Chapter 107

107. Ecstatically Fearful

“…I still haven’t found the ointment.”

Callion mumbled as he glanced around the room, unable to let go of his attachment to the ointment.

‘Geez, really. Who let him drink so much?’

Adelaide sighed, rubbing her forehead.

It seemed like if she admitted to giving the ointment to Lucid, there would be another big commotion.

There was no other choice.

Adelaide lied smoothly.

“The ointment is all used up and thrown away.”

“All used up? Then a new ointment…”

“I’ll have a maid bring some tomorrow. So come over here.”

Finally, he let go of the drawer handle he had been holding, hesitating in front of the overturned side table.

“If you call me, I must come.”

With that, he climbed onto the bed and hugged Adelaide tightly.

“Your Grace, mmph!”

Before she could resist, Callion kissed her again. Though it wasn’t as passionate as the previous kiss, the sensation of their lips touching and parting was still stimulating.

“Adelaide Isulandt Tiflis.”

Callion murmured her name, his pronunciation slightly unfamiliar as it rolled off his tongue.

Isulandt Tiflis

Adelaide pondered over the grand surname attached to her name and lowered her head. Callion then lifted her chin, making eye contact. Despite his intoxication, his gaze was overly clear.

Feeling embarrassed by her reflection in his clear eyes, Adelaide closed hers, and Callion mixed his hot breath with hers once more.

Adelaide neither pushed him away nor pulled him closer; she simply accepted him. After a long indulgence, he slowly pulled back and whispered.

“Let’s have our wedding again properly once everything is settled.”

She had thought even the marriage ceremony was more than she deserved.

“This time, we’ll invite your parents and send invitations to the kingdom for a grand celebration.”

The marriage ceremony had indeed been too modest for the marriage of a Duke. Moreover, it bothered him that they had conducted the ceremony without any of her family present, as the Earl had gone down to his territory.

Adelaide smiled faintly and replied.

“The marriage ceremony is enough for me.”

“It is not enough for me.”

“……”

“I don’t know about you, but I want to give you everything I can.”

He carefully held her in his arms and took a slow, deep breath. Their hearts beat in unison.

The ribbon tied at the back of her dress slowly came undone. His hand slipped under the parted fabric, gently stroking her back.

She tensed up, her body instinctively recoiling. Callion bit her lower lip hard.

“Ouch… Your Grace.”

“Not ‘Your Grace,’ my name.”

His low murmur sounded like an irresistible spell.

“…Callion.”

Callion smiled brightly. As the loosened chemise slipped down, their bare skin touched. Blushing like a shy girl, she squeezed her eyes shut.

“Don’t close your eyes. Look at me.”

At his whisper, caressing her ear, Adelaide hesitantly opened her eyelids. Her heart fluttered again at the gentle curve of his smile.

This can’t go on.

Fearing they would both lose control, Adelaide forcibly changed the subject.

“Callion, actually, after the marriage ceremony earlier…”

“Let’s only talk about us today.”

Callion didn’t give her a chance to continue.

He easily silenced her and gently clasped her hand that was gripping the sheet. Then, he lightly tapped his ring against hers.

“Now you are mine, and I am yours.”

“…”

“So you can’t go anywhere. I won’t let you.”

As if the mere ring could bind her, he spoke with confident conviction.

“You will stay with me until death.”

Her mouth wouldn’t open.

Swearing before God had been easy, but promising Callion felt far heavier.

Without a word, Adelaide caressed Callion’s cheek. He held her hand and confessed.

“I love you.”

“…”

Her lips, slightly parted, soon closed again. As if he hadn’t expected a reply, Callion kissed her silky hair.

His hot lips traced down her curves like blooming petals. Adelaide closed her eyes.

It was an ecstatically fearful night.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

She woke up abruptly in the early morning.

Shivering in the chill, Adelaide realized she wasn’t wearing a single thread of clothing.

Her drowsy mind became instantly clear.

Though there was no reason to feel embarrassed now, she felt bashful and groped around the bed for her discarded robe.

“Ugh.”

Even at the slightest movement, her muscles screamed in agony.

The marks engraved all over her body were vivid proof that last night was not a dream.

“Say you love me, quickly.”

“Ugh… Cal, lion. Stop…”

“I won’t let go until you say it.”

