Although it didn’t suit the image of a Grand Duchess, she liked her changed self. Unlike before when she was confined in his arms while riding, her heart swelled with pride at having something to enjoy while riding alongside him. It felt as free as when she grew up not knowing the constraints of being a noble lady.

She rode toward the hill where she had first gone with Rian. They galloped frantically as if trying to shake off the knights following at a distance. Despite being out of breath, she felt exhilarated. After dismounting and catching her breath, Rian tied both horses in one place and gestured toward somewhere while looking in that direction.

Not seeing Rian’s actions, Belita lifted the corners of her mouth in the cool breeze. The spring wind was so refreshing that the beads of sweat on her forehead quickly dried. Rian stood behind her and gently embraced her body. Although she had already noticed what he wanted, Belita pretended not to know and questioned him.

“Wait, you said we would hunt, so why are we here?”

When she turned around at the sound of his chuckle, their meeting gazes were quite expl＊cit. Seeing his eyes, it seemed his mind had already wandered elsewhere. Perhaps this had been his intention from the beginning.

“We need to perform a solemn ritual before hunting. Besides, you were the one who rode faster than me, remember?”

“N-no I didn’t! You were just a little… faster than me.”

“Hmm… let’s say that was the case.”

He found the woman cute as her face still turned red at the slightest thing, showing her shyness. Somehow she was becoming cuter with each passing day.

“I’m not saying that! Hoo, don’t drain my energy. I’m going to beat you today.”

“I’ll be the one using my strength, so what are you worried about?”

The way the man subtly wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close looked incredibly sensual. Even after becoming a father, this man was still handsome and seductive.

“You’ve been giving me that look.”

“What look?”

“There you go, playing coy again.”

“Hmph!”

“Belita.”

As she snorted and turned her head away, Rian sucked her earlobe and subtly pressed against her. Her heart fluttered again at the man’s languid voice. She couldn’t understand why her heart still raced and fluttered like this even after having a child together.

“Shall we have a drink this evening?”

“I haven’t drunk in a long time, so I might get drunk.”

“So what if you get drunk? That’s why we drink. I hope that s＊xy woman comes out when you’re drunk.”

“Geez……”

“And sleep with me tonight.”

“Ugh, there you go again.”

It wasn’t even funny how the man who would come and take her to his room whenever she fell asleep next to their child was now whining like this.

“Today we’ll make our second child.”

“Who decided that?”

“Let’s have four more.”

“What?!”

“Luan will be lonely. This time, I promise I’ll be by your side.”

“Are you trying to kill me?”

“I won’t let you die. Seeing Luan makes me want to have a pretty daughter who looks like you too.”

Belita held onto her wavering reason as Rian’s seduction intensified, his lips nuzzling her neck.

“And you know.”

“What now? We agreed on one wish, but ugh! You’re making so many wishes before we even compete.”

“Those were just desires, but this is my real wish. I’m telling you in advance because I’ll win anyway.”

“Hmph, that’s funny. Haah, Rian, wait a moment!”

His quickly hardened lower part subtly rubbed against her intimate valley. He sucked her neck sensually while holding her tightly, preventing any resistance.

Belita was helpless when he set his mind on pursuing her. Her heart, already completely given to him, welcomed anything he did. Just as her mind was becoming hazy from his caresses, she snapped back to attention at the wish Rian mentioned.

“Marry me. Marry me.”

“!?”

“Let’s have a wedding ceremony and go on a trip, just the two of us. So marry me, Belita.”

What was he saying? Belita’s eyes trembled at his sudden words. Why was he saying this now, especially at this moment when her body was heating up?

“Hmm? We’ve dated enough. Let’s get married now.”

His proposal, made almost like a plea, filled her with emotion that rose to her throat. Tears welled up in her eyes, and her chest trembled.

She remembered something he had said before. His proposal. His Grace’s impulsive proposal that had burst out when his two personalities were fighting. But this felt quite different from back then. Why did her heart ache and tears flow like this?

Back then, she couldn’t believe his words, but now it was different. Words she had waited for so long. He hadn’t forgotten.

“Belita.”

“……”

She couldn’t answer because her throat was choked up. She felt like she would burst into loud sobs like a fool.

“Now I know for certain. How much I love you. That all those confused feelings were love.”

“Hic!”

Belita finally covered her mouth to stifle her sobs. Rian gently wiped away her uncontrollable tears and quietly continued his confession.

“Was it from when I playfully asked you to love me? Or was it from when I, who had never been interested in anyone, got annoyed at you being scared and running away, so I chased after you? Ah, maybe it was from when you were lying next to me while I slept.”

At his words, everything from when they first met until now flashed before her like a panorama. The frightening, terrible man. The cold, indifferent man. Who would have thought the day would come when she would cry like a fool, moved by a proposal from the man whose child she bore—the very man she had once wanted to flee from.

