Chapter 80
But Elia couldn’t bring herself to do it.
Logically, she knew the man before her wasn’t her Cyrone. But her heart refused to accept it. She trembled, clutching her feverish cheeks, unable to even utter his name.
“I told you my name, only you. And yet you keep disappointing me.”
Cyrone’s lips curled into a vicious smirk. His eyes turned crimson, as if they might spill blood at any moment. His grip on her waist tightened, and he thrust into her like a conqueror claiming territory.
“Then I’ll have to remind you. Who I am.”
“…Nnh!”
Elia twisted at the invasive fullness between her thighs, but Cyrone showed no mercy, driving into her before she was fully ready.
“Hah… Hahh…”
She hated how her legs shook helplessly, hated the way her body arched like a broken thing, writhing in pleasure-pain. But he didn’t stop. Not until sticky substance dripped down her thighs, his violent thrust never stopped.
“It…It hurts! Hngk!”
Elia’s vision flickered. Was it agony or ecstasy? Even after a year of taking him daily, her body still struggled to adjust. The lingering sparks of pleasure had no time to fade before he stoked them anew.
“Liar. You’re dripping just from this.”
“Ah. Ahh!”
He pulled out only to slam back in, targeting the spot that made her moan the loudest. A rough groan came from Cyrone as her tight warmth clenched around him. How she refused to let go of him. He wanted to devour her from head to toe.
“…Nngh, please, please! …Cyrone!”
Instinctively, she cried his name, clinging to his broad shoulders. The male’s musky scent made her toes curl.
“Do you still love me?”
Cyron laughed, finding Elia’s trapped heart was pathetic. Then, with a slow stroke, he licked the shell of her ear.
“That’s your sin, Elia.”
Cyron whispered and pushed himself in again. The overwhelming stretch made tears flow from her eyes, without even having the chance to dry.
* * *
Whenever Elia was physically and emotionally exhausted, she had even clearer dreams. Those memories, which no longer held meaning, still came to haunt her in her sleep.
‘…Cyrone!’
Elia reached out toward the vision in her dream. That day was the day Cyrone’s army returned to the Empire after half a year. To welcome the hero’s return, people scattered flowers along the streets and lit colorful lanterns.
A few years after elevating the Kelyon Empire, having subdued the central region and swallowed half the continent, they had pushed northward. The day of completely seizing control over the continent was drawing near.
On the eve of the victory celebration, cheers and excitement engulfed the empire. The sleepless night only deepened the festive atmosphere.
The imperial palace was lively after a long time.
The Emperor stood on the stage with his son beside him, the son who had achieved the greatest merit in the war. The Emperor kept coughing, clearly exhausted. His face was growing gaunt, the area under his eyes and around his lips turning darker by the day.
“Well then, let’s drink freely today.”
Finally, the fortress of the continent had come into the Empire’s hands. The imperial nobles who always eyed the throne had been kept at bay by the Empress, yet the Emperor’s son remained untouchable.
“To loyalty to the empire!”
The Emperor’s wine was passed around to the knights who had distinguished themselves. Not only the knights but also nobles and royalty, who usually maintained their dignity, let go of decorum and got thoroughly drunk. At least for today.
Reiffers was there as well, blending in as always, hiding his true feelings familiarly.
Watching Reiffers, Elia bravely downed more fruit wine. Perhaps it was because she was glad Cyrone had returned safely, but for some reason, the usually bitter drink tasted sweet today.
The past half year while Cyrone had been at war felt as though time itself had slipped away without her noticing.
The noisy, heated crowd in the banquet hall showed no sign of cooling down. If anything, as the night deepened, the excitement only grew stronger.
Maybe it was the atmosphere. Elia got drunk faster, and she repeatedly shook her head to clear the blurring vision.
“Hoo…”
She couldn’t just sit there like this anymore. If Reiffers returned, she might get scolded. Trying to sober up with a cold breeze, Elia stood up.
Since so many people had gathered, she felt that wherever she went, annoying eyes would follow. She deliberately chose a quiet path and walked briskly.
Climbing the stairs attached to the rear garden of the inner palace, she made her way to a higher place.
How far had she climbed? Her breath was short and ragged. Just as her legs could no longer carry her, she saw the castle tower balcony bathed in moonlight.
“…Wow!”
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