Chapter 89

Clarette’s voice was growing quieter. Lionel confirmed with her, 

“Clarette, you said it wasn’t allowed in the ducal residence.”

“Yes, at first I thought so. But painting you in the studio, sneaking into your bedroom last time… so far, nothing’s been a problem…”

Clarette hesitated, then looked up at him.

“…In the end, isn’t it fine as long as we don’t get caught?”

Lionel gazed down at her, disbelief in his eyes, and let out a long sigh. He gently pulled Clarette into his arms and sighed, 

“Clarette, did I corrupt you? Or did you get there all on your own?”

“Well, maybe both? Because now I want you, and you’ve always wanted to…”

The next moment, Lionel’s lips softly captured her words. Clarette naturally closed her eyes, leaned against his chest, and rested her hand there.

While they kissed, Lionel wrapped one hand around her waist and with the other slowly caressed Clarette’s cheek and nape, as if wanting to memorize her feel with his fingertips—a slow, persistent touch.

“Mm…”

Though they’d kissed several times, Clarette still felt flustered whenever his tongue invaded her mouth. If she tried to close her lips shyly, Lionel would pull her closer and deepen the kiss, just like now.

“Ah, wait…”

Clarette managed to turn her head and break away, but Lionel immediately continued kissing her cheek and ear. The strange sensation made Clarette tremble, and she heard his shallow laugh by her ear.

“Still embarrassed?”

“Yes, a little…”

“That’s a problem. I’m going to do even more now.”

Lionel teased, whispering playfully, and Clarette nodded slightly.

“You can do more.”

She raised her head in his arms and met his eyes.

“I said it before painting, didn’t I? Tonight, I’ll go all the way, no matter what.”

Lionel looked down at her unwavering green eyes. Clarette was not afraid or hesitant about getting closer to him.

“In that case…”

Lionel stepped away for a moment and went to the bedroom door.

Click, he locked it and tugged the handle to make sure it was secure before turning back to Clarette.

“Now no one can interrupt.”

“Yes.”

“I might not be able to stop midway. If you hesitate even a little, tell me now.”

Lionel still held the doorknob as if he might open it at any time. Clarette smiled softly at his continued care.

“Come here, Lionel. Sleep with me.”

No further words were needed. Lionel, leaving the locked door behind, strode to her. Clarette reached out, expecting a kiss, and wrapped her arms around his neck.

But Lionel simply lifted her up.

“Ah.”

Clarette’s right shoe slipped off and dropped as she was suddenly airborne. Embarrassed, she wiggled her toes, and Lionel whispered with a smile,

“You could have taken it off slowly.”

“…If you’re going to tease, put me down.”

Clarette muttered as if sulking, and he kissed her forehead before walking leisurely.

Whenever she sat on Lionel’s knee, she felt it, but he always handled her body gently and softly.

‘How strong is Lionel, really? Carrying me doesn’t seem hard for him at all.’

His arms supporting her back and legs were so reliable. Unlike Clarette’s soft and fragile body, Lionel’s was sturdy and strong.

His chest, where she was held, was broad and wrapped in firm muscle—so different from her soft, rounded chest.

Clarette was reminded again of the difference between male and female bodies, and blushed.

‘I saw it before, but I want to see it again. Lionel’s body.’

She carefully reached for the front of his shirt.

Lionel glanced down at Clarette’s hand fiddling with his buttons. When she hesitated and looked up, he smiled, finding her adorable.

“Go ahead. You’re the only one who can undress me.”

Clarette gathered her courage and began unbuttoning his shirt. By the time Lionel gently set her on the bed, his chest was already exposed.

“You’re good at this now. You used to struggle.”

“I… I imagined it often.”

Sitting on the bed, Clarette murmured as she undid the last button.

“I don’t really know what people do between men and women… but at least I know how to undress. I wanted to do that properly.”

She gently pulled the shirt hem from his trousers and looked up at Lionel. In the faint darkness behind the bed curtains, Clarette was shadowed, while Lionel, standing beside her, shone in the lamplight.

If the god of love existed in this world—

Thinking that, Clarette asked him,

“Lionel, will you take it off now?”

Lionel smiled and immediately started removing his shirt. As his firm, large body moved before her, Clarette’s cheeks flushed without her realizing.

Lione’s bare upper bdy, completely revealed, felt so different from when she saw him as a model. Clarette couldn’t believe that a man with such a body wanted her, that she could now touch him.

Lionel, quickly tossing his shirt onto a distant chair, looked at her and put his hand on his belt.

“This too?”

“Wait.”

Clarette hurriedly grabbed his hand as he fiddled with the buckle. She knew he’d end up n*ked anyway, but right now, she wanted something else.

“I… want to kiss you.”

Lionel’s gaze softened. Tonight, Clarette clearly wanted him.

Just that fact made Lionel’s heart overflow.

He climbed onto the bed, embracing Clarette and laying her down. Unlike the grass, the bed was soft. Clarette gladly pulled Lionel’s body down to her.

Closing her eyes, she felt only the gentle lips exploring her and his heavy presence pressing her body. His warm body enveloped her, and the faint scent of cologne tickled her nose. Clarette felt embarrassed, as if she allowed his invasion with every breath.

Inside the curtained bed, only the sound of their kisses filled the air for a while. Clarette occasionally gasped urgently, and Lionel, while pressing her, slowly untied her skirt with one hand.

“Lionel, I need to undress too…”

“Don’t rush.”

Lionel whispered softly as Clarette grew impatient. He remembered struggling to undress her riding habit and chuckled.

“Don’t worry, Clarette. I imagined it quite often myself.”

“What did you imagine?”

As if answering, Lionel grabbed the ribbon tied between her br*asts and gently pulled.

The fabric slid softly, and Clarette’s clothes loosened instantly. With just one hand, he skillfully undid the buttons, then kissed her collarbone and pulled away.

“Turn over.”

Lionel sat up and gave a short command. Clarette did as he said, turning toward the bed and lying face down.

Lionel began to untie the strings on Clarette’s back and waist. It was as if he didn’t want to leave a single piece of clothing on her. Embarrassed, Clarette buried her face in the blanket.

“Ah…”

When Lionel’s lips touched her nape, Clarette let out a short m*an without realizing. Her clothes, now loosened, slid off her body following his touch.

His kisses on her exposed shoulder traveled down her back, skipping her underwear and slowly reaching her waist. Clarette gripped the blanket, struggling to suppress her m*ans, but it wasn’t easy.