“How’s your right arm?”
“It’s hard to move, but it’s a lot better than before. That bastard must have messed with my arm when I was a beast.”
“As expected…”
“Stop saying we should’ve killed him. I’ve heard it like seventy times already. Though, I do agree. If he pulls that kind of shit again, make sure to kill him.”
Kyle carefully unbuttoned my shirt.
The bluish bruise peeking through my pale skin was still vivid, but at least it looked a little better than it had six or so hours ago.
I couldn’t swing my arm freely, but with some effort, I could still clench and unclench my fist. Nox must have withdrawn some of his magic.
I tried to put some strength into my shoulder, hoping to look fine, but pain shot up immediately, forcing a groan out of me.
“Don’t push yourself.”
“…Ahaha.”
Kyle frowned slightly and carefully placed his hand on my shoulder. A red glow rose from his fingertips, slowly seeping into my skin.
So that’s why he suddenly went to meet a mage—he must have learned how to use magic.
“I’m not a mage, so I can’t remove the brand, but this should at least reduce the pain temporarily.”
‘Like pouring water into a bottomless pit…’
Still, it wasn’t completely ineffective. The pain that had been rattling my bones dulled, making it much more bearable.
Sitting on Kyle’s lap, I nodded before slowly moving my arms to wrap them around his shoulders. It was my way of acting cute, and thankfully, he noticed. His eyes softened as he smiled.
“You learned this just for me?”
Kyle responded without hesitation.
“Because I hate seeing you in pain.”
“…”
“So…”
His large hand reached up and gently stroked the back of my head.
It was an endlessly tender touch. I rarely felt tense in his embrace, but even so, it was warm and soft enough to melt away any remaining wariness.
“I’d rather you stay away from him as much as possible.”
“Of course.”
I replied a little begrudgingly. Anyone listening would think I was deliberately sticking to Nox. That wasn’t the case.
“I want that too, but he’s the one clinging to me. To be honest, it’s fucking annoying.”
Kyle didn’t reply and instead focused on channeling more magic into my arm. It wasn’t something he was used to, so his efficiency was bound to be lacking, yet he remained silent and persistent.
His quiet dedication felt oddly endearing, so I leaned in slightly and whispered,
“Your Highness, you seem to particularly hate seeing me with Nox.”
“Not just because he’s a threat to you. He also shows interest in you.”
“So what? I’m only interested in you.”
“I know. I trust you. That’s the only reason I tolerate it. But still…”
A brief silence followed. Kyle confirmed that the cold sensation in my arm had faded before looking up at me.
His gaze was filled with something desperate.
“…Am I being too childish?”
So he was aware of his own jealousy.
“Why are you acting like this all of a sudden? Like it’s your first time being jealous or something.”
“…”
What? Why wasn’t he answering?
“…Is it really your first time?”
Kyle responded as if my question was absurd.
“You’re the first person I’ve ever liked, so of course, this is my first time feeling jealous.”
“That…”
“…”
“…Really?”
Come to think of it, he was right.
I stared at Kyle in disbelief. His cheeks were flushed, and even his ears were tinged with red.
He was always serious and composed, rarely shaken. If it wasn’t something related to me, he probably wouldn’t feel embarrassed or flustered like this.
Just seeing him like that warmed my heart. The way he looked at me with such a helpless expression, the way he seemed so precious, the way he was more lovable than anyone else in this world—
“That’s great news.”
I whispered softly, pressing my forehead against his. Slowly, I brushed my thumb across his cheek before sealing our lips with a quiet kiss.
“It’s my first time, too.”
Kyle’s voice came out slightly hoarse.
“That can’t be.”
“Huh?”
His crimson eyes burned steadily.
“You’re this beautiful, and no one ever tried to have you?”
“…Ugh, you’re so blinded by love.”
His devotion was honestly ridiculous. How was it that instead of fading over time, it only seemed to intensify?
Even as I scolded him, I didn’t actually dislike it. Rather, the opposite. Maybe it was because of the uncontrollable fluttering in my chest, but my heartbeat pounded so loudly I wondered if he could hear it.
“Even if someone did, what does it matter?”
Kyle’s gaze was like fire, and the heat of it seemed to spread to me. My cheeks, ears, even the nape of my neck—his warmth seeped in deeply, setting my heart ablaze.
“The only one I love is you, Your Highness.”
At my solemn declaration, Kyle smiled.
