Side Story 5 – The One and Only Person I Could Never Win Against (Part 3)

“Who dared to spout such nonsense to you?”

Cherta’s golden eyes, which had grown sharp in an instant, froze over with a cold glint. He rarely showed anger or used harsh words in front of Ria, but on this matter, he couldn’t hold back.

He had already resolved not to have any more children after the two they had now. He had even come to terms with the idea that someone without the imperial family’s signature red hair and golden eyes might ascend to the throne after him.

However, since the founding of the empire, no one without the imperial family’s traits had ever risen to the throne. Occasionally, during political meetings, nobles would subtly inquire about when the imperial family’s next heir could be expected.

To them, it was a natural concern for the future of the empire, as they were unaware of Cherta’s personal decision. But to Cherta, it sounded like they were pressuring Ria toward death.

He knew Elpis’s medicine, given by the gods, would prevent Ria from dying. He knew it in his mind, but the fear and anxiety he felt when imagining such a scenario were entirely different matters.

Above all, he had faced the prospect of losing her several times before. Though those events were years in the past, he could never forget how he had barely managed to bring her back each time. He would never forget, nor could he.

Even in their current peaceful life, the seeds of fear that had grown so large within him couldn’t be eradicated so easily. It would take much more time.

Cherta pulled their clasped hands, drawing Ria close to him.

“Ria, tell me. Who, not knowing the value of their own life, dared to utter such nonsense to you? Or was it Their Majesties who said it?”

At the sudden shift in atmosphere, Ria bit her lip.

Her original plan had been to gently persuade and seduce him. After all, today was the day her contraceptive injection’s effects would wear off, making it the perfect timing. She had even sent away the palace physician who was supposed to administer the injection.

Of course, she hadn’t told him that. Though she knew he wasn’t the type to change his mind easily, she hoped that bringing up the injection might sway him. Even if she succeeded in persuading him today, he might remember tomorrow that it was time for her next injection and simply go ahead with it.

That’s why today was her chance. Knowing how overprotective they were, she understood that if she missed this opportunity, she’d have to wait another three months for the next one.

But in her emotional state, she had unknowingly brought up the topic of an heir. She didn’t know why, but she was aware of how sensitive he was about the subject.

“No, you know better than anyone that Their Majesties have never said such a thing. And no one else said anything to me either.”

“Then?”

“…I misspoke. I just… I just wanted to convince you…”

Seeing her trembling eyes and tightly pressed lips, Cherta sighed and pulled her into his arms. He hadn’t intended to interrogate her, but his frayed nerves had gotten the better of him.

Placing a hand on her head as she leaned against his shoulder, he gently stroked her hair and softened his voice to apologize.

“I was too sensitive. I’m sorry for scaring you.”

“…I’m sorry too.”

As Ria shook her head and apologized in turn, Cherta buried his face in the crook of her neck and stroked her back. The warmth of her body in his embrace eased his tense nerves, and the thorns of anxiety that had been pricking him melted away.

“I know you don’t want to have another child because of the heir issue. Even if that were the case, it wouldn’t be a problem. I only reacted so sensitively because…”

Cherta paused, biting his lower lip.

“I’m still afraid. Even just the morning sickness—look at you. Where else could you lose weight from? Your already slender body became even thinner. Just that alone made me… consumed by the fear of losing you.”

When it comes to anything involving you, I become such a coward that all I can do is say no.

Hearing his whispered confession, Ria hugged him tightly. She felt guilty after hearing his honest feelings. It seemed she was the only one who had been carefree, reassured by their peaceful life. Now she realized that he, and likely the other three as well, had hidden their concerns to avoid worrying her.

In truth, this situation had arisen because they had both tried to avoid causing each other worry.

She, too, had hidden her true reason for wanting a second child to prevent them from worrying.

“I… I didn’t feel much familial love growing up, so I wanted to show Lionel and Rizer what it’s like to be surrounded by family love. I thought that creating a warm home full of laughter and warmth would do that.”

“…”

“I know that the number of family members doesn’t necessarily make that happen, but it was the only way I could think of.”

Cherta cupped her cheek and gently lifted her face. Their golden and brown eyes met, and in his gaze, Ria saw waves of worry for her.

She carefully raised her hand to wipe the corners of his eyes. She knew they always looked at her like this whenever she brought up her past, which was why she hadn’t been able to speak honestly.

“You’ve already given me such a home. A bustling house with two children, full of laughter and warmth. But I kept wanting more. I wanted to have a child who looked like you.”

Ria brushed her lips softly against the corner of his eye.

“I never meant to make you anxious. I don’t want to do that now or in the future.”

Images of a child resembling both of them floated in her mind again. She knew it was stubborn of her, but ever since the image had appeared, she couldn’t let go of the thought.

“I know I’m being stubborn. But knowing your fears and concerns, I still can’t let go of this feeling. No, it’s because I know them that I can’t let go.”

So just for today, just for today, grant me this wish. If a miracle doesn’t happen today, I won’t be stubborn anymore.

“Really… Can’t we?”

Ria looked into his eyes, her gaze filled with earnest hope. Her soft brown eyes sparkled with deep longing.

“…”

Cherta could not resist those eyes. He could not refuse something she so earnestly desired.

