Side Story –  Chapter 6

We had been traveling for quite some time.

When the emerald sea came into view beyond the window, I finally felt the reality of our arrival in the east.

“Wow…”

I couldn’t stop my exclamations.

Now I understood why nobles who visited the east spoke so highly of the ocean.

The water was so clear you could see the marine life beneath the surface.

“Do you like it?”

“Yes, I really do.”

Watching me marvel like a child, Edward closed the book he had been reading and gazed out at the shore with me.

“We’re not far from the villa now. We’ll be there soon.”

Almost as soon as Edward spoke, my eyes caught sight of the stately Winderton villa.

It wasn’t as lavish as the main estate, but it looked like something out of a fairy tale—just looking at it brought a sense of peace.

“Your Grace, My Lady, we’ve arrived at the villa.”

The carriage came to a halt.

As Edward and I stepped down, the villa’s staff, who had been waiting for us, greeted us.

“Welcome, Your Grace, My Lady.”

“It’s been a while, Jig.”

Jig, the elderly man who managed the eastern villa, was well advanced in years.

I had heard he once served Edward during his childhood, and the familiarity between them was clear.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you for the first time, My Lady. I am Jig, the caretaker of the eastern villa.”

“Nice to meet you, Jig.”

Having only heard of him from Edward until now, it felt strange to see him in person.

Jig was one of the few who knew about Edward’s childhood.

I should ask him someday what Edward was like as a child.

Now he carried a cool, distant air, but I was certain he must have been adorable back then.

“I’d heard the rumors that His Lordship cherishes you greatly, my lady, but seeing it for myself, I can tell they’re not lies. You two truly—”

Jig looked at Edward and me with a warm, gentle expression.

His smile was so comforting that I found myself smiling easily in return.

“Ahem! Let’s head inside first.”

Edward, perhaps embarrassed, cleared his throat and quickly quickened his pace.

Seeing the tips of his ears turn red, Jig and I burst into laughter at the same time.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen the Duke smile like that. You must be someone very important to him, my lady.”

“Pardon?”

As he watched Edward walking ahead of us, Jig spoke to me in a quieter voice.

“He used to smile quite often as a boy, but after beginning his successor training, his personality changed a great deal. But the way he looked just now… it was like seeing the Duke’s younger self again.”

Jig thanked me, though I felt I’d done nothing to deserve such words, and it made me a little embarrassed.

“Even to this old man’s eyes, you two suit each other very well. It’s as if heaven ordained it.”

“Thank you for the kind words, Jig.”

“What are you two doing out there instead of coming inside?”

“…Coming, Edward!”

Laughing with Jig, I heard Edward’s voice from within the manor and hurried toward him.

The East was different from the capital.

In the capital, one had to maintain decorum and move with grace even within the castle walls, as rumors spread like wildfire.

It was uncomfortable at times, but it was necessary for the honor of both the Winderton family and ourselves.

But the East was different.

It was calmer than the capital, less sensitive, and rumors traveled more slowly.

Because of that, even at the villa, we could relax without having to watch our every step.

“This will be your bedroom.”

“It’s clean.”

“Everyone worked hard to keep it in the best condition for your arrival.”

“Well done, all of you.”

The eastern villa had been without guests for a long time.

Edward and I had both been busy, so we hadn’t even considered coming until now.

“We’ll put away your luggage for you. You must be tired, so please rest.”

Once Jig left and the bedroom door closed, it was just Edward and me.

I liked the sea breeze blowing in through the open terrace.

“I really love it here. I’m glad we came to the East.”

“If I’d known you’d like it this much, I would have brought you sooner, Lirie.”

Edward wrapped his arm around my waist and kissed me.

Maybe it was in return for the kiss I’d given him in the carriage, but he didn’t stop—he kept going.

My breath grew short, yet I wanted it to continue.

I slid my arms around his neck, urging him to go on.

When I parted my lips slightly, Edward didn’t miss the chance.

He explored every corner of my mouth, our tongues tangling, our saliva mingling, and the sensation was intoxicating.

