Chapter 80

Suddenly, I awoke to the sound of rain fiercely striking the window. I blinked my hazy eyes open and looked around.

At first, I couldn’t see anything, my vision obscured by darkness. But as I became aware of Julian’s breathing nearby, my sight gradually cleared.

“…You startled me.”

The first thing I saw was Julian’s eyes. Even the faintest light revealed their red hue, catching the slightest bit of moonlight seeping through the window. Julian gently stroked my bare shoulder.

“Did I scare you?”

“Were you watching me this whole time?“

“Yes.”

For some reason, I felt embarrassed. I pulled the blanket up to my chin. While I had just woken up and could barely make out his eyes, Julian wasn’t in the same position. Julian chuckled softly at my actions.

“You’re different from last night.”

At those words, I couldn’t help but recall what had happened between us the night before. I pulled him into bed, and we spent a long time licking and nibbling at each other’s lips. The clothes that had been neatly worn slowly fell to the floor one by one, and Julian’s hands roamed every inch of my body.

Each time, I had no sense of control. I ran my fingers over his thick forearms and solid back, then clung to him with all my strength. My chest rose and fell endlessly, and my breath grew rougher than if I had been sprinting.

“Last night, I wasn’t in my right mind.”

I said in a confused tone, and Julian leaned closer to me. As he moved, the blanket slid off him, revealing his broad chest. I could see his muscles shifting under his bare skin with every movement.

“Do you regret it?”

Julian kissed the corner of my eye as he spoke, and I thought, ‘This is so unfair.’ No one could regret spending the night with such an attractive man.

“No. In fact, I’ve decided I should pull you into bed more often.”

I spoke firmly, and Julian laughed as if tickled by my words. I placed my hand on his waist and looked up at him. I didn’t want to break this peaceful moment, but there was something I had to say.

“My family will volunteer for the beast extermination mission.”

Though I had sent word to them, I didn’t think my family would follow my wishes. The people of Winsley County were the type who, even if faced with a death that others would criticize, would always do what they believed was right.

So, even if there was a chance of being branded as traitors, they wouldn’t ignore the plains of Riar being attacked by monsters. At most, they would proceed with caution.

Julian remained silent, perhaps agreeing with my thoughts.

“I don’t want to leave my family behind this time.”

“Do you want to volunteer for the monster extermination mission?“

“Yes. I want to participate with them and prove they did not plot treason.”

Julian pulled back from me, his voice turning cold as he spoke.

“You’re injured. Even if you weren’t, you’re still dealing with that curse.“

“My injury will heal soon. And the ring keeps the curse at bay, so I’ll be fine.”

I clung to him as he withdrew, trying to stay close. Julian closed his eyes and let out a deep sigh. Then he rose from the bed and slipped into the robe on the floor.

“Julian.”

I sat up, worried that he was upset and trying to persuade him. But he lit the lamp on the table and returned with a small box in hand.

Sitting beside me again, he opened the box. Even in the dim light, I could tell it was a necklace.

“Is this made from a rare mana stone?“

“Yes. When I saw you lie at the hunting competition, it made me think of this.“

“What lie…? Ah.”

I had thrown a rare mana stone at a monster during the hunting competition and claimed that Julian had given it to me as a gift.

It was a lie I had made up just to get through the situation, but it seemed Julian had taken it to heart all this time.

“Are you really giving this to me?“

“I wouldn’t have had it made otherwise.”

His voice sounded somewhat curt. He wasn’t pleased with the idea of me participating in the monster extermination mission.

“I already know you’re brave enough to throw a rare mana stone at a monster, so I’ve imbued it with a magic-blocking spell. In hindsight, I’m glad I did. Now you’re talking about jumping into a fight with monsters.”

I gave Julian a sheepish smile and placed my hand over the necklace. Indeed, it seemed to block magic—ever since touching the rare mana stone, I hadn’t seen the visions that used to haunt me.

“So, this is a charm for good luck?“

“It’s also my way of giving you the most precious gem in the world.“

“Indeed. I must be the first woman to use a rare mana stone as a decorative necklace without magical effects.”

After placing the box in my hand, Julian lifted the necklace. It seemed he intended to put it around my neck.

I gathered my hair in one hand and lifted it slightly. Julian’s arms wrapped around my neck, and I felt the cool metal touch near my collarbone. With a soft click, the necklace was fastened, and I reached up to touch it.

