How to Tame That Gentle Hero - Chapter 10.6

The corners of Eldis’s eyes narrowed slightly, and he smiled as brightly as a fully bloomed sunflower. Entranced by that beauty like a summer day at noon, Resena watched as Eldis kissed her forehead. It was truly a sweet kiss. To Resena, who momentarily lost herself in the sweet sensation, he bent his head and whispered sweetly.

“I want to be Resena’s lover. An official… lover.”

At his whisper, Resena quickly came to her senses. She wondered if she had misheard, but Eldis was simply looking down at her with a satisfied face. Because of this, Resena carefully asked again.

“When you say official lover… what kind…”

And Resena had already suddenly thought of Vernas. Seeing her expression and realizing what she was thinking, Eldis smiled slightly and continued.

“Even if we’re official lovers, you can meet other people. I know you have someone else in mind besides me. But I’d like you to be my lover at official events.”

“Eldis… you don’t mind if I meet someone else?”

Eldis slowly shook his head.

“If the person you have in mind is someone I know, I don’t intend to compete with him. He probably thinks similarly to me. In the end, the final choice is yours.”

“….”

“I’m not even asking for an engagement. Much less marriage. Of course, I consider you as a marriage partner, but the person you’re meeting probably thinks the same. I intend to compete fairly. To occupy even a little more of your heart.”

“Eldis…”

“Resena.”

Eldis smiled affectionately and firmly held Resena’s hand. Then, as he placed a kiss on the back of her hand, Resena trembled once at the intimate touch. His hot body temperature seeped into her skin of mild temperature.

“Will you… allow me to get closer to you?”

Resena looked up at the man who had returned alive from the brink of death. Before leaving, he had threatened that he might wish to make her his wife. But considering her feelings, he simply wanted her to be his lover at official events.

‘How could I dislike someone like him…’

It must have been difficult to change his inherent nature. Resena carefully touched Eldis’s cheek. When the sensation of skin softer than silk came vividly to her, Resena withdrew her hand with sudden alarm. However, Eldis slowly bent his head and pressed his cheek against Resena’s hand.

“Alright, Eldis… I’ll be your official lover…”

At those words, Eldis’s eyes widened slightly, and he smiled prettily, curving his eyelids. He tilted his head to the side and traced Resena’s lip line with his thumb. Seeing his beautiful lips gradually coming closer, Resena closed her eyes.

“Mmm…”

“Resena…”

The secretive sound of breathing stimulated the excitement within her. The pounding sound of her heart beat against her chest, threatening to jump out. After intertwining his fingers with both of Resena’s hands and locking them together, he placed her hands on his firm chest.

“I love you, Resena.”

“…Eldis.”

“I love you. So much.”

Eldis spoke in a voice full of desire while continuing to explore Resena’s lips. His body was so hot that his body temperature kept seeping through her palms. Resena felt as if she was trapped in his embrace, but she liked this feeling and rested her head on his collarbone.

Eldis quietly looked down at Resena and kissed her temple. As his kisses traced down the ridge, the scent of her body gently rose from between her hair. He smelled the fragrance of violets mixed with hydrangeas and felt a dramatic thrill.

“Now, we’ve become official lovers.”

“…Yes, Eldis.”

“I’ll speak to His Majesty the Emperor. Of course, I’ll speak well to ensure your freedom is guaranteed, so don’t worry and just be yourself as usual. And just…”

“Just?”

“There will be a parade at the Founding Festival, and at that time, would you hold my hand and look at the imperial citizens from the flower carriage with me?”

At those words, Resena smiled broadly.

She could certainly fulfill that role. It would be equivalent to being publicly acknowledged as Eldis’s lover in front of the entire nation, but she could certainly do this much for him who had gone to the brink of death, directly experienced trials, and returned alive as she wished.

“Yes. I’d like that. I think it will be enjoyable to march hand in hand with Eldis.”

“Good. I’m glad.”

Eldis, with a faint smile, slowly stroked Resena’s hair from her forehead. Then he soon kissed her lips gently once more. Resena closed her eyes at the sweet sensation, but thanks to Eldis’s fingertips tickling her cheek, she slightly lifted her eyelids.

“Then I’ll be going now.”

“Won’t you stay for dinner?”

Eldis smiled slightly and traced Resena’s cheek. As Resena looked at him with dreamy eyes at that elegant touch, he drew an arc with his beautiful lips and whispered.

“I’d like to dine with you, but I’ve just come to see you right away after returning… I think I should report to His Majesty the Emperor as well.”

At those words, her heart fluttered.

This means he came to meet her first before reporting to the Emperor.

How can he be so affectionate?

She felt grateful for Eldis, who showed only his kind side to her, and she could feel herself gradually being colored by his affection.

“Alright then. Let’s have a meal together next time.”

Eldis smiled refreshingly, curving his eye corners.

“Yes, Resena. Then, I’ll come to pick you up around 11 AM on the Founding Festival. Since the parade is at 12. I’ll send imperial court ladies in advance.”

“Yes. I understand.”

Eldis looked her over with affectionate eyes, kissed her, and slowly pulled his head back. Resena, who had risen from her seat, followed him to see him off.

Having spent time listening to his story, the sunset had already faded, and a dusky color was rising. Resena suddenly thought of Vernas.

Imagining those bright blue eyes capturing her completely, her body strangely heated up. Resena shook her head to momentarily shake off his image. She was with Eldis right now. She wanted to focus only on him when they were together.

“Well, I’ll be going now, Resena.”

“Yes, Eldis. See you at the Founding Festival.”

Watching the carriage move away, Resena stood for a while. Even when he had completely disappeared from her sight and the curtain of night had fully descended, she was still taking in the entire Arnasus property, including the garden.

“Eldis…”

After quietly calling his name, Resena thought of Vernas again. He might have come down to the canal dock after finishing his report to the Emperor. Resena headed to the stable.

“Miss, are you going horseback riding when it’s dark?”

“Yes. I’m going to ride to the square. Could you bring out Speed Millionaire?”

“Certainly. But please be careful. At night, it’s easy for horseshoes to hit things like stones.”

Resena smiled brightly.

“I understand. I’ll be careful.”

After hopping onto the horse, Resena pulled the reins. As Speed Millionaire started to run, Resena began to drive the horse toward the canal dock.

Riding through the sparsely lit street lamps, Resena thought of Vernas. She wanted to see him right now. Wanting to see his face, who would have waited on the holy land beach to assist Eldis, Resena rode her horse quickly.

“Vernas?”

And at the place she arrived, there was only an empty bench. Resena quietly approached and plopped down on the part where she always sat.

Although Vernas wasn’t there, she sat for a while, recalling the memories of always looking at his sculpture from here. Looking up at the sky, stars were twinkling, and the moon was shining, revealing its bright body.

“…Vernas.”

Resena unconsciously touched the place where Vernas used to sit. The warm spot seemed to indicate that Vernas had been there and left, making Resena slightly sad.

“Resena.”

But before that imagination could end, she heard a familiar voice calling her. The voice was so identical that Eldis momentarily came to mind, but the moment Resena turned her head, she saw a handsome man with fine lines wearing a robe.

“Vernas…”