“Mmh…”

I wanted more.

Maybe because this wasn’t our usual bedroom, the feeling was different.

The stretch of blue sea visible in the distance only heightened the mood.

When I let out a soft, coquettish m*an, the hand around my waist tightened.

Along with the sound of waves in the distance, the damp sounds of our kiss filled the room.

“May I continue?”

Edward’s lips finally parted from mine, though he didn’t need to ask.

I nestled against him and gave a small nod.

“As you wish…”

It was already too late to stop.

The more I burrowed into his arms, the more our bodies pressed together.

That closeness seemed to stir his desire; he furrowed his brows briefly, then kissed me again.

If the earlier kisses had been gentle, these were a little more urgent.

He pressed me toward the bed, laying me down on the soft, wide mattress.

His lips didn’t only meet mine this time—they brushed lightly over other parts of my body as well.

“Mmh… that tickles, Edward.”

I giggled and twisted away, and Edward seemed amused by my reaction.

The hand that had been resting on my waist slid up my back.

Slowly, he tugged down my dress, pressing his lips to my bare shoulder.

It wasn’t a fleeting kiss—when he pulled away, a red mark remained where his lips had been.

“Hurry… hurry.”

His slow, teasing pace made my whole body itch with anticipation.

I fumbled with the buttons of his shirt, urging him on.

My heart pounded at the sight of the firm muscles revealed beneath.

“If you insist that much, I suppose I have no choice.”

At my urging, Edward moved with sudden urgency, as if he could no longer hold back.

The deep pleasure he gave me was inescapable.

The sounds I made near his ear embarrassed me, but I didn’t care.

The look in his eyes told me he was enjoying it as much as I was, and I was relieved it wasn’t only me who felt good.

“I love it… so much…”

I wrapped my arms around his neck.

A couple who didn’t leave their bedroom on their very first day at the villa—tomorrow, I’d have to face the servants’ knowing looks.

But so what? Edward and I were married.

That made it fine… probably.

Of course, Edward didn’t seem the least bit concerned about such things.

“What could you possibly be thinking about with me right in front of you, Lirie?”

Edward teased, kissing my stomach.

“Nothing at all. So stop fooling around and hurry, Edward.”

It was still bright daylight.

Part of me thought it a shame to stay in the bedroom when the East was so beautiful, but with plenty of time ahead of us, I decided it was fine to indulge now.

“I won’t stop. After all, you were the one who asked for this.”

“Then don’t stop.”

Time passed so quickly, I lost track of it altogether.

Edward’s teasing was relentless and merciless.

Yes, I had been the one to start it, but as the minutes stretched on, I was the only one who seemed to be weakening—Edward only grew more vigorous.

Even when I pleaded for him to stop, he just smiled and ignored me.

Only when I collapsed, unable to lift a finger, did he finally relent.

“Ugh…”

It seemed I had underestimated him.

Maybe because it had been a while, I found it especially exhausting.

“Are you all right?”

Unlike me, completely spent, Edward’s handsome face seemed to shine even more.

I’d always known there was a big difference in our stamina, but I still felt a bit wronged.

“You must be thirsty—drink some water.”

He handed me a glass.

My hand trembled as I took it, the exertion catching up to me after our unrestrained passion, on top of not having recovered from the trip yet.

“Is your body all right?”

“Well… not bad.”

We leaned against the headboard together, gazing at the bright moon outside the window.

It had been daylight when we arrived, and now it was already dark.

It hadn’t felt like much time had passed, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Tomorrow, I want to go to the beach, Edward.”

“If that’s what you wish, I can make anything happen.”

It was such a peaceful moment.

Being held in Edward’s arms until I fell asleep sounded perfect.

“You must be tired. Rest now.”

“Goodnight, Edward.”

He kept looking at me until I closed my eyes.

Nothing was going to happen, but it felt as if he were protecting me, and that made it easy to sleep in comfort.

I didn’t know what would happen while we were in the East, but I was certain it would only be good things.

Because, for some reason, I felt happy.