CPAW Chapter 138

Now it was I who felt bashful. Embarrassed, I averted my gaze, fiddling only with the tips of his damp hair.

“…I know, too.”

“I know what you know.”

Yet, I still wanted to say it.

Matthias caught my hand as I played with his hair and brought it to his lips. The moist and soft touch sent a tingling sensation through me. A gentle warmth blossomed at my fingertips, slowly spreading throughout my body.

“Ah…”

Matthias, who had gently bitten the tip of my finger, looked at me with a gaze as if ignited.

“Do you remember the promise we made back then?”

“What, what promise?”

“The promise to do it in a brighter place next time.”

Matthias looked towards the sunlit window and laughed mischievously.

“It seems quite bright now, what do you think?”

“I’m not sure.”

“Really not sure?”

Matthias, resting his chin on my chest, tilted his head slightly and asked. Our lips were close enough to touch with just a small lift of the head. Anxiously, my heart fluttered, fearing he might notice, and I glanced at him, asking,

“Why… have you become so sly?”

At my light reprimand, the smile faded from Matthias’s face.

“Should I not say such things?”

No, there was no need for him to get disheartened over a single comment…

As I scrambled for words in my surprise at his reaction, Matthias, taking my silence as agreement, hurriedly sat up and spoke.

“If you dislike it, I won’t do it. I didn’t know you would.”

I pulled him towards me by his shirt. Matthias’s body leaned and toppled towards me. A pleasant weight settled in my lower abdomen, stirring a strange sensation.

“…Why?”

“…It does seem a bit brighter.”

At my words, Matthias momentarily wore a blank expression, then burst into laughter. It was a smile brighter than the sun itself. He showered kisses on my eyelids and cheeks. As his lips grazed my chin and moved down to my neck, I closed my eyes. It was the beginning of a long ecstasy.

***

The banquet began late in the evening.

Having stuck close together until the afternoon, we fell into a deep sleep without a care for who was first. Roused from sleep by the urgent knocking of the servants, I was hastily put into a bathtub before my mind fully awakened. Even as I was finished with my bath and massage, and the servant was fastening my cufflinks, I hadn’t fully regained my senses.

Matthias looked at me, limp as a broken doll, with a puzzled expression. I looked up at Matthias, now more polished and sparkling than before I fell asleep, with a bewildered gaze.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“It seems like your stamina is set all wrong…”

Matthias frowned at me, languishing as if I hadn’t eaten a bite of food.

“It seems like you too. I did all the work, why are you the one more exhausted…”

“Stop, enough!”

I clamped Matthias’s mouth shut before he could spout any more outrageous remarks. My face flushed red, and as I lifted my head, the quick-witted servants pretended to see and hear nothing, averting their gazes. I cooled my heated cheeks with the back of my hand and sighed.

“Why are you so late getting ready? I’m already done.”

Matthias asked, not as a rebuke but genuinely curious.

“I don’t know. I’m just doing as I’m told.”

Matthias fiddled with the red ruby brooch attached to my collar, furrowing his brow slightly.

“It’s because of all these things you’re wearing. Isn’t it heavy?”

“A bit. But it’s lighter than armor.”

“Take it easy. Don’t recommend this and that to someone who’s already tired.”

“Yes.”

The servants hurried their movements, bowing their heads to Matthias. Dissatisfied even with that, Matthias, who had been stroking his chin, picked up a shoe that was placed beside him.

“What are you doing?”

Seeing Matthias kneel on one knee, I pulled back in surprise. Matthias simply gave a slight twitch of his eyebrows.

“It’d be better to hurry up a bit, right? The kids are already waiting. Give me your foot.”

Matthias loosened the shoelaces to make it easier for me to slip my foot in. After a moment’s hesitation, I cautiously placed my foot inside the shoe, and Matthias began to re-tie the laces. Despite his swift movements, he fashioned perfect bow shapes. Quickly tying both shoelaces, Matthias polished the tips of the shoes with his shirt sleeve until they shone.

“You’re surprisingly adept at waiting on someone…”

I regretted my words as soon as they left my mouth, having completely forgotten about Matthias’s past as a commoner, a time when he served others. Even topics one has overcome can still be sensitive. Noticing my apprehensive glance, Matthias stood up, flashed a grin, and tousled my hair.

