Chapter – 13
After finally causing quite a commotion, Ferdia at last managed to rest, but the fatigue that hadn’t yet faded weighed her down, and she ended up collapsing onto the bed. Even when Sandia advised her to at least wash up, Ferdia simply said it was fine and told them to go rest too before closing her eyes.
In the short time she had been here, she felt like all sorts of things had happened. She had witnessed something so shocking that she felt like she might forget everything else. Though her still-clear mind allowed her to lie there staring at the ceiling, it wasn’t long before she was pulled deep into sleep.
Very deep.
In the darkness where no sound could be heard, only her steady breathing filled the silence. As the night grew deeper and the candle burning nearby had melted past halfway, Ferdia slowly opened her eyes at the sound brushing against her ears.
Her face turned toward the window.
“Rain…”
At the sound of raindrops tapping against the glass, her brows slightly furrowed.
“Maybe because it’s summer…”
Rain suddenly. She had thought the air felt humid, and now it was raining at dawn. Thinking this, Ferdia closed her eyes again and wriggled deeper into her blanket.
“Mmm…”
Letting out a low groan as she nestled into the covers, she smiled faintly, satisfied as if she had found the perfect sleeping position. Just as she was about to fall asleep again, she vaguely felt like she had forgotten something.
What was it…
Thinking she had recently heard something related to rain, she lightly bit her lip while thinking, then slowly opened her eyes with a frown.
“Rain…?”
“You’re awake?”
A voice came from right in front of her. A low, intimate, stimulating voice whispered almost against her ear. As Ferdia fully opened her eyes, she saw red eyes staring directly at her.
Those crescent-shaped eyes were incredibly beautiful. The dark crimson pupils glowed intensely, filled with a dangerous sensuality.
Were they the same color as the rubies set into the imperial crown? Before she could even be surprised that someone was beside her, she found herself mesmerized. As her lips parted slightly, his mouth opened softly.
“Did you know? In this state, my saliva releases very strong pheromones.”
His finger approached and brushed her lips. The same sensation as yesterday. The heat coiled inside her began tickling her again.
“Once you taste it, you can’t forget it. So…”
His lips approached her ear as he whispered quietly.
“You kept thinking about it, didn’t you? About yesterday.”
“…W-what do you…”
At her obvious flustered reaction, Ereb smiled seductively. If incubuses or dream demons existed, would they feel like this? His provocative presence made her swallow hard as his hand slowly moved to grasp hers.
He gently pulled her hand and placed it over his heart before whispering languidly:
“I feel the same as you.”
“…What?”
“My heart keeps racing whenever I see you. Why do you think that is?”
“T-that’s just—”
“That’s enough joking.”
Shh.
His face came close enough for her breath to touch him. His beautiful eyes traced her face from top to bottom before his lips curved into a soft smile.
A dangerous smile.
But she didn’t want to avoid it.
The lingering drowsiness and the heat rising inside her seemed to paralyze her reason.
“For the record, this desire I’m feeling right now… it’s the first time I’ve ever felt it.”
Don’t you want to know? his gaze seemed to ask.
As Ferdia stared blankly, his lips moved and touched her skin. As he moved carefully, she felt his breath, the tremor of his body, and the warmth of his skin all too clearly.
“I think you’re feeling it too.”
“N-no…”
“That must be why you stayed.”
His hand moved to wrap around her waist. Like a snake refusing to let go of its prey, his arm firmly encircled her. The heavy weight of his hand kept her grounded as his lips slowly moved again.
“Tonight will be gentle.”
Ferdia’s eyes darted around. She was probably looking for a way to escape. Unfortunately, her silver sword was hanging on the wall—far beyond reach. Ereb smiled.
“Do you prefer it rough?”
“W-what are you even…”
“The night is long, Pedi.”
As he called her by that affectionate nickname, his lips slowly met hers.
Hot lips.
Their saliva mingled.
Was this a dream or reality? In her hazy state, the taste felt sweet and hot like finely brewed tea.
His hot tongue moved against hers, playing with it before lightly biting the tip. A sharp sensation sent a faint moan escaping her lips. Half-asleep, relying only on sensation, she felt the heavy weight of his body pressing her down as her hand moved.
I need to wake up… from this dream…
This was sleep paralysis. That’s what she told herself. Struggling, she tried to reach for her sword—but what her hand found instead was emptiness.
