Chapter 138

My vision flipped upside down.
Strength filled my fingertips and toes, and my lips trembled.

The way Etias licked his wet lips was nothing like the Etias I had known.

Wasn’t he supposed to be the “innocent male lead” type in romance novels? Why is he so skilled?!

As if answering my question, he whispered in a low voice:

“I studied related books thoroughly. Because I was afraid of hurting you.”

Etias had an incredible talent—just by reading a swordsmanship manual once, he could master it completely.
I had heard from Caron that even though Etias never properly learned dancing, he danced flawlessly with me just by reading about it.

Apparently, it was the same for… other fields too.

I raised my hand to cover my mouth, but Etias gently pulled it down and held it at my side.

“Tell me… tell me how good you feel.”

I once thought I would have to guide him. But Etias was already far more skilled than me.
How could someone with no experience be this amazing?!

Every time his breath brushed my skin, I let out high, startled sounds.
I liked everything—his touch, his breath, his gaze filled with me, and simply being together in the same bed.

Even this alone made me happy.

He kissed my cheek, but I shook my head, tears stinging my eyes.

Everywhere his hands touched felt hot.
And if we stopped now… I knew I wouldn’t be able to bear it.

Looking at my face, Etias seemed unable to hold back anymore. He showered me with kisses again.

His eyes hardened, and his lips released heavy breaths.

Even as my head went blank, he kissed me desperately, as if begging me not to leave. His breath was hotter and rougher than ever.

“Ha… Katrin.”

He caressed my cheeks again and again, kissed me, and hugged me tighter.

After that… honestly, I can’t even remember clearly.

Because after saying “I’m sorry, endure it for me”, Etias lost control.

Lost control—but in a way that was… overwhelming. Just as he had warned me to “take responsibility,” he engraved on my body how great a responsibility it was to capture his heart.

And not just once.

I began to wonder how heated that book he read for “first night preparation” must have been.

In any case, my beloved—now my husband—Etias von Clyde, turned out to be a man far more skilled than I had ever expected.

A perfect fit for a rated-19 romance novel hero.

Now, Etias’s world is no longer about revolution.

The next morning, I barely managed to lift my sore, heavy body—the worst I’d felt since being reborn into this world.

“Ahh…”

A sharp pain struck my waist, and I screamed, collapsing back onto the bed with arms spread wide.

Can I even get up like this?

Even my legs felt swollen and heavy. I doubted I could make it through the day.

“…You woke up?”

Etias appeared, wearing only a towel around his waist, coming out of the small shower room connected to our chamber.

He sat naturally on the bed. I shrank back against the headboard, and he gave me a slow smile.

“Was I too much yesterday?”

When he brushed back his damp bangs, I was left speechless.

With morning sunlight spilling in behind him, his face looked like a painting.

The fact that I was waking up like this—with my favorite person—made my heart swell.

For a moment, I even forgot about my aching body.

This crazy fangirl heart of mine… but what can I do? I love it.

Etias kissed my cheek, his eyes filled with tenderness.

“From now on, I’ll try not to push you too hard. I can’t promise, but I’ll try.”

I only nodded in reply.

He pulled me into his lap, and I instinctively hugged him tightly, embarrassed to be so exposed in daylight.

His hand stroked my back, sending shivers through me.

Then he said quietly:

“There’s one more thing I need to tell you.”

I focused on his voice, sensing the seriousness. After a pause, he spoke again:

“The Dark Shadow has disappeared.”

I flinched, startled by the words I had almost forgotten.

I pulled back slightly, still on his lap, and asked:

“The Dark Shadow is gone? Really?”

“Yeah,” he answered, his ocean-blue eyes meeting mine. His smile was faint, carrying both relief and regret.

“I checked earlier. I can’t summon it anymore.”

That cursed power—the Dark Shadow—gave him terrifying strength but tore apart his organs with unbearable pain.

I had once wished that instead of returning home, I could use the Watch’s power to erase his suffering. The First Emperor, who brought me into this world, granted that wish. He had said I would find out after marriage.

So this was what he meant.

Last night’s events still made my face burn, but to think that the power I shared with Etias erased the Dark Shadow—it felt so meaningful.

“Thank goodness,” I whispered, hugging him tightly again.

The relief of knowing he would no longer suffer filled my heart.

“Katrin.”

His sharp nose brushed against my neck and collarbone as his hand slid around my waist.

“You’re more than I deserve.”

Hearing that, I felt proud—like I had protected him once again.

“My soul is yours. My body too. I’ll always give you everything.”

His hands caressed me again and again, tender and insistent, like rubbing twigs to spark a flame.

“Forever, by your side.”

His voice grew lower, his touch more intimate, and warmth began to stir inside me again.

“W-wait…” I stammered as I felt his firm desire against me.

He grinned.

“Congratulations. The Empress’s husband has become the healthiest man in the world.”

With that, he toppled me back down—just like the night before.

The towel that had covered him slipped away.

“Are you ready to take responsibility for me for life?”

It wasn’t really a question—it was a declaration.

This strong, healthy man intended to pour all his burning love into me every day.

As the tingling sensations spread again, I parted my lips.

“…I’ll be ready.”

I had already chosen him. And with that choice, I would live taking responsibility for his endless passion.

“Mmhh…”

I wrapped my arms around his neck again, letting out a dizzy moan.

By the time we left the bridal chamber, it was nearly noon.

As I prepared to step outside, Etias whispered sweetly:

“I don’t want to be apart from you.”

“It’s only been a few hours. And we’ll be together all the time anyway,” I answered.

After finishing our delayed duties, tomorrow at dawn we would leave for our honeymoon in the frozen lands for two weeks.

“But still…”

He pulled my hand up and kissed it.

“Even while I’m looking at you, I still miss you. How am I supposed to endure that?”

I didn’t know how the fawn-like man who endured every hardship for the revolution had turned into such a sly fox.

His sulky charm and burning gaze made my cheeks flush all over again.