CHAPTER 72……………………
Well, things will work out somehow.
Before Killian could catch on, Adele quickly raised the pitch of her voice.
“Um, does the Captain happen to have something you want?”
“Me?”
Oh my, look at him pretending he doesn’t dislike this.
Killian, who was normally so unyielding when it came to things he disliked, now wore a strangely conflicted expression. Adele’s eyes gleamed mischievously.
Maybe he finally has something he desires? She couldn’t help but feel a subtle sense of expectation.
‘Well, he is human, after all.’
Originally, if he hesitated, she had planned to use that moment to thrust the ring she had prepared onto him.
I got a ring, so it’s only fair you do too.
The timing and line would have been perfect. But Killian was more serious than she had anticipated.
To think that even this stonewall of a husband finally has something he wants. She felt like she could pluck down the stars for him—since she’d already claimed the sun, after all.
“Whatever it is, just say it. Or better yet, think of it this way: if I just had this one thing, I’d be able to sleep peacefully, free from every chain in the world, soaring wherever I please. Something like that.”
“……Even you, Adele, couldn’t possibly….”
“And just what do you take me for? Don’t tell me you don’t know who I am.”
“Still.”
She clutched her chest dramatically and even thumped it for emphasis, but Killian only sank deeper into thought.
How frustrating—kind of insulting, really.
Adele pressed down the irritation and put on her most confident smile.
“What is it? Some ancient grimoire? The sacred sword of Jorne? Or maybe that thing you mentioned before….”
“An heir.”
“……”
“If there’s one thing I need most right now, it would be an heir.”
…Wait a second.
What did I just hear?
Adele forgot to even blink until Killian propped up her chin with his hand, snapping her out of her daze.
“A-a-an heir?”
“……You asked me to say it.”
“By heir, do you mean like… someone to carry on the family name? You don’t mean something else, right?”
“I mean someone to take my place one day. That kind of heir.”
Probably.
Killian nodded while still holding her jaw, before she froze again.
She must be really shocked.
He could tell from the feel of her skin beneath his fingertips, but chose to feign ignorance.
That way, he could keep stroking her cheek a little longer.
“Adele?”
“You—you mean send your heir to San Fidelio? To that boring, dreadful place?”
“…Didn’t you just call it peaceful and sacred a moment ago?”
“I—I did.”
That was before I imagined sending my child there.
Embarrassed, Adele dropped her gaze and bit her lip.
She also belatedly realized he was touching her cheek—but had no strength to turn away.
‘What is even happening right now….’
Her mind felt like it had been struck by a hammer.
Now that they were formally married, a child could be born any time.
Her father even believed she already had one in her belly.
But Killian bringing it up like this wasn’t just unexpected—it was something else entirely.
“It seems I’ve been inconsiderate. You only asked what I thought was most necessary….”
“N-no, that’s not what I meant—”
“You can forget I said it. What matters is only what you desire….”
“That’s not it….”
Oh, for heaven’s sake. How am I supposed to say this?
Adele’s mouth went dry. She was quick to adapt to situations, so in her head, she had already sorted things out.
Whether or not Killian said it, if they were to continue their marriage, an heir was inevitable.
‘…Right. Not just inevitable, but essential.’
Her eyes widened as she realized.
Whether inheriting a vast merchant guild or a secluded mountain temple, unless they wanted their legacy wasted, there had to be a child to take their place one day.
So the real obstacle now was… well, only one thing.
“W-would you be all right with it?”
“With what?”
Killian narrowed his eyes slightly, studying her.
He was relieved she wasn’t panicking, but the pity in her gaze was something he couldn’t ignore.
“Trying!”
“…Trying what.”
It was just as frustrating for him—having to repeat himself to such a beautiful woman.
“Adele, I don’t know how to put this…”
“No! You don’t need to! It’s not the explanation that matters—it’s the will to try that’s important!”
“…That may be true, but—”
“We’ll manage if we try together. Definitely!”
When Adele grasped his hand with sudden resolve, Killian couldn’t bring himself to pull away.
Not that he even wanted to.
What mattered most to him was not the strangely veering conversation, but the fact that Adele had reached for his hand first.
His voice dropped, husky and low.
“…You’re probably right.”
“Yes. It’ll be difficult, but admitting it is already the first step. Don’t worry, Captain. I’ll find some medicine somehow.”
“…What medicine…?”
“Oh come on, obviously that medicine.”
Even though they were alone, Adele leaned in close and whispered like it was a scandal.
Killian was about to ask again, but then he was caught—drawn into her all over again.
Never in his life had his thoughts been pulled in so many directions in such a short time.
“I can’t ask Father or Caden, but Xerox or Jacqueline could help—they’re discreet. I heard root of Beloa, grown on Muta Island, works especially well. I’ll make sure to refine it so it’s not too bitter.”
“…Beloa root.”
Beloa root—the kingdom’s version of eel tail, the most notorious aphrodisiac.
Killian’s expression froze, but Adele only tightened her grip on his hand.
Maybe I was too blunt? she worried. But since this was his wish, she couldn’t just ignore it forever.
