Side Story 1.

The biggest difference between the afterlife and the mortal world was the sound.

Souls without bodies couldn’t make any noise, and they didn’t speak unless absolutely necessary.

Even insects and birds didn’t sing in the Underworld. It was only natural that I became the noisiest person in the silence-filled Underworld.

Even without a body, I couldn’t break my habit of making all sorts of noises. I laughed, sang, and shouted louder than anyone in the Underworld.

Sometimes I felt embarrassed when I realized this, but Shahar said he loved all the sounds that came from me.

Especially the sounds I made when we were alone in the bedroom, which seemed to drive him crazy.

“Ugh…”

It wasn’t quite a cry or a laugh, but an excited moan that kept spilling out. Even though I thought I had reached the end, the pleasure that kept flooding in made it impossible to control my body.

Not knowing what to do, I bit his shoulder and dug my nails into his firm back.

But mere human teeth and nails couldn’t possibly leave a mark on the King of the Underworld’s body. In contrast, every place he bit, sucked, or licked left marks on me.

Even after covering my entire body with marks, Shahar was still busily leaving new ones on my already reddened skin. Especially in sensitive areas, it was almost unbearable to watch.

“Huh, ah, it hurts. Stop…”

But even to my own ears, it sounded like I was whining. Moreover, the nasal tone only seemed to provoke him further.

I could feel Shahar laughing.

My already flushed face grew even hotter.

Annoyed, I pushed his face away sharply.

Instead of avoiding my hand, Shahar grabbed it and kissed each finger. Unlike my disheveled state, he looked perfectly clean and beautiful with his eyes closed.

I was so mesmerized by his appearance that I missed my chance to push him away. By then, Shahar’s lips had already moved past my palm and were sliding down the inside of my wrist.

By the time I realized the sensation of him sucking on my tender skin, it was too late.

When I realized he was about to start again, I turned as pale as the other souls in the Underworld.

“Wait, just a moment…!”

As I tried to escape, he pulled me into his arms. The coolness enveloping my bare back sent a shiver down my spine.

Hesitantly turning my head, I saw his eyes looking down at me.

His pitch-black eyes, like the depths of the ocean, held a scorching passion that made even me feel hot.

When I shivered, perhaps thinking I was scared, Shahar lightly bit my earlobe and whispered soothingly.

“Lou.”

I also loved Shahar’s voice. When he called my name in that deep, husky voice, I wanted to give him everything he desired. Incredibly, the heat began to pool below again.

Now, even I was confused about my true feelings. I wanted to run away, but at the same time, I didn’t want him to stop.

And Shahar knew very well when I was at my weakest.

He called me again.

“My mate.”

In the end, I lost again this time. Realizing my hesitant permission, Shahar positioned himself behind me. It was an incredibly lewd posture. With a deeper connection than before, I unknowingly tilted my head back and parted my lips.

A large hand grabbed my chin and turned my head. His cold tongue immediately entered my mouth, entwining deeply with my tongue trying to escape.

The other hand that had been holding my waist came up to grasp my chest. It didn’t hurt, but I couldn’t shake it off, so I had no choice but to accept everything.

Just as rough as his kisses, his movements below were relentless. There was no trace of his usual gentleness.

But I didn’t dislike it. I felt like I didn’t care about anything anymore. My brain seemed to melt, my judgment blurred, and only my instincts remained.

I let out the sounds he so desperately wanted to hear.

Before long, my vision went white again.

“Shahar…”

It felt like I had been pulled out of deep water, my ears ringing and my body weak.

Shahar pulled me close, holding me tightly as I lay sprawled on the bed. I lay in his arms, lost in thought.

It had already been three years since we got married.

I adapted to the Underworld surprisingly quickly, to everyone’s amazement. Following Shahar around was a thing of the past, and now I had my duties as the Queen. Sometimes, the Underworld felt more familiar than the mortal world.

But Shahar was still overwhelmingly stimulating. Sometimes, it felt almost too much.

It was strange to feel sensations as a soul, but then again, nothing in this place was normal. Most of all, it was odd that I, who hadn’t faced death, became the Queen of the Underworld.

But what did it matter?

We would be husband and wife forever.

Noticing that I was lost in thought, Shahar pulled my face close to his, touching his nose to mine.

“What are you thinking about?”

His monotonous tone, without any highs or lows, sounded emotionless at first. But I could clearly sense his dissatisfaction. Considering that even his complaints seemed endearing to me, I must have been completely smitten.

‘No, that’s not it.’

Thinking back, Shahar had always been like that. No matter where he was, what he looked like, or what he was doing, I couldn’t help but love him.

I looked up at him and smiled bashfully.

“I was thinking that I want to stay with you forever.”

Shahar’s face softened instantly, seemingly caught off guard.

Seeing him react so strongly to even a glance or a simple word from me gave me a strange sense of satisfaction.

“As you wish.”

The speed at which a soul recovers is incomparably faster than that of a body. Even a brief rest was enough to rejuvenate me. I clung to Shahar again.

However, unfortunately, not everyone welcomed our affection.

[Your Majesty…! Please step out of the bedroom for a moment. It won’t take long. If you just give your approval, I’ll handle everything, so please…]

It had already been several days since we last stepped out of the bedroom. During that time, there had been constant calls for us from outside.

Especially Raum, who came to the bedroom door several times a day, only to leave empty-handed each time.

Though he had been promoted quickly with my help, his joy didn’t last long. While Shahar spent time with me, all the troublesome tasks fell to him.

[Oh, Your Majesty…!]

Raum’s pleas echoed once more.

But neither Shahar nor I paid any attention to the situation outside.

Even though he was my husband for eternity, we couldn’t be together every day. As long as my body was alive and breathing, separation was inevitable.

Lately, a chill had been seeping into the boundary where the Underworld met the mortal world. It was a sign that winter had arrived above ground. It also meant that the time for me to return to the mortal world was approaching. So, no matter how much Raum whined, I had no intention of letting Shahar go.

We ignored Raum’s desperate cries and focused on each other.

[If not Your Majesty, then at least the Queen!]

Realizing he couldn’t reach Shahar, Raum started calling for me. Not wanting to be disturbed any longer, I raised my moans loud enough to be heard outside the bedroom. As I expected, Raum’s pleas abruptly stopped.

However, Shahar didn’t seem pleased with my method. Lying beneath me, he quickly sat up and covered my lips with his.

“Mmm…”

The sound, which had been rising to a peak, dispersed into his mouth. Our positions shifted again, with Shahar now on top.

[Oh, why must I endure trials like this…!]

In the distance, I could hear Raum running away, wailing. Having driven away our most persistent intruder, we indulged in our time together.

* * *

Feeling a sense of emptiness in my sleep, I woke up to find the spot next to me empty. A wave of curiosity and disappointment washed over me.

I hastily put on some clothes and crawled out of bed to find Shahar.

Fortunately, he was standing by the bedroom door. The door was slightly ajar, and it seemed he was talking to someone through the gap. Raum must have somehow coaxed Shahar out.

I didn’t hide my displeasure and deliberately stomped my way to Shahar’s back. Through the crack in the door, I saw Raum looking pale. Before he could turn his head, Shahar hurriedly shielded me with his body.

“Raum is a capable official, so it would be a waste to destroy him by showing him your body.”

“What does it matter? All the important parts are covered…”

…Or so I thought, but the marks from the previous night were clearly visible on the exposed areas.

I cleared my throat and changed the subject.

“Ahem, is it something urgent?”