Chapter 201
Luwen bowed his head to the emperor and knelt on one knee. Only then did the emperor rise from the imperial throne. He had been well-built, but when had he become so thin? Surely the attendants would have dressed him to look healthy, yet his sickly appearance was obvious.
“Aura Master Luwen.”
However, his voice still had strength. Everyone held their breath at the dignified sound that overwhelmed the assembly.
“Your talent, which has made known the empire’s dignity to all nations through your incomparable and overwhelming aura abilities, is the empire’s strength and power.”
The emperor boasting about Luwen’s talent was slightly annoying, but since I had to live burying my bones in this empire, I hid my displeasure and smiled brightly.
“Furthermore…”
The emperor’s words continued. In the end, it was quite a skill to elaborately stretch out the boastful statement of ‘we have an Aura Master in our empire.’
Come to think of it, after the 2nd Prince became emperor, all these formalities were simplified.
‘Will he do the same this time?’
Personally, I only hope this aspect follows the book’s content.
While I was smiling and thinking other thoughts, the emperor’s words ended.
The emperor bestowed upon Luwen a sword that glowed blue. The sword decorated with sapphires reached the pinnacle of splendor. Since it had no killing ability to be found, it was meant to be used for decoration. Our family also has a decorative sword bestowed by the first emperor as a family treasure, so I’ve already decided where to place it.
“I bestow upon you the title of Honorary Duke and the surname ‘Blight.'”
“I am grateful for Your Majesty’s grace.”
“I look forward to the heroic deeds you will show in the future.”
“As a noble who has received a sword from His Imperial Majesty, and as a knight, I will prove myself through loyalty to the empire with honor and bravery.”
The emperor smiled benevolently and returned to sit on the imperial throne. Luwen rose with controlled movements, paid proper respects to the emperor, and withdrew.
Music flowed along with the emperor’s proclamation that they could freely enjoy the banquet.
“Sister.”
“Go quickly.”
Before I could even state my business, my sister smiled with her eyes and beat me to it. I left my thanks and hurriedly moved to find Luwen.
He was a newly emerged noble who had just received the title of Honorary Duke. Moreover, he was young and handsome with the unprecedented ability of being an Aura Master. It wouldn’t be just the diplomatic missions who would be interested in such a person.
Sure enough, finding Luwen wasn’t difficult. He was at the center where people’s gazes poured in unison. I knew Luwen would come to me if I waited quietly, but this was why I deliberately came out to find him.
‘He’s completely surrounded.’
He couldn’t move an inch because of people talking to him from here and there. I could clearly see him being careful, worried about embarrassing me if he acted carelessly.
“Lu…”
I was about to call him as usual, then swallowed the sound and spoke again.
“Honorary Duke Blight.”
It was loud enough that those nearby turned to look at me.
When I responded with a smile to those greeting me, a path opened toward Luwen. I clearly memorized the faces of people who looked disappointed when they saw him visibly relieved upon discovering me.
How dare they covet someone.
“It’s been a while. Young Master Vinter.”
Just as I was about to speak to him, someone interrupted. They said it had been a while, but it was quite an unfamiliar face. However, it wasn’t difficult to deduce where we had met. I had only attended one ball after all.
“Hello. Did we meet at the Margrave Lorentz family’s ball?”
“You remember.”
The man was noticeably pleased and stepped closer. I deliberately let him be. Because Luwen was closing the remaining distance and coming to me.
“Excuse me, but Young Master Vinter has a prior engagement with me.”
Luwen blocked the man and wrapped his arm around my waist as if showing off our relationship. With this, the nobles present would clearly know whose person he was.
“Ah, Honorary Duke… Congratulations. I was merely greeting out of pleasure at seeing you.”
The man hesitated and stepped back.
“Let’s go to a place where we can talk comfortably.”
“Good.”
I smiled as brightly as possible and raised my voice. No one would have ever seen me act so affectionately before. We headed confidently to the secluded terrace under everyone’s gaze.
Click- Luwen closed the terrace glass door and let out a long sigh.
“This isn’t easy work either.”
“How does it feel to become a noble?”
“I’m not sure about other things, but…”
Luwen looked at the hand that had wrapped around my waist and smiled.
“I like being able to bring you openly, young master.”
“But Luwen, do you know the meaning of this terrace?”
