Chapter 109. Embarrassed

“Umm…”

A hot breath escaped between my teeth. It might have been Johann’s breath.

Our breaths were intertwined like tangled threads, so mixed that it was impossible to tell whose breath was whose.

My mind was foggy, and I couldn’t think of anything.

The kiss was softer and sweeter than milk chocolate, and I felt like my whole body was melting. It was my first kiss.

Then Johann’s fingers tangled in my hair, wrapping around the back of my head. His hand firmly supported my head, and his lips enveloped my lower lip once more, almost simultaneously.

And then…

“Ah…”

A strange sound escaped my mouth, uncontrolled. It was a more embarrassing sound than any that had come out before.

It was because of Johann.

I didn’t know how he did it, but he naturally parted my lips and slipped his tongue inside.

My heart, already racing, pounded even harder. Feeling the heat rise in my face, I tried to push him away a little. Or at least, I intended to.

But Johann, as solid as a rock, didn’t budge.

Wait, wait a moment.

“Mm…”

Oh no.

I couldn’t speak because of Johann’s tongue.

Is this how it’s supposed to be? Is this what a kiss is really like?

I was really confused because I had no experience.

A hot kiss isn’t just about touching lips?

His tongue entered through my parted teeth, filling the space densely. I couldn’t say anything, nor could I breathe properly.

What do I do?

What should I do?

Ironically, at this moment, the only person I could cling to was Johann. Even though he was the one who had driven me to this point.

There was a strange strength in his hand that was firmly wrapped around my waist. It was an unfamiliar sensation.

I felt like I might cry from the ticklish sensation in my lower abdomen. It was embarrassing and shameful.

I instinctively knew. The things that were glossed over with ‘morning chirp’ in web novels were happening to me right now, at this very moment.

“Mm…”

I tightly gripped the fabric near his shoulder.

No way.

He’s not planning to do more than kiss, is he?

As soon as I had that thought, Johann’s lips parted briefly. And I saw it—his dreamy gaze. He was in another world, like someone deeply intoxicated by something.

In the midst of my confusion, one thing became clear.

Right now, Johann was not the rational emperor making judgments. He was a man completely mad about something.

“Just, wait…”

As he tried to press his lips against mine again, I hurriedly blocked his mouth with my hand. Johann’s blue eyes wavered for a moment.

Then, the dreamy aura gradually faded, and a serious, calm light began to fill its place.

“Seraphina…”

Johann called my name in a slightly surprised voice.

I bit my lower lip and looked at him.

I thought it was embarrassing and shameful that the lips I first allowed and the inside of my mouth, which was invaded for the first time, felt so hot…

“…Why are you crying?”

There was a hint of confusion in Johann’s voice.

I knew too.

Why would I cry when it’s a time to be happy? It wouldn’t make sense. I also thought kisses were supposed to be enchanting and beautiful.

But somehow,

when embarrassment reaches its limit, it seems tears come out. It seemed like allowing the first time was like this.

So, I couldn’t kiss well, and I didn’t know what I was good at, but thinking about how the other person would perceive my clumsy state made me worried and nervous…

“…Is this also scary?”

Johann asked in a voice that sounded doubtful.

I didn’t particularly think it was scary. But I immediately realized why he asked that.

Johann’s gaze was on my fingertips. My fingers were trembling ever so slightly.

“Ah, this is…”

Yeah.

So it wasn’t fear but embarrassment.

The embarrassment had surpassed its limit.

“I’m not scared.”

I pressed the moisture gathered at the corners of my eyes with my hand and looked up at Johann with a resolute face. At that moment, I noticed his Adam’s apple bobbing noticeably.

Huh?

Why is he so tense?

The great Emperor Marseus…

“…Then did you dislike it?”

“Ah, that was…”

I tried to answer, but I couldn’t get the words out properly. I felt like I had become someone lacking, but there was nothing I could do.

A situation I was experiencing for the first time. Feelings I was experiencing for the first time.

Moreover, everything happened so suddenly, like a typhoon sweeping over.

I needed to take a moment.

I needed to organize my thoughts.

“For now.”

I took a step back from Johann. I thought I saw a hint of regret in his eyes, but I wasn’t sure. I was too confused at the moment.