Even if there was someone in this world who had everything, they still wouldn’t look as happy as he did now.
Our lips met again. A touch so soft that all we could feel was the faint brush of breath. It was as if I had been given an undeniable command, and I obeyed without hesitation, closing my eyes.
In the peaceful darkness, Kyle moved more boldly.
One hand caressed the back of my neck before cupping my cheek, his thumb pressing lightly against my chin. The other wrapped around my waist, pulling our bodies flush against each other. His calloused fingers roamed freely, trailing slowly up my spine, pressing into the hollows of my back.
As soon as I parted my lips, Kyle eagerly deepened the kiss. It was so intense that my ears buzzed, drowning out everything else. My fingers curled tightly into his clothes, gripping hard.
My breathing quickened. A hazy glow seeped into my half-lidded eyes, and through the blur, I thought I saw Kyle smile faintly.
Noticing that I was using my injured arm to hold onto him, he gently pulled my right hand away from his shoulder and instead cradled my back, supporting me.
“Ah…”
Our eyes met again.
Kyle had been watching me the entire time. As if he had been waiting, desperately hoping that I would open my eyes and look at him.
He taught me something—
That emotions could be conveyed through a single gaze.
That words weren’t always necessary.
That there were feelings so intense, so overwhelming, that no language could capture them.
That such emotions could burn through one’s soul.
I wanted to tell him.
Even if I couldn’t be as passionate, I still wanted to whisper with all my heart—
That I loved him, too. That I loved him just as much as he loved me. That for the sole reason of loving him, I would gladly give this world…
“Your Highness, wait—”
Suddenly, my body was pushed back. My vision darkened as I sank into the plush mattress.
Kyle’s shadow loomed over me, blocking out the light.
Startled, I shifted my waist slightly, but before I could move away, he lowered his head, planting soft kisses on my forehead, cheeks, and eyelids. His lips landed so gently, like a bird pecking with its beak.
“Can’t I?”
His face was just as disheveled as mine, but his voice remained calm and deep.
Still, he couldn’t completely hide the quiet plea woven into his tone.
I swallowed dryly, suddenly nervous, and looked up at him.
Kyle noticed my slight hesitation but patiently held himself back, waiting.
I wasn’t a child—I knew exactly what this situation meant and what was about to happen. And to be honest, I was a little scared.
“I won’t do anything you don’t want. I promise.”
But his voice, murmuring softly by my ear, was unbearably gentle. His touch was so warm, so tender, melting away my hesitation from the places he touched.
So I couldn’t bring myself to refuse. I didn’t hate it. I was afraid, but at the same time, I wanted it. My fingers gripped his collar, pulling him closer.
“…There’s a mountain of things we need to do. Is this really okay?”
Kyle let out a small chuckle.
“I always think this, but you really do cram a lot of thoughts into that tiny head of yours.”
“I can’t help it!”
His warm lips brushed against my cheek.
Soft, feather-light kisses fell in quick succession before his mouth latched onto mine with a hunger that made my breath hitch.
Was it just my imagination? For a moment, I thought I saw the bottomless depths of his desire.
“One day won’t make a difference.”
The words slipped through the smallest gap, urgent and full of longing.
Kyle probably didn’t realize it, but he had a sly side to him.
‘How am I supposed to say no when he puts it like that?!’
He knew exactly what he was doing. No, he was definitely doing this on purpose. I thought he was a bear, but he was actually a fox in disguise.
And honestly, he wasn’t wrong.
Spending one day like this wouldn’t change anything. He could bring me the research documents later, and I could read them all I wanted while in hamster form. If it really came down to it, I could visit the Mage Tower myself.
But that didn’t mean I wasn’t annoyed at how smoothly he was setting the mood.
I bared my teeth slightly and bit down on his lower lip.
A low groan rumbled from his throat. It didn’t sound like pain.
“Tomorrow morning, I have to go through those documents. So keep it reasonable, be mindful. Got it?”
Kyle buried his face against my neck and laughed. He looked downright delighted, as if he found me unbearably cute.
My heart, oblivious as always, pounded wildly, my skin tingling with each heavy breath he left against it.
“Mm.”
“Good boy.”
Of course, I didn’t know yet that in about ten minutes, I would be taking back that ‘good boy’ comment.
Quickly, I swung my arm, extinguishing the bedside lamp with a flick of magic.
Darkness fell over the bedroom.