“…Let me ask you this. Why, exactly, would I need to take that?”
“You said you wanted an heir.”
What? He’s the one who brought it up, and now he’s acting like this? That’s unfair.
It’s not like I’m fine with all this either! Adele fought to appear calm, despite her blush.
“Don’t worry. No one else will ever know.”
“……”
“You can trust me. I’d never let rumors spread about my husband having… that kind of problem.”
“Adele.”
Killian cut her off abruptly, then slowly opened and closed his eyes, as if to steady himself.
Did this darling little woman just imply…
His throat bobbed heavily.
“Are you saying I have a problem with… my manhood?”
“…Y-you don’t have to put it so bluntly.”
Adele’s face flamed, heat spreading to the bridge of her nose.
She had to stay composed, like a professional.
“I know. Other knights aside, most of the Holy Knights are said to have no desires of that kind. That’s why there’s never been any scandals, and why the doctrine of the Sun God demands such restraint. Everyone knows that. Not just me.”
“…Which bas—who told you this?”
His voice was low, lethal.
She might be gorgeous enough to ensnare him tonight, but some things, as a man, he couldn’t let pass.
“Who spread such nonsense…?”
“That’s not the point. What matters is that you married me, and I agreed to give you what you want. …Though, if you don’t want to take medicine, maybe I can… try something else.”
“Do you realize what you just said? Think carefully—do you regret it?”
His tone, once ominous, turned sharp, demanding.
Why’s he pushing me like this when I’m barely hanging on!
Adele squeezed her eyes shut and bowed her head.
At least now she could hide her expression.
“What could you possibly do?”
“They say sometimes, if the woman tries… it makes a difference.”
“…For example?”
His voice shed all traces of anger, replaced instead by a restless urgency that demanded her answer.
“L-like, proper stimulation. I’ve only heard rumors, but… there are clothes, for instance. Other methods too, if you look into it….”
“…I see.”
“But what were you about to say? Something about me regretting it?”
“No.”
Never.
Killian denied it flatly, then lifted her chin with his fingers. When Adele tilted her head in confusion, he brushed his nose against hers.
He seemed almost smugly pleased, though she was too flustered to notice.
“Adele, you really are…”
“Wh-what is it?”
Could it be he’s… already reacting?
If so, how could she possibly push him away? Adele’s heart raced, and she clung tighter to his hand.
A quiet chuckle tickled the space between them.
“Just keep holding on like that.”
“…Captain.”
“You said you’d try, didn’t you?”
He bound her with his words, making it impossible to let go—even a single thumb.
Her confusion only deepened as he leaned closer.
“W-why… if you want me to do something—”
“You, Adele, are the only stimulation I need.”
So there is something you don’t know.
Killian softly captured her lips. The faint sound of skin brushing against skin only fanned his desire.
“…If we go further, I won’t stop.”
Once their lips met, he couldn’t pull away. His gaze flickered toward her briefly, but his mouth never left hers.
In fact, the longer it went on, the less he could control himself.
“Mmph—”
Even when she turned her head, his strength pinned her in place. Adele stumbled back until she ended up perched on the windowsill.
“Ha…”
The heat overwhelmed her, twisting her body. But her hand was still clasped in his, anchoring her to him.
Whether she wouldn’t let go or couldn’t—it didn’t matter.
Her mind went hazy, soft and blank, like their lips locked together.
Clinging tightly, she interlaced her fingers with his, and he gripped back firmly.
A shiver ran through her as his strength closed in around her.
The last kiss had been deep, but tonight—tonight was their wedding night.
“K-Killian.”
“Finally remembering who I am, are you?”
His satisfied voice burned hotter than his breath. Not even the fireworks exploding outside could compete with the weight of his gaze.
His blue eyes held her captive as her breath quickened, lips trembling. His mouth drifted down to her neck… lower… and lower still.
Restraint long gone, Killian brushed his lips along her shoulder, tugging at her dress with his teeth. Adele shook her head desperately.
“S-stop.”
“That was my thought as well.”
“……”
“This place is too cramped.”
In a swift motion, he scooped her up.
Just a few steps to the bed—but it felt like a campaign march to him.
Adele tried to cover her bare shoulder as soon as her hand was free, but it was futile.
In the blink of an eye, her back sank into soft sheets. It felt like falling endlessly into the depths.
Without his hand steadying her nape, she might have flailed.
“Killian.”
“Remember our wager?”
Her voice calling his name blurred his vision.
He had once wondered if those cold eyes would ever reflect another emotion. Now, burning with heat, they almost frightened him.
“In three days, we’ll know. Which of us enjoys it more—you or I.”
Even if she wanted to forget, the words etched into her mind.
He gazed at her wide eyes as his thumb stroked her lips.
“I’ll give you one last chance.”
“W-what chance…?”
“My wife hates losing, doesn’t she? So think carefully.”
He unfastened his shirt, then ripped it open in one motion.
Contrary to the arrogant gleam in his eyes, his voice was unbearably tender.
“Which of us will it be? You or me—who enjoys it more?”
