The Cold-Hearted Grand Duke Obsesses Over Me After My Death - Chapter 77

Chapter 77. A Night of Conception

“Louid, may I look out the window?”

“Sure.”

Since the gorge incident last time, Emilia hadn’t looked outside the carriage. Only when she was with Louid did she ask him and look outside.

Emilia beamed at the scenery rushing past beyond the window.

“The view is really nice. It feels like we’re on a trip.”

“I hear nobles often come here to enjoy their vacation because the scenery is good.”

“I see. Have you been here before?”

“No, it’s my first time.”

He had only been in the Northern Grand Duchy and the border attached to that territory, or sometimes only in the imperial capital. He’d never traveled on his own.

“When I was young, I did go play at Count Asher’s castle once. I ran around in the wide vineyards.”

“I see.”

Emilia smiled gently. It felt like she could see it in front of her eyes, a little child with deep black hair and red eyes running around. And young Asher too.

Thinking of Count Asher made her chuckle.

“Louid, how about we stop by Count Asher’s castle on our way back? Would Count Asher be at his castle right now?”

“He will be. I heard at the banquet hall that he’s going down to his castle for vacation. I’ll let him know we’re coming.”

“Wow. I’m looking forward to it.”

Emilia was so happy she even clapped.

Is meeting Asher really that exciting?

Jealousy rose again, creeping up from deep inside.

‘No. I can’t.’

Louid shook his head and chased away the stray thoughts. It would be troublesome if he fell for her.

“It seems His Majesty is having you look around the empire so you can gain experience.”

Emilia, who didn’t know the emperor’s true purpose, said with an innocent expression.

“Yes, that’s right.”

Louid agreed with her.

Emilia pulled the curtain aside a little and let the warm breeze wash over her face.

The carriage that had departed early at dawn gradually slowed once afternoon passed and the sun began to set, then came to a stop.

The two had only gotten out of the carriage once for lunch along the way, and had been inside the carriage all day.

“Emilia, get out in a moment.”

“Yes.”

At Louid’s words, Emilia stayed seated in the carriage chair for a moment.

A moment later, Jamie spoke politely and opened the carriage door. The escort knights had already checked that there were no dangerous people nearby.

Louid got out first and held out his hand to Emilia. Emilia took his hand, stepped down slowly, and looked around.

“It’s pretty.”

Before darkness swept in, the sunset was very pretty, and unlike the imperial capital, the air was fresh.

“I hear this place is famous for its sunsets. I’m glad we got to see it today.”

“The sunset looks like red cotton candy.”

“I see. Then let’s eat first.”

“Yes.”

She was hungry, perhaps because they had eaten a light lunch. Louid took her to the most famous restaurant in Plumond. The two ate in the restaurant’s VIP room, looking out at the beautiful scenery.

“Wow.”

Emilia exclaimed as she tasted the various dishes.

“It’s delicious.”

“Yes, this place is famous for good food.”

“I can see why.”

“His Majesty told us to inspect while traveling. Just enjoy the scenery and good food.”

“Yes, I understand. When we return, I should tell His Majesty thank you,” Emilia replied with a bright expression.

There was an imperial villa in Plumond. It wasn’t large, but it sat on a scenic mountain slope.

Since the emperor had readily offered that villa for their trip, after finishing their meal, the two headed to the villa.

“Wow, the lake water is sparkling like jewels.”

A massive lake stretched out beside the road the carriage was running along. It was big enough that you’d believe it if someone said it was the sea. The calm surface of the lake gleamed beautifully, like a transparent stone.

“Yes, it’s beautiful,” Louid replied while looking at Emilia’s face.

A damp lake breeze blew in through the carriage window. Emilia inhaled deeply, filling her lungs with the scent of the humid wind until her chest rose.

“I really like it here. It’s like the sea. Thank you for bringing me.”

“It was His Majesty’s order.”

Louid raised one eyebrow and shrugged.

“Even so.”

“Alright. Next time I’ll take you to the sea.”

“Yes….”

Louid promised, but deep down, both of them knew there would be no time when they came back to Plumond again or went to the sea together. Still, neither of them showed it on the outside.

After racing along the lakeside road, the carriage stopped late at night in front of the emperor’s villa. Behind the villa, nestled in a quiet spot in the forest, was the emperor’s private hot spring.

“This room is the conception room. His Majesty the Emperor ordered that when the two of you come, you are to stay in this room.”

The villa manager who guided them to the bedroom on the second floor relayed the emperor’s instructions.

‘The conception room?’

Emilia tilted her head. With a thoughtful expression, she looked at Louid. But he was looking around the bedroom without any change in expression.

“If it’s His Majesty’s order, we have to follow it. Good work. You may withdraw.”

“Have a good rest.”

After the manager bowed properly and left, Louid finally turned to her.

“What does ‘conception room’ mean?” she asked with an innocent expression.

“It doesn’t mean anything. There’s a saying that if a married couple sleeps in this room, they’ll have a child. It’s something passed down among the imperial family.”

“Ah….”