“It’s a good thing I learned back then. Even though you seem to be good at everything, there are areas where you’re a bit clumsy.”

I looked up at him, bewildered by what I had just heard. Today had been full of surprises from Matthias. As I stared at him silently, he licked his dry lips, seemingly embarrassed.

“What is it?”

“Nothing. Just… realizing how much you’ve grown.”

“Cheeky.”

Matthias burst into laughter and lifted me into his arms. Suddenly elevated, I flailed my legs until Matthias adjusted his hold to make me more comfortable.

“What are you doing…! Put me down. I can walk on my own.”

“This way is faster. I’ll put you down in front of the banquet hall.”

True to his word, Matthias walked faster than me even while carrying me. I was cradled in his arms as we passed through the corridor laid with red carpet.

Upon reaching the front of the banquet hall, Matthias set me down and meticulously checked if my clothes were wrinkled. The intensity of his gaze made my cheeks flush.

“Why are you looking at me like that? Did I get something on me?”

As I rubbed my cheek, Matthias shook his head.

“Just… because you’re beautiful.”

“Why do you keep saying things like that…”

“What things? What kind of words?”

“The kind… that are a bit embarrassing?”

“…Would you dislike it if I said such things?”

“No, it’s just a bit unfamiliar. You usually don’t say things like this.”

Hearing my words, Matthias gave an awkward laugh.

“These are things I’ve always wanted to say. I just held back.”

“…I had no idea.”

“Good. I hoped you wouldn’t notice.”

“…Since when did you want to say them?”

“Let’s see… I can’t remember when it started. I’ll tell you when I do.”

“Alright.”

“Let’s hurry inside. We’re late.”

We quickened our pace towards the banquet hall.

“It smells delicious.”

“Indeed.”

Even before entering the banquet hall, the tantalizing aroma made me sniff the air.

“Wow, they’ve done a great job.”

As soon as we entered the banquet hall, I couldn’t help but express my admiration. Despite the short preparation time, the banquet hall looked impressively well-arranged. Dozens of victory flags fluttered from the ceiling, and the tables, large enough to seat at least fifty people, were laden with delicious food.

We might have been too late, as the banquet had already started. Servants bustled about, serving food and wine. Despite the heavy plates, the servants were all smiles, likely pleased by the dragon’s defeat.

“Come this way.”

Matthias led me to the high table. Ludwig, Absilon, and Cesare were already seated. A place between Ludwig and Cesare was reserved for us. As soon as we sat down, Cesare asked with a peculiar smile.

“Did you sleep well?”

I wasn’t sure what he meant by that, so I smiled awkwardly and nodded.

“Uh, sorry for being late.”

“I missed you. I wanted to come see you as soon as I heard you were awake, but I held back.”

Cesare looked at me with a ‘did I do well?’ expression. Unable to laugh or cry, I just nodded quietly. Seeing my reaction, Cesare burst into laughter and pushed a plate of food towards me.

“Try this. I prepared dishes that I knew you’d like.”

True to Cesare’s words, the plate was filled with foods to my taste: steaming corn soup, warmed vegetables and mushroom skewers, white wheat bread, and sweet desserts. I eagerly grabbed a piece of bread and tore it lengthwise, steam wafting from its fluffy interior.

“Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.”

I chewed on the bread, looking around. Ludwig was being constantly approached by people even during the banquet, unable to enjoy the event properly. I had heard he was busy catching up on postponed work, but seeing him with a pen in hand instead of a fork, I clicked my tongue in sympathy. I decided to bring him something later.

Absilon was seated next to Ludwig, seemingly waiting for just a glance from me. As soon as I glanced his way, his face lit up.

“Hello, Lee Hyun.”

I didn’t want to acknowledge his greeting, so I turned away.

According to Matthias, Absilon had protected me with a shield during the battle, even though I hadn’t noticed it in the chaos. When I sharply asked, “To everyone? Or just to me?” Matthias hesitated and said, “I’m not sure…”

It was probably just for me. As much as they were dear to me, it was hard to forgive Absilon.

Despite the close call with death, Matthias seemed surprisingly calm. His response was that he had no expectations, so there was nothing to be disappointed about. Cesare and Ludwig seemed to feel similarly. Absilon must have really lived on the edge.

Eventually, Ludwig left to sign some documents. As I watched him go with regret, Matthias also stood up.

“I’ll be back in a bit.”