#150. Husband and Wife (3)
Startled by being lifted so suddenly, Sasha instinctively wrapped her arms around Pavel’s neck.
Only after clinging to his solid chest did she let out a small breath.
Looking down at Sasha pressed closely against him, a smile formed on Pavel’s lips.
“…If I had my way, I’d carry you around like this all the time.”
Hearing the sincerity in his muttering, Sasha grew afraid that something embarrassing might really happen if this continued. She hurriedly refused.
“No, you don’t have to. No—please don’t!”
“Hmm…”
When Sasha shook her head strongly, Pavel let out an unhappy sigh.
Still, he couldn’t ignore what she wanted.
Holding her securely, Pavel moved and carefully placed his wife down on a chair with soft cushions.
Then he lowered himself and knelt on one knee in front of her.
“Then I’ll do it only until we’re together.”
Before Sasha could refuse his stubborn tone, Pavel lifted her ankle.
He removed her soft bedroom slippers, revealing her bare white feet.
“Your feet are cold.”
“Really?”
It was probably because of poor circulation.
As Sasha was about to brush it off, Pavel wrapped her cold foot in his hands before she could speak.
His hands were large, and her feet were small, fitting fully in his palms.
Pavel drew fire mana from his core, and soon his hands grew warm like a heater.
The warmth spread into Sasha’s ice-cold toes.
Not stopping there, he gently massaged her feet with both hands, warming them carefully.
It wasn’t ticklish enough to make her laugh, but the way he treated her feet so gently made her heart flutter, and a smile escaped her.
Sasha quietly watched Pavel as he warmed her feet.
“It’s okay now, Pavel.”
“Are they warm?”
“Yes. Thanks to you. Thank you.”
She spoke while lightly playing with his hair.
Even then, Pavel didn’t stand up right away.
Instead, he took silk socks from Olga and carefully put them on Sasha’s feet, one by one.
“I can do that myself!”
Even when Sasha tried to push him away by the shoulders, Pavel didn’t move at all, like an old tree rooted deep in the ground.
The long silk socks brushed softly against her skin as he pulled them up to her knees.
The lace-trimmed socks wrapped nicely around her slender legs, but Pavel stared at the exposed skin with clear dissatisfaction.
“Aren’t these too thin? Wool socks would be better.”
“Yes, Your Grace. I’ll prepare ones with better warmth.”
Before Sasha could say anything, Olga quickly answered.
“And for shoes, I’ll bring ones lined with soft, warm fur.”
Seeing how much Pavel cared for Sasha, Olga smiled with satisfaction and hurried away.
Even after helping her into the shoes Olga brought, Pavel didn’t stop.
He took a brush from Olga and began brushing Sasha’s hair himself.
He was careful and gentle, and since he had brushed her hair before, Sasha didn’t stop him.
But tying it neatly was still too hard for him, so Olga stepped in to finish it properly.
Makeup was the same. No matter how skilled Pavel was, that was something Sasha absolutely refused to let him do.
Though Pavel looked disappointed, he backed down when Sasha firmly said no.
Under Olga’s hands, light makeup was applied. Sasha’s tired-looking face from the long night looked much better.
“All done. You’re beautiful today as well, my lady.”
Pavel added,
“Yes. You’re dazzlingly beautiful today too, Sasha.”
“…Thank you.”
The day hadn’t even properly started, yet just the morning had already drained Sasha’s energy. Still, hearing their simple praise made her smile.
But this really has to stop.
As Pavel tried to cling to her again, Sasha quickly asked,
“By the way, Pavel, don’t you need to get ready too?”
“For what?”
“For work. I have things to do, and so do you.”
“……”
Pavel looked at her quietly. His expression didn’t change much, but his lowered lips showed his displeasure.
“Pavel?”
When Sasha called him softly, Pavel pulled a chair over and sat beside her.
“You’re trying really hard to send me away. Was I that bad last night?”
