Chapter 119

Morning sunlight filtered through the curtains and touched the edge of the bed. As the slanted light brushed Blair’s lashes, she slowly opened her eyes.

For a moment, she couldn’t fully shake off the drowsiness and tossed and turned, then realized this was the bedroom of the villa she’d stayed in for the past few days. Even then, she couldn’t fully return to reality. She had spent her days cut off from the world, completely losing track of time.

When she turned her head, she saw Edmund lying on his side, breathing quietly. His hair, usually slicked back neatly with pomade, had fallen loose across his forehead, and with his delicate lashes lowered, his sleeping face looked gentle, almost boyish. It was a rare sight, one she could only see when he was deeply asleep, and it made her smile.

Blair composed herself and watched him carefully. Beneath the covers, both of them were completely naked, and his strong arm was wrapped around her waist. It was his habit to sleep holding her as if binding her in place. Sometimes he even buried his face against her neck, shoulder, or upper chest, as if unwilling to let go of her warmth.

Perhaps it was a habit formed from long deprivation. The fact that he allowed only her to see this vulnerable side, one he never revealed while awake, stirred something deep in her heart.

As she stared at his unguarded face for a long moment, his eyes slowly opened, and their gazes met.

There was no trace of sleep in his eyes. Blair, who had been smiling faintly, parted her lips in surprise.

“…Don’t tell me you were pretending to sleep?”

“I was waiting for a kiss.”

“My goodness.”

“If I gave you too much time, it seemed like you’d just keep staring at my face.”

Tilting his head slightly, Edmund pressed a light kiss to Blair’s lips, smiling.

“I couldn’t resist.”

“Since when were you pretending?”

“A while.”

Murmuring vaguely, Edmund slid his hand lower as he held her. His hand moved along the smooth curve of her waist and gently grasped her buttocks.

“You like it when I’m asleep, don’t you? So I let you look longer.”

“…Ah.”

Marks he’d left the night before still remained across her body. He hadn’t entered her, careful not to strain her condition, and he’d treated her more gently than usual, but the pleasure had been anything but light. The lingering sensation had been so intense that Blair almost questioned his innocence again.

“Edmund.”

Having experienced firsthand how far he could torment her, Blair reached back and caught his mischievous hand kneading her buttocks, pulling it away.

“We can’t linger in bed all morning.”

“Why not? You like it.”

“We’re leaving for Chails today.”

“…Your memory is good.”

Edmund clicked his tongue softly.

“You could forget something like that.”

“How could I?”

This villa had only been a temporary stop because Blair wanted to learn shooting. They’d originally planned to stay at the townhouse in Chails to rest and recover, so they had never intended to remain here long.

Moreover, in recent days, Edmund had seemed extremely busy with calls coming in from all directions. Watching him, Blair had decided it would be better to move to the capital as planned and continue recuperating there.

Of course, Edmund hadn’t been pleased with the idea, but after Blair persuaded him, he reluctantly agreed to head to Chails. A phone call from somewhere the night before seemed to have decisively changed his mind, but since he hadn’t shared the details, she had no way of knowing why.

“Besides, you said Milia is coming to Chails.”

Unable to hide her joy, Blair reached out and held his cheeks in both hands.

“Thank you so much. It must have been a difficult decision.”

“Why do you think it would be difficult?”

“Isn’t it the first time you’ve brought a maid from Eldenvale into your own space?”

She had even once served Isabelle. Chails was Edmund’s most private space, yet he’d decided to bring in the maid Blair was most familiar with so she wouldn’t feel the slightest discomfort while staying there.

“Thank you.”

“If you’re thankful, are you willing to linger a little longer?”

“Mm… maybe….”

“Maybe?”

He asked again with a soft laugh, then kissed her lips once more. His lips brushed hers lightly a few times as if tasting her, then lowered to kiss her small chin. His scattered kisses trailed down along her neck to her collarbone.

Blair swallowed dryly, anticipating the pleasure to come. Her body, unusually sensitive, flinched even at his fingers, and nearly trembled at the touch of his damp tongue.

Edmund, his black hair scattered over her chest, suddenly lifted his head.

“I suppose I should hold back.”

“Why?”

“It feels like I’d be doing something wrong to my pregnant wife’s body.”

…Then who was it that had willingly done such obscene things the night before?

“Are you acting proper now?”

“I’m going to be a father, so I should at least pretend to be proper sometimes.”

He grinned as if he had read Blair’s thoughts from before. Watching his face, which seemed ready to bite into her breasts at any moment, she realized something.

Though he acted teasingly, he wanted her to say she loved even the part of him stained with violent, obscene desire.

“Don’t pretend to be a gentleman. I don’t want to see a fake face in bed.”

Blair gently brushed back the hair covering his neat forehead. Edmund’s expression softened as he let himself lean into her touch.

“What I want to see is your shameless side.”

A faint smile flickered across Edmund’s lips at her blunt words.

“I hope you won’t be disappointed.”

“It’s nothing new.”

“Is that so?”

“And… I find you lovable like that.”

The man’s smile slowly faded as he looked at Blair. His eyes flickered with longing, as if ready to ignite. Soon, his large hand wrapped around her neck, and their lips met naturally.

The swelling pleasure rose at once. Blair wrapped her arms tightly around the man as he pressed his lips against hers with hunger. She was swept away again and again, breathing unevenly. It was the beginning of the pleasure that had consumed her the night before, and the bedroom door remained closed for a long time that morning.

16. Corrosion

After spending dreamlike days at the villa, Edmund and Blair finally arrived in the capital late in the afternoon. As they pushed open the door to the townhouse, Milia, who had come to greet them after hearing the news, ran out with a bright, welcoming expression.

“Duchess…!”

She lowered her voice, perhaps mindful of Blair’s pregnancy, which made her look both endearing and pitiful.

“Milia, have you been well?”

“I’ve been fine.”

The young maid’s eyes reddened slightly, as if lost in thought.

“Every time I saw the empty bedroom, I felt your absence deeply. I kept cleaning and dusting it for no reason, airing it out several times a day… I’m just grateful you let me come here.”

Only then did Milia notice Edmund, and with a startled expression, she quickly bowed her head.

“Thank you for calling me to Chails. A-and welcome back.”

“My wife is no longer alone, so take special care of her.”

“Yes, yes. I’ll be careful, Your Grace.”

Edmund turned to Blair.

“I need to go to the study to handle some work.”

“Ah.”

“Will you be all right without me?”

Blair’s face reddened slightly as she answered in a whisper, glancing at Milia.

“Of course, I’ll be fine… In the meantime, may I show Milia around the townhouse?”

“Of course. This house belongs to you.”

Edmund answered simply and kissed Blair on the cheek.

“I’ll see you at dinner.”

“Don’t overwork yourself either.”