“Or maybe I was drawn to you from the beginning. Because your empty eyes looked pitiful, and I found it fascinating how light occasionally entered those eyes, so I could never look away.”

Rian reminisced about when he first met her, as if he possessed the memories and emotions of both personalities. He seemed to find it strange himself, making an indescribable expression while looking at Belita’s face. It really seemed like his personalities had merged into one, as Font had said. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have spoken about all those things.

“Belita. This is Rian Nospero proposing to Belita Amoris, not the Grand Duke of Royte. Become my woman.”

Belita Amoris. She couldn’t remember the last time she had heard her full name. After being called the Grand Duchess in name only for so long, hearing her original name from his lips made the hair on her body stand on end. She liked the way he called her name. Her name, which had always sounded dismissive when he said it, had begun to sound affectionate at some point.

His proposal to Belita Amoris made her feel as if she had returned to being a complete noble lady. She was glad she no longer had to shrink back because of their relationship formed through money. Now she felt she could proudly call herself his wife.

Starting over at this point wouldn’t be bad. Though they had already shared their bodies and had a child, they had dated and love had begun. So wasn’t it okay to marry again?

Belita smiled brightly at his passionate proposal. While tears streamed down her face, she answered with the brightest smile.

“Yes. I accept your proposal.”

“I’m so grateful I feel like bowing to you.”

“Don’t bow, kiss me.”

“Hmm, that I can do plenty. I’ll kiss you with gratitude for the rest of my life. Since you’ve accepted my proposal, I could serve you for life.”

“Hmm.”

As his lips touched hers gently, Belita embraced his neck. Her tears, still flowing, seeped between their joined lips. Looking into his bright yellow eyes with their warm light, Belita savored his love.

After the terribly cold winter rainy season ended, a warm spring breeze enveloped her entire body. Once they move the Grand Ducal residence, she would no longer have to hear that frightening thunder. The wounds of the past would still remain, but happiness would seep over them. That’s how life goes. What else is there to life? That’s how you live.

As long as it wasn’t darkness. With Rian and her precious child by her side, everything would shine. She didn’t need to wish for anything more.

Because the most precious people were by her side now.

“I love you, Belita.”

“I love you too, I love you too, Rian.”

Their lips met again, gently entwining. Her body was already lying on the grass under his hand. After he had almost completely undressed her, he suddenly asked,

“Are you okay?”

“Haa…. with what?”

“I’m asking if you’re okay with being so exposed.”

She thought it was funny how quickly he asked. After already undressing her.

Though she knew knights were somewhere nearby, today Belita didn’t care about any of that. What was wrong with a husband and wife making love?

“I’m sure they’re covering their ears.”

“What?”

“Our knights must have enough sense for that by now.”

“Ha!”

“Hurry up and pounce before I cool down. If I change my mind, I’ll go shoot arrows.”

“That would be terrible.”

“What would?”

To her question, Rian just smiled for a long time. As if thinking about something.

‘This woman becomes more attractive every day.’

‘She’s the woman I brought.’

‘Yes, I’ll admit that.’

‘I didn’t know love could feel this good.’

‘Me neither. That’s why I plan to do it to my heart’s content from now on. With this woman.’

‘Be careful not to surprise her. We absolutely can’t show it.’

‘Don’t worry about me, you be careful.’

‘Stop talking and let’s get on with it. This is driving me crazy.’

‘Gladly.’

With a lewd glint in his eyes, Rian slowly moved downward. He sucked her br*ast, gulping down the milk the child had left, then moved lower without giving her time to feel. Then, after spreading her legs wide, he flicked his tongue.

“Rian!”

“This isn’t okay? If you’re going to make someone aroused, you should be prepared.”

“Still, this is, ugh!”

He buried his face in her p*ssy and lightly licked her wet entrance. Then, with a chuckle, he spoke lewdly.

“Even if we tried to cool down, a whole night wouldn’t be enough. It’s so hot my lips feel like they’re melting.”

“Hmm, Rian.”

“I really like this s＊xy woman. I like all your personalities.”

“Me too, ugh! The fundamentally crazy Rian is really, haah! Good.”

“Kuh! Then I’ll go properly crazy today. Today I’ll definitely make our second child.”

“Ahng…! Haah.”

Not knowing that a small new life was already building a home in Belita’s womb, Rian diligently caressed her lower part. Did he instinctively know? As if anticipating that he wouldn’t be able to explore her body for a while, Rian’s movements became more sensual than ever before. Belita, whimpering with tears and panting, inadvertently opened her eyes. The clear sky filled her vision.

She was incredibly happy. Every moment of this.

Enough to bring tears to her eyes.

<That Night, the Beast Unfailingly Sought Me Out> The End