

She clung to the arms holding her so tightly that she could hardly breathe. When she shifted her head in protest, instead of letting go, he pulled her in even deeper, relentlessly. Her tongue ached, as though it were going numb.

“Ah—wait, ugh—wait a moment.”

She pushed at his shoulder, gasping for breath. At her barely uttered words, he finally pulled his lips away, his face flushed with excitement.

That look was more than enough to make him appear fully a man—a man, as Kaelid would have put it, capable of shoving himself deep inside her.

Reina exhaled in quick, shallow breaths. There were countless ways to express love, but she knew none of them.

It had been far too long since she had last received love, and she had never had anyone to give it to.

Only one thing came to mind, something she was skilled at, something she could do well. Yet she had never thought of it as an act of love.

Unable to hide the urge to kiss him again, she leaned a little closer. Their noses brushed faintly.

“…Let’s go to the bed.”

It was a clumsy attempt at seduction, but Zephion clearly understood. His eyes widened, and he said nothing—no Are you sure? or Will you be all right? Instead, he simply swept her up in his arms and carried her toward the worn bed.

As he lowered her gently onto the mattress and shifted his weight onto it, the frame groaned loudly in protest.

Reina reached up, pulling him down by the neck. Like a man bewitched, he climbed over her and pressed his lips to hers once more.

His tongue slipped deep into her mouth again. Understanding perfectly what she had meant, his large hand began to roam her body with careful reverence.

“Ah…”

She gasped at the tender warmth of his hand as it cupped her br*ast. Though he had tried to appear composed, his touch quickly became more urgent.

With frantic fingers, Zephion loosened the tight ties of her clothing and pushed them down.

When her br*asts spilled free, he forgot to kiss her, staring intently at them.

Embarrassed by his intense gaze, Reina tried to shield herself with her arms, but he caught her wrists and gently pried them apart.

“Don’t… look.”

She had exposed this body countless times before Kaelid and Yuta, to the point of loathing—so why did Zephion’s gaze make her feel so unbearably shy? As though reflecting her feelings, her n*pples tinged faintly red.

Zephion let out a long, uneven breath.

“How… how should I touch you?”

His voice trembled, as though he feared to lay a hand on her without permission. A faint flush spread across Reina’s cheeks. She had thought nothing about s*x could make her blush anymore. And yet, the simple request—Tell me how—made her want to run and hide.

Her lips parted, and instead of answering, she reached for the hand that held her wrist. He swallowed hard, his throat bobbing visibly.

“Like… this.”

She guided his large hand to her br*ast. The heat of his palm pressed firmly against her skin. Covering the back of his hand with her own, she moved it carefully.

Obedient as a child, Zephion mirrored her every motion, and a low groan slipped from his lips.

“Ah… it’s so soft.”

Even the gentle kneading of her br*asts sent a slow wave of heat through her belly. Reina guided his fingers down and pressed them against her swollen, sensitive n*pple. Taking his hand in hers, she rubbed the small, firm peak.

“Ah… mmh…”

The faint, teasing friction drew a soft m*an from her lips. Zephion’s gaze fixed on her br*asts and the tips that were beginning to flush red. For the first time, she understood what it meant to burn from a look alone.