Emilia’s face turned as red as a radish. Louid shrugged at her as if it was no big deal.

Since they had eaten dinner, a servant set tea and snacks on the table. Emilia, who was looking around the second floor, walked over to the window.

Outside, a large moon and countless stars floated in a pitch-black sky.

“Wow, it’s amazing. Louid, look at the sky.”

Emilia opened the window and pointed outside.

“It’s amazing. Should we go look at the lake at night?”

Louid, who had stepped up behind her, said. It wasn’t an unfamiliar view to him, but since it was Emilia’s first time here, it was only natural she would find it fascinating.

“Yes, I’d love to.”

The moment he finished speaking, Emilia ran to the bedroom door. Seeing her so eager, the corner of Louid’s mouth rose on its own.

“It’s dark, so be careful.”

At the Plumond villa, there were stairs that went straight down from the second floor to the lake. Louid led the way down, holding Emilia’s hand and supporting her so she wouldn’t fall.

When they reached the lakeshore, the black night lake revealed itself before their eyes.

Swoosh, swoosh.

Even though it was a lake, it was so wide and large like the sea that the strong sound of water boomed like waves. He thought it would be quiet, but it was clearly different from the calm lake they saw during the day. The wind also blew fiercely.

“Mmm… I like the smell of the lake.”

Emilia lifted her head slightly toward the lake and breathed in deeply. Fresh air and a crisp water scent filled her lungs.

“I’m glad you like it.”

“Have you been here before?”

“I came when I was young. This is the first time since then.”

Fifteen years ago, when the former emperor’s health was poor, he came to the Plumond villa with Louid. At that time, William was serving as regent in place of the emperor.

Emilia imagined little Louie from the portrait running along the beach.

“I think you would’ve been cute.”

“Haha, I got scolded by the late emperor and spent the whole day looking at the lake.”

“What did you think about while looking at the lake?”

“…I didn’t think about anything.”

After a brief silence, Louid avoided answering and only mumbled.

“I see.”

Young Louid had stared at the lake and prayed for someone to keep him from being lonely. He thought that if he prayed every day, the lake might grant his wish.

But he had never once revealed these true feelings to anyone.

Louid shook off his thoughts and looked at Emilia. Her platinum-blond hair that fell to her waist was whipped violently by the strong wind. Louid thought the sight was mysterious, as if it wasn’t real. His gaze slowly lowered.

Their lips quietly met. Every sound around them fell silent. As if they were the only two people in the world, they tangled their tongues fiercely.

“Should we go to the hot spring tomorrow?”

After a long time, Louid pulled his lips away and whispered softly. Desire he couldn’t hide was showing on his face.

“There’s a hot spring too?”

Emilia’s blue eyes widened.

“It’s right behind the villa.”

“Okay.”

For some reason, Louid found Emilia’s surprised look cute, and the corners of his mouth rose. He didn’t know why he kept smiling whenever he was with her.

After walking by the lake, the two returned to the bedroom and each went to a different bathroom. When she sank into the bathtub filled with warm hot spring water, it felt like the fatigue of traveling melted away cleanly.

“Oh my!”

After washing, Emilia let out a chuckle as she tried to get dressed in the powder room. In her hand was the underwear Helen had packed for her. It was a tiny, lace-trimmed pair of panties, small like doll clothes.

“She wants me to wear this? Unbelievable.”

A smile came naturally at Helen’s playful wish for a passionate night between the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess. Emilia picked the most modest one among the dazzling underwear, put it on, then slipped on a robe and went out.

“I thought you collapsed in the bathroom.”

Louid, sitting at the table in a robe, turned to look at her. His hair was damp.

“Haha, it’s because the hot spring water is so nice.”

“The hot spring here is good for your health. For generations, the imperial family has come here to recuperate.”

“I see.”

“Come here. His Majesty sent wine.”

Louid spoke to her as she sat at the vanity and roughly dried her hair.

“Yes.”

At the word wine, Emilia obediently went and sat at the table.

“Drink.”

Louid poured wine into an empty glass. Emilia brought the glass to her lips with an eager expression.

“Oh my! It’s really delicious.”

Her eyes grew wide after one sip, and admiration spilled from her mouth.

“This wine is also from Selgona, but it’s a different type,” Louid said with a smile.

“I see.”

“Don’t drink too much.”

He spoke as if cautioning Emilia, who was drinking the wine enthusiastically.

“Yes.”

She was already drinking wine she couldn’t even count the number of glasses of anymore. Louid picked up a piece of cheese and put it in Emilia’s mouth.

“Mmm, it’s good. I want to drink more.”

After a while, Emilia, completely drunk, clung to his neck and whined. Holding his wine glass, Louid took a mouthful of wine and pressed his lips to hers. A gulping sound was heard as the wine went down.

“More. More.”

Emilia kissed his lips. Her small tongue slipped in, parting his firm lips.

‘Unbelievable.’

Another passionate kiss followed. Louid stood up holding Emilia, and in an instant, he stripped off her robe.

“…?”

As he was about to remove the last of her clothing too, he flinched and stared at Emilia’s underwear.