Track 07. Conclusion (Part 1)

So, the root of all these problems, the messenger of love for the two people, was a man.

His name was Grand Duke Edward.

He was a renowned noble who visited the Empire as part of a delegation from the neighboring country, Adelbar.

However, he had a secret identity that no one knew about!

He was a writer of 19+ romance novels!

And not just any writer—he was an immensely successful one. In fact, even in the Empire, Grand Duke Edward’s 19+ romance novels had proudly held the number one spot for 12 consecutive weeks.

‘It was a dazzling success.’

Thanks to writing a blockbuster bestseller, he was already wealthy, but now he was even richer. Even at this moment, money was rolling into his pockets as naturally as breathing.

However, his most successful achievement was in his romantic life. He had even married the young and beautiful editor responsible for his novels. Since she was a commoner, their marriage was widely celebrated as the romance of the century.

‘I was definitely happy then.’

In hindsight, it was a foolish choice. Why had he married his editor?

• Honey, why did you lock the door! Please open it, honey!

• You can’t come out until you give me the manuscript.

• Honey! Madame!

The above conversation was an everyday exchange between the couple. Whenever he had a chance, he was canned, and even in bed, he was urged to meet deadlines.

Eventually, Grand Duke Edward took unprecedented action to escape the deadlines.

• I will visit the Empire!

He volunteered for the envoy mission.

‘Finally, freedom.’

The lazy writer was very satisfied with the small freedom he had obtained.

‘I’ll eat lots of delicious food here and return plump and happy.’

The person assigned to the excited Grand Duke Edward was none other than Kanin’s father, Duke Albrecht. While guiding the guest, he handed over a small crystal ball.

“If you need to contact anyone, please use this.”

“What is this?”

“It’s called a crystal ball. You can exchange short messages with it.”

“Oh.”

‘Wow, they have things like this here?’

Experiencing this new technology, Grand Duke Edward immediately grabbed the crystal ball. He sent a simple message as a test, but.

“…….”

Surprisingly, nothing happened.

“Excuse me, does it normally take a long time to send messages?”

“No, it absolutely shouldn’t.”

Duke Albrecht frowned and fiddled with the crystal ball he had given to Grand Duke Edward.

‘It seems to be broken.’

If it was simply a lack of magic power, it could be solved by infusing magic into the ball, but it seemed that the magic circuit itself was broken.

‘Oh dear. I currently don’t have a spare crystal ball at home.’

As he clicked his tongue, a crystal ball that was probably idle came to Duke Albrecht’s mind. It was his son Kanin’s.

‘Kanin doesn’t use it often anyway.’

His son, who showed no interest in women, alcohol, or social gatherings, only used the crystal ball to send messages to Lady Gerhartz at most.

“Please wait a moment.”

‘It’s only for use during the Empire’s stay anyway.’

Thinking it was simple, Duke Albrecht exchanged the broken crystal ball with Kanin’s and handed it over.

Told to rest after the long journey, Grand Duke Edward entered his room and fiddled with the crystal ball.

‘Does this really mean I can send messages everywhere?’

Since it was not something available in his kingdom, he found it fascinating. Grand Duke Edward rubbed the ball gently.

‘Let’s try sending something.’

Despite fleeing across the border due to his hatred of deadlines, he couldn’t resist the urge to try out the new technology once he saw it.

Grand Duke Edward quickly typed and sent a message fitting for an adult romance novelist.

[I want to lick the crimson tip rising from your peach-like soft flesh.]

Coincidentally, the message was sent to Vivi’s crystal ball.

* * *

Hearing the whole story, Kanin frowned and asked.

“So it was a misunderstanding? You thought I sent that message?”

She blushed deeply. She felt sorry for Kanin, who was upset, but she had her own solid reasons.

“Kanin, it came with your code. I naturally thought you sent it.”

At her excuse, Kanin frowned even more. He pouted and said.

“But Vivi, you know me. Would I send such a message to anyone?”

Right. Kanin wasn’t that reckless.

She muttered in a small voice, as if she wanted to crawl into a mouse hole.

“……So I thought you got a girlfriend. A very, very serious partner you promised a future with.”