“We’ll depart once your wound has fully healed.”

I nodded obediently. This was the least I could do for a man who had been so gentle with me.

“I have a favor to ask.“

“Anything.“

“Please stay in the capital and continue to watch over Princess Abigail. Make sure she doesn’t interfere with the beast’s extermination mission.“

“Okay”

We lay side by side again on the bed. We could see each other’s bodies clearly with the lamp still on.

I rested my head sideways on the pillow, gazing up at Julian. Seeing his body so clearly now felt strange after only seeing outlines before. I tried to focus on his face, but my eyes would drift down to his body every now and then.

“My wife seems quite interested.“

“Not as much as you were last night.”

We exchanged playful banter. I suddenly felt a strong sense of unease as I glanced at Julian’s body.

I reached out and slightly pulled aside the robe that barely covered him. Julian felt tense as if startled, but I didn’t stop.

“Julian.”

“…What is it?“

“Your body…”

With wide eyes, I pushed him down onto the bed. I pulled his robe down to his shoulders. Julian grabbed my arms, but I, without embarrassment, traced my hands over his shoulders.

“Julian!”

I called out his name in elation, and it seemed that he, too, realized something. With a dazed expression, he ran his hands over his shoulders, chest, and abdomen.

The stone and the mana stone that had once covered half of his body had begun to fade, just like when the mana stone in his hand had started to fade.

Though there were still traces of the stone on his face, the area it once covered on his neck had significantly diminished. At the very least, it meant he no longer needed to wear that cumbersome cloak to hide his rugged body.

I wrapped Julian in a tight embrace, resting my cheek against his chest. From there, I could clearly hear his heartbeat. A heart beating that firmly was a sign of hope.

Julian awkwardly wrapped his arms around me as if still in disbelief. Then he spoke in a voice filled with awe.

“You are my miracle, Laila.”

His words, spoken with such wonder, were sweet and full of love. There was still time before the rain would stop.

With all my heart, I wished this small room could be our entire world. A world where there was no family to lose and no one to harm me. I desperately hoped for a time when all I would do was endlessly kiss him.

* * *

We prepared to leave immediately after the rain stopped and the ground dried. Sylvia treated my leg with strength, maintaining her usual expressionless face. Thanks to her, I was able to walk without any issues. If I was careful for a little longer, I would soon be able to run and ride a horse again.

“Your Grace, I will send word to the Riar Plains as soon as things progress.”

Sylvia spoke earnestly, and I expressed my gratitude.

“Sylvia, if you can break my curse, I will consider you my savior.“

“I’m simply doing my duty. I don’t expect any excessive rewards.”

I found Sylvia’s overly stiff demeanor endearing. She didn’t look at me or my cursed husband with suspicion nor treat us as mere test subjects. She also shielded us from the curious stares of other wizards.

She was someone who, while appearing the least like a wizard, took the most incredible pride in her role as one.

“Thank you, Sylvia. Let’s meet again soon.“

“Good luck.”

After saying my goodbyes to Sylvia, I accepted Julian’s escort and climbed into the carriage. I sat beside Julian, leaning my head against his shoulder. Julian’s grip on my hand tightened as we moved further from the West and closer to the East.

We first stopped at where we could gather news about Winsley County. When we found a guard patrolling the borders between territories and asked him, he gave us an expected answer.

“The Count of Winsley? He was the first to head west when he heard the news of the beasts appearing.“

“Thank you.”

It was no surprise. I even suspected that they might have left before the letter I sent had reached them. If that was the case, we needed to hurry even more.

Instead of continuing in the slow carriage, I rode a horse. Julian initially seemed reluctant, but he eventually agreed after seeing my determination.

As I mounted the horse, Julian grabbed the reins and spoke.

“Don’t forget, you still owe me.”

At his words, I leaned down and kissed him.

“I’ll be sure to come back and repay you.”

After exchanging a glance and a farewell, I tugged the reins swiftly. The horse quickly galloped, and the distance between me and the carriage widened quickly. Feeling the necklace sway against my chest beneath my clothes, I gritted my teeth.

It wasn’t enough just to protect my family.

I had to return. I had a huge debt to repay in this life.

TL NOTE: A more advanced chapter of this story is already up on the site. Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories.