Chapter 27

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Translator: Harry Potta
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: An Unexpected Invitation
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I wanted to argue that wasn't true, that he had always saved me. But he seemed to be speaking of a time Aileen knew nothing about. Suddenly, she recalled what he had said while looking at his pocket watch.
“…So this is what it originally looked like.”
Then, just as now, she felt a strange sense of distance from Cesare. She didn't know what to say to someone who seemed to be wandering through a different time all alone.
Aileen simply remained in his embrace. Before long, Cesare let her go.
“Time for you to sleep.”
As he watched, Aileen awkwardly climbed into bed and pulled the covers over herself. Cesare carefully tucked the haphazardly pulled blanket all the way up to her chin.
“Good night, Aileen.”
He brushed a hand across her forehead and turned to leave. Aileen quickly reached out from under the covers and caught his hand.
Cesare glanced down at the hand holding his. Aileen gently let go and mumbled.
“Good night.”
Still, she couldn't take her eyes off him. She expected him to turn and leave immediately, but Cesare simply met her gaze.
The moment a flicker of a smile touched his red eyes, Cesare suddenly pulled back the covers and slipped into bed with her.
Her heart plummeted at the unexpected action. He propped his head up with one hand, lying beside Aileen. They were so close she felt he could hear her heart pounding.
‘What if he really can hear it…?’
After a moment of hesitation, Aileen turned to face him. Cesare then wrapped his other arm around her waist, pulling her into his embrace.
Being completely enveloped by him brought a gentle sense of relief that washed over her. The peaceful sensation was sweet, but the rational part of her mind scolded her for being so childish.
Cesare saw her hesitation clearly. He stroked her long, tousled hair and whispered softly.
“Don’t worry, I’ll stay until you fall asleep.”
“A husband has to take responsibility,” he added, his voice laced with amusement.
His words instantly eased the guilt she felt for acting like a spoiled child. Aileen quietly folded her hands together.
‘Can’t I be childish just for tonight? Something terrible happened today…’
Without Cesare, she knew the memories would keep coming back. The forceful touch, the gazes that looked her over like a piece of meat in a butcher’s shop. The moments she had braced herself for the worst.
Before the horrible memories could consume her, she quickly pressed closer to Cesare, seeking his warmth. As she fidgeted, trying to get just a little closer to him, she heard a low chuckle.
“Uncomfortable?”
“No.”
Feeling her explanation was lacking, Aileen tried to elaborate.
“It was the same last time, but… I feel at ease when Your Excellency holds me.”
The moment the words left her mouth, she realized how embarrassing they were. Aileen’s face grew even redder. Thankfully, the bedroom was dark.
“You said you didn’t like it before.”
“That was about kissing…”
She had even lied about not liking it, only to be caught immediately and then admit she wasn’t sure.
Timidly retorting that she did like being held, Aileen tilted her head back slightly to look at Cesare. He gazed at her quietly.
Somehow, physical contact with him had become this natural. She was still nervous, but it wasn't uncomfortable or unpleasant like when those strange men had touched her. Instead, a desire to have more of the warmth radiating from him was the only thing on her mind.
Aileen was looking at him, her lips slightly parted. Cesare leaned in.
*Peck.*
There was a soft sound. It took Aileen a moment to realize he had just kissed her on the lips. As she stared with wide eyes, he asked nonchalantly.
“Weren’t you looking at me like you wanted a kiss?”
Absolutely not. But perhaps it was the languid air of the bedroom. For some reason, she found that she didn't mind.
Aileen didn't answer, burying her face in his chest instead. Only when her burning cheeks had cooled slightly did she lift her head and murmur.
“I keep thinking about it. I know I should forget the bad memories quickly.”
How was Cesare looking at her now? She was curious but didn't have the courage to meet his eyes, so she continued while staring at his firm chest.
“But when I’m with Your Excellency, I feel okay.”
He was a man who, if one were to divide good and evil, would stand at the forefront of evil. But from the moment they met until now, Aileen had seen him as an angel.