Or Ereb’s large hand.
He intertwined their fingers and lifted them above her head, gently restraining her freedom. Tilting his head, their faces naturally crossed at an angle.
So hot…
Her insides burned. Just like before, the fire inside her nearly drove her mad.
“Haah…”
When his lips finally parted and she drew a breath, she realized—
This was reality.
As she looked up at him with hazy eyes, Ereb gently loosened his sleeve and began undoing his shirt.
Tap. Tap.
The buttons fell onto the bed. As her gaze followed them, she was once again captured by his crimson eyes.
“You should be looking at me. Where are you looking?”
“…Is this a dream?”
She asked just in case.
“Would you like it to be?”
His indirect answer made it clear it wasn’t. She tried to resist, but her softened body refused to cooperate.
“…How did you get in?”
“By walking. You didn’t even lock the door. Were you waiting for me? Though you seemed to be sleeping very well.”
“That’s ridiculous…”
Before she could finish saying make some noise, his upper body lowered again and covered her lips. Her mind kept screaming for her to resist, but the heat inside her made it impossible to reject him.
Why…
That thought was the problem. Even as she blamed herself for imagining things after yesterday, her resistance carried little strength—as if she had secretly expected this.
His red lips moved downward, brushing her neck, sliding along her collarbone, then stopping near her chest. His ruby-like eyes lifted toward her again, glowing beautifully in the darkness.
“I’ll give you a choice.”
Was that his catchphrase? Ferdia lifted her head weakly. When their eyes met, he smiled.
“Should I stop… or not?”
Of course he should—
“…Do whatever you want…”
Hey, you idiot!! she scolded herself internally. But her body had long since lost control.
The moment she answered, he moved like a beast, parting her clothes.
“Ha…”
She buried her face in the pillow with a deep sigh. Then a sharp sensation followed, forcing her mouth open. That single intense sensation shattered what little reason she had left, and her lips began to release sounds beyond her control.
As if responding to her breathy sounds, her own hands and lips began moving faster. Up and down. Down and up. Time blurred as his movements turned her mind blank.
Eventually, his eyes met hers again.
As if waiting for what came next, his gaze lingered. Ferdia closed her eyes with difficulty.
Maybe I always knew it would come to this.
From the day he saved her from death and brought her here, she had known she couldn’t refuse whatever he wanted. Despite owing him her life, he treated her kindly and gave her choices. She knew she couldn’t easily push away that hand.
And remembering how intensely even their brief kiss had affected her, she couldn’t confidently say she would refuse if this moment came.
She had thought being honest with her instincts was ugly.
But when she looked at Ereb, that thought slowly faded.
Beautiful.
As she closed her eyes while facing him, Ereb gently lowered himself and pulled her head into his embrace.
Their night was only just beginning.
***
“….”
When Ferdia woke up, she held her aching waist and slowly sat up against the bed. Looking out the window, she saw bright morning sunlight as if it had never rained.
“A dream.”
She wanted to believe it was a dream. Something disconnected from reality.
But—
“Good morning, Pedi.”
That illusion shattered the moment she saw Ereb approaching with a cup of fragrant tea.
Ferdia stared at him blankly. His eyes, now black again, met hers directly as he came closer.
“…Ereb.”
“Are you hurting anywhere? Here.”
As she absentmindedly reached for the teacup he offered, his gaze shifted slightly away at the glimpse of her exposed skin through her loosened clothes.
Noticing, Ferdia looked down and quickly closed her clothes, blushing deeply as she pulled the blanket over herself.
Only then did the memories of dawn return.
Their heated breaths. Their searching hands. Their voices filling the room.
As those dreamlike memories resurfaced, she slowly closed her eyes.
She had never had experience with a man before. She didn’t know how to process this. She pressed her lips together, trying to understand the situation.
But her thoughts wouldn’t organize.
Finally, she opened her eyes and glared at him.
“You do realize the crime of sneaking into a sleeping woman’s room and taking advantage of her, right?”
“……”
Right. Nothing to say.
She must not be fooled by that innocent face looking away apologetically. The moment the moon disappeared, he became a beast that could pounce on her at any time.
And even his form changed.
Ferdia glared at him. Unsure what to say, countless reactions crossed her mind.
Should she get angry? Yell? Cry like ordinary women?
Should she scream you raped me?
…None of those would work.
