Their lips met deeply. The breath dispersed like smoke spreading thinly. A hand covering one cheek tilted the neck back.

“Ah…….”

A bitter body fragrance wafted into the nostrils. Familiar yet tired, it brought a sense of calm. It eased the tension.

Hot breath moistened the inside of the mouth. One side breathed in, the other side gulped it down urgently.

Thirsty. Give more. Not enough.

They swallowed each other. Like biting into a fruit, he bit off a chunk of her traces.

He rolled the fruit’s flesh around in his mouth. Like a child sucking on hard candy, he chased after that trace.

Still thirsty.

I want something deeper. A little more.

A sharp pain spread inside the mouth.

He bit the lip gently. His Adam’s apple vibrated as he growled like a beast.

It was utterly venomous like a snake.

Tightly entwining so she couldn’t escape, but soothing his betrothed inside his arms, so she wouldn’t be afraid.

Hot breath brushed against the jaw. It’s hot. Terribly hot.

The warmth pulled the listless Charlotte up to the water’s surface.

“Haah…….”

Charlotte clung to his shirt without noticing it crumpling.

Benjamin tilted his chin and released her hand. As he slipped a ring into her palm, her grip loosened.

“It’s okay.”

Charlotte slowly withdrew strength from her body.

“It will be okay.”

Charlotte gasped for breath. Her fingertips trembled. Was it because of this close distance?

Looking into his eyes, her heart ached as if she was gently stroking it with her hand.

“I don’t want to be alone.”

Apart from the resentment held towards her father, Charlotte wanted to be with someone.

She wished for this life to be peaceful.

Even if outwardly, my life doesn’t have to be peaceful, inside, I wished for this rest to last a little longer.

What can be done?

Was it wrong to wish for a brief respite after being put to death in a past life?

“I was in pain, too.”

I endured it, too.

“Enduring isn’t the end.”

Her dull consciousness gradually faded.

(This is a time separator.)

Benjamin slowly moved his body.

The raspy breath was very comfortable. The rigid expression even faintly relaxed.

‘What are you?’

What kind of dream did you have to make that expression?

Sometimes you seem like you could drive anyone to the edge of a cliff, but in reality, you’re the one standing there.

Has the anger hidden beneath that expression lightened or deepened?

Your face is calm, but looking at you, I feel like you’re just…….

“Like a child about to die.”

Benjamin covered Charlotte’s eyes.

(This is a time separator.)

The scorching sun poured down. Is it a hot day today? It was cold just yesterday, and the room’s warmth surged.

Charlotte curled her body to avoid the sunlight. It’s been a while since she slept this long.

Charlotte continued to bask in the sun a little longer.

‘Hand?’

A thick arm rested on her waist. It lay there without moving, just wrapped around her waist. It wasn’t heavy. The bluish veins on the back of the hand were familiar. It was a hand that held a sword, full of tiny scars.

The sleeping Benjamin was beside her.

‘Did I see wrong?’

Charlotte almost sighed but swallowed it, afraid he would wake up. As she reached to touch his forehead, he furrowed his brow.

“When did I change…….”

It was a thin sleeping attire. Just then, Benjamin woke up. He sluggishly blinked and stretched out his arm.

“The chamberlain changed you. You looked uncomfortable sleeping like that.”

“Ah…….”

“Was it rude?”

“No. It’s just, it feels like I’ve slept comfortably for the first time in so long.”

Charlotte looked down at the bedclothes and slowly pulled up the blanket.

“……Ah, I forgot to say, I’ll be late for the inlaws.”

“I talked to them. I sent a messenger, so they’ll understand.”

“I slept too deeply.”

“The chamberlain said you curled up like a squirrel and fell asleep right after changing into your sleeping clothes. You really did look like a squirrel.”

Charlotte chuckled awkwardly and scratched her head. Was it because of the early morning? It took time for her fuzzy head to settle. The dark eyes of last night came to mind.

“Charl.”

Charlotte pulled the blanket closer.
“Did I do something wrong?”

“It’s too early in the morning…….”

Benjamin reached out, looking at her flushed face.

“Hot?”

“A little.”

“Did I stoke the fire too high?”

“The sun is too harsh.”

It felt awkward to bring up such a topic now. Charlotte brushed her neck and hid her face with her reddishbrown hair. He swept up that hair to meet Charlotte’s eyes and pressed their foreheads together.

“Even after our marriage, there will be no other woman than you. Not even for political reasons, I won’t let you feel loss again. Instead, we will fulfill our duties as a couple, grow deeper, and do various things we couldn’t do last night.”

“…….”

“If you’re scared, just close your eyes and be by my side. I’ll take care of the rest.”

Charlotte’s eyes widened. He kissed her forehead and got out of bed first.