Chapter 82
“I have no excuse before you.”
He had no choice but to wait until she was reborn.
So, unable to even hear the words left by her older sisters, Erika came to the future and was reborn as Roziana—carrying only wrongful suspicions and misunderstandings.
But even then, he should have spoken.
Even when he had sent young Roziana to the Grand Duke’s house for safety.
No, even after he had sealed Roziana’s divine power.
“Whatever the circumstances, it was my fault that I didn’t tell you sooner.”
Because of many incidents, it hadn’t been the right moment to speak to her, but still, the regret that he should have created the opportunity remained deep in Asterios’ heart.
“No. I’m thankful you’re telling me even now. And…”
Roziana wiped her tears and threw herself into Asterios’ arms.
“For returning safely to me. For risking yourself for me. Everything…”
Words alone could not convey all her feelings. There had been too much time and too many circumstances between them.
She could only hope that her heart would be conveyed through the warmth of their touch. Roziana closed her eyes in his embrace.
A sense of calm washed over her.
She liked the sound of his heartbeat close to her.
She was grateful that he was alive.
She was so happy she felt like she wanted to repay the universe itself.
When her face pressed against his, wet with hot tears, Asterios wrapped his trembling shoulders around her.
“I should be the one thanking you.”
He pulled her closer and confessed:
“I should have conveyed my feelings sooner. I should have confessed how much you mean to me and expressed it more.”
Those few years living with her were worth more than countless days and nights he had lived before. For the first time, even as an immortal, he felt that every breathing moment was precious, that letting time pass was a waste.
“I was born alone, existing alone. I was a god, yet I had never known happiness. But with you… being anywhere with you was enough.”
It felt as if only the two of them existed in the vast universe—a rapture with no emptiness or loneliness. Before, the universe had felt painfully lonely and empty.
“It was only after loving you that I realized the value of time.”
A passionate confession came from him, an immortal being.
He had an immortal body, yet she was destined to die one day and leave his side.
Thinking that way made every moment with her feel infinitely precious—he wished he could reclaim all the moments they couldn’t share and turn them into time together.
He wanted to use every power he had to extend her life.
“That is why I tried to prolong your life, even at great risk, without fully anticipating the consequences. That was my fault.”
He especially should have accounted for the loneliness, sadness, and suffering she endured.
“So from now on, I will repay you for everything.”
Roziana’s violet eyes trembled and widened.
“Yes! Yes. I’ll allow it.”
Just thinking that their hearts had reached each other made both their hearts beat as if they might burst.
“Please, Aster.”
Her words were both permission and signal, so he tilted his head and lowered his lips.
His chest pounded, and a hot rush filled his pupils.
Just looking at each other made them feel as if they were the only two left in the universe. When their hearts collided, an involuntary gasp escaped their parted lips.
Through the thin veil of saliva, he felt the heat of his body. His entire body was also rapidly beating.
Ah.
Between them, hot breaths flowed fiercely. It felt as though the places they touched were melting. His tongue slid into her wet lips. Roziana inhaled the heat and substance of his body along with his scent.
At that moment, Asterios’ power entered her through their open mouths. Startled, Roziana tried to push him away by grabbing his arms.
“He must not have rested properly after returning from Secret Fog!”
She had no intention of draining mana from his not-yet-fully-recovered body—not even if he wanted her to.
But the arms holding her pulled her closer. The more she struggled, the tighter his grip pressed their chests together. When she struck his arms to push him away, one large hand grabbed her slender wrist.
“Ugh!”
Even pushing and striking with her remaining hand was useless.
As she turned her head to escape, his lips relentlessly followed hers. The more she twisted, the deeper their kiss became. Her breath was stolen by her own mistakes, leaving her even more dizzy.
His tongue entered her widely opened mouth, stirring and licking endlessly. The hot, rapid movements left her breathless down to her chin, her whole body weakening further.
Slp, slp.
Wet sounds began to emerge from their entwined bodies.
“Ugh! Ugh!”
“Stop! Stop!” Roziana lifted her brows and opened her eyes. Still with eyes closed, he pressed into her with a desperate expression.
The man with the large frame held her small body as if it were a lifeline, pouring himself into the kiss, taking and giving everything.
As she tried to escape and he pursued, her waist arched back and her head tilted upward. The large hand supporting her back held her firmly.
“Was Asterios’ body always this… big and strong?”
Roziana’s delicate body was lifted by his embrace.
“Hng!”
When her breath almost ran out and her body trembled, he finally relaxed his hold.
Thud!
“Haa… haa… stop!”
Breath burst through her parted lips. Finally free from his embrace, she gasped for air.
Asterios, too, regained his composure. Their previously locked lips glistened with saliva. Seeing that made Roziana’s body feel hot all over again.
“My goodness.”
Looking at him, she became flustered. He still looked so desperate for her kiss, seemingly unconcerned about his own condition, simply wanting to indulge in their passion—even knowing it would drain his strength.
Roziana shook her head fiercely. She wanted to be closer to him, but not like this.
“No more. I don’t want to take your strength now.”
She said firmly. Even if he had recovered enough, she didn’t feel right taking more of his mana.
She needed to wait until he had full energy before contact, never wanting to put him at risk again. She regretted draining so much of his power before.
“I was so worried in Secret Fog!”
Asterios’ eyes drooped as if under a serious sentence. Seeing that, Roziana was inwardly surprised at her own softening heart.
No. I can’t get swept up too!
“J-Just a little longer. At least until Aster is healthier than before.”
“I am already healthy, my lady.”
…Really?
Roziana widened her eyes in surprise, and Asterios smiled faintly. His smile was so magnificent that her lips parted slightly.
Her heart raced uncontrollably.
The yellow moonlight streaming through the window illuminated her golden hair brilliantly; her violet eyes were more precious than any jewel. Her lips, glossy from the previous kiss, were even redder, and her cheeks flushed.
In that instant, Asterios realized:
“…No man in the world could resist you. Inevitably, I feel anxious.”
Her large violet eyes widened slightly. His flustered behavior was unfamiliar but not unpleasant.
“But I don’t need any man in the world—only you, Aster.”
She spoke those words with her sweet, small lips, unaware of the fire they sparked in him.
Asterios clenched his fists. Since she said “not now,” he had to be patient. His heart pounded violently as if gripped inside his fist.
Breathing heavily, he gently held her hands in his.
“It’s not because of my condition, but it would be better to stop increasing mana for a while.”
When he smiled and said that, Roziana looked puzzled.
“What do you mean?”
She was restraining physical affection for his sake, but now he was telling her to stop because of mana.
“It sounds like you’re saying I shouldn’t complete the circle yet.”
“…Yes.”
Asterios’ expression turned serious.
“Because Gregorian’s goal might be to make you a Demon Lord.”
