29: An Unforgettable Night

Kael sat at his desk with a serious expression, resting his chin on his hand.

“What I saw back then… my father’s death. Why does it make me so angry? I don’t know why, but I feel like I’m going to go crazy with rage. I still can’t believe my father is dead… The man who killed him was supposedly a poor guy from the slums who tried to rob him and ended up killing him while drunk… But something about this doesn’t feel right. D*mn it! When will my memories return? If they come back, maybe these constant headaches and this suffocating frustration will go away… But why am I so reluctant to regain my memories? Reluctant? I… me? Why? Why the hell? D*mn it! D*mn it all!”

Kael, frustrated, pounded his chest, but the sound of knocking made him place both hands on the desk and call Matteo, who was standing outside, into the room.

“What is it?”

“Did something happen at the palace?”

“Not really. Why?”

“Well…”

“Matteo.”

As Kael frowned, Matteo bowed and, at the concise command of “Come here,” approached the desk with his head still lowered.

“Speak.”

“Both you and the lady don’t seem to be in good spirits since returning.”

“You mean my wife doesn’t look well?”

Kael shot up from his seat, and Matteo, nodding, slowly lifted his head. His expression clearly showed his deep concern.

“Ah, perhaps…”

“Do you have any idea why?”

“….”

“Duke?”

“I… I told her that we should consummate our marriage tonight. To ensure an heir.”

“!”

“She must have felt burdened. No wonder her expression didn’t look good… D*mn it! I was too hasty! D*mn it.”

Watching Kael pacing anxiously, Matteo turned his gaze to the side for a moment.

‘Did I hear that right? An heir… an heir! This might be the perfect opportunity granted by the heavens! If the two of them have a child! Then the Duke will have no choice but to… He has always been weak when it comes to children. If the lady bears his child… Yes, if there’s a child, even if the Duke regains his memories… Oh, heavenly deity, thank you so much.’

Matteo, whose eyes were growing misty, lowered his head when Kael called out to him.

“Speak, Matteo.”

“You’ve lived longer than I have and already have two sons, so… uh, sigh.”

“Duke?”

“Come closer.”

Matteo approached Kael, who gestured him over, and his eyes widened at the whispered words.

“D-Duke…”

“You’ve lived with Natasha for many years, so I assume… ahem… you’ve been through this. Teach me something… anything…”

“Haha.”

“Are you laughing? Right now?”

“No! Absolutely not! I’m not laughing at you, Duke. I just find it endearing how pure you still are!”

“Be quiet.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Matteo clasped his hands together and bowed his head, not even bothering to wipe away the cold sweat running down his face.

“Matteo.”

“Yes.”

“Look at me.”

“….”

“How can I consummate our first night without causing her pain? Teach me.”

Matteo bit his lip hard. If he didn’t, he feared he might burst out laughing in front of this adorable Duke.

“Matteo?”

“Sniff… Sniff. Alright, I’ll… I’ll teach you as much as I can.”

“Are you crying?”

“I bit my tongue, that’s all.”

“Haha. You’re something else.”

Kael chuckled, and Matteo joined in, though his laughter seemed more strained than genuine.

***

Kina paced nervously in front of the room, unconsciously biting her nails.

“Kina.”

“!”

At the sound of her name, Kina turned her head to see the knight captain, who was always near the lady. Her brows furrowed instinctively.

“What is it?”

“If you keep biting your nails like that, they’ll scar later.”

“….”

“Oh dear, they’re already bleeding.”

Ian approached and gently handed Kina a handkerchief. He knew that the woman he had fallen for at first sight didn’t think highly of him. That knowledge hurt, but he gave her a bittersweet smile. When Kina didn’t take the handkerchief and just stared at it, Ian apologized and carefully wrapped it around her bleeding thumb.

‘This man…’

No matter how cold she acted toward him, Ian’s unwavering kindness didn’t go unnoticed. A knight from a noble family showing interest in a commoner like her was almost laughable. Still, she was grateful. He was the only man who treated her and the lady well.

‘Right now, the Duke has lost his memories… but if he regains them…’

Thinking of how the lady had been mistreated and persecuted by Rensi and the other servants made Kina’s blood boil.

Even though she was furious, every time she saw the lady smiling and saying it was alright, Kina couldn’t cry in front of her. Instead, she would step into the hallway and quietly shed tears. And during those moments, this man would come to her side and offer her a handkerchief, just like now.

‘Why does he care about a commoner like me?’

Kina suddenly wanted to ask.

“Sir Knight.”

“Yes?”

“Why are you so kind to me?”

“Well, that’s…”

Kina noticed Ian’s face turn red as he stammered in response to her sudden question.

‘He’s cute. Wasn’t he nineteen?’

To twenty-three-year-old Kina, this younger knight was quite endearing.

“K-Kina… I… like you.”

“….”

“I like you, Kina.”

