“More tired than nervous.”

“The wedding will be over soon.”

Yu Ra felt disappointed that Lee Hyun seemed to take her comment about being tired as a joke. She had worked late into the night for several days to ensure there would be no issues with work during the wedding.

She had meticulously double-checked everything to prepare for any possible situations while they were away on their honeymoon. As a result, she was constantly sleep-deprived, and amidst her busy schedule, she even made time to visit a skincare salon at her mother’s nagging insistence.

She glared at Lee Hyun, displeased that he didn’t seem to appreciate her efforts.

“I’m not joking. I only slept for three hours. I feel like I could fall asleep anywhere if I just rest my head.”

“I know.”

“What do you know? Tsk.”

Yu Ra heard Lee Hyun’s words as if in a dream. She was so exhausted that she didn’t want to think anymore.

As she shook her head as if everything was bothersome, Lee Hyun came up behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders. Yu Ra flinched in surprise, hunching her shoulders.

“Why are you so startled? Didn’t you say you were tired? Let me massage your stiff shoulders.”

“You surprised me by suddenly touching my shoulders.”

While kneading her sore shoulders, Lee Hyun offered some criticism.

“Don’t you think you’re too relaxed for a wedding day?”

“What do you mean? I’m plenty nervous.”

A soft chuckle brushed past her ear. It wasn’t a lie; before facing him, she had only felt fatigue, but now a strange tension was spreading because of him.

Lee Hyun tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, wearing a charming smile. Yu Ra thought he looked handsome as always as their eyes met. However, feeling awkward about maintaining eye contact, she quickly shifted her gaze to the hem of her dress.

“You’re beautiful.”

She had heard the same words from her team members earlier, and from everyone who visited the bridal waiting room. The phrase that hadn’t affected her before now made her face flush when it came from Lee Hyun’s lips.

The kiss with Lee Hyun, which she had tried so hard not to think about, once again disrupted her thoughts.

As his lips curved gently while calling her beautiful, Yu Ra’s face unconsciously flushed. In an instant, her fatigue vanished, replaced by a wave of nervousness.

“That’s such a cliché thing to say.”

With Lee Hyun’s lips constantly catching her attention, Yu Ra reflexively turned her head and blurted out words she didn’t mean.

“See you later.”

Lee Hyun winked and gently stroked Yu Ra’s cheek with the back of his hand.

That touch seemed somehow full of lingering affection, as if he were a new groom reluctant to leave his bride’s side. Yu Ra almost reached out to hold his hand.

Yu Ra thought Lee Hyun should become an actor. His gaze and touch alone made his performance feel genuine.

Yu Ra listened to her own heart pounding loudly from the moment Lee Hyun’s hand touched her, and she reminded herself to stay focused to avoid the misfortune of falling in love with Lee Hyun, mistaking his act for reality.

She couldn’t help but chuckle at the absurdity of a bride’s resolution at the start of her new life. Just then, the voice of the wedding officiant boomed from outside the bridal waiting room.

“We will now begin the wedding ceremony.”

And so began the wedding, a mix of nervousness and fatigue.

Yu Ra couldn’t remember walking down the flower-strewn aisle holding her father’s hand, exchanging rings with Lee Hyun, or the feeling of his lips brushing her cheek at the finale of the wedding ceremony.

She was so dazed and overwhelmed that she couldn’t recall how anything had proceeded. When she came to her senses, she found herself greeting both sets of parents before heading to the airport, having already finished the pyebaek ceremony.

“Yu Ra, you’ve been through a lot.”

Mi Hee said with a sympathetic look.

“It’s nothing.”

Yu Ra smiled mechanically.

“Don’t be reckless, and listen well to your husband.”

“I understand.”

She didn’t even have the energy to respond to her father’s ridiculous nagging. Feeling utterly exhausted, Yu Ra answered halfheartedly and turned to face Yu Geon.

Seeing Yu Geon looking at her with a disapproving gaze, Yu Ra gave him a broad smile. Yu Geon swallowed a low sigh and gently caressed her forehead and cheeks. His eyes were moist as he looked at his sister.

“Get some rest when you arrive. You look pale.”

Yu Ra simply nodded vigorously, trying to ease Yu Geon’s worries.

“Take care, brother-in-law.”

“Yes, elder brother.”

Amid the family’s send-off, Yu Ra boarded the wedding car, which was devoid of any decorations.

After waving to her family through the window until they were out of sight, Yu Ra let out a deep sigh she had been holding back. She sank deep into the leather seat and rubbed her cheeks, which felt like they might cramp from smiling too much.

Lee Hyun’s large hand came to rest on Yu Ra’s furrowed brow, which had unconsciously creased.

“Get some sleep.”

“I will.”

Yu Ra immediately assumed the most comfortable position possible, as if she had been waiting for this.

“…because.”

Lee Hyun’s voice resonated lowly, following the massaging touch on her eyes. However, she couldn’t hear properly due to the soft classical music playing.

Yu Ra wanted to ask what he had said, but the words only echoed in her mind without leaving her lips. She succumbed to an irresistible drowsiness in an instant.

Lee Hyun pressed his lips to Yu Ra’s round forehead as she quickly began to breathe evenly.

“I’ll have to keep you asleep on the plane too. Because once we arrive, you really won’t be able to sleep.”

Unaware of Lee Hyun’s mischievous intentions, Yu Ra fell into a deep sleep.

Yu Ra went through immigration in a daze and boarded the plane, practically cradled in Lee Hyun’s arms. She fell asleep again as soon as they took off and only regained consciousness upon reaching their destination.

