Chapter 2 (Part 13)

As Ria stared at their unshrinking c*ck, she wondered if the elixir Leah had given had been that strong.

But in fact, the effects of the elixir had long since worn off, and from the middle onwards, it was solely their desire. However, Ria didn’t know the truth because they were clever enough to use the elixir as an excuse, claiming that the effects lingered when they thrust again after ej*culation. It was only at times like this that they perfectly matched their desires.

Finally, the seemingly endless time came to an end. Of course, they could have continued, but seeing Ria’s delicate body, which seemed on the verge of fainting at any moment, they couldn’t push further. They realized they had done too much.

“Ria, don’t worry, you can sleep now.”

With a gentle stroke of his hand on her back, Ria was fast asleep, and Eden picked her up and made the familiar trip to the bathroom to bathe her in the warm water that Kahin had so graciously prepared. Rune ordered the servants to tidy up the bedroom and had followed them in, joined them, massaging her thin arms and legs.

Rune had always remembered how she said in passing that she was always exhausted and aching the day after having s*x with him, and that a massage like this would make her feel a little better. Now that there are many people she’s receiving, he should give her a massage so that she will be less sore tomorrow.

Soon after finishing the bath, Rune came out of the bathroom and laid Ria under the new blanket. He lowered his voice so as not to wake her and confirmed the most important part.

“Kahin, what about your birth control shots?”

“I just got a new one a while ago.”

Rune, who seemed to have expected that from someone with an honest nature, nodded without saying anything and then glanced at Eden, sighing before giving him a pitiful glance mixed with disdain.

“You’ve been getting it regularly since you’ve been doing that thing with women, right?”

“That ‘thing,’ you say…”

The ‘thing’ Rune referred to was Eden’s habit of taking women to bed without hesitation, just to challenge him. Obviously, he didn’t want to create any liability, so he must have been careful about contraceptive injections. The reason Rune hadn’t bothered to confirm Eden’s contraception from the beginning was for this reason.

“What if I hadn’t been taking it since I met Ria?”

But Rune’s eyes sharpened at his next words, which were meant to offend him. Of course, that statement couldn’t hold any ground, considering Eden feared Ria’s rejection like nothing else. But the fact that it came out in such a deliberately provocative way made him feel sick.

“If you truly cared for Ria, you wouldn’t dare.”

“Well, you know me well.”

Eden shrugged at Rune’s sharp words.

In truth, human greed knows no bounds, and Eden had considered many times how to possess her more perfectly than now. Naturally, pregnancy was one option. However, he had become even more cautious in his actions, knowing that he could lose her or even scare her away with his own desires.

The day he gambled on believing only in the founding myth was the first and last day he acted freely against what she disliked.

It’s complicated

Eden sighed inwardly as he sat at Ria’s bedside and lifted a lock of her soft black hair to his lips.

He faced a dilemma in treating her in a completely different way from how he had lived until now, and there was no solution to this dilemma.

＊ ＊ ＊ ＊

The sun rose high in the sky, casting warm light everywhere. However, even with sunlight streaming into the room, Ria remained asleep. It was understandable considering she had been tormented for almost half a day. The doctor had noticed this, hence the murmured scolding to the trio after examining her.

“I told you to take it easy, but I never dreamed you would bring in more people. Impressive, really.”

Of course, it was a loud voice for a murmur intended for listening. But there was nothing to say to the three of them who had many prickly points. Even though it was Ria who initiated it, she didn’t know the exact nature of the elixir. It was they who continued to pursue her, using it as an excuse. 

Eventually, Rune and Eden went to work at the palace without seeing Ria wake up. As the crown prince’s entourage, they had responsibilities beyond the duke’s work, and they couldn’t dismiss them lightly.

But even though he had left Kahin by her side, he felt a little relieved…, or maybe it was just his mood that made him more anxious.

While Rune was pondering whether leaving Kahin by Ria’s side was the right choice, he soon pushed aside his worries about the inevitable tasks and prepared the documents before heading to the prince’s office. Well, there was a bit of betrayal for confessing to Ria, but regardless, Kahin remained his loyal servant, so it should be fine.

“Your Highness, Duke Astina is here to see you.”

“Let him in.”

As soon as the palace attendant announced the visitor, permission was granted immediately. Upon entering, the first thing that caught Rune’s eye was the desk piled high with documents and the person sitting among them with red hair. As soon as the door closed, the person took off their glasses and rubbed their eyes, looking very tired.

“Greetings, Crown Prince of Liberté Empire.”

“No need for formalities when it’s just us.”

In response to the formal greeting, the prince waved his hand casually, and Rune nodded, placing the documents he brought on the desk.

“You look very tired.”

“I can’t help but look tired when the paperwork is endless. It’ll be even worse when I become emperor soon.”

“Soon, you say.”

“His Majesty wishes to hand over the throne to me as soon as possible so he can enjoy his old age with the Empress.”

“Your Majesty’s wit is still as sharp as ever.”

The Emperor and Empress’s chemistry was so good that it was famous throughout the Empire, even decades after their marriage. Without realizing it, Rune saw himself and Riain their relationship. Even after decades, he could see Ria smiling beside him, and in her arms was a child who looked just like her.

His lips curled up involuntarily at the thought, and he couldn’t help but chuckle softly. Unintentionally, memories of yesterday’s unexpected provocation resurfaced. Truly, yesterday had been more exciting than ever. Just recalling it made his blood rush downwards.

It only intensified his desire to lock her up and hold her close.

The crown prince’s eyes narrowed slightly as he observed Rune’s softened expression and even his faint laughter.

“Something good must have happened to you.”