Ian, who held her hands tightly in his large ones, looked at her with sincerity, but Kina still couldn’t understand.

“I’m not pretty, nor am I slim. So why…?”

“Because I like you for who you are. I like how you love animals, enjoy a breeze on a cool day, and cherish tea time with the lady. I like those simple things about you.”

“….”

“Is it because I’m younger than you? Do you dislike me for that?”

“Not exactly… I don’t dislike you.”

“Ah!”

Ian’s joy was evident, and Kina couldn’t help but smile faintly at the sight of this large, puppy-like man.

‘Kina smiled at me! Is my sincerity finally reaching her?!’

“Sir Knight.”

“Please, call me Ian.”

“I’m a commoner, and you’re from a knightly family.”

“I may be from a knightly family, but I hold no title. So, I’d like you to call me by my name. May I call you by yours as well?”

“Do as you please.”

“Ah! Thank you, Kina!”

As Ian grasped her hands tightly again, Kina looked at him. When their eyes met, Ian quickly let go, apologizing, and Kina couldn’t help but laugh.

“Your smile is truly beautiful, Kina.”

“Ian.”

“Yes?”

“I have a favor to ask.”

“Anything! If it’s your request, I’ll do anything!”

“Please protect the lady.”

“….”

“Even if the Duke regains his memories, stay by her side and protect her like a shadow.”

Meeting Kina’s earnest gaze, Ian gently held her hand, knelt on one knee, and kissed the back of her hand. His eyes were filled with determination.

“I swear. I’ll protect the lady… and you, Kina.”

“Thank you, Ian.”

“It’s my honor.”

Listening quietly from behind the door, Aella smiled softly at the conversation.

‘Kina has found a good match. I hope things work out for them.’

Click.

When Aella opened the door, the two, who had been gazing at each other, quickly stepped apart.

‘How cute.’

Seeing their flushed faces, Aella couldn’t help but smile.

“Kina, could you check if Charlotte is playing well?”

“Yes!”

“Sir Ian.”

“Yes, my lady.”

“Could you play with Charlotte and Kina for a while? I’m feeling a bit tired.”

“Of course! Please rest well.”

“Thank you.”

After watching Ian hurriedly follow Kina, Aella closed the door and returned to her bed.

“Kael…”

She softly murmured the name of the man she loved. Remembering the cold expression she had seen in the carriage, Aella pressed her hand against her aching chest.

“Tonight will be the first and last night I share with Kael. I hope tonight lasts forever.”

With a deep sigh, Aella lay down on the bed.

“When I grew up, I thought I’d become Kael’s wife and the mother of children who resemble both of us.”

Lost in her memories for a moment, Aella let out a small laugh.

“Tonight, I want to be loved by Kael as much as possible. I’m embarrassed and scared, but… if it’s Kael, it’s okay. Oh, Kael…”

Closing her eyes, Aella imagined Kael holding her and whispering his love, tears quietly streaming down her face.

***

The long-awaited night finally arrived. After receiving a basic lesson from Matteo, Kael tried his best to maintain his composure, but his pounding heart betrayed him.

‘Don’t think about it. Don’t think about it!’

Even during dinner and while walking through the garden together, Kael was so preoccupied with calming his excitement that he was only half-aware of what was happening.

‘Kael… you’re nervous.’

Walking beside him, Aella noticed Kael’s stiff movements and suppressed a laugh, trying not to let it escape.

“Ella!”

“Yes?”

“Sh-Shall we go inside now?”

Smiling gently, Aella nodded, and Kael quickly grabbed her wrist and led her to the honeymoon suite that Natasha had prepared.

“Ah! Kael?!”

The moment they entered the room, Aella found herself enveloped in Kael’s broad embrace, her face flushing red.

Laying her on the bed, Kael gently caressed her flushed face.

‘She’s so soft.’

“Kael…”

At her trembling eyes and voice, Kael swallowed nervously, leaned down, and kissed her lips, gazing at her intently.

“Ella, I love you.”

“I… love you too, Kael.”

At her shy smile, Kael’s lips curled into a smile of his own as he slowly and tenderly began to explore his beloved wife’s body.

“Ah…! Ka-Kael! Hngh!”

As his once gentle touch grew bolder, Aella couldn’t keep still, nor could she suppress the sounds escaping her lips.

“Ella. Haa.”

“Ah, Kael…”

Locking eyes with Kael as he exhaled heated breaths, Aella felt like her body might melt under his fiery gaze.

“Ella, you’re truly beautiful.”

“Ah…!”

As Kael’s strong frame covered her, Aella reached out and held him tightly.

“Ella!”

“Kael… ah!”

Holding tightly onto the man who desired only her, Aella surrendered herself to the endless waves of pleasure.

Under the soft glow of the moonlight that illuminated the earth, she thought to herself that this night would be one she could never forget.