Chapter 58
The next day, I visited the hideout to check on the Grand Duke.
When I entered the room with Melas guiding me, Raymond was standing by the window, looking perfectly fine.
“Eilene, you’re here?”
For a moment, I had to raise my hand to block the light—it was hard to tell whether the bright glow was from the sun or Raymond himself, because his smile was just that dazzling.
Maybe it was too dazzling? Even Melas flinched in surprise beside me.
“Are you feeling better now?”
“I’m completely fine. That potion really worked wonders.”
While we exchanged greetings, Melas quietly closed the door and left. Raymond gestured toward the table by the window for me to take a seat.
“Melas told me not to go outside yet. He said it’s not a good idea to show the Emperor that I’ve recovered so quickly. That’s why I asked you to come here.”
“He has a point. That was a smart choice.”
I nodded while picking up the teacup in front of me. Melas was loyal and wise—having him at Raymond’s side made me feel reassured.
“Will you stay for a meal?”
“Yes, I’d like that.”
“I’ll have it prepared soon. By the way, I should get you some books. Should I send a servant again?”
“Oh, no! That’s okay!”
He was about to call someone, so I quickly waved my hands to stop him. Last time, he brought back such thick and heavy books that I really struggled. My mother even made me write book reports. I didn’t read them all—I just skimmed the summaries, but I still yawned more than thirty times. I didn’t want to go through that again.
Still, I did need a book…
While thinking about a solution, my eyes landed on a bookshelf in the corner of the room.
Oh! That could work.
“Raymond, can I pick out one or two books from there?”
“Hm, that’s a good idea.”
When he nodded, I immediately walked over to the bookshelf.
I was super curious about Raymond’s taste in books, so I scanned the titles with sparkling eyes.
They were all boring: History of the Prales Empire, Past Emperors of the Empire, The Rise and Fall of the Imperial Merchant Guild, and so on. Just looking at them made me feel sleepy.
No wonder his servants brought such heavy books last time—it was all Raymond’s taste.
To avoid stepping on any “landmines,” I searched the shelves carefully for something light and fun. That’s when a familiar-looking cover caught my eye.
Wait… Isn’t that the book from last time?
It was the same book Raymond was holding when we went to the bookstore together. I had wanted to read it, but he took it and placed it on a high shelf.
Its bright red cover stood out among all the dull ones, so I remembered it clearly.
Now that I found it again, I quickly pulled it out and opened it.
The title was “Night of Ecstasy in Paradise.” I skimmed through a few lines:
“Their hot breaths mixed as their noses touched.
They kissed each other deeply, not caring about breathing.
The electric sensation from their tongues spread through their bodies.
After their lips finally parted, his mouth moved lower…
When he reached her private place, she blocked him quickly.
‘Ah… not there!’
‘Hold still. I’ll show you heaven.’
‘No…’
Her rejection didn’t seem real—was it just playful resistance?
He then began to…”
I stopped reading there, my face completely red.
Wait—this is totally my kind of story?!
Since I’ve already enjoyed steamy scenes in Taming the Crazy Emperor, I was super interested in this one too. I quickly tried to read more, but…
Whoosh.
The book was suddenly snatched from my hands. Again?!
Just like last time, Raymond rushed over like lightning and took the book.
“Raymond!”
I yelled in frustration.
“Eilene, you can’t read this.”
“What?! Why not?”
I glared at him, full of protest. Even if he’s my favorite person, he can’t block my love for steamy romance!
Give it back! I really meant it!
He avoided my eyes, looking flustered.
“Um… This book belongs to Melas. He said he’s in the middle of reading it.”
“Melas?”
“Yeah.”
Ugh. If that’s true, then I guess I can’t take it right now…
“Well, I guess I’ll pick something else.”
“Good idea.”
Raymond looked relieved, and he put the book back on a shelf that was way too high for me to reach.
I looked up at the now out-of-reach book like a fox staring longingly at grapes it couldn’t eat.
I really want that book… But if I bought something like that, my mom would faint.
Maybe it’s safer to just borrow it and return it later. I’ll definitely ask Melas when I get the chance.
I began planning in my head.
Soon after, a servant told us that the meal was ready. Raymond and I moved to another room and sat down for lunch together. But today, I could feel his eyes on me.
Especially when I opened my mouth to eat—he stared at me like he was trying to drill a hole through my head.
Why is he looking at me like that? I feel awkward.
I picked up a soft mushroom with my fork, then put it down and asked:
“Raymond, is something wrong?”
“Huh?”
“You keep staring at me. I thought you had something to say.”
“No, I just like watching you eat well.”
He looked flustered and quickly turned his eyes away. Hmm… it totally sounded like an excuse.
But since it wasn’t anything serious, I decided to let it go.
Even while we chatted over lunch, he kept glancing at me—not at my eyes, but slightly lower. Was he looking at my nose? Did I have something on my face?
“Raymond, do I have something on my face?”
“No.”
Again, he looked away quickly.
Hmm. Then why do you keep staring?
Just in case, I wiped around my nose and mouth with a tissue.
After we finished eating, a maid brought out dessert and tea. The colorful, cute design of the desserts made it clear they were from Hari’s Dessert Shop.
“Ooh! These are from Hari’s!”
“I bought them because you like them.”
“Wow, thank you!”
I gently pressed on a rainbow-colored macaron with my fork. The cream oozed out, and the shell cracked like an earthquake. I split it into four and took a bite—crispy yet chewy, just the way I liked.
Raymond kept watching me. When I saw him gulping, I finally understood.
Oh! He wants some!
I quickly picked up a piece and offered it to him.
“Raymond, try one!”
“….”
He seemed surprised at first, then nodded without a word. I placed the macaron piece straight into his mouth.
Hmm… My saliva is probably still on that. I wonder if that’s good for his health?
Before, I only thought of it as an indirect kiss. But now that I know my healing power works that way, I started to see it differently.
“Is it good?”
“It’s delicious.”
His cheeks turned pink like a peach.
Geez, Raymond! If you wanted some, you should’ve just said so!
Maybe he was embarrassed about liking sweet things?
I smiled as I alternated bites—one for me, one for him—feeding him dessert like it was the most natural thing in the world.
