Red Riding Hood - Chapter 80 - (The End)

“I’ll get used to it soon.”

Tearing up, Cinq showered kisses on his cheek.

“Alright, alright. It’s not strange. I like it. I really like it.”

Ylfus burst into laughter. Hugging her slender and soft body tightly as though to engulf her, he spoke.

“Say that you like it a little more.”

“I really do. You’re handsome, and cute, too.”

“Really?”

Ylfus tilted his head to look down at her.

“This wolf-man is handsome and cute?”

He removed the rest of her undergarments, flashing a playful smile.

“Are you serious, love?”

Instead of replying, Cinq traced her fingers gently over the contours of his face—his prominent brow bone, the thick eyebrows that rested neatly above it, and the deep-set eyes. His sharp nose, which had never been broken despite countless battles, stood proud and unyielding.

When her fingers lightly brushed his long, lush black lashes, he blinked, causing them to flutter. His golden eyes, as radiant as morning stars, gazed at her lovingly.

She softly teased his smooth cheek with her fingertips and said, “Wolf, bring the mirror again. I’ll show you how much of a handsome man you are.”

“What? Hahaha!”

Ylfus burst into laughter, leaning in closer.

Then, once again, he slid back into her. Their lovemaking resumed, but this time, it was different—more tender, more focused on savoring each other’s pleasure. It was less heated and more intimate, like a conversation shared through kisses and gentle caresses.

He moved inside her, and Cinq freely caressed his sweat-slicked body, pouring affection into her every touch and kiss.

At the peak of ecstasy, as he filled her with his seed, Ylfus gazed down at her with boundless adoration. She looked back at him with equal warmth. As the heat of their passion ebbed, it was replaced with a quiet, tender affection that filled the space between them.

Looking deep into his eyes, she murmured softly.

“I love you, Ylfus. I want to stay with you always. Wherever we are, just like this…”

***

The next morning.

What woke Cinq wasn’t Ylfus’s voice or his warm touch but the chirping of birds outside the slightly opened window.

Blinking awake, she glanced down at herself. Though she was sure she had fallen asleep unclothed, she was now dressed in fresh sleepwear.

It seemed Ylfus had dressed her after she had fallen asleep.

Through the open window, along with the birdsong, the faint hum of activity from outside reached her ears. The castle was bustling with more people than usual, which wasn’t surprising. It was the morning after a grand banquet.

The castle was still teeming with guests. The kitchen would be twice as busy, and the servants would scarcely have a moment to catch their breath. Even Ylfus, who loved lingering in bed with her until late morning, must have risen early to fulfill his duties as Kalasca’s young lord and greet the guests.

With a soft yawn, Cinq sat up. She had her own responsibilities to attend to. First, she would call for the maids to help her dress and prepare, then go meet Marianne. Breakfast was scheduled for ten o’clock.

As she glanced around, her eyes caught sight of the pearl necklace resting atop the bedside drawer. Ylfus must have removed it while dressing her and placed it there.

Picking it up, she gently untied the blue ribbon attached to it. This revealed the small porcelain angel more clearly. Today, as always, the angel didn’t feel like cold porcelain but warm and comforting.

Cradling it in her hands, Cinq kissed it gently with pure affection, her voice soft and tender.

“Angel.”

Long ago, there had been a boy who told her the story of the enchanted peach tree.

To this day, she didn’t know his name. Nor did she know what kind of feelings he held for her.

But she knew he had been there. She herself was proof of that.

“You know,” she murmured to the little porcelain angel, “this is the first time I’m telling you this… but I’ve found something I want to do.”

Still cradling the angel, she spoke in a warm tone.

“I want to be like you, Angel. I want to watch over someone. I want to start with the people who came into my life like miracles. I want to give them what they need, just like offering someone a piece of cheese. And if I can, I want to extend that to even more people.”

A small smile played on her lips.

“If I do that… maybe one day, I’ll understand your feelings. I believe I will…”

Through the open window, a fragrant summer breeze drifted in, caressing her cheek.

It was as though that gentle smile of hers was all he had wanted to see—as though this was what he had been waiting for all along.

< The End >