Episode 4
Khalid — the old retainer and Asterion’s closest right-hand man — was the only person besides Alec who knew about the bride-to-be’s condition.
Alec carefully set the old book he’d been clutching down in front of Asterion.
“L-look, here.”
Alec’s voice trembled with emotion.
Asterion followed the spot Alec pointed to. There, written in ancient tongues, were the mixing instructions for the cure and notes on how to take it.
Asterion’s golden lashes trembled as he read. He gripped the book with both hands.
[Treatment for Elven Vein Collapse Syndrome]
Give the medicine at least three times a week on a regular schedule. Immediately after taking it, the patient must raise their body temperature and keep it high for at least one hour through physical union with the opposite sex.
Only this form of raising body temperature will allow the medicine to take effect — other methods will not work.
Continue the medicine and the treatment method for at least three years to achieve a cure.
The ingredients and ratios for the medicine are listed below.
Alec, who’d been so overjoyed to find the treatment, suddenly felt as if a big wave had hit him. His eyes flickered wildly, then settled into a calm.
Not my problem, he thought, forcing himself to stay distant. The duke will handle this. He’s strong — he’s a Sword Master, after all.
Alec and Khalid exchanged a glance, then cleared their throats as if nothing had happened.
But Asterion’s ears burned red — he was not at all calm.
In the summer of the Empire year 895, in August, Duke Asterion Kailani was married.
The bride was Roxana Avelio, a fallen noble who had been working as a maid in the Kailani household.
Guests whispered that the duke, worn down by his fight with the Crown Prince, had given up and taken just anyone as his duchess.
After the priest’s ceremony in the duke’s garden and the reception, the new couple stood together in the bridal chamber.
A simple snack and some red wine were set before them.
Roxana felt a dizzy thrill when she saw Asterion with his robe loosely draped over him. More than the fact that it was their wedding night, it was his hypnotic presence that shook her.
Asterion’s sapphire eyes looked at Roxana silently for a long time.
Under that gaze, she felt as if she were being undressed. She swallowed nervously.
Asterion poured wine into two glass goblets and handed one to her.
She took it carefully; their fingertips brushed for a moment.
While he looked perfectly composed, Roxana’s hands trembled as she held her cup with her left hand.
Asterion lifted his glass toward her. When she offered hers in return, the clear chime of glass filled the space between them.
He took a sip. She brought the cup to her lips.
The wine’s rich aroma and sweetness touched her tongue, then slid down her throat.
“I don’t plan on having children anytime soon.”
He said it casually, almost as if passing a remark.
Roxana jumped. Had she still had wine in her mouth, she might have spat it out.
“What did you just say…?” she blurted.
“Like I said, I don’t plan to have children for now. Are you going to refuse tonight?” he asked.
Roxana’s eyes widened again. There was no mistaking the meaning in his words — he was not simply offering a formal wedding-night courtesy.
She had assumed tonight would be just ceremonial, that nothing real would happen. That was what she’d expected.
But his direct mention of children startled her.
It wasn’t that she’d never thought about it, only that she’d thought of children as something for farther down the road.
She’d never imagined he’d be so blunt.
Her heart raced wildly.
Could she refuse him?
Asterion’s intense stare pushed her for an answer.
“W-well…,” Roxana stammered.
She wasn’t ignorant of married life; during the late duchess’s time, she’d received some instruction.
Asterion raised an eyebrow, expression cold.
“If you spend the night together, pregnancy is likely. Of course, she can take contraceptives regularly, but I’ve heard they have strong side effects.”
Roxana remembered, from casual talk she’d overheard, that cheap contraceptives often caused headaches and nausea.
Asterion seemed to recall a tale from one of the knights — he’d heard about a lover suffering side effects once.
“I thought there were contraceptives without side effects,” Asterion said, nodding toward one side of the table.
Following his gaze, Roxana saw two tiny glass vials, each the size of two of his fingers, placed neatly on a tray.
One bottle held a pale yellow liquid said to relieve pain.
The other bottle was about two-thirds full with an aqua-colored liquid.
Roxana guessed at once it was a high-grade contraceptive.
She didn’t know the exact price, but the aqua bottle would cost at least five gold pieces per bottle.
It is reliable and said to have no side effects. One bottle a month did the job, so it was convenient.
Roxana hesitated. Asterion’s blue eyes tightened with tension.
The aqua liquid was only similar in color to a contraceptive; in truth, it wasn’t a contraception at all.
Asterion himself had already taken a male contraceptive, so there was nothing to worry about there. That would continue to be the case.
Asterion waited impatiently for her answer.
His peridot eyes, half-hidden by dark lashes, still looked thoughtful.
How did they prepare this without me seeing?
He wondered.
Roxana guessed the butler or the head housemaid had placed them there before they entered the bridal chamber.
The bridal suite lay between the duke’s room and the duchess’s room. She had finished dressing and walked into the suite.
Her gaze flickered from the vials to Asterion.
He stared at her intently, as if asking if she had anything else to say.
“So… what’s your answer?” he asked, swallowing dryly. Each second felt like an hour.
Roxana was tense, so she hadn’t noticed how anxious he looked.
Her cheeks flushed pink, and she nodded slightly.
At that sign, Asterion rose, picked up the vial, and a look of relief — which she couldn’t see — crossed his face.
He offered his left hand. Roxana placed hers on his palm, and he guided her toward the bed.
At the wedding, she’d held his hand for the first time — then they were both wearing gloves, so their bare skin hadn’t touched.
Her heart hammered.
She sat on the bed first, awkward and clumsy.
Asterion slipped off his robe and followed.
His firm chest, strong arms, and trim waist filled her vision.
Seeing an adult man naked for the first time, her gaze wavered like a candle flame in the wind.
Asterion opened the vial and poured the liquid into his mouth in one swift motion.
He leaned toward Roxana, his hand cupping her jaw and chin.
He covered her slightly parted red lips with his own.
Their mouths fit perfectly as he kissed her, and he slid his tongue in.
Roxana’s peridot eyes opened wide, reflecting every feeling inside her.
The liquid Asterion had swallowed moved slowly into her mouth.
She swallowed reflexively.
The contraceptive had no distinct taste — it felt like drinking water, cool and refreshing.
When she finished the medicine, Asterion pulled his lips away slightly.
Her red, gleaming lips drew his thumb to gently stroke them. The touch felt softer than silk.
Her face grew even redder.
He freed her hands from the sheets and shed his robe.
Under the thin, soft chemise, her body’s curves were revealed without filter.
His gaze slowly traced her form, and she felt her entire body tense up.
Her glossy black hair contrasted with her pale skin, giving her a delicate, innocent look.
Her small, neat facial features were graceful, set on a face smaller than his palm.
Not only her face — she was short compared to him. He stood 190 cm tall; she seemed about 30 cm shorter, and her slenderness made the difference even more obvious.
Despite her thin frame, she had a modestly full chest.
Asterion’s hand reached her shoulder and slipped the chemise strap down.
She shivered slightly. Asterion’s hurried movement paused for a moment.
He knew she was nervous.
He hugged her and bit his lower lip.
When her lips parted, he devoured her mouth like a wild animal, taking and tasting greedily.
The sudden onrush left Roxana bewildered.
This was nothing like the ceremonial kiss at the wedding. Her long black lashes trembled.
Asterion wrapped his large hands around her neck and waist and held her completely in his arms.
