Javier received a generous welcome during his three-day stay at the imperial palace. Amid the lavish banquets and endless hospitality, he sat confidently without the slightest hint of awkwardness.

On the day of his departure, Icarus and Ertel personally boarded a cruise ship to see him off, escorting him to the edge of the sea.

On their return journey, the yacht glided through the waves under the warm sunset glow.

They had come to stay at Arenbel Castle. Even in this castle perched on a quiet hill, they were given the topmost room.

Icarus gently took Ertel’s hand.

“I didn’t think you’d ever see someone off like that—other than me.”

His voice was low and deep, yet a hidden wave of emotion trembled within it.

Ertel quietly smiled as she looked at him.

“It was just a send-off. Nothing more, nothing less.”

His hand slid down to her waist and gently pulled her into an embrace.

“I don’t want to share you.”

“……”

“With anyone.”

Icarus closed the door and slowly approached Ertel. His hand caressed her face as his gaze met hers with tenderness. With large fingers, he gently tucked her hair behind her ear.

“You are everything to me, Ertel.”

“Icarus……”

“I don’t care what Javier thinks of you.”

“……”

“I want you to be with me. Forever.”

At Juan’s words, Ertel closed her eyes. His warm breath grew closer and closer.

Icarus’s lips brushed lightly against hers. At first, it was a soft touch, but then it deepened—deeper and more passionate. His lips were both gentle and intense.

“Hnnh.”

As their breaths mingled, it felt like the world disappeared, leaving only the two of them. A sharp heartbeat pulsed against Ertel’s fingertips where they touched Icarus’s chest.

He slowly laid her down on the bed, gazing at her with eyes so intense it was as if he would devour her.

“You are mine.”

‘My one and only, unbearably beautiful woman.’

“No one but me can desire you.”

Then Ertel quietly smiled.

“I’m already yours.”

“……!”

“No one else can covet me but you.”

It was a line that shattered a man’s reason.

Icarus slowly lowered his body over hers.

“Mmnn……”

Overwhelming desire burst forth and enveloped her. Their lips met again.

This time, Icarus’s kiss was even hotter, even more relentless. His tongue stirred as if intending to dominate every inch, binding her so tightly it was difficult to breathe.

When Ertel instinctively tried to pull her head back, he drew her in tighter as if he wouldn’t let her go.

“Haah.”

“Where do you think you’re going?”

As his hand moved from her cheek down to the nape of her neck, then to her shoulder, his lips never ceased. His hand slowly slid along her waist, exploring her body.

When his persistent tongue finally withdrew, Icarus whispered low against her ear.

“This is how I’ll love you.”

The thrill at the tips of his fingers made her body tremble. At some point, Ertel had grown completely sensitive to his touch.

“Ah.”

Even the slightest movement made her gasp.

Icarus, in one swift motion, pulled off her dress and claimed her entirely.

“Beautiful.”

No matter how many times he felt it, her skin never failed to enchant him—so soft and smooth. Watching Ertel unravel on the bed was pure ecstasy.

“Icarus.”

He drove into her as if to consume her whole. Even when he had her, the thirst never ceased—he wanted to destroy the wife who made him crave more and more.

Outside the castle, the sound of wind and waves clashing could be heard, but inside, they focused solely on each other.

Their bodies pressed close, feeling each other’s warmth. Ertel’s soft, supple touch always melted Icarus completely.

He buried his face in her like a child clinging to his mother. As he left marks all over her body, Ertel tilted her head back, not knowing what to do.

Icarus did not miss the moment and began targeting an even more sensitive spot.

“You are my everything.”

The more Icarus sweated, the more Ertel’s mind grew hazy. The mixture of slight pain and thrilling pleasure filled her with happiness.

Outside, the wind gently tapped the window, but it could not disturb the quiet breaths between them.

Time no longer existed in that space. The boundary that once separated them had already blurred, and the two moved closer—deeper and more completely—to one another.

Icarus’s hands firmly held Ertel, his gaze intense and piercing, as though looking straight into her heart. Sharing each other’s warmth, their bodies became one.

That deep night felt like an eternity permitted only for them.

***

The next morning.

The quiet of dawn slowly seeped into the room from outside the window. The soft sunlight shining through the curtains wrapped around the bed, slowly brightening the once-dark room.

The sky outside was clear, and gentle waves rippled across the blue sea. The breeze brushed softly against the window, as if announcing a new day for them.

Sunlight fell gently on Ertel’s skin, and she slowly opened her eyes to the delicate warmth of the light.

“Mm.”

Her body was nestled securely in Icarus’s arms. His arms were still wrapped tightly around her waist, and within that warmth, Ertel felt as if she were still dreaming.

‘This isn’t a dream.’

The memories of the previous night slowly resurfaced as she awoke. His touch, his lips, and the fiery moments they had shared.

The lingering sensations of last night seemed to envelop her whole body.

When Ertel shifted slightly, Icarus instinctively pulled her closer, as if he had been waiting. Even in his sleep, his body reacted to keep her close.

“Ah.”

Ertel let out a soft breath as she felt him bring his lips to her nape.

A morning kiss followed immediately.

“Awake?”

Icarus’s voice was low and husky, still heavy with sleep. His eyes, however, held the same intense emotion from the night before as they looked at her.

“Yes. But you woke me up first.”

He smiled, brushing off her words, and lowered his head again to press soft kisses along her neckline. Every time his lips touched her skin, Ertel felt a small tremor run through her.

“Still not enough……”

Icarus whispered low, tightening his arm around her waist to pull her even closer.

Every time their bodies touched, the emotions of last night stirred up once more.

“Icarus……”

He kissed her again, this time far deeper and more intoxicating. As their lips indulged in one another, their breaths once again entwined into one.

Ertel sank back into his tender touch, with no thought of escaping the firm embrace that held her.

Icarus slowly caressed her face, then broke the kiss.

“Good morning, my everything.”

Just then, room service arrived. On the tray were croissants and jam, elegantly arranged beside fresh fruits to awaken the morning.

Icarus reached for a piece of bread first. With one hand, he carefully tore the bread and brought it to Ertel’s lips.

“Say ah.”

Ertel did not refuse his touch and slowly opened her mouth. Perhaps because it was bread he had fed her, the soft texture and nutty flavor seemed even richer in her mouth.

“Is it good?”

When Icarus asked, Ertel smiled and nodded.

“It tastes better because you fed me.”

“Really?”

Icarus reached for a piece of fruit next and handed it to her, making Ertel laugh.

“Hahaha.”

“What’s so funny?”

“You don’t need to treat me like a child.”

Icarus calmly lifted his coffee. The strong aroma of the “Lucian Black” coffee touched his lips, its intense fragrance awakening his senses.

Though its bitterness lingered, the deep, rich flavor carried the weight of something more than just coffee. It was like a well-aged wine with layers of depth.

“Isn’t this morning together… rather nice?”

Icarus asked softly as he set the coffee cup down.

“Yes. I wish this morning would never end.”

The morning sunlight grew stronger, streaming through the window to fill the room.

As Icarus watched his wife savor her coffee, he reached out and gently brushed her orange-tinted hair aside.

“We have plenty of time, Ertel.”

The last traces of the coffee’s aroma filled the room, saturating both their hearts.