3. Crimson (Part 2)

Since Alexander had started staying at this estate, Eirin had always joined them for breakfast. She was usually the first to arrive at the dining room, brightening the space with her presence. But today, there was no sign of her.

The maid serving the food spoke up at Stefan’s words, 

“Yes, milord. Milady said she has an urgent matter to attend to, so she will be late for breakfast.”

“A matter?”

“Yes, it seems she is writing in her journal.”

Ah, that “journal” again. To be working on it since the morning.

Remembering the “journal” that had shaken him the day before, Alexander twisted his lips bitterly. That “journal” of hers had been the start of it all. Even when he just picked up the fallen paper, he never imagined it would lead to such a complex situation.

With her soft body wrapped in a thin nightgown, gazing up at him with sparkling eyes, he had answered her questions, only to find himself drawn into kissing her half-parted red lips. As he swept her hair back, he breathed hotly against the delicate line of her neck and touched her intimate place.

Alexander took another sip of the scalding tea, recalling the soft body that had clung to his hand. 

Good heavens, what was I thinking about from the morning? 

If Eirin hadn’t fainted from the pleasure, who knows how far he would have gone. Of all women, the one he should never have touched – his friend’s sister.

Those transparent eyes had looked at him, saying “I know nothing of romance.” Yet in her hand was a page filled with lewd moans. 

Was it because of the unexpected side of her? Or her sheer absurdity?

He had greedily explored her body. The saliva on the tip of his tongue was sweet, and her heated breath made him torment her even deeper, until Eirin was exhausted from the ecstasy and shock.

He had to bite the inside of his own mouth to control the rising, misguided desire to violate her as he picked up her limp body on the desk in the study and headed for her bedroom.  When he returned to his room and poured himself whisky to cool down, the acrid alcohol stung the torn flesh from his own teeth.

That degree of pain was just right. It would bring him back to his senses.

Eirin

Although Eirin was a sharp and intelligent woman, her quirkiness also sometimes made Alexander chuckle when thinking of her. After living so long on the battlefields of foreign lands for so long, Alexander found the high social scene boring.

In contrast, Stefan, who had fought alongside him, was a comforting presence. That’s why he was staying at his friend’s home while they worked on business together.

Eirin.

Even when his mind wandered to other things, it would return to her again.

There he was, thinking of Eirin once more.

Whenever they happened to cross paths, Eirin always greeted him with a gentle smile and cheerful chatter.

Conversations with her were a pleasure. To Alexander, who had no siblings, she was almost like a little sister.

He never could have imagined that Eirin, that sweet girl, was writing such lewd and scandalous stories. 

It couldn’t be out of financial need – she must have simply been driven by curiosity.

The soft chuckle that escaped Alexander’s lips caught Stefan’s attention, and he narrowed his eyes at him.

“What are you thinking about?”

“Hm?”

“You suddenly laughed, so if it’s something amusing, I’d like to join in.”

“Ah, no. It’s just about something that’s coming up… That is.”

Ahem. 

He couldn’t say he was thinking about your sister, so he kept clearing his throat.

Fortunately, before Stefan could question him further, the sound of footsteps entering the dining room reached their ears. The light, delicate footfalls drew the attention of both Stefan and Alexander.

“Sorry I’m late.”

That clear, bead-like voice. Instead of the white nightgown from yesterday, Eirin now appeared in a subtle ivory dress. As soon as she entered, she gave a slight nod towards Stefan, then turned her gaze to Alexander.

“Good morning, Alexander.”

“Mm.”

A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth for a moment, but it faded quickly, and soon she turned her head to look at Stefan, her red strands of hair falling against her white neckline.

I wonder if that area feels the same as…

The one I’d touched yesterday.

Alexander bit his lips, which he had so thoroughly chewed the day before, as these inappropriate thoughts resurfaced. Oblivious to his inner turmoil, Stefan narrowed his eyes at Eirin.

“You were writing in your journal all morning, huh? Being home all day, what could you have so much to write about?”

Judging by Stefan’s words, he was clearly unaware of the highly explicit novel Eirin had been writing.

Well, that’s to be expected. Even I would have had trouble believing it if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes.