As Adelaide recalled last night, she buried her face in her hands.

She felt embarrassed.

She felt happy.

And she felt embarrassed again for feeling happy.

Adelaide’s gaze wandered to the ring on her finger. The ring gleamed beautifully on her finger.

She should have picked the same one.

She quietly stared at the sleeping Callion. He, too, had a ring on his hand. But his ring and hers were completely different in shape.

She had only thought of needing a ring, forgetting completely that they were supposed to be a matching set.

Well, why did such a ring matter anyway? Eventually…

“You will stay with me until death.”

Her feelings wavered.

Knowing that his place by her side couldn’t be hers, yet inwardly feeling somewhat relieved at the news of Shayla and Elkius’s marriage.

Wouldn’t Shayla’s becoming empress nullify the agreement with the Duke of Howard’s wife? She pondered this thought before shaking her head.

Adelaide quietly got up and left the room.

The window, just starting to lighten with dawn, was tinged with a dim morning light.

“Are you up already?”

Margaret, who was lingering in the hallway, greeted her warmly.

“You must be tired from staying up all night; why aren’t you sleeping longer?”

“I’ve slept enough. Why are you here at this hour?”

“I was worried that His Grace might be bothering you too much, so I was waiting here.”

“A girl who hasn’t even married yet has no business saying such things.”

Adelaide teased lightly, pressing her forehead.

“Would you like me to bring the newspaper?”

“Yes.”

Margaret brought the newspaper with a giggle.

“Shall I prepare breakfast?”

“If His Grace wakes up, I’ll call you then.”

“Alright.”

Adelaide took the newspaper back to the room. Callion had already woken up and was sitting up.

“Where did you go?”

“To get the newspaper. Did I wake you?”

“When I woke up and saw the empty space beside me, so I thought you had abandoned me.”

Callion joked with a touch of sarcasm. She brushed off his jest.

“Do you remember what happened yesterday?”

“Yes.”

“All of it?”

Adelaide’s inquiry made Callion lower his gaze.

“Not everything, but…”

“Did you make the side table like that?”

“…Did I do that?”

Callion asked, looking at the overturned table.

It seems like he doesn’t remember.

Adelaide smiled to herself, ignoring his discomfort.

“Is there any mention of us?”

“Yes.”

Adelaide pointed to the newspaper.

[ “…Meanwhile, there is growing curiosity surrounding the sudden wedding of the Duke of Tiflis. As widely known, the Duke of Tiflis is the long-time lover and fiancé of Shayla Lephisto…” ]

As Callion read through the article, he clicked his tongue.

“I should meet with Martin Owens soon.”

“Are you planning to lodge a complaint?”

“It seems like another sloppy article might make people uncomfortable again, like last time.”

“Don’t worry about it. It will be forgotten soon anyway.”

Adelaide folded the newspaper nonchalantly. Callion still seemed displeased.

“Come to think of it, I have something to discuss with Count Owens. Would you like me to send a letter?”

“That would be good.”

Adelaide smiled faintly, and Callion pulled her into an embrace.

Though he was clearly still somewhat intoxicated from last night.

Adelaide gently pushed his hand away.

“If you’re sober now, shall we have breakfast?”

“Let’s do that.”

Adelaide pulled the cord.

Breakfast consisted of a light salad and soup. She ate just to fill her hunger, as she had no appetite.

“Your Grace, the commander has something to tell you, and he wants to join you when you’re done eating.”

Margaret said as she cleared the empty dishes.

“Julian has something to tell me?”

“Yes. He said it was important.”

“Got it. Tell him to come to the study in 30 minutes.”

“Alright.”

Margaret carried the tray and left the room. Adelaide waited for the door to close before cautiously speaking.

“It’s probably about Shayla Lephisto.”

“Shayla?”

“She attended the coronation ceremony yesterday. She must have met with Julian.”

Adelaide didn’t mention that she herself had met Shayla and then left.

“I see, I didn’t know.”

Callion thought she might come to see him before the engagement.

Seeing her attend the coronation and leave without meeting him, perhaps she’s let go of any lingering feelings.

If that’s the case, it’s a relief.

Feeling relieved, he picked up his coat.

“Would you like to come to the study with me?”

“I’ll rest a bit more.”

“Alright, then.”

Callion kissed her cheek and left the room.