Chapter 8 (Part 2)

Cordelia had always imagined their vows would take place in their garden, the most beautiful place she knew. But this moment felt perfect. Surrounded by the fragrant petals of the flower trees, it felt like a slice of heaven—the perfect setting for a promise of eternal love.  

Nathaniel gently helped her down from the horse, his hands steady as they supported her. Standing before him, Cordelia answered in a trembling voice.

 “Yes…”  

Nathaniel’s face lit up with a radiant smile.  

Seeing his expression, Cordelia opened her mouth to speak. This time, it was her turn to make the vow.  

“I will… l-love you forever. No matter what happens, I will never betray you… and I will always stay by your side. Um… so, will you… marry me?”  

Nathaniel, who had been watching her with a playful glint in his eyes, teased. 

“Not ‘Will you be my husband?’?”  

Embarrassed, Cordelia realized she had stumbled over her words, even mixing up the vow. Squeezing her eyes shut in mortification, she heard Nathaniel burst into laughter.  

“Don’t laugh! This is my first time doing something like this. Mistakes happen!” 

She protested.  

“Pfft… Ha ha… Alright, alright,” 

Nathaniel said, struggling to stifle his laughter.  

Despite Cordelia’s efforts to calm Nathaniel, he couldn’t stop laughing. His amusement lingered, so she leaned in and kissed him deeply, her tongue brushing against his in a short, intimate kiss. It worked; the atmosphere shifted. Kissing him proved to be the most effective way to change the mood.  

Taking advantage of the moment, Cordelia repeated her vow. 

“I will love you forever. No matter what happens, I will never betray you, and I will always stay by your side. Nathaniel, will you be my husband?”  

This time, she said it perfectly. She looked at him expectantly, as if asking. 

“Did I do well?” 

His clear eyes reflected happiness, and soon, they sparkled with emotion. Smiling brightly, he answered, 

“Of course.”  

Afterward, as planned, they continued their ride with Skoll, exploring the surroundings before returning home.  

Initially, they had intended to cut and share the cake together, but that plan was postponed until the next day. Their emotions overwhelmed them the moment they crossed the fence into their property.  

Throughout the ride home, Cordelia clung to Nathaniel’s neck and chest, humming happily. The joy of finally being his wife made her heart soar, though it seemed to have stirred something in him as well.  

As soon as they arrived home, Nathaniel quickly took Skoll back to the stable and returned to Cordelia. Without hesitation, he lifted her into his arms and carried her inside. Leaning against the wall, he kissed her deeply, his hands exploring her body. The intensity of his passion left her breathless.  

The heat between them grew, making her mind hazy. When her legs began to wobble, Nathaniel moved them to another spot. They kissed as they headed toward the sofa.  

On the table near the sofa sat the cake Cordelia had made, beautifully arranged with elegant tableware, but neither of them paid it any attention.  

Nathaniel laid her down on the sofa, then grabbed a towel nearby to wipe his hands before undressing her. He trailed kisses down her neck, slowly moving lower as his hands roamed over her bare skin.  

Cordelia’s body warmed with desire, and she began to unbutton his clothes in return. Before Nathaniel could touch her further, she reached for him first. Her hands found his hardened length, already slick with fluid. He had been aroused for some time.  

Nathaniel spoke softly, his voice low and filled with anticipation. 

“I’m going to start now.”  

By then, Cordelia’s clothes were completely removed. Nathaniel positioned himself between her legs, and as she nodded with a flushed face, he entered her.  

“Ah…”  

“Ugh…”  

Though they had been intimate countless times before, this moment felt different—special. Perhaps it was because they were now officially husband and wife, or because there were no barriers left between them. Maybe it was the promise of eternity they had just made to each other. 

For the first time, the pleasure they shared didn’t feel like an escape or a distraction. It felt pure, like the fulfillment of their love. This wasn’t about building their relationship, avoiding reality, or holding onto one another out of desperation. It was a union born solely from love.  

“Wait… Ah! You’re going deeper than usual… Ah!”  

“Cordelia… Say my name.”  

Nathaniel’s voice was gentle yet commanding as he thrust deeply, urging her to call his name. Even the sweat dripping from his brow seemed sweet.  

Cordelia wrapped her arms around his neck and chest, bringing her lips close to his ear. She whispered his name over and over again. 

“Nathaniel, Nathaniel.” 

