Chapter 71
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
Dear, I believe you may be misunderstanding.
Episode 71
He gazed at Grace's flushed earlobes with hungry eyes.
Yet he could only release a sigh of resignation.
Though nothing had changed in form, these days I found myself feeling like a beast at every moment.
"And most importantly, when launching an attack, you must always meet your opponent's gaze."
Lucas bowed his head slightly and whispered as though sharing something truly vital and secretive.
I felt her body tremble slightly within my embrace.
What had begun as mere playfulness now kindled a genuine thirst within me.
Grace, who seemed to hesitate, turned around to look at him.
Then she gazed directly into his eyes, exactly as he had instructed.
Those violet eyes, unwavering and resolute in their gaze, were more beautiful than any treasure in the world.
Could water droplets scattered by playful fish in a clear morning stream be this pristine?
"...You are fragile, so stay always by my side. So that wicked ones cannot harm you."
"I'm not... fragile."
She protested weakly.
Lucas smiled and caressed her cheek.
"You're right. You possess a spirit stronger than anyone and a heart warmer than most. But... your body simply cannot keep pace with the strength of that heart and spirit."
His words were tender.
How many people could speak of physical weakness with such gentleness and warmth?
At this point, I felt apologetic for all those days of misunderstanding him.
Lucas—this man was always one step ahead of her.
Now, no matter what he might do, she found herself believing there would be a valid reason behind it, and she sought to understand him.
Even if, by some chance, he were to drive a blade through her back....
Grace gazed deeply into Lucas's blue eyes.
Those rippling blue eyes were beautiful no matter how many times she beheld them.
They shimmered like jewels and gleamed as blue as the sky.
She felt she could gaze into them for hours without ever growing weary.
She had to admit it.
I've come to like this man, there's no doubt about it.
This man who is playful, mischievous, and somewhat intimidating in appearance, yet overflowing with humor when he speaks—I've come to like him.
Even if it meant becoming entangled in an absurd curse, I could no longer deny it.
I found myself looking forward to the day I would become his wife.
My lips curved upward naturally, and the corners of my eyes crinkled.
Grace whispered to him without knowing what expression graced her own face.
"Let's get married. Soon... the sooner the better."
Lucas's blue eyes, which she had come to adore, trembled.
He took a deep breath to steady himself, his chest heaving, then lifted her chin.
"Grace."
Their lips drew close, nearly touching.
"I'm going to kiss you right now...."
Lucas whispered thickly in a hushed voice.
"Will you avoid me?"
Grace's eyes widened in surprise.
I should say it's fine, just do it... I want to tell him it's okay....
Yet for some reason, my lips only trembled and parted soundlessly, unable to form any words.
After a moment's hesitation, I gazed directly into Lucas's eyes.
They held no thought of rejection whatsoever.
His gaze burned with the intensity of someone ready to crash his lips against mine and kiss me fiercely that very instant.
In that moment, a small streak of mischief suddenly surged up from within my heart.
A touch of vengeance toward him for teasing me just moments before.
"...I can't."
I shook my head firmly as I spoke.
Lucas froze, his eyes wavering as he looked at me.
His gaze couldn't possibly believe my refusal.
I gently pushed him away from where he held me tight.
Though I felt a pang of regret myself, seeing Lucas's expression as though he'd lost the entire world was oddly satisfying.
"Not right now."
"Why... how could you...."
"Because... well...."
I had no proper reason.
If I answered that I simply wanted to tease him, that man would undoubtedly bring something even more surprising to shock me with.
I wanted to tease Lucas slightly, not to invite retaliation.
I rolled my eyes anxiously before offering a reasonably conventional excuse.
"Unmarried people shouldn't just... do that sort of thing. I need... well, I need time to prepare my heart."
"...Grace."
Lucas let out a heavy, groaning sigh.
I quickly distanced myself from him, turning my gaze away.
Heat rose warmly across both my cheeks.
Lucas clenched and unclenched his fists, looked up at the sky, turned around, and paced restlessly.
For a moment, he sat down heavily with his head bowed.
"...I see. I understand. I suppose I was too... hasty."
After groaning for some time, Lucas rose to his feet, his voice trembling as he forced it down.
His tall frame with shoulders as broad as the Sea sagged heavily.
