Chapter 264
‘Then what on earth do I need to receive from this man for my heart to feel at ease?’
Did she want an apology for words he’d never spoken? Even if she did hear such words from someone who had no memory of that time, she knew it would mean nothing.
But perhaps because Izar’s warmth was spreading to her, her eyelids felt impossibly heavy. She had grown accustomed to long sleep, so her body grew lax all the more easily.
‘Ah, I shouldn’t be like this.’
But she was still so tired, and… those nine days still felt as though they would last forever.
It seemed like wasting just one day, grudgingly clinging to Izar, wouldn’t be so bad.
Before long, Nova looked at the two of them in turn, her face full of disappointment.
She was the one who had told them to show what it meant to be close, but this wasn’t what she wanted—her parents clinging together, falling asleep in the middle of the day!
Nova puffed out her cheeks and grumbled.
“Ugh, don’t fall asleep!”
She had only just gotten her mother back, and now she was asleep again… But waking her seemed tricky, since her Mama looked so soundly asleep in ‘that guy’s’ arms.
“…Then! Don’t leave out Nova!”
Groaning, Nova wriggled and crawled into this ‘Papa’s’ arms as well. She’d been annoyed at first, but being held by her Mama and then encircled by her Papa’s arms was surprisingly cozy.
“Hehe.”
Her mood improved instantly, and Nova closed her eyes.
She was so happy her Mama had woken up.
As for this Papa… well, she’d have to watch a little longer, but for now, he wasn’t so bad.
“Haaahm…”
Before long, Nova drifted off too, and recalled a fable Mathilde had read about a rabbit family. She felt like a baby rabbit, nestled in her Mama and Papa’s fur on a winter night.
***
For the first time in three years, Izar didn’t have a single nightmare.
He had barely slept at all, but just not seeing Freesia in pain made his head feel clearer than it had in ages.
“Ah.”
But as soon as he woke, he felt both ridiculous and disgusted with himself.
‘Have I lost my mind?’
He was desperate for every moment of Freesia’s remaining time, and yet he’d dozed off in relief just because he was holding her in his arms?
“Hmm…?”
But Izar froze at the sight before him.
He had no idea what had happened, but Freesia was still sound asleep, and somehow Nova had slipped into his embrace as well.
“……”
He silently gazed down at the two, both with the same expression, sleeping peacefully.
This was happiness.
It was more powerful and genuine than restoring his family’s honor.
Having these two nestled in his arms… This was all he’d ever wanted.
Izar pressed a kiss to Freesia’s temple and closed his eyes. Even though he was stealing it while she slept, it made his spine tingle with thrill.
At that moment, Freesia let out a faint sigh from her flushed lips, as if the sensation on her skin tickled.
“Mm.”
Hearing that sound, Izar’s resolve to just give a light kiss and wake her up melted away.
His kiss drifted from her temple to her ear, to her cheek, and down the delicate line of her neck. Each time he brushed her with his tongue, she let out soft, stifled moans, her body tensing with heat.
“Ha… mmmh.”
“Freesia.”
It was warm, almost painfully sweet. He was overwhelmed by how precious and lovely she was.
While she’d been gone, he hadn’t even had room for desire. Night after night, he had only seen his wife dying, covered in blood. How could he have felt anything else?
But now, unable to hold back, he hungrily caught her lips in his. The soft, moist sensation on his tongue was dizzying, like falling off a cliff.
He pushed past her parted lips without hesitation, greedily savoring her inner warmth and wetness.
He traced her sleeping tongue, teased every spot that used to make Freesia writhe in pleasure, just like all those times in the past.
Soon, the unconscious sighs leaking from her lips turned into muffled cries.
“Wh… What are you doing?”
Freesia stared at him in shock. How could he do something so shameless to someone who was asleep?
‘Even worse…! Nova is asleep in my arms!’
She suddenly realized the weight nestled against her. Nova was curled up like a little kitten. What if the child woke up?
“Nova is asleep!”
“Then just don’t move.”
“Ah, mmph—”
Freesia hurriedly clamped her hand over her mouth as Izar continued to kiss and nuzzle her neck relentlessly. The waist he held trembled against her will, her knees jerking with small spasms, forcing her to squeeze them tightly together.
‘This is impossible.’
How could she be aroused by such a meaningless kiss while holding a child? How could such sensations—tickling pleasure and dampness—build between her legs from just this?
Just as she was about to be overwhelmed by self-loathing, a sleepy child’s voice reached her.
“Mmm…”
No matter how much Freesia tried to hold still, she couldn’t help flinching, and in the end Nova woke up.
“Mama, you’re awake!”
Rubbing her eyes, Nova immediately beamed.
Freesia, face burning, didn’t notice the deep regret shadowing Izar’s face.
“Come on, let’s play again!”
As her daughter bounced down to the floor, Freesia quickly disentangled herself from Izar.
‘This is why I didn’t want him near me.’
She had been preparing so calmly for a peaceful death, but she already suspected Izar would stir up her desire for life like this.
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