Chapter 114 – Honeymoon (1)

“We’re leaving.”

As Declan held me in his arms, he gave Mason a glance before striding out of the banquet hall. Behind our steps, a cheerful dance song flowed along with the laughter of the people attending the reception.

“It’s nice to hear.”

A smile came naturally in the pleasant atmosphere.

“I think this is the first time that the Imperial Palace has been so joyfully excited.”

Saying so, a pleasant smile also formed on Declan’s lips.

“From now on, the Imperial Palace we will protect will be warm and peaceful. Just like today.”

“It should be.”

To solidify his will, his steps were full of strength. When we came out of the Palace where the reception was being held, the sky was already dark. As soon as I saw the main palace, my heart began to pound in a different way.

“It’s finally time for just the two of us.”

Like leaves glistening under the midsummer sun, his green eyes shone with anticipation.

“I’ve been patient.”

A low laugh came over my head as I kissed Declan’s cheek.

“I had a hard time putting up with it, but today is extremely hard. Is it because my bride is so beautiful?”

My chest tickled as his lips landed softly on my forehead.

“My groom was so handsome that I didn’t realize that time was passing by, since I was only looking at him.”

“Then, don’t take your eyes off me tonight.”

At the same time, my steps quickened. When I arrived at the newlywed room and went to the bathroom, I was only able to come out only after my skin was glowing enough to make me wonder if I had become a bisque doll again.

“Come in.”

As I knocked on the door of the newlywed room, I could hear Declan’s voice from beyond the door. It was the same answer as usual, but why did it sound particularly low and deep?

I closed my gown and took a small breath.

Opening the door and entering the newlywed room, I could see Declan standing in the moonlight streaming through the window. He put down the glass he was holding in his hand and walked forward.

As I got closer to him, his heavy musk scent made me nervous.

“Come here.”

He gently took his hand and led me to a seat by the window. As I sat down, the glass in front of me was filled with wine.

“For my bride.”

Following him, I raised my glass as the wine glasses clashed and a clear echo spread. Then, the sweet yet bittersweet wine went down my throat.

“It feels strange to be drinking wine with you like this.”

“Why?”

“I’ve always been with dolls, but I’ve never drank wine with them.

“You gave me milk and said tea was bitter.”

The first day I was possessed, I remembered the tea time at the greenhouse and laughed.

“Because Chloe is always eight years old to me, so I always drank wine alone…”

“Today, we are drinking together.”

Declan smiled lightly when the glasses slightly bumped into each other, and he raised his glass and drank the wine.

“Yes, I’m making eye contact with you and talking like this while drinking. That’s why I’m happy.”

The softly curved eyes clearly revealed his mood.

“I won’t be lonely at night anymore. I can feel your warmth.”

He gently grabbed my hand and kissed my fingertips.

Unlike the polite and respectful kiss, the eyes looking at me were filled with heat. Even though he didn’t take his eyes off me, Declan slowly moved his lips and began to leave marks on each of my fingers.

Every time his breath touched me, my breath was also disturbed. As soon as his lips were deeply buried in my palm, the place where he touched became hot as if they had been branded.

“Erica, my wife.”

Even though the pull wasn’t that strong, I sat on his lap in a daze. The hand that had been stroking my hair landed on my cheek, and my eyes followed.

“I will be the ground you can stand on. So, take root in me and spread out to your heart’s content.”

The land where I, a stranger in this world, settled down… If I root om him now, I would no longer be a stranger. I would neither float nor shake as he would hold onto me like this with his strong arm wrapped around me. He wouldn’t be lonely, either, as I would always be with him.

Happiness spread slowly from my lips, and I hugged Declan’s neck and whispered.

“I love you, Your Majesty.”

“Call me by name.”

His low, deep voice tickled my ears.

“Declan, now you are my world.”

When our lips came together, the smell of wood with the scent of dried plums rushed in, perhaps because of the wine. As I unknowingly licked my lips and pulled my body, he immediately came into me again.

A hot breath passed between the lips that had been separated for a while.

“You can’t get away from me now.”

His lips dug into the nape of my neck, leaving a thick mark as if to mark me as his own. The heat that started there gradually consumed me.

My body went numb from the possessive desire that was buried in the hand that held me, and I dug into his hot arms. With each path he walked, the candles went out one after another, and the two of us melted into the shadows of the last remaining candle.