It was a childish expression, but to her, it was true. He was her guardian angel, protecting her from all evil.
Aileen slowly lifted her gaze. Meeting his red eyes, so vivid even in the dark, she whispered softly.
“And now… I think I’d be okay with a kiss, too.”
Her words mentioning the kiss were so faint they were barely audible. But it was enough for Cesare to hear.
The moment the shy confession left her lips, Cesare pulled her waist tight against him. Their bodies pressed together without a sliver of space between them as the second kiss began.
“Ngh…!”
Aileen let out a startled sound, but it was too late. He bit her lower lip, a little roughly. A faint taste of blood came from her already bitten and wounded lips.
But the small pain turned into a dizzying pleasure. He licked the spot he had bitten before his tongue delved into her mouth. The ruthless intruder explored the inside of her mouth as he pleased.
A thrilling sensation shot through her as his tongue carelessly brushed against the sensitive roof of her mouth. Aileen curled her toes and let out a small groan.
She had mistakenly thought she would be a little more used to it after their previous kisses. But she was now keenly aware that it had been nothing more than a delusion.
Why did it feel stranger the more they did it? Perhaps because they were holding each other so tightly, it felt much more indecent than before.
Overwhelmed by the flood of sensations, she squirmed, and Cesare’s eyes narrowed slightly. The moment she saw the crease between his brows, a pained moan escaped her lips, and her whole body trembled.
Then, she suddenly felt something strange. At first, she thought he had brought a gun into the bedroom.
But there was no such thing as a gun that changed shape. Realizing what else could be in that position, Aileen froze completely.
The first thought that came to mind was simple.
‘…Is it really this big?’
Even through their clothes, their nightgowns were thin, so there was no chance she was mistaken. That was followed by pure curiosity.
‘But if it’s this big, wouldn’t it be terribly inconvenient for him?’
She had studied human anatomy while learning pharmacology. She had also studied the section on male genitalia, and Cesare's was vastly different from the average size she knew.
While she was momentarily confused by its seemingly abnormal size, what had been somewhat soft quickly gained hardness. Through the thin fabric of her nightgown, she could clearly feel it hardening with a scorching heat.
“You should be careful, Aileen.”
The man, hard and swollen below the waist, gently bit her cheek before letting go and chiding her.
“Don’t say such things so carelessly in bed.”
“But… we’re going to be married.”
Normally, she wouldn't have been able to say it, but perhaps it was because they were in bed together. A tiny bit of courage welled up inside her. Aileen hesitantly retorted.
“You said I needed to get used to it…”
At that, Cesare pressed his swollen member firmly against her body. She quickly made an excuse to him, who was demonstrating his point with actions rather than words.
“That—that’s not what I meant. I just meant the kissing… I think I’ve gotten used to it.”
“That’s a relief.”
But for some reason, she felt she had said the wrong thing. He suddenly moved on top of her. Then, he kissed her neck. His lips, pressing short kisses against her skin, slowly moved downward. At the same time, he cupped her breast with his hand.
Startled, Aileen tried to grab his hand. But when she remembered her hand was injured, she could only let out a small whimper, unable to do anything.
Unlike his initial rough grasp, his hand soon began to gently knead the soft flesh. The sensation of her breast being molded in his hand made the world spin. But the real shock was yet to come.
“Hah…!”
His lips, which had traveled down her neck, reached the top of her breast. At the same time, his fingers lightly pinched her nipple. Her entire body went rigid as the unexpected spot was pinched through the thin fabric. He continued to pinch her nipple lightly, even scraping it gently with his nail to stimulate it.
She wanted to ask why he was tormenting such a place, but the words wouldn't come out. Only a suppressed, sensual moan tinged with bewilderment escaped her.
“Ah, ngh, haah.”
As Aileen writhed, she heard Cesare’s low chuckle. He lifted his eyes, which had been downcast as he kissed her breast. He met the gaze of the curled-up Aileen and slowly parted his lips.
“Ah!”
And then he bit down on her nipple.