He stepped close to me in one stride and tilted his head. Our faces drew near. The music flowing from the central hall was pleasant to hear, and the shadows cast on his face, backlit, were quite beautiful.
“I know.”
Luwen answered after giving my lips a short peck. I boldly wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him closer. He came willingly and drew near again. At a distance where our lips would brush if we spoke, I opened my mouth.
“How do you know?”
“I learned while attending the academy.”
“Then you know what we should do?”
The terrace is a place for secret meetings. Though called secret meetings, it was actually often used to openly reveal relationships with each other. Of course, it was mostly a place to bring mistresses, but since lovers like us also use it, there would be no problem.
Instead of answering, Luwen pressed his lips to mine. Though the nights were still chilly, my body burned from the hot kiss that made the wind feel cool.
“Hmm, mm…”
Even though we’d kissed many times, why did my heart flutter like this every time? The sounds of sucking lips – smack, smooch – were still embarrassing, and the sensation of tongues being sucked was so pleasant it made my waist weak.
“Mmm…”
Everything was good. Really everything was good, but… I felt like I might get aroused at this rate. No matter how the terrace was used for such meanings, I wasn’t shameless enough to go all the way here.
‘There might be people watching from below!’
I stepped back thinking to separate from Luwen for a moment, but he pushed me back again. Because the terrace space was narrow, the cold stone railing quickly touched my waist.
“Mmph, wait- mm. Lu…”
As my body gradually leaned back, Luwen suddenly supported my lower waist and lifted me up. Then he gently sat me on the railing.
Luwen looked up at me from close enough that our lower bodies touched. His face still looked like he wanted to kiss. Light kisses would be fine, but the problem was that he kept fiddling with my shirt buttons. Feeling like he would unbutton them if I left him alone, I caught my slightly rapid breath and quickly said:
“How far are you planning to go here?”
“Is it not allowed?”
Ugh. What? Why is he being so cute and coaxing?
After making me spend the whole winter alone, is this because it’s spring now? Though I’d love to accommodate Luwen who’s clinging to me as if he’d been waiting for today, what’s not allowed is not allowed.
“It’s difficult here… Why are you suddenly so aggressive?”
“Do you dislike it?”
“It’s not that I dislike it, but someone might see.”
“I don’t sense anyone nearby.”
“Are you confident you could stop if someone came midway?”
“…No.”
Luwen looking dejected was so cute that I pecked his forehead with kisses.
He looked at me with a slightly resentful expression, then soon smiled and tightened his arm around my waist. Then suddenly, really in an instant, my body floated into the air. No, I fell!
“Ah!”
Startled, I frantically hugged Luwen. Just moments ago we were on the second-floor terrace, but now we were stepping on grass in the dim garden.
“That scared me.”
As I patted my startled chest, I heard Luwen chuckling softly.
“You shouldn’t suddenly jump down like that.”
“This way was closer.”
Luwen answered as he strode forward. At first I didn’t know where he was going, but I soon had no choice but to realize his destination.
It was the carriage storage.
The coachmen who had been resting comfortably were startled by our sudden appearance and caused a commotion. Luwen calmly passed them and put me into the carriage engraved with a purple rose insignia.
“Let’s go back.”
Even so, the main character shouldn’t leave…
…Wait, why shouldn’t I? The investiture ceremony was over, and all that remained were social activities. It’s not like Luwen would dance with others, and we’d announced that we were lovers, so all our purposes had been achieved.
While Luwen informed the coachman of our destination, I sat blankly in the carriage and came to a conclusion. To return with Luwen like this. Rather, thinking of sharing body warmth with him on the soft bed made me want to return quickly.
Even before the carriage started, Luwen drew the curtains and pulled me to sit on his lap. Then, while firmly supporting my body, he pressed his lips to mine. If the kiss we shared on the terrace was sweet, this one felt desperate.
“Ah, mm, mm…”
Since it’s an enclosed space, just kissing should be…
If I just held back my moans, it wouldn’t be heard outside. Most importantly, I wanted to. Since we were going back to the mansion anyway, it seemed it would be okay to get a little excited-
‘Ah… Luwen is aroused too…’
The hard sensation pressing against my lower body. The moment I realized that, ridiculously, I too felt heat rush to me in an instant, making the inside of my pants feel tight.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
