Chapter 13

“Hnn… Kan. What would you have done if I ran away?”

“Run? I wouldn’t let you. By any means.”

He sucked her n*pple, then gently nibbled it and reached down. His fingers slipped into her underwear, teasing her peak. Eria spread her legs, panting, hoping he’d do something soon.

“Hng… Ka, Kan. Please!”  

“You may have thought to use me and toss me aside, but I’m not like that. So don’t even think about running away.”

Without warning, his middle finger entered her.

“Ahn!”

He gently stroked her inner walls, then, finding it lacking, thr*st three fingers at once. As Eria moaned and lifted her hips, Hakan quickly undressed himself.

“No matter how much I swallow you, my desire doesn’t fade. So take responsibility.”

“Haa… hnn!”

He slowly began to enter her. Eria frowned, looking up at Hakan. He too seemed to be struggling to hold back.

“You’re always so tight, you drive me crazy. Hnn.”

Moaning, Hakan slowly moved his hips. In and out, then gradually sped up.

“Ahn!”

“Dame Eria… ugh.”

Each time his p*nis thr*st deep, Eria tried to escape. But whenever she moved away, Hakan grabbed her thighs and pulled her back. Eventually, he climbed completely on top, hugging her tightly so she couldn’t run.

“It’s… hnn… so deep, Kan!”

Her words broke off with every thr*st. It already felt deep, but he somehow moved even rougher. Forgetting anyone might be outside, Eria screamed over and over.

“Kan… now!”

“Hnn.”

As soon as Eria collapsed, Hakan reached his cl*max too. Both breathed heavily.

“Dame Eria.”

“…Haa.”

Lifting his head, Hakan looked at her with gentle eyes. His status had changed, but she was still the only one in those beautiful eyes.

“I use responsibility as an excuse… but I really like you.”

She liked his crooked smile, his gentle touch sweeping her hair, and how he always cared for her. She’d never felt romantic feelings for anyone before, so she had no comparison, but maybe this was what it meant to like someone. Eria wanted to do as much for Hakan as he did for her—no, even more. She wanted to see him every day, hold him, express her affection. When he went on missions, she worried he’d get hurt, and wished she could go in his place.

“I think I feel the same.”

Eria managed to answer. Hakan smiled.

* * *

“Are you thinking about something else in front of me, Dame Eria?”

“Huh? Oh… it’s not that…”

Hakan’s words snapped Eria back to reality. She realized she was in the Grand Duke’s bedroom, lying on the bed.

“Not that?”

Hakan had been looking down at her with a displeased face for a while; she only just noticed. Blinking vacantly, Eria smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck.

“I was thinking about the past. About how we first met, and how our relationship started, Your Royal Highness. So, it wasn’t something else—I was thinking about you.”

Hakan narrowed his eyes, searching for the truth, staring at her. But Eria was confident, since it was the obvious truth.

“Is that so.”

“…Yes. The war felt like it would never end, but it’s finally over. I hope there won’t be any more wars.”

“There won’t be.”

The war had been long—fully five years. Hakan was finally recognized by the Emperor and granted a duchy, and Eria was appointed as the Commander of its knights. Since it was a newly conquered place, much repair was needed. For days, Eria had been busy restoring the castle with her knights. It had been ages since the two met.

Hakan, too, had been busy preparing for the duchy, and Eria was busy with repairs and recruiting new knights, so they barely had time to see each other. That made seeing Hakan now even more precious.

“But sometimes… I think I’ll miss it.”

“What do you mean? You’re not planning to run away again, are you?”

“No. I mean the times we fought together, Your Royal Highness. There were hardships and pain, but also many memories.”

“We’ll make better ones from now on.”

Hakan kissed her forehead briefly. But Eria turned her head, avoiding his lips.

“Your Royal Highness. I’m dirty from working with dirt and haven’t washed. Please let me go.”

“So what? I’ve seen worse on the battlefield.”

“Your Royal Highness.”

“If it bothers you, I’ll wash you myself.”

Eria might never know when Hakan first saw her and engraved her in his heart, but she knew well enough his feelings weren’t just a fleeting breeze.

“Then can I wash you, too?”

“Ah, that’s a little embarrassing.”

“See—”

“No, actually, it sounds fun.”

Just as Eria thought she’d win and smiled, Hakan grinned and lifted her up. Startled, Eria clung to him, her eyes wide.

“Put me down! What if someone comes in?”

“Who? And if they do, so what? They won’t know anything. They didn’t see, didn’t hear.”

“…Your Royal Highness!”

“Everyone knows anyway, but it’s only a secret to us. Let’s stop hiding, Dame Eria.”

At Hakan’s sly words, Eria squirmed, asking to be put down. As a former knight, Hakan was strong and solid, and didn’t bat an eye. Once caught by him, there was no escape.

“Dame Eria.”

“…Yes, Your Royal Highness.”

“Do you remember saying you’d take responsibility for me?”

She’d promised so many times, she didn’t even think of denying it now. She wasn’t sure how much she could take responsibility, but she’d do her best for as long as he wished, and as far as she could. Eria liked Hakan, after all.

When Eria nodded, Hakan finally set her down in the bathroom and spoke, eyes full of things he wanted to say.

“Then we should go to the castle soon.”

“Huh?”

“I’ve already told His Majesty.”

“…What?”

What does that mean? Eria looked up at Hakan, dazed. Hakan casually murmured as he began undressing her.

“They keep saying I’m of marriageable age and want me to marry. Well, so…”

He spoke as if it was nothing, as if it was an everyday conversation. So what?

“I said I have someone I like, and His Majesty told me to bring her right away.”

Was this really something to say so shamelessly?!

From the moment she entered the bathroom with him, Eria had worn a dazed expression, staring at Hakan. His hands were so quick, she was already half undressed.

But that wasn’t the important part. He was telling her to go to His Majesty now.

Realizing the situation, Eria hesitated and stepped back. She only stopped when her back hit the cold wall.

“Dame Eria?”

“Haha. His Majesty? I think that’s a little out of my hands…”

Even when all the knights of the army entered the castle to greet His Majesty after the war ended, Eria’s knees trembled with nerves. And now, he was asking her to go together—just the two of them? To take the Grand Duke, a member of the Imperial Family, whom the Emperor had cherished, just like that…! As Eria seemed lost and confused, Hakan pulled her into his arms and gently patted her back.

“I want to keep you closer by my side. That’s why I said it.”

“…But His Majesty…”

Eria awkwardly hugged Hakan back, her body trembling. Just thinking about appearing before His Majesty made her lips go dry.

“There’s nothing to be nervous about. I’ve already told His Majesty everything.”

Once her daze faded, she felt a bit stunned. Eria looked up at Hakan, who quickly kissed her cheek.

“So right now…”

“I’m asking you to marry me. Right now. Live with me here, forever.”

Her heart pounded. So this is what it felt like to be proposed to by someone you love. Eria felt exhilarated. Her status and circumstances still weighed on her mind, but she didn’t want to lose this man, so she nodded.

With his characteristic beautiful smile, Hakan pressed Eria against the wall.

“I like you very much, Dame Eria.”

“…Me too.”

As soon as Eria replied, Hakan’s lips descended upon hers. Eria gladly embraced him and accepted his kiss.

END 

The Grand Duke’s Secret Romance