Closing his eyes tightly, he buried his face once again into the nape of her neck. The sound of her pained groans and the scent of blood seeping through the cracked door seemed to resonate right by his ears and nose, causing him to press his face even deeper into her skin. He inhaled deeply.

The sweet scent of her body, which always calmed him, overpowered the pungent smell of blood. The faint but steady sound of her breathing began to drown out the painful groans.

And then, what followed was a miraculous moment that came to him after those hellish hours. It was the sound of their beloved children crying out loudly upon their birth. Ah, it was then that Cherta understood.

He realized what Ria had meant when she said she couldn’t let go of her feelings because she knew his fears and worries.

She wanted to erase his anxiety and concern by showing him, once again, the wonder and overwhelming joy he had felt when he first saw Lionel and Rizer, their newborn children.

She wanted to create a sturdy fence, a wide and secure haven, so he could finally feel at ease.

“…How could I ever win against you?”

Cherta’s voice cracked with emotion. He admitted it once again.

In his entire life, and for the rest of his days, he could never, ever win against her.

Once he made up his mind, his actions flowed as smoothly as water.

He swallowed her heated breaths entirely into his being and kneaded her soft skin beneath his hands to his heart’s content.

Her body, which always made him lose the composure he rarely ever lost, felt even sweeter today, and he willingly indulged in that sweetness. The crimson memories tainted with the scent of blood were washed away, deeply buried under waves of sweetness.

The chair screeched as it slid backward, and her delicate body was laid across the desk. The mountain of papers piled high toppled chaotically, scattering across the floor in a shapeless mess. Now, the desk was covered by her jet-black hair, darker than the night sky.

Cherta gazed at her slender, pale neck as if he were a lion eyeing the neck of a deer. It had only been a few days since he last saw her, but it had been weeks since he last held her.

His golden eyes gleamed like those of a predator before a delectable meal, an instinctive reaction that reason could not suppress.

However, a part of his reason still lingered. 

Was this really okay? Even though I couldn’t win against her, was this truly acceptable?

Could I truly keep from losing her?

That lingering fear, which his reason could not shake off, held him back from sinking his teeth into her delicate neck.

Ria, noticing the faint trembling in his golden eyes, reached out her arms. His fears were hers to bear. After all, she was the one who had first planted those seeds of anxiety in him, so it was her responsibility to soothe them.

“Cherta, it’s okay.”

“…”

“No matter how great your fears may be, they won’t consume me. You’re always protecting me, aren’t you?”

So give me your worries.

She whispered to him. 

Don’t hesitate—just hold me tightly. 

Ria waited for him, as if coaxing a beast to loosen its leash on its own and come closer.

“Ria.”

Cherta slowly closed his eyes and then opened them, calling her name as he surged forward, releasing his pent-up anxiety. He left a deep mark on her pale neck, which he had devoured with his eyes, and tore her dress off with rough movements.

The marks Eden had left the previous day were gradually overlain with new ones created by Cherta. As though melting away his fears, he obsessively kissed and bit every inch of her fair skin.

“Ah…!”

His lips, trailing downward, stopped at her damp folds. Cherta delved in, savoring the sweetness he hadn’t tasted in so long. He buried his face into her plump flesh, exhaling deeply, and licked her slit from bottom to top before plunging inside.

“Hah, mm, Cherta.”

Ria arched her body and placed her hands on his head, unable to withstand his unusually rough movements. But Cherta, undeterred, greedily lapped up her nectar. He cupped it in his rounded tongue and swallowed it down, quenching his parched throat with the heat of her essence.

Gripping the insides of her creamy thighs with both hands, he spread them wide. With freer movement now, he relentlessly tormented her. Rolling her sensitive nub with his thumb, he sucked so hard that an audible sound echoed. He rubbed her wrinkled inner walls with his tongue, pressing firmly against her erogenous zones.

His relentless, rough ministrations didn’t stop until Ria finally spilled her juices. Even the droplets of her essence that dripped down his chin, which he couldn’t catch in time, were wiped up with the back of his hand and licked clean. Running his hand through his disheveled hair, he opened the drawer beside him.

“Ah, hah… Huh?!”

Ria, who had been catching her breath after reaching her peak, flinched sharply at the ticklish sensation trailing down her body.

Barely managing to prop herself up by leaning on the desk with trembling arms, she saw a quill in his hand. The feather attached to it looked softer than silk.

“Ch-Cherta?”

Ria’s eyes trembled as she looked at him. Licking his lower lip languidly, he leaned over her with one hand braced against the desk.

“I’m not stopping now.”

The pure white feather brushed against her cheek, then slowly glided down her neck, collarbone, and chest. His gaze followed the feather as it descended, stopping at the flushed peaks of her br*asts. He teased the sensitive tips with the feather before lifting his eyes to meet hers.

“You said it was okay.”

She had been the one to encourage him when he hesitated, but she hadn’t expected him to become this assertive. She had thought he might reluctantly go along with her wishes, given her persistence.

But now, he was entirely different. He was exploring her with his own will, erasing the last remnants of his fear and worry to align with her desires.

Ria, gazing into his eyes filled with nothing but passion, smiled softly. A miracle would surely come to them today.