Chapter 8
Elia slowly took out the glass jar she had brought.
“Here, a gift for you.”
“Huh? Cookies!”
“Do you like them?”
“… I do—no, I mean, no.”
Jeremy’s eyes trembled uncontrollably as he stared at the glass jar.
“Oh my, what a shame. I brought these just for you, but if you don’t like them, I guess I’ll have to give them to someone else.”
Elia pretended to stand up, jar in hand.
“W-Wait a second!”
“Hmm?”
“I… I don’t like them, but since it’s a gift, I’ll eat them!”
“Oh my, really?”
Elia chuckled at his cuteness and gently ruffled his hair.
“Thank you, for eating them.”
“C-Can I eat them now?”
His turquoise eyes sparkled even brighter.
“Hoho, of course.”
Elia nodded and opened the jar. The boy picked up a round cookie and took a bite.
His chubby cheeks puffed up as if they might burst with every chew.
“Ahem, I’ll be taking my leave now.”
Felix cleared his throat and rose from his seat. Elia, who had been watching Jeremy in a daze, lifted her head—only to find that Felix was already gone beyond the dining room door.
“Jeremy, enjoy your cookies.”
Elia lightly stroked the boy’s hair, absorbed in his treat, and hurried after Felix.
“Your Grace!”
At her call, he turned around. His long legs had already carried him quite far.
Elia half-ran to close the distance, and he took a few steps toward her as well.
“Haah… I… I have something I want to say.”
“What is it?”
“Consummation. I want to… do it tonight.”
Felix’s brows furrowed slightly, as if startled by her unexpected words.
“… Do you even know what that means?”
“Of course! Why wouldn’t I? It’s an important ritual to be recognized as a married couple.”
“Hmm. So that’s important to you?”
Elia tilted her head at his question. What else could be more important?
She had already gone back to the past, so sharing a first night with him no longer felt daunting.
Of course, the first time they were together, his intensity had been so overwhelming she wondered how she had endured it. But it wasn’t a problem.
“Then what’s more important?”
“…”
He remained silent for a long while. Elia took a step closer. His expression didn’t change, but his thick brows twitched slightly.
“… Your Grace?”
“Enough. Let’s stop talking about this.”
“But I…”
Before Elia could finish, he turned his back and strode down the hallway.
She had thought that since their hearts had connected once before, taking the initiative would make the second time easier.
Reality proved otherwise.
Is this not it…?
Her soaring hopes crashed down, leaving her dejected. Still, it was too soon to be disappointed.
Today was only their first day in the northern Artizen territory.
I’m sure next time will be better.
She walked back toward the dining room.
“Huh? Where’s Jeremy…?”
Elia stopped a maid clearing the table and asked.
“He finished his cookies and went upstairs, my lady.”
Hearing that, Elia’s lips drooped in dismay.
Ha, like father, like son.
A twinge of loneliness pricked her heart. But quickly regaining her resolve, Elia clenched her fists with determination.
There was still plenty of time.
That night, the maids scrubbed Elia’s body thoroughly. When they finished, she put on the slip Yuria had prepared and sat on the bed.
A bottle of grain liquor sat prominently on the table.
Even with my change in attitude, nothing seems to change…
She had hoped a little, but as the night grew deeper and Felix still hadn’t appeared, disappointment welled in her chest.
Sigh. Guess I’ll just drink this.
Feeling down, Elia poured herself a glass of the liquor.
In the Empire, nobles preferred wine, but in the North, grain liquor was common—enjoyed by all, regardless of status.
In a land so cold your snot could freeze instantly, people favored strong drinks to stave off the chill.
“Haa…”
Gulp.
She downed the drink in one go, the bitter liquid coursing through her veins and spreading warmth to every corner of her body.
After just one glass, her head swam and her vision blurred.
“So you were waiting… but started without me?”
A low voice, echoing like in a cave, pierced through her muddled thoughts.
His hair was damp as if he had just bathed, and through the loosely tied robe, glimpses of firm, pale skin peeked out.
“You… you’re still so handsome.”
The robe hung precariously open and shut, revealing glimpses of his solid muscles that caught her gaze.
“Hm? What are you saying…?”
“Look, Fel. Your scar—it’s not ugly at all. It’s like a work of art.”
Her blue eyes had long since lost focus. Elia approached him and gently traced the scar running from his cheek down to his neck.
“…!”
Every time her fingers brushed his skin, Felix’s Adam’s apple bobbed like a wave.
“Hold me, Fel.”
She reached out, wrapping her arms around his neck.
Felix had only come because Andrew had urged him—since it’s your first day here, why not visit her?
He had no intention of leaving her alone. When she boldly said she wanted to spend their first night together, he sensed the nervousness she couldn’t quite hide and felt concerned.
And yet…
He let out a dry laugh at the unexpected scene before him.
Supporting Elia’s slender waist with one arm, he pressed his other hand to his forehead. Her limp body had no strength.
“What do you take me for…?”
Felix wasn’t a saint. Her soft skin carried a faint, intoxicating scent of roses.
Clenching his teeth, he lifted her light body.
Am I seriously losing my mind?
She was drunk, babbling nonsense—he knew that. Yet his eyes kept straying to the small, delicate form in his arms.
He laid her on the bed and raised his arm to remove her hands from his neck.
“Mmm… Leaving already, Fel?”
“… Fel? As in Felix’s Fel? Who told her she could…?”
He didn’t know who she thought she was talking to, but the drunken woman kept calling him Fel.
Just as he opened his mouth to scold her—
Smooch.
Soft, warm lips brushed his cheek.
Time seemed to stop. Her scent teased his senses, and instinct tugged at him to close the distance—
Thud!
Her hand slipped away.
“…!”
“Mmm… zzz…”
Elia had fallen fast asleep, breathing softly.
“Haah… this woman!”
Felix raked a hand through his hair in frustration.
He turned to storm out but paused, looking back at her with a gaze sharp enough to devour.
There she lay, sleeping so innocently, oblivious to the world.
Only a long sigh escaped his lips.
Bang!
The door slammed shut, and hurried footsteps echoed down the corridor.
In the heavy darkness, Elia awoke, shivering from the cold.
It was still dawn, and her body hadn’t yet adjusted to the northern chill—it trembled relentlessly.
Huh? Did I walk to bed by myself?
She pulled the soft blanket closer, thinking. One thing was certain—Felix hadn’t come, not even late into the night.
I thought everything would fall into place once we came north…
She had hoped a little, but it seemed far too early to expect anything.
Frustrated, Elia rose and opened the door. The hallway was filled with the icy blue air of dawn, far colder than her room.
Wrapping a thick shawl around herself, she shivered as she descended the stairs.
The candle flames wavered wildly in the draft.
“Oh? My lady, why are you up so early…?”
A voice called out. Elia lifted her head to see the butler approaching her.