* * *

The consciousness that had been submerged under the water was awakened, and I heard the sound of birds in my quiet ear.

As soon as I lifted my heavy eyelids, I saw a solid chest.

Blink.

Blinking slowly, I remembered what had happened last night and blushed. As I lowered my head to hide my reddened face, the strong arms wrapped around my waist pulled me gently.

“Are you awake?”

My body trembled at the sound of a low, hoarse voice above my head. When I slowly raised my head, I met the languid green eyes.

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Kiss.

At the same time, there was a sound as his lips touched my forehead.

“Sleep more.”

“We have to leave today.”

“There’s no rush. We can just adjust the schedule. If you’re tired, sleep more.”

My lips loosened as he gently patted my back. Declan hugged me tightly as I buried my face and dug into his arms. Listening to the strong heartbeat coming from his chest, the heavy yet refreshing body scent pleasantly stimulated my nose.

At one point, I fell asleep, and when I opened my eyes again, the sun was shining deep into the room.

“Uung…”

As I turned over, a familiar hand caressed my back.

“When you wake up, let’s eat together.”

Declan, who carefully lifted me up, got out of bed and fully pulled the canopy. His laughter came as I followed, possessed by the savory smell tickling my nose.

“I was going to wake you up if you didn’t wake up.”

On the table were hot soup, omelets, salads and white bread.

As soon as I sat down, I took a spoon of the soup, and the soft and savory taste spread in my mouth with the scent of mushrooms. At the same time, the warmth that passed over my neck relaxed my body as well as my stomach.

“Does it suit your taste?”

Declan smiled happily as I nodded and took another spoonful of soup and put it in my mouth. Only then did he, feeling reassured, begin to eat.

“Have you been to Hesarion Palace?”

Hesarion was the Imperial Family’s villa, a little far from the Capital, and was the honeymoon destination this time.

“No. Never. I heard it’s a villa used by the Imperial Family?”

“It was mainly used by the emperor and empress. Among the brothers, only Maxion would have been there.”

“Ah…”

I understood the situation at once because I knew what kind of people the previous Emperor and Empress were like.

“Shall we go somewhere else?”

Declan smiled when I asked cautiously, wondering if it reminded him of bad memories.

“I chose it because I wanted to show it to you. It was said to be the quietest and most beautiful of the imperial villas.”

He caressed my face and whispered.

“It’s our villa now.”

Yes, as he said, it was all ours now. It should be filled with our memories.

Thinking so, I nodded and smiled, and Declan smiled in return.

“Though it seems that Princess Este is not on the list of attendants?”

“I want to give Stella a little rest. Give the chancellor a chance.”

When I winked one eye at Declan, he smiled as if he had recognized my inner intention.

“Mason must be aware of our consideration.”

“Don’t worry. He has been hanging around Stella a lot lately.”

It was clear by now that Mason was looking for an opportunity to be alone. He was a smart guy, after all, so he would be able to figure out our intentions. Maybe it was time for him to rush in.

‘Ah. This is just a good time for popcorn, right?’

While it was a pity that I couldn’t see the relationship between the two in person, I could give up on that as long as the two got along well.

* * *

After eating, we started preparing to leave for Hesarion.

I had packed my things in advance, so we left the palace as soon as I finished dressing up. In front of the carriage, servants, as well as ministers and Mason, were out to see us off.

“Don’t worry about the Imperial Palace. Both of you just have a good time.”

Mason greeted Declan and me with a respectful bow.

“I’m counting on you.”

Declan greeted him with that one word and tapped Mason on the shoulder.

“I have to follow—”

Meanwhile, Stella, who checked all of my luggage, looked worried.

“Get some rest while I’m gone. Go out, too.”

As I held her hand and said so, Stella reluctantly nodded.

“I ordered Stella to be escorted, so when you go out, be sure to tell the Chancellor.”

It’d be better if the two go out together. Immediately, Stella’s cheeks turned a little red as I glared at Mason, swallowing my words.

“Erica, let’s go.”

As I was looking at him, Declan called me.

When I climbed into the carriage, the carriage started to move with the sound of horses’ hooves clattering.

Seeing them bowing deeply gave me a new feeling. When I left for a great temple in the past, I was worried and anxious about leaving the imperial palace empty. However, my heart, as I greeted those who were seeing us off, was now light.

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