Chapter 47
When Luirene arrived at the old lady’s bedroom, she moved with practiced ease. She drew back the curtains that had been closed to block the sunlight and opened the window wide. After checking the count of prepared medicines and taking out the correct packet for the date, she brewed hibiscus tea.
Iced tea, prepared for the warmer weather, didn’t mix well with medicine. Stirring slowly and for a long time with a clean spoon, Luirene looked toward the bed. The old lady was fast asleep, like a princess from a fairy tale.
Despite her long-term care, the old lady only deteriorated. Forced to increase her medication, she now remained awake less than an hour a day.
She usually woke between five and six in the evening. While she was unconscious, there was nothing to do here, yet Luirene faithfully kept watch over the bedroom.
She had just opened her book when she heard a knock. A visitor to the old lady’s bedroom, for once. Luirene looked toward the door and rose from her seat.
“Young master?”
With a gesture for her to be quiet, he closed the door behind him.
“What brings you here… are you allowed to come?”
“Is there a problem? I only came to tell Grandmother the news of my victory in the riding competition.”
In his hand was a purple peony, as beautiful as Luirene’s eyes. Checking her surroundings, Luirene scurried after him as he headed toward the vase.
“I heard already.”
“You heard already? I wanted to tell you myself. Everyone has such loose lips—it’s a problem.”
“Good news travels fast, they say.”
“Bad news travels twice as fast.”
After arranging the flowers in the vase with practiced skill, Hitaon shifted his gaze to Luirene. Brushing the curled strands of hair under her chin behind her ears, he tucked a single peony behind her ear. Then, looking pleased, his eyes curved into half-moons.
Her insides tickled. At the same time, a sense of unease rose. The excitement he gave her always came with a fatal weakness. Luirene took down the peony, which he had placed as if part of a childish game, and whispered.
“I’m nervous.”
“Afraid of being caught?”
When she nodded, Hitaon led her to the bathroom.
“Young master!”
At her startled cry, he sat her on the washstand and caged her between his arms. Hitaon’s face reflected in the mirror looked like a smooth-talking, easygoing trickster.
“Don’t be so frightened. Mother left early this morning for a breakfast event, and the Nanny is also away on business.”
“Still…”
“It’s been too long. I’m starving.”
“…So your intentions are impure.”
“I can’t say they’re not.”
Even as he said that, he only kissed her forehead, cheeks, and the bridge of her nose before pulling back. Now that she looked, he too was dressed as if about to go out.
A playful impulse welled up. Luirene grabbed his collar as he tried to move away and kissed him. Hitaon was not one to refuse a prepared meal. He immediately parted his lips and joined their breath as one. Into the warming breath came a tongue hotter and softer than his.
As it rubbed against hers, a moist sensation spread to every corner of her mouth. Each time her mucous membrane was licked, deep in her belly stirred. After days apart, the kiss sent a thrilling jolt through the foundation of her heart.
Luirene reached down and stroked his chest beneath his shirt. She felt him, who had been pressing in as if not to miss a single breath of hers, falter. This time, following the movement of his head so he couldn’t pull away, she sucked his lower lip long and hard. Hitaon let out a rough moan.
“Stop. You’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you?”
“Doing what?”
“Where did you learn such wicked tricks?”
“I only do things like this with the young master.”
When she acted coy, Hitaon smiled with a look of resignation.
“Don’t. You’re making me not want to leave you behind.”
“Are you going out again today?”
“Yes. Ever since returning to the capital, I’ve been called everywhere—it’s killing me.”
“If it’s really that hard, why don’t you adjust your schedule?”
“They’re all important events. Especially today—I have to show my face no matter what.”
“Why?”
“It’s the day I enter the palace. I have to have an audience with His Highness the Crown Prince.”
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