He looked so dejected, like he had lost all confidence, that Sasha panicked.
“No, of course not! Bad? Not at all.”
She meant it.
They had been tangled together for a long time, but the overwhelming sensations made it hard to remember much clearly.
Just like with swordsmanship, Pavel seemed naturally talented with his body. He quickly became skilled, and the struggle turned into a different kind of exhaustion.
At one point, Sasha had even felt afraid she would be completely consumed.
Yet in his rough, clumsy movements, she felt raw, sincere affection.
That was why it was overwhelming and exhausting—but also happy and good.
She still clearly remembered the moment his red eyes, full of burning emotion, looked at her as if begging.
“I love you. I love you, Sasha.”
The way his feelings flooded into her heart was still vivid.
But even good things could become too much. When she finally fell asleep, dawn light was already filling the window.
They had stayed up all night, so it was natural she felt more tired than usual.
She had pushed her body in ways she wasn’t used to, making it even harder.
Then why does Pavel look perfectly fine—no, full of energy?
Suddenly, the future felt frightening.
If she didn’t draw a line now, she might not be able to live normally anymore.
So Sasha spoke firmly.
“Still, we can’t help it. We both have a lot to do.”
It wasn’t an excuse. Pavel truly was busy.
For the next week, he had to handle the aftermath of the expedition—something Sasha couldn’t help with at all.
Knowing how important the work was, Pavel nodded without argument.
Still, his expression showed dissatisfaction at being pushed away.
Thinking she couldn’t just send him off like this, Sasha spoke gently.
“Once we both finish our work, we’ll be able to rest for a while… How about we go to that lake again?”
Only then did Pavel’s face brighten.
“Okay.”
“I like that too, Pavel. Then… see you later.”
Sasha smiled and turned to leave, but her hand was suddenly caught.
“Huh?”
When she turned back, Pavel gently held her hand and pulled her closer.
Thump—Sasha stumbled straight into his chest.
Thanks to his arm around her waist, she was held securely.
“Pavel?”
After briefly pressing her nose against his chest, Sasha looked up at him.
Pavel gazed at his wife’s round eyes, then lowered his head and lightly kissed the bridge of her nose.
A soft kiss without even a sound.
“…!”
Sasha’s eyes widened in surprise.
Pavel looked into her eyes for a moment, then lowered his lips again.
This time, he pressed his lips firmly against hers, like leaving a seal.
Even though they were just touching, her chest felt ticklish. His gaze, his hand brushing her cheek—everything did.
Sasha only came back to her senses after his lips moved away.
“Y–!”
She hurriedly stepped back, covering her face.
“That’s enough! Enough—go to work already!”
Unlike Sasha, who was flustered, Pavel calmly rested his chin on his hand and looked at her.
“Yes, I know. But I really couldn’t help it.”
“What do you mean…?”
Even as she asked, Sasha grew afraid of his answer and trailed off.
Pavel smiled gently and said something unexpected.
“Because I miss you.”
“…We’ve been together this whole time. You miss me?”
“Yes.”
Looking at the speechless Sasha, Pavel frowned slightly and let out a sigh.
“I just saw you, but the moment you turned away, I missed you. How am I supposed to wait until evening?”
Sasha’s lips parted slightly.
After being apart for so long, Pavel’s clinginess had grown.
No—this isn’t just clinginess…!
Refusing to admit it, Sasha covered her face. The skin she couldn’t hide was red.
Where did he learn things like this?
Words that once felt merely cute now sounded like skilled temptation.
If Olga hadn’t been there, she might not have resisted him.
No—
At some point, sharp-eyed Olga was quietly slipping away, laughing softly and leaving them alone.
Not wanting all her careful preparation to go to waste, Sasha jumped to her feet.
“I—I’m going now!”
As Sasha fled the room, she thought she heard Pavel’s soft laughter behind her—but she didn’t stop walking.