“Phew.”

At her answer, Kanin let out a big sigh. She cautiously watched Kanin’s reaction and asked.

“Are you mad, Kanin?”

“Yes.”

Kanin nodded firmly. Then he brushed his hair back and sighed again.

“I’m upset that you didn’t feel even a bit jealous after receiving such a message.”

“J-Jealous?”

His words made her eyes widen. 

Not jealous?

‘Does that mean I should have been jealous of Kanin’s girlfriend and tried to break them up?’

It was an unimaginable scenario. As she blinked blankly, Kanin bent down to meet her gaze directly.

“Did you not like me at all? All that time? Really?”

“Well, that’s…….”

Her face turned bright red in an instant.

‘What was I like all this time?’

It wasn’t that she didn’t like Kanin. He was just such an obvious presence, like air.

So when she realized that Kanin could leave her side anytime and hold hands with someone else, she was greatly shocked.

‘Yes.’

Realizing the emotions she felt, she opened her eyes wide.

If the feelings of anxiety, unease, and somehow sadness were jealousy.

“I was jealous too.”

“What?”

Kanin slightly furrowed his right eyebrow at her words. She fidgeted with her fingers and mumbled.

“So I kept trying to push you away. Because I was upset that you didn’t tell me even when you got a girlfriend.”

“Hmm.”

Kanin twisted his lips as if he couldn’t believe it. She blushed and said.

“I-It’s true! I wasn’t completely at ease either.”

“Vivi.”

“Yes?”

She expected Kanin to still be angry, but he said something unexpected.

“Will you close your eyes?”

“Why?”

“Quickly.”

Why was he asking me to close my  eyes while talking about jealousy? 

She tilted her head in confusion but obediently closed her eyes. Just as she felt a slight chill, Kanin’s lips touched hers.

Peck.

At the dry sensation, she opened her eyes wide. But seeing his tightly closed black eyelashes, she hurriedly squeezed her eyes shut again.

Lick.

Kanin’s soft tongue seemed to lick her lower lip before slipping inside her mouth. Then his firm arm wrapped tightly around her waist.

A refreshing sensation, like ice pouring into her mouth, spread throughout her body.

‘Kanin’s mana.’

No matter when she tasted it, it was always cool and clean. The only thing that could pull her out of severe conflict.

As she tangled tongues with Kanin, his thick fingers undid the buttons on her chest. In an instant, her shirt opened and her rounded br*asts, hidden by white underwear, were exposed.

“Ugh.”

Kanin’s fingers slipped inside her underwear and lightly twisted her shyly hidden n*pple. Reflexively, she pushed Kanin’s body away.

“Kanin, it’s cold.”

“Oh, sorry.”

Around Kanin’s body, his water mana spread like mist. Kanin brushed his hair back and said.

“I was too excited to control it.”

Whoosh.

His words made her face heat up uncontrollably.

‘E-Excited. Kanin, because of me…….’

Though they had already been physically intimate several times, it felt like Kanin had finally declared their relationship this time.

Their relationship.

A relationship that excites each other.

“Isn’t it nice?”

Kanin’s arm pushed aside her shirt and embraced her back. The cool temperature made goosebumps rise on her back.

Or was it really because of the temperature?

“You’re very warm.”

“T-That’s.”

Kanin whispered softly in her ear and lightly bit her neck. Feeling like she was caught by a beast, she let out a small groan and mumbled.

“……I’m excited too.”

“Vivi.”

Kanin’s jaw trembled slightly. After leaving several bite marks on her neck and shoulders, Kanin lifted her up.

“Ah!”

Startled, she wrapped her arms around Kanin’s neck and clung tightly. Kanin walked briskly and laid her down on none other than her bed.

“Vivi.”

A low voice called her. The same blue eyes as usual now seemed to ripple chaotically.

It felt like the flames were spreading to her heart.

“I like it, Kanin.”

Not knowing what she liked or what she was thinking, she instinctively answered that way.

That seemed to be the signal.

Kanin’s fingers pulled down her pants along with her underwear. To help him, she slightly lifted her hips, and he held one of her legs and kissed her calf and behind her knee.