“When taming a beast, you should be aware that you might get bitten if you make a mistake.”

Leon’s lips descended from under his ear and parted around the middle of his neck.

“Hm.”

Elysia shivered as Leon licked her slowly, as if biting into her with his lips.

“Ouch. Let go of my hand…”

At the sound of her quietly murmured words, Leon released her hand from the wrist he was pressing against the wall.

“Ah!”

As she freed her hands, caught by him.

A slender body was firmly held in Leon’s large hands.

It seemed impossible to escape from his grip.

Thud. Thud.

Again, Leon’s hand, which had been climbing up her neckline, pulled the tightly tied corset strings.

Holding Elysia, Leon removed the corset that wrapped around her waist and embraced her soft figure.

“Mm. Hmm.”

As he pressed and molded her, Leon enjoyed the sensation of smooth skin under his hands.

Apparently pleased with the touch, Leon stood for a while, still holding her, and kissed her.

Elysia could only cling to him at the tips of her toes due to the height difference.

If Leon hadn’t supported her body halfway, she might have developed cramps in her legs long ago.

However, with her feet not properly touching the ground and nothing to hold onto in the air, Leon seemed entirely unwilling to let her go, as if he didn’t consider her being suspended from him a good thing.

“Haah. Let me down.”

She didn’t even realize when her shoes had come off.

As the cool floor was felt beneath her bare feet, Elysia seemed to regain some consciousness.

However, with a more intense desire in his eyes, Leon reached out with his hands towards her shoulders, where her slip was precariously hanging.

“Just a moment.”

When he grabbed her hand, Leon’s gaze turned fierce.

Rip.

He tore off the strap that had been hanging over her shoulder, as if it meant nothing.

“What, what is this…”

Elysia involuntarily opened her mouth in shock.

Leon tilted his head at an angle, licking between her open lips.

“Don’t interfere.”

He used his fingers to lift the strap on the opposite shoulder.

“Today, I’ll do as I please.”

Rip.

The thin slip that was hanging on her loosely lost its support and flowed down Elysia’s body.

“Oops.”

As Elysia tried to hold onto it, Leon tried to remove her hand.

“Just a moment. Leon, let’s talk…”

“I don’t want to.”

He seemed determined to cling to Elysia’s hand.
Seeing him trying to loosen each finger tightly gripping the soft fabric, Elysia felt unfamiliar and embarrassed, wanting to escape. Although she succeeded in turning away from Leon, she failed in escaping since the Odreian man, physically superior, could easily extend his arm to bring Elysia back into his embrace.

“I… I want to wash up.”

“Really? It’s not about escaping, right?”

“Here? Why would I run away from here?”

“Your credibility is at its lowest.”

Elysia bit her lower lip in contemplation. How was it before? She had certainly allowed herself to him before. What’s the reason it’s not okay now? Elysia was too confused. Wasn’t a conversation needed? Once, Leon used to come to the mansion every day to spend time with her. She hadn’t mixed words with him lately because she pretended to have forgotten Leon, but…

“Leon. Hm.”

While firmly wrapped around her waist, his forehead and black hair roughly brushed against her neck.

“Really beautiful. All of it.”

None of the problems she had seemed to be solved. Whether it was Marialana Sonatec or her father Gillian, who would be busy preparing to leave the empire in the middle of the journey to the Nanku continent.

… Before properly discussing, things got… undesirable.

At least confess her feelings to him properly.

Many thoughts collided in Elysia’s mind.

In the midst of it, Leon’s insistence on her overwhelmed her to the point of tears.

“I… I want to wash up. It feels sticky because of the sea breeze.”

She wanted to buy some time somehow.

She needed to soak herself in the bath alone and prepare her heart. Elysia wanted to calm down even for a moment.

“Okay.”

When Leon answered calmly, Elysia took a short breath, feeling relieved.

“Let’s wash together.”

“What?”

But she couldn’t help but jump at the following words. Washing together was an absurd idea.

“I don’t want to send you anywhere.”

Perhaps reading something in Elysia’s expression, Leon’s demeanor seemed to soften as if he was disappointed.

“You disappeared even from the mansion’s garden.”

The man, who was solidly pressed against her, was still large and warm.

As he breathed out on her neck, Elysia’s heart was shaken with a little less strength in his body.

“Leon.”

When Elysia tried to turn her body, he slightly loosened his grip on her arm.

“You won’t go anywhere now.”

She reached out and touched Leon’s cheek.

In response, the large man closed his eyes and, as if enjoying the sensation of that hand, playfully brushed her cheek with his own.

Elysia felt a strange sense of fulfillment.

The large beast, more beautiful and powerful than anyone, seemed to belong to her.

“…Cute.”