And then, the black innermost thoughts, which were expected to resist even if reluctantly pushed away, were now put aside.

“I… ”

Elysia hesitated, avoiding his eyes.

“I hope it’s not today.”

Leon doubted his ears. Instead of waiting for the awaited permission, Elysia drew a line.

“If not today, then when?”

Leon looked down at his vigorous body. If Elysia had a conscience, she should consider giving him the benefit of the doubt.

‘…Will she run away crying?’

He suddenly felt melancholic.
Illeon spent quite a long time at the military academy, and even on the battlefield, there were only men of his age. So, whether he liked it or not, he couldn’t help but remember some of the gibberish tales and scandalous stories he had heard to the point that his ears were rotting, and despite not wanting to, a few things stuck in his memory about the guys who claimed to please women everywhere they went because of their ability to steal hearts. The repertoire of these guys talking about the ‘ways to please’ was always the same.

Those guys who, after proposing with a ring, also chattered about licentious stories—Illeon thought of them as brainless creatures attached to their lower bodies.

Illeon didn’t need such things.

When facing Elysia, his hands, body, and lips naturally turned towards her. It was something that happened naturally, something that only required a heart, not something to be learned or mastered.

…At least that’s what Illeon was thinking until just a moment ago.

“Why do you not want it to be today?”

Illeon felt frustrated. Even though Elysia was now by his side, even though she was in his arms, he was anxious that she might disappear again.

“I didn’t know what I liked.”

Elysia’s voice spread gently over the calm surface of the water.

“No one ever asked me or showed any interest in what I liked.”

Mariella said that to live, she had to speak like this. In Hadumsha, where she had recited as she was told, she had been taught that this is how a priestess should speak.

My thoughts. My self. My feelings.

Those were not important. Elysia’s life had been a series of actions and routines designed for a purpose.

“Illeon, you are the first thing I’ve ever liked.”

The category of someone she liked was narrow. The most favorite thing in Elysia’s entire world. The first thing she had ever placed in her heart. Illeon was such a presence to her.

“I don’t want it to be today because nothing has changed yet.”

There were still many things left to resolve.

The reason she had to leave Illeon was not his fault but because Elysia was weak.

“You said it’s okay because you’re strong enough for both of us, but you know that’s not true. I have to change.”

“Elysia.”

“I want to change so that I don’t hurt you.”

Elysia’s voice echoed in the quiet bathroom, calm yet earnest.

“So that I won’t have to leave you again.”

“Haa.”

Illeon sighed and swept his hair back.

He was weak to Elysia.

He felt like he had been tied with a leash by her long ago.

Could there be any reason not to grant her wishes, what she wanted?

“Alright.”

With one consenting word, the woman, who had shown a precarious silhouette soaked in water, expressed relief on her face. With Elysia blinking her eyes innocently, there was no inquisitor.

“Instead, promise me.”

“What?”

“When you want me, don’t hold back and tell me right away.”
Seeing Elysia nodding with a smile, Illeon felt his blood rush somewhere in his body. However, since he had endured it for now, he decided to score a few more points with her.

“You don’t have to rush.”

“….”

Elysia, looking somewhat dissatisfied, lowered her body under the water and began to create bubbly foam with her mouth.

“Why are you like that?”

“What you want to do. I wanted to do it too.”

Illeon felt better instantly at her words.

“So, you said I could do that if I wanted you?”

Elysia nodded.

“But because I want to do it well. Because I want to do it properly.”

Illeon hugged Elysia.

The sensation touching his chest, Elysia’s soft and warm lips—compared to her sincerity, they were nothing.

The small joy of Elysia’s heart being with me.

“Elysia, this is just one of the many things we can do together.”

Illeon gathered his determination.

“I will do everything with you.”

“Good… let’s do it together.”

Elysia rested her head against his chest. After appearing to be somewhat dazed with heavy eyelids, she soon closed her eyes.

“Are you sleepy?”

“Yes…”

“If you sleep like this, you’ll catch a cold.”

Illeon momentarily put Elysia down and exited the bathroom first. He quickly took off the soaked shirt and pants, roughly put on a gown without drying himself.

When Illeon re-entered the bathroom, he wrapped Elysia, who was immersed in warm water, with a large towel.

She, who was already half asleep, didn’t resist at all.

“I can’t… sleep… like this.”

“From the public bath? Why?”

“Because it’s hard to pretend I don’t know you.”

Lying on the bed, wiping her dry and wrapping her hair with a towel, Elysia smiled sleepily.

“There was too much happening today.”

“If you’re sleepy, go to sleep. Stop talking.”

Illeon added nagging despite Elysia’s pleasant voice. Confirming that she had come back into his territory like this was so delightful.

“…Have you never listened to other people?”

“For the first time.”

“But why are you good at it?”

“I’m good at everything I do physically.”

“…I’m envious.”

Elysia mumbled half-asleep.

“I’m sorry.”

“What are you sorry for?”

“I feel like I disappointed you.”

“There’s nothing to be sorry about. I’ll make up for it later.”

“But I have nothing to repay.”

Elysia continued to answer in her half-asleep state, and Illeon smiled alone because it was absurd.

“Just wake up for a moment. You should wear clothes to sleep.”

Illeon, who was about to put pajamas on her for the sake of his mental health, was drawn to Elysia.

“I want to sleep while hugging like this.”

Illeon’s train of thought was momentarily interrupted.
Still with her eyes closed, Elysia, with both arms around his neck, nuzzled her head against Illeon’s neck and murmured as if being petulant.

“You’ll keep the promise, so it’s okay to sleep like this.”