Chapter 71
Just before their lips met, Maya noticed the curve of Tristan’s mouth.
At first, she thought it was the same smile as always—but it wasn’t.
It was seductive, like a beast crouched and waiting for the perfect moment, or a devil hiding its true nature while luring someone in.
Tristan pulled Maya into his arms and kissed her.
Their mingling breaths, the faint scent slipping through half-lidded eyes—it was sweeter than sugar.
Tristan moved on instinct. It was clearly his first time, yet he was someone inherently talented, quick to learn.
After teasing her lips gently, Tristan finally parted them.
“….”
Maya surrendered to the unfamiliar sensations that flooded her. A strange feeling that tangled her breath made her toes curl.
A bliss she had never experienced before filled her body completely.
They intertwined like creeping vines.
It didn’t feel like they were merely sharing breath—this was something far more intimate, far more secret.
Tristan’s hand cupped Maya’s face, pulling her closer. Their bodies tilted, and they fell over together.
Tristan toppled onto Maya, one leg bent at a right angle to distribute his weight as he tilted his head to deepen the angle of the kiss.
Every point of contact burned—hot and damp.
Even the faint sounds of their breaths were swallowed up again.
Maya gripped Tristan’s face. The tingling sensations flooding her body were something she didn’t want to let go of.
Their hearts pounded in unison. Thump, thump. The rhythm seemed to speak the same feeling for both of them.
Only after a long, lingering kiss did Tristan finally pull away, bracing his hands on either side of her head.
Through the disheveled curls, her flushed face was visible—so breathtakingly beautiful.
Was there anyone like her in this world?
Could this overwhelming, aching feeling be happiness?
If every moment could feel like this, he would gladly sell his soul.
But satisfying one desire only awakened another—a deeper, darker yearning that a kiss alone could never quench.
His gaze drifted from Maya’s lips downward.
To her chin.
Her neck.
Her collarbone.
And below that.
What would your body feel like? Would that lightly tanned skin look the same beneath the dress?
His body burned. Did yours?
He repeated the question over and over in his mind, unable to speak it aloud.
Then Maya, cheeks glowing red, cupped his face.
“Tristan.”
“…Yes.”
He answered at the sound of his name—his own voice sounding low, husky even to his ears.
“Shall we sleep now?”
Such suggestive words—Tristan knew all too well what they could mean.
“It’s… time to sleep.”
Maya lay flat and pulled the blanket up to her chin.
The heat surging through him cooled in an instant, as if someone had stitched his severed self-control back together.
But I’m not done. There are so many places I want to touch, so many ways I want to hold you.
Swallowing the ache that threatened to spill over, Tristan forced a smile to his lips.
“If you say so.”
He lay down beside her again.
Not wanting her to see the twisted expression on his face, he pulled her into his arms.
As his fevered emotions faded, Tristan willed himself into sleep. Thankfully, exhaustion carried him swiftly into unconsciousness.
…But Maya couldn’t do the same.
She focused on her breathing, trying to calm her racing heart as memories of their heated kiss flashed through her mind.
It had been her first kiss.
And Tristan had made every second of it perfect.
The simple fact that he was the one made her happy.
The longer the kiss lasted, the more emotions she hadn’t known stirred awake. She wanted to kiss Tristan again.
She wanted to be closer.
She wanted to kiss him and lose herself completely in the moment—a raw, shameless desire she had never felt before.
Feelings she had never imagined herself having.
The more time she spent with Tristan, the more she grew to like him.
So much so, it even startled her.
Feelings she had never once considered were now burrowing deep into her thoughts.
Right now, I’m your wife.
So… wouldn’t it be okay to surrender to this desire?
Their hearts had been beating at the same pace when they kissed.
So then….
Her thoughts spiraled on and on—
Until, at the very last moment, images of those who had died because of her surfaced.
And the memory of failing to negotiate properly with Marquis Rebour.
Tristan deserved someone who truly suited him.
Not a selfish woman who used their contract as an excuse to indulge her own desires.
“Let’s just sleep.”
That’s why she said it.
Because if she voiced what she truly wanted, Tristan would give it to her without question.
Even though she had resolved to let him go cleanly, curiosity kept gnawing at her.
What exactly were Tristan’s feelings for her?
What did he truly think of her?
For the first time, Maya hesitated. She feared what answer might come if she asked boldly as usual.
She feared it might disappoint her.
Is this what love does to people?
It makes you act unlike yourself. It makes you hope.
Hope that maybe, just maybe, he feels the same.
She wanted to stand beside him—not keep trailing behind, worrying.
She had vowed to live a life without regrets.
But I don’t want to confess while the curse still binds us.
She didn’t want him to misunderstand—that she liked him because of the curse.
…After the monsters were gone, when the contract ended, she would tell him as a farewell: I loved you.
At least that way, she could leave after baring her heart.
Whatever his answer was, she would accept it.
Maya snuggled into Tristan’s arms—his warmth now so familiar.
The next morning, Tristan woke in his true form. He had only slept five hours at most, but it was the longest he had ever maintained that form.
Unfortunately, the magic didn’t last.
By the time he was chewing jerky for breakfast, he had returned to his boyish appearance.
After packing up the tent and finishing preparations, the group headed toward the city.
It had become almost a ghost town after the repeated insect attacks.
The once-warm city was now filled only with vagrants. Hayden let out a heavy sigh.
“They say the insects are coming from the forest.”
Following the report he had received, Hayden led them toward the woods. Along the way, they easily dispatched the swarms they encountered.
By now, there was no doubt.
The butterfly was leading them.
Leading them to itself.
Waiting for its grand spectacle.
The forest was as dark and silent as if a witch might dwell there—so quiet it seemed devoid of life.
Maya came to a halt.
“From here, only Tristan and I will go.”
“Kiing.”
The wyvern whined, wanting to follow, but Maya shook her head.
“Stay here and wait.”
The fewer people there were, the better—the monster could appear at any moment.
“…Understood.”
Hayden obeyed readily; he wanted this creature dealt with as soon as possible as much as Maya did.
“I trust you’ll return safely.”
People’s expectations of her were growing. And with that came greater responsibility—but Maya didn’t mind.
It felt good.
It felt like being trusted.
“Of course.”
She wanted to live up to that trust.
They saw it—a massive flower no human could have planted.
They said brilliant mushrooms often carried poison.
This flower looked the same to Maya. Just like the butterfly.
The closed bud opened—and from within emerged Kendrick.
Or rather, the butterfly monster.
Unlike his usual self, he wore a striking ceremonial uniform—a deep navy that suited him perfectly.
Even the wings at his back seemed like part of the attire.
…Kendrick is handsome too.
If Tristan was the epitome of classic beauty, Kendrick had the charm of a dazzling bloom.
“At last, you’ve come.”
The butterfly spread his arms wide to welcome Maya.
“I hope you liked the gift I left you in the West.”
“Well then—shall we fight again?”
No matter how they fought, Maya couldn’t shake the feeling that everything would go exactly as this butterfly wished.
What was it he truly wanted?
“Won’t you fight? Don’t you want to take back your dear friend?”
His whispering voice made Maya grit her teeth.
She wouldn’t let those words sway her.
“Then endure this first.”
Suddenly, Tristan and Hayden—who had been standing at her side—vanished.
What?
No—Maya realized there was no one around her at all.
“Tristan? Where are you?”
She called out, but there was no answer.
Tristan was gone, yet the butterfly still smiled before her.
It didn’t take Maya long to understand.
“This is an illusion you created.”
