I Didn’t Know I Had Two Husbands - Chapter 4

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At his question, Elaria answered without hesitation.

“Mm-hm. I can.”

Now grown to nearly the size of an adult man, Lucian’s lips trembled slightly at her answer. Quietly brushing back his silver hair, more brilliant than sunlight and softer than moonlight, he let his eyes wander through the air for a moment before turning his red gaze to look at her steadily.

His cautious expression looked as if he were measuring something, or as if he were facing the most important decision of his life. Elaria held her breath and waited for what he would say next. The silence continued for quite a long time.

He brushed his hair back once more and spoke in a slightly trembling voice.

“…Okay, I’ll trust you.”

Because it was something said by him, who had never allowed even his numerous playmates close, the words engraved themselves deeply in her mind. It was something that made her so happy she felt she would remember it even at the moment of death.

From then on, she and Lucian began secretly dating. He disliked commotion, and she also disliked the burden of others’ gazes, so there was nothing unpleasant about it. The time she spent with him also did not differ much from when they were children, so she met him with the feeling that it was simply an extension of their friendship.

There was, however, something that changed. Instead of visiting only every Wednesday, she went to the ducal manor whenever he called for her, and no other playmates came to visit the estate anymore.

That alone was enough to satisfy her. He, who rarely allowed anyone close, had dismissed everyone else and left only her by his side.

Even though he kept only her near him, no rumors arose suspecting their relationship. Perhaps it was because she was the daughter of a poor baron and not in a position to be associated with him.

Instead, rumors spread that he kept her close because she was easy to push around. Others said that Lucian, being kind by nature, pitied her. Even as she bore the jealousy and envy of the young ladies around her, she never showed off her relationship with him.

Troubles arose often, but she ignored them with her usual calm nature and endured them because of her feelings for him. To her, Lucian was everything.

It was one day, as they continued their secret meetings like a children’s game. The heat was so intense that even their breaths felt hot.

The two of them, who were still meeting in their hidden place in the secluded part of the back garden, hurried beneath a large tree nearby to avoid a sudden monsoon downpour.

The rain fell so heavily that even in the short time they were exposed, their upper bodies became completely soaked. Although the weather was hot, the chill from the rain made her wrap her arms around herself. Lucian, who had been looking down at her with an indifferent gaze, took off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders.

“…Oh?”

Along with the heavy rain crashing down against the ground, her heart began to pound violently. She couldn’t control her trembling gaze. Her light brown eyes, the color of honey, moved through the air several times.

“Elaria.”

His low voice fell over the crown of her head. His voice, having fully passed through adolescence, carried a deep tone. His atmosphere felt so different from usual that it suddenly seemed unfamiliar.

His clear red eyes, once like rubies, now looked even darker, as if stained with blood. As she stood unable to take her eyes off his face, which had come close enough for her to see the full outline of his pupils, a soft and cool sensation touched her lips.

Chu.

After lightly pressing his lips to hers, he lifted his head, then lowered it again. This time, their lips lingered a little longer. Their rain-dampened lips clung together as if they might become one, then slowly parted.

She froze, holding her breath. Lucian looked at her with his usual indifferent expression, then gently brushed back her deep violet hair, damp with rain.

As if reassuring her, his gentle manner gave Elaria courage. She rose onto her toes and lightly pressed her lips against his, then pulled away.

“Haha…”

A soft laugh slipped through his teeth. Knowing that he rarely smiled, her gaze naturally traced the curve of his lips. The smooth curve looked very beautiful.

With the corners of his lips still lifted, he kissed her forehead and cheeks in turn. His large hand cupped her chin and lifted it. Their lips met briefly once more before parting.

Even though it was only the kind of simple kiss children might exchange, her breath continued to tremble with tension. Being close enough to smell each other, sharing affectionate contact like lovers, was itself overwhelming.

Only when the rain began to weaken did he pull his lips away. Lowering his gaze slightly, he looked down at her. As if it were the last time, he pressed their lips together and moved them slowly from side to side, then straightened the upper body he had bent deeply toward her.

Elaria looked up at him, breathing heavily, as his tall figure cast a shadow over her. When she noticed the tips of his ears had turned red, she quietly drew in her lower lip.

Her heart was pounding as if it would burst.

The relationship that had once felt like an extension of friendship changed completely from that day, and her feelings grew even more certain.

That she would love only him for the rest of her life.