At Stefan’s question, Eirin’s lips quirked, then opened.

“Even when I’m home, there are sometimes… interesting things that happen.”

Her eyes briefly met Alexander’s, a playful glint in her gaze.

“It happens.”

“For example?”

“Hmm, like what happened yesterday.”

At Eirin’s cryptic remark, Stefan spoke up. 

“What happened yesterday?”

Before she could say anything, Alexander spoke up. 

“I merely taught Eirin some Spanish yesterday.”

“Spanish?”

The unexpected answer made both Eirin and Stefan look at Alexander.

“Yes.” 

Alexander casually reached for a scone. It was a gesture to defuse the awkwardness of the moment, forgetting that he had just declined the food because he didn’t have an appetite

Eirin quickly affirmed Alexander’s words. 

“That’s right. With my daily routine being so dull, I asked Alexander to teach me Spanish. I recently acquired a book in Spanish that has beautiful illustrations of birds in a forest. Since I know French, but not Spanish, I thought it would be nice to learn.”

“Hmm, where did you have these lessons?”

Stefan asked.

“In the parlor. Of course, Sherry was there with us as well.” 

“I see.”

Stefan seemed somewhat unconvinced, his eyes disapprovingly. The idea of studying alone in a closed room would raise eyebrows, but with a maid in an open parlor seemed reasonable enough, and he nodded in understanding.

But even in that scenario, Alexander couldn’t quite put his mind at ease. 

Would the mere presence of a maid be enough to distract me from the attention I was paying her? 

He was still receiving Stefan’s scrutinizing gaze, yet all he could think about was running his thumb over Eirin’s eyelids, remembering her tearful, pleasure-flushed face from yesterday.

Sighing, Alexander spoke up. 

“But I don’t think I’ve been much help.”

Stefan had not suspected anything between Alexander and Eirin based on the story so far. However, the idea of the two of them spending time alone together still sat uncomfortably with him. At their age, past the typical marriageable years, such companionship was not seen as proper. As the notoriously unmarried Alexander showed interest in Eirin, it did not bode well.

“So, from now on——.”

I’m going to try to avoid such things.

That was what Alexander had meant to say, but Eirin interrupted him.

“No, you’ve been so helpful.”

She was leaning slightly towards him, looking at him. The faint blush on her cheek was charming.

“So, Alexander, could you perhaps teach me more?”

“Of what?”

“Spanish, of course.”

Eirin gently bit her lip, the area swollen from where Alexander had sucked and nipped at it yesterday, making it appear even more sensual.

“It’s so different from when I practiced on my own.”

At Eirin’s words, Stefan raised an eyebrow. 

“If you’re so eager to study Spanish, I could arrange for a private tutor to be hired.”

“No, no! Tutor Victoria is more than enough.”

In fact, as an adult, she no longer needed a tutor. While Victoria had been a constant presence even after Eirin had come of age, her role was more as a companion than a strict tutor these days.

“I’m already old enough, so if I add more tutors, I’ll just become a laughing stock.”

Alexander stared at Eirin’s profile with a disbelieving expression. 

Yesterday, he had caressed her burning body with his fingers and licked her soft lips. 

Was she now asking for that to happen again? Or was she simply seeking conversation?

Surely she couldn’t be wanting the former right here at the breakfast table, in front of Stefan.

Alexander rubbed his temple, feeling a bit dizzy. 

“Perhaps it would be better for you to learn from someone else?”

“Who did you have in mind, Alexander?” 

Eirin asked innocently.

Her questioning gaze, filled with a playful gleam, gave Alexander pause.

Was she challenging me to try something right now?

Rather than feeling annoyed, Alexander found a peculiar tingling sensation spreading through his body. Before he could stop himself, he responded firmly.

“If that’s what you want, I’ll teach you.”

It was an impulsive decision. Just moments ago, he had thought he should stop himself from approaching her, yet now he had forgotten that resolve and whispered under his breath. 

If it weren’t for Stefan, I’d be tempted to give her that “lesson” right now.

“Same time, same place as yesterday.”

A bright smile blossomed on Eirin’s face at Alexander’s words.