Each time she said it, he pushed deeper inside her.  

“Hah… Ah… Haa…”  

“Nathaniel… I love you.”  

“Cordelia…”  

As they approached their first climax together, Cordelia confessed her love for him. Nathaniel responded by brushing his lips against hers tenderly.  

“You’re mine now, forever. I won’t ever let you go” 

He murmured.  

Cordelia smiled brightly and replied. 

“Please, don’t ever let me go. I want to stay with you forever.”  

Nathaniel tightened his embrace and nodded. 

“Please. Please stay with me. That’s all I’ve ever wanted. Don’t leave me.”  

His voice trembled with emotion, and his eyes glistened with unshed tears. Cordelia wanted to tease him for crying so much lately, but she found herself crying too.  

“This is strange… Hearing you say that makes me tear up. You’re not using reverse psychology, are you? You’re not planning to leave me, are you?”  

Nathaniel raised his head at her words and shook it firmly. 

“I could never leave you. I’ve known that from the beginning. I love you too much… Even if I had to give up everything else in my life, I could never let you go. So don’t worry.”  

Nathaniel spoke of things Cordelia didn’t know, but it didn’t matter. She couldn’t guess how he had known her for so long or how he had watched over her all this time. Yet, he said he loved her, and that was enough.  

“Yes, I believe you. And I promise, you won’t regret marrying me. Let’s live happily together—more than we do now.”  

At her words, Nathaniel’s tearful expression softened, replaced by a bittersweet smile. He rubbed his face against her chest and murmured, “Being with you like this feels like a dream…”  

“It’s not a dream… Ah…”  

Cordelia whispered as she welcomed him again. Her body tightened around his heated length, swallowing him deeply, inch by inch. The pressure overwhelmed her, leaving her breathless. Wanting to move freely, she leaned close to his ear and pleaded. 

“Nathaniel… Let’s go to bed… Quickly… Please? It’s too cramped here.”  

At her request, Nathaniel stopped his movements and lifted her into his arms. With every step he took, she felt him pressing deeper into her. The sensation made her cheeks flush, and she noticed the moisture trailing down her thighs.  

“You’re so cute. How can every reaction of yours be so beautiful?”  

“Don’t tease me…”  

“I’m not teasing you—it’s just how I feel.”  

Once he placed her on the bed, Nathaniel thrust his hips deeply, causing white sparks to flash before her eyes.  

“Ah…!”  

“Hah… Sorry. It seems I won’t be able to control myself tonight…”  

Nathaniel apologized in advance, but Cordelia only smiled. 

“Do as you please. It’s our wedding night… It’s fine, isn’t it? It’s truly our day…”  

She repeatedly reminded him of the fact that they were now fully bound to each other. Her words seemed to move him deeply, as he pulled her into an emotional embrace.  

“I can’t believe this is real… That this is reality.”  

“What’s making you so happy? Sometimes, it feels like you see me as something too extraordinary, and it scares me. What if one day the illusion fades? What would happen then?”  

“That will never happen. Someday… I’ll tell you everything.”  

“Okay…”  

“And you are extraordinary. You’re one of a kind in this world. Cordelia, stay by my side like this. Keep loving me… If you do, I’ll never change.”  

“That’s only natural. That’s why we got married. I’ve always been by your side, but now… Now, I can be with you without fear. You’re trustworthy, and so amazing… That’s why I’m so happy right now.”  

Hearing her heartfelt confession, Nathaniel exhaled deeply, his breath filled with relief and joy.  

Afterward, their intimacy continued for a long time.  

By the time white light began to filter through the curtains, they lay exhausted beside each other. Nathaniel held her close, as though they were one, his cheek buried in her loose hair. He repeatedly whispered how much he loved her, and Cordelia responded by kissing his jaw and echoing his words.  

“Ah… It’s already our first day as a married couple, darling.”  

“Yes, darling.”  

“Ha ha… You’re calling me that too?”  

“Of course. I became your husband yesterday.”  

Their conversation slowed, becoming softer and sweeter until Nathaniel fell asleep first. Cordelia closed her eyes in his warm embrace.  

Ah, I’m so happy.  

That was her reflection on their first day of marriage.  

She believed this happiness would last forever. Surely Nathaniel thought the same. For a time, they lived a dreamlike life together.  

But the paradise granted to her was shorter than she had expected. If she had known, she might never have dared to dream of marriage at all.