Chapter 25

“Aww, come on, don’t do this again. If you keep it up, it’ll just keep happening, you know?”

Vivian blocked Adrian, who seemed ready to kiss her all over her face, and asked again. The answer she’d get from him was very important.

“Vivi, even when I hold you again and again, it’s never enough. Don’t you feel the same?”

Vivian stayed silent. She knew now that Adrian had waited for her for six years, and she realized how hard those six years must have been for him. That’s why she had gently accepted him clinging to her day and night, but now he was saying it would continue like this forever.

“Hmm? Vivi….”

“Haa. Eddie. I like you too, Eddie, and I like being held by you. I can feel how much you love me. But… this is too much. I don’t want to stay inside the house like this, never going out.”

Even today, since the weather was nice, she had wanted to enjoy the sunlight and take a walk in the garden, but she spent the whole day inside the room again. She didn’t know how long their honeymoon would last, but she didn’t want to spend every day like this for the rest of their time together.

Adrian’s green eyes stared at Vivian. Only now did she notice the shadow under his eyes, cast by his dark eyelashes. He had always embraced her as much as he wanted, but hadn’t realized how hard it was for Vivian.

“Vivi, I’m sorry for being greedy. I was just so excited that you finally became mine, so happy that I could hold you and sleep in the same bed. I’ll try to hold back from now on.”

“Really?”

“Of course. I’m sorry for making things hard for you. I love you, Vivian.”

“I love you too, Eddie.”

Vivian’s anger melted away, and she embraced Adrian. Adrian gently patted Vivian’s back and whispered.

“So, Vivi. If I make you happy and joyful, will you give me a reward?”

“Huh?”

“I’ll do just as you want, only as much as we both feel good. But if I make you happy, then can I do what I want?”

Vivian was a bit scared about what he meant by “do what I want,” but she felt it was good enough to get this promise, so she nodded.

“My Vivi, I love you.”

For some reason, his promise to make her happy sent chills down her spine. But, deciding to think about it later, Vivian let herself enjoy a rare moment of peace in Adrian’s arms.

Adrian kept his promise well. Their time together became more about sharing their hearts than their bodies, and at night, they simply held each other as they slept. The maids changed the bedding less often. Still, Vivian was happy. She thought, “This is what a happy honeymoon really is.”

As she gained enough freedom to go outside, Vivian was able to join social activities. She found out that, for a while, she and Adrian had been the hottest topic in society, and was so embarrassed she couldn’t even lift her face. Everyone was curious about when the new bride would finally leave the mansion.

Her friends made a fuss, saying it was a new record since Countess Gwen. And as promised before the wedding, all those countless nights with Adrian—including their first night—became the envy of everyone.

“Beautiful ladies, sorry to interrupt. May I take my wife with me now?”

It was a gathering attended by couples. Gentlemen chatted among themselves, ladies among themselves, when Adrian came looking for Vivian.

“Sir, have the gentlemen finished their conversation already?”

If so, the Madame thought her own husband would soon come as well, and cast her gaze behind Adrian. But Adrian simply smiled, took Vivian’s hand as she sat, and answered.

“The other gathering is still ongoing, Madame. I just got up first.”

“Eddie, is something wrong?”

Vivian worried that Adrian had left the conversation early because something unpleasant had happened. But Adrian shook his head.

“No, Madame. I just wanted to see you.”

Adrian bent down and kissed the back of Vivian’s hand, causing a silent uproar among the ladies. Vivian’s face turned bright red, and she stood up as Adrian pulled her hand.

“Next time, we’ll invite you to our mansion. Please enjoy the rest of your time.”

The two walked away, arms linked and hands held tightly, as if they couldn’t bear to be apart. Among the ladies, silence lingered for a while. For the time being, Adrian and Vivian would remain the hottest topic in society.

*     *     *

The weekend had returned, and the intense summer heat had finally eased, replaced by a cool breeze. Adrian suggested to Vivian that they go on a picnic.

He said they should see the sea before summer ended, and Vivian excitedly prepared for the outing.

“Before we go to the sea, should we look around the market? We can try some snacks there.”

“Yes, sounds good.”

They rode a carriage toward the sea, about an hour from the capital. In the market of the seaside village, the salty scent of the ocean filled the air. They bought snacks made from seafood, and even bath salts made with sea salt. After spending time there, they took the lunchboxes they’d bought at a restaurant and headed to the coast.

The small beach Adrian had rented for the day was empty. Alone together, Vivian and Adrian enjoyed a happy time. They left footprints on the untouched sand and dipped their feet in the seawater.

“Look, Eddie. My feet are all covered in sand.”

Stepping on the sand with wet feet, fine grains clung up to her ankles. Adrian lifted the laughing Vivian and carried her under the parasol, asking if she was having fun.

“Yes, I love it. Thank you, Eddie.”

Lying under the parasol, Vivian chewed the snacks Adrian fed her. The cool sea breeze swept between her sandy toes.

“Haa. I really am happy.”

Spending romantic time alone with her beloved was happiness itself.

“Are you happy, Vivi?”

“Yes. Eddie, let’s come again.”

“Of course. Whenever you want.”

With her head resting on Adrian’s lap, Vivian soon drifted off. What woke her from her sweet nap was the feeling of hands constantly touching her body.

“Mmm?”

When she opened her eyes, the sea was right in front of her. She remembered falling asleep with her head on Adrian’s lap, looking straight up at the parasol…. But now, she was leaning against Adrian, sitting on his legs, nestled in his arms.

At that moment, Vivian was startled by the hands quietly kneading and squeezing her chest. Somehow, the front of her dress had come undone, exposing her chest completely.

“Hng!”