The couple, planning their honeymoon with rest in mind, chose as their destination an island where Illusion, a resort built overseas by CH Group, was located.

The manager of Illusion, the only resort on a small Indonesian island, personally came to greet them, ensuring they reached their destination without any inconvenience.

They marveled at the surprisingly mysterious and beautiful island and the resort built to match it. However, what surprised Yu Ra was not the grandeur of the resort or its beautiful design, but the guest room.

“It’s quite lavish. Very much so.”

As Yu Ra stared in amazement at the interior covered with various flowers, Lee Hyun casually remarked.

“Well, we are newlyweds.”

Yu Ra instinctively frowned at the cringe-worthy word.

Originally, Lee Hyun had handled all the reservations and scheduling. If that was the case, he must have known about this overly burdensome decoration.

His home was minimalist and simple, with only essential furniture placed. This guest room, so different from that scenery, felt out of place.

“Is this your taste?”

“Of course not.”

Whether it was his taste or not, Yu Ra had no desire to look at it any longer. As she took out clothes to change into from her suitcase, she searched for the bathroom.

“I’m going to shower first. Call someone to clear this away.”

Desperately hoping that such things would not be visible when she came out after showering, Yu Ra hurriedly headed to the bathroom.

Given Indonesia’s tropical climate, her entire body had become sticky just from the short journey.

Although she wasn’t particularly sensitive to heat, this was a stickiness that no one could escape in such weather. The woody scent wafting gently from the amenities in the bathroom reminded her of Lee Hyun.

This resort, Illusion, was the first project Lee Hyun had taken on when he joined the company. So, with overflowing passion and affection, everything from the paintings on the walls to the types of plants in the garden had passed through Lee Hyun’s hands.

So these amenities must have been chosen by Lee Hyun as well. Perhaps that’s why the fragrance, reminiscent of tall, noble trees firmly rooted in the ground, seemed to resemble him.

Yu Ra shook her head to clear her thoughts, feeling that she was becoming too conscious of Lee Hyun. It was already too late for sightseeing, so she focused on her shower while contemplating whether to go for a night swim or explore the night market.

Having slept soundly throughout the journey and now feeling refreshed after a shower, the heavy mood that had weighed on her dissipated, leaving her body feeling much lighter. Despite having slept for hours, she felt so energized that it seemed a shame to have to sleep again soon.

Changing into a fluttery dress, Yu Ra emerged to find the food laid out in the garden beyond the glass doors catching her eye first.

Light canapés, various cube cheeses, fresh salmon, and unfamiliar tropical fruits made her mouth water.

“Wine?”

Lee Hyun, standing opposite her, held up a bottle of deep red wine. Yu Ra’s eyes sparkled at the sight of the wine that immediately caught her attention, and she exclaimed as if entranced.

“Ah, Château Margaux.”

It was a particular favorite among wines for Yu Ra. She had been so obsessed with this Château Margaux that it occupied half of the wine cellar in her family home, but once her father’s support was cut off, it became a wine she couldn’t easily indulge in.

Occasionally, Yu Geon would secretly bring some for her, which she would savor, cherishing every drop.

Yu Ra was newly satisfied with the fact that marriage allowed her to enjoy this wine without hesitation. The thought that even a contract marriage for necessity had its good points kept making her smile.

Ignoring Lee Hyun in front of her, Yu Ra lounged on the plush sofa, savoring the wine repeatedly. Lee Hyun swirled his wine glass and spoke in a casual tone.

“It’s today.”

“What is?”

“The day we can do it by mutual agreement.”

Yu Ra suddenly felt a rush of intoxication, her face burning. Feeling her palms sweat on the wine glass, she set it down.

If they had held a wedding ceremony and come on a honeymoon, this would certainly be their wedding night.

Due to the fatigue accumulated from work, the rushed wedding ceremony, and the dreamlike journey to their honeymoon destination, she had forgotten about this grand finale. Or perhaps she had forgotten her fears, firmly believing in the ‘mutual agreement’ clause.

Yu Ra’s mind raced, wondering how to avoid this situation. Some scholar said if you can’t avoid it, enjoy it, but this wasn’t an area that could be thought of so simply.

Yu Ra bit her lip at the overwhelming gloom. It would be better if she at least knew the theory, but since this was an unknown territory for Yu Ra, even in theory, fear washed over her even more.

“Um…”

Yu Ra hesitated, unable to find the right words. Feeling frustrated, she kept drinking wine and uncharacteristically tried to gauge Lee Hyun’s mood.

Yu Ra suddenly recalled the kiss she had shared with Lee Hyun in the team leader’s office.

The sweetness that had blanked her mind and the thrill that had enveloped her entire body seemed to come alive vividly. The kiss that hadn’t been unpleasant, or rather, had even been exciting, tickled her heart.

The fear stemming from inexperience clashed with the desire to feel that thrilling sensation again. Or rather, because of that memory, expectation was spreading more than fear.

“It’s our wedding night.”

As if aware of her hesitation, Lee Hyun calmly reiterated what day it was. If she refused, citing their agreement, Lee Hyun would likely back down willingly. But she didn’t want to push him away like that.

Lee Hyun smiled languidly, as if trying to change the mood.

“I’ve been looking forward to today for a long time.”

“W-what is there to look forward to?”

Flustered by Lee Hyun’s dazzlingly seductive smile, Yu Ra stammered and fanned her flushed face with her hand.