“When did you start liking me?”

“Well…”

This time, Johann couldn’t answer.

He moved his lips slightly, staring intently at me, then turned his head away with a long sigh. Johann’s cheeks were flushed red.

I felt very confused, yet my heart fluttered. It felt like someone was stirring my heart, which had melted like whipped cream.

Johann, looking slightly embarrassed, ran a hand through his graceful silver hair and spoke.

“The first time you looked beautiful was…”

Ding ding.

It was then.

A clueless visitor had arrived.

Johann and I locked eyes in surprise, frozen.

The next moment, I turned my head toward the entrance. The only person who could come was Cyril.

Where had he been all this time, and what had he been doing?

Worry and curiosity rose simultaneously.

I ran straight to the entrance, missing Johann’s distorted expression in the process.

“Cyril!”

And at the moment I swung the door open.

“Cyril?”

Claude, with a very annoyed expression, occupied my view.

“Who the hell is that guy?”

“He’s the Master of the Information Guild.”

The answer came from Mihail, who was standing next to Claude. I was quite surprised by his kind explanation.

“Guild Master?”

I thought Cyril was at least an executive, but the Guild Master? That means he’s at the very top of the pyramid? Cyril had become such an amazing person?

As my mind buzzed with confusion, Mihail looked at me strangely.

“…You didn’t know?”

Wondering how I could not know that all this time.

“Hahaha. I’m surprised Sir Andantino knew.”

I mumbled something vague.

“But why did you come back?”

And the question I threw out to cover up hit the mark.

We hadn’t parted long ago, so why did he come back? We agreed to meet tomorrow, didn’t we?

“The sea breeze was rougher than I expected.”

“Oh, really?”

I answered, feeling uneasy.

So what are you saying? You can’t come inside now… My precious home can’t be turned upside down…

“I felt like my mouth was going to freeze.”

“Aha.”

…Even as I answered, I didn’t tell him to come in until the end.

Then Claude chimed in.

“It’s too cold.”

“Cold? You were fine in the Grodes Mountains.”

“I don’t know. The temperature doesn’t suit me.”

Gosh…

This guy, if he said something believable, I might have pretended to be fooled!

I was dumbfounded, but I didn’t have time to dwell on that feeling. Johann’s voice came from behind me.

“Unwelcome faces.”

His voice sounded quite smug as he said that.

When I turned around, Johann indeed wore a smug expression. As if to taunt them, ‘I’m inside the house, and you’re outside?’

I never invited you either!

You came in without a word and waited!

But how did he know this was our house?

As the question briefly arose, Claude and Mihail subtly crossed the line. The line of the entrance.

“I hoped you’d drift away with the ship, but you arrived well.”

“I had something to discuss with Your Majesty.”

“Uhh?”

I was pushed aside so easily it was almost laughable.

The intruders who boldly entered took over the living room. I thought it was a spacious house, but with three large men standing there, it suddenly felt cramped. Still, it was much better than the house I had in Elmon.

“Hey!”

Would you please not come in so naturally?

I tried to say something to the uninvited guests.

I had no intention of keeping them all in one space, especially not in our house.

But…

“Ugh…”

I was startled by a groan from somewhere and opened my eyes wide.

Strange.

The three heroes were right in front of me, and this was a house where I lived alone…

I slowly walked toward the direction of the sound. It was a room used as storage for various sewing materials and fabrics.

Click.

As I carefully opened the door, a familiar silhouette appeared on the floor. And recognizing who it was, I was shocked.

“Oh my, Cyril!”

“Ugh…”

A groan like metal scraping came from his mouth as he regained consciousness.

What happened?! Who did this to my precious Cyril?!

I was so angry that I quickly turned my head.

“What on earth happened here?”

The three heroes who had followed me stood at the doorway.

The culprit was among them. I looked at the three of them in turn.

Mihail looked intrigued, Claude seemed to have no thoughts at all, and Johann…

“Was it Your Majesty?”

At my cold question, Johann couldn’t answer and averted his gaze.

Oh my gosh!

I couldn’t believe it.

I had my first kiss with the guy who knocked Cyril unconscious! And with Cyril passed out just a door away!