<CHAPTER 04>
Gasp.
It was an extremely bold and explicit design.
…Isn’t this too obvious?
“Is there anything else?”
“No, nothing. Now, really go. You’ll collapse waiting for His Highness the Crown Prince.”
Vivian gently pushed me out the door.
How long has it been? But I didn’t even have time to check the clock before being shoved outside.
Hmm, hmm. I slowly walked toward the shared bedroom. Only a few steps, really.
I knocked on the door from outside, but there was no sound from within.
What’s going on?
I was about to knock again when I slowly opened the door.
The room was quiet.
Under dimmer lighting than outside, a faint scent of wine lingered. Two half-empty wine glasses were placed side by side on the table, with a bottle standing alone beside them.
Then, I noticed Vincent leaning on the sofa with his eyes closed.
As I approached quietly, his shoulders rose and fell rhythmically.
Is he asleep?
Vivian had said it took a long time—maybe it really did.
Feeling a little apologetic, I sat down quietly beside him. Vincent’s hair was slightly damp, giving off a faint scent of soap, as if he had washed.
Without realizing it, I found myself gazing at him. Even in the dim, sunless space, his sharp features stood out: high, straight nose, relaxed lashes, and slightly parted, beautiful lips.
This person is clearly a creation carefully crafted by God.
So that’s why he was sent back in time too.
My gaze slowly drifted down from his lips. Below his sharp jawline, the loose robe revealed smooth skin and firm muscle contours.
I want to touch it.
A sudden impulse made me lightly touch the skin on his chest with my fingertips. I startled myself and withdrew, but Vincent remained completely still.
“Aren’t you too defenseless?”
Feeling a mix of pity for his exhaustion and a strange urge to tease him, I moved a little closer.
I brought my face near and began observing him more seriously.
No pores on the skin. Wow, look at those long lashes.
As I admired him, his lashes twitched, and emerald eyes, drowsy from sleep, looked at me.
I smiled gently in return.
“Did you sleep well?”
“Mhm.” He lazily reached out to stroke my cheek.
“When did you come?”
“Just now. Are you very tired? You can just keep sleeping.”
Vincent’s lips curled slightly, and he lifted his body from the sofa.
“You say cruel things so casually.”
“Ah.”
Vincent leaned toward me. I tried to move away, almost lying down in the process. Thin blond hair brushed against my neck and face.
The feel of his face on my skin, taking deep breaths, made my shoulders tense.
“I…”
As I called him with a pounding heartbeat, our lips met again.
The gentle, tentative kiss soon deepened, stretching into a longer, stickier exploration. It was as if we were discovering each other; before one kiss ended, another began. The faint scent of wine and soap mixed in the air.
Vincent’s hand gripped my waist firmly, and in a low, almost inaudible voice, he murmured.
“Prince Parminio said one thing correctly.”
“What did he say?”
“He said tonight will be quite long for you.”
“…You heard that?”
“I have better hearing than most. So, Amelia… are you ready?”
“Ready…?”
I averted my eyes, cheeks burning. He chuckled and leaned closer again. His hands moved along my hips, warm breath spilling over my shoulders.
The sofa began to feel smaller. He murmured something and suddenly wrapped his arms tightly around my waist and shoulders.
“Ah!”
He lifted me while holding me close. The candlelight flickered as our height shifted. Still in his embrace, I was carried to the bed.
The soft sheets brushed my back with a chill, soon overtaken by his body heat. His loosely draped robe slid off onto the floor. The soft rustle of fabric sounded unexpectedly loud, making my heart race.
“…Amelia.”
His low voice trembled slightly. The urgency and desire in it made me tense. I unconsciously drew a breath. His emerald eyes, deep and vivid, locked onto mine.
Just meeting his gaze made my insides burn. There was warmth and tenderness in his eyes, but also an intense heat beneath it.
His fingertips traced my jawline carefully. Tilting my head, our lips met again. The soft, sticky touch took my breath away briefly; he paused and pressed his forehead to mine, laughing softly.
The light laughter and shared breaths filled the room with a heavier intimacy.
Night deepened, and the candle remained lit until the dawn light seeped through the window curtains.
* * *
When my heavy eyelids opened, it was already past noon.
Sunlight filtered through the curtains, slowly covering the room with warmth that brushed against my face. Breathing in, the faint lingering scent of him and soap brushed my nose.
I moved slightly. The sheets rustled. My arms and legs felt heavier than usual, and my waist and hip muscles were sore.
Ugh. Recalling why, I felt so embarrassed.
I pulled the blankets up to my chin and cautiously turned my head. The space beside me was empty. Touching it, it felt cool—Vincent had likely left some time ago.
Where did he go…?
I whispered to myself, staring at the empty space. I didn’t have any plans today.
Forcing myself to sit up, I noticed the rumpled sheets and scattered traces of last night.
Every mark testified to the intensity of last night’s moments.
Touching the sheets, my face flushed, and I lowered my head. When I looked up again, the curtains swayed in the breeze. Beyond them, the small sounds of birds and sunlight calmed my mind.
Hmm, maybe I should get up.
I tried to step onto the floor to put on some clothes, but aches and soreness covered my body.
Ah… As a moan escaped, the door was quickly opened from outside.
“Amelia.”
Vincent entered quickly, holding a tray in one hand. He placed it on the nightstand and leaned down to check on me.
“Are you okay? Don’t move suddenly.”
His voice sounded worried, though I found it slightly irritating.
“This is all your fault. How many times…!”
Vincent smiled sheepishly and placed the tray on my lap.
“See, that’s why I brought it myself. You must be hungry from not eating, so try a little.”
On the tray were appetizing bread, fruit, and soup. Seeing the food, I realized how empty my stomach had felt.
“Well… food isn’t guilty, after all.”
I pouted slightly and picked up a spoon. Beside me, Vincent poured water into a crystal glass and handed it over.
“So… did you dislike it? That can’t be.”
Vincent’s playful tone made me put down the spoon and glare at him.
“I’m going to get up. And if you act like that, we’ll never sleep together again.”
He quickly sat beside me, giving the spoon back to my hand.
“Don’t say such scary things. I was wrong.”
Seeing that I stared silently, Vincent spoke again, in an even more pitiful tone.
“Truly.”
“Do you promise?”
After seeing him nod, I resumed eating. Outside, the bird sounds gradually faded, and his calm emerald eyes met mine.
It was a peaceful midday.