"Yes. Marriage.... I see. I was already planning to hurry, but now I want to hurry even more."
His forced smile carried a hint of sadness in its expression.
'He looks sad... Am I overthinking this?'
Watching his slumped shoulders from behind, I felt something strange stir in my heart.
Was missing a kiss really something to be this disappointed about?
With his broad shoulders drooping, he trudged forward ahead of me.
His slumped shoulders were a pitiful sight.
He had always appeared so vibrant, so confident, so composed.
His drooping shoulders stirred something within her heart.
Before she could think, her hand reached toward his shoulder.
The moment she realized what she was doing, she quickly clenched her fist and pulled back.
'What was I thinking? Was I about to say something ridiculous like, "That kiss earlier was just a joke—shall we try again?"'
Heat flooded her face.
Never. She would rather have her lips sealed shut than speak such words.
Absolutely not. Never.
That was when it happened.
Lucas Black, who had been walking listlessly, suddenly stopped and spun around.
Then he strode forward until he stood before her and spoke.
"If a kiss on the lips is forbidden, would one on the back of the hand be permitted?"
"I—what?"
"If not the back of the hand, then perhaps the forehead, or the cheek, or... would an embrace be so terrible? I promise to be ever so gentle."
Lucas Black lifted her hand, his voice beseeching.
With his dignified expression and even more dignified tone, the desperate longing in his eyes shook Grace's heart utterly.
'What is this... what are you doing to me...'
Grace's eyes darted about helplessly, but this time she set aside her playfulness and spoke with honesty.
"The... the back of the hand should be fine."
In truth, she wanted to say the cheek was fine too, and the forehead as well.
If she were being completely honest, the lips were fine as well—but she restrained herself.
Because if it came to that, if it went that far, it would be far too...
'Embarrassing.'
Grace felt the warmth rising in her cheeks and bit her lip.
Let me hide a little. Just a little...
With that thought, Grace extended the hand he was holding.
Go on then. Here, on this.
Lucas Black slowly brought his lips to the back of her hand, touching it lightly.
She thought he would pull away.
But once again, just as before, she was mistaken.
Lucas Black did not lift his lips away; instead, he moved them slowly.
He gently turned her small hand over and brushed his lips against the deep center of her palm.
Smack, smooch—
The kiss lingered, and a suggestive sound echoed through the quiet Garden.
As if all the birds had fled from the earlier commotion, an unusual silence hung in the air.
Because of this, her heightened senses could only focus on Lucas Black—no, on the back of her hand and palm where his lips were pressed.
"...!"
Every nerve in her body seemed to converge on her palm.
It was a sensation so hot it felt as though she were burning alive.
A flood of strange sensation rushed into my palm, and I trembled in small, involuntary shudders.
If I didn't bite my lip, I feared a ragged gasp would escape me.
Lucas, who had been kissing my palm with reverent tenderness, slowly lifted his eyelids and gazed at me.
Our eyes met, yet I found myself utterly unable to look away.
He continued to kiss my palm while holding my gaze.
Gradually, gradually, my palm grew damp.
He closed his eyes slightly, buried his nose in my palm, and drew a deep breath.
The tip of his nose, rubbing softly, caught against each delicate knuckle of my fingers.
His lips claimed even the spaces between them.
Moist and burning warmth burrowed between my finger joints.
My heart pounded violently.
So fast and fierce I wondered if I might perish from it alone....
When his tongue finally emerged from between his lips and licked my palm as if tasting it, I gasped in shock and stumbled backward.
"W-what are you doing...! That's, that's indecent, my, my hand!"
My legs trembled and my lips quivered uncontrollably.
My face was already flushed crimson, ready to burst.
The lovely pink had long since vanished.
Only a burning red remained.
Only then did Lucas offer an apologetic expression.
"Ah, I'm sorry, Grace. Your palm smelled so sweet that I couldn't help myself.... If I've upset you, I apologize."
"N-no, that's not it, I, just now that was too, you, you were too...!"
Even then, when Lucas had kissed my earlobe, I hadn't felt displeased.
Surprised, flustered, trembling, uncertain—yes, but not displeased.
I had wanted him to abandon restraint, to stop holding back.
But this, just now....
"Too...."
"Too?"
With my lips pressed firmly together, I spoke through trembling lips.
"T-too indecent!"
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org