Chapter 49

Now alone in this vast mansion, I quickly began unpacking.

Colorful cone hat, star and heart-decorated garland.

Lucian has never had a proper birthday party before.

Because he thought his birthday was just a date needed to issue his ID card.

He was so indifferent to his birthday that he didn't even know it was his birthday.

That's not right.

I began to decorate the mansion with the objects I brought.

I liked being a little childish.

This was what birthday parties were like.

Click. I heard the door open.

'He's finally here!'

I swallowed my saliva in the dark.

After a while, I heard footsteps coming into the mansion.

Lucian's voice rang out in the vast space.

Paul?

My heart pounded.

That's weird. Where'd he go?

Lucian started to walk around, muttering in a quizzical and concerned voice.

I could tell by my countless experiences that now was the time to reveal myself!

I stepped forward quickly.

Happy hirthday.

Oh, damn it. I was so nervous my voice cracked!

But there was nothing I could do about that now. That was just one line.

Happy birthday to you.

In the dark, you could only see the light from the candles on the cake.

I approached Lucian with a brightly lit cake.

Looking at Lucian, whose eyes were wide open, I continued to sing.

Dear Lucian.

It's just a song, but why was I so nervous?

I managed to clear my voice that almost cracked again and finished the song.

Happy birthday to you.

Before I knew it, I was in front of him with the cake.

I grinned at him.

Happy birthday, Lucian.

Lucian, staring blankly at me, looked flustered.

Didn't you say you were busy today? And that we won't be able to meet.

Of course that was a lie. The surprise is the best part of a birthday party. Are you surprised?

Instead of answering, Lucian grabbed my hand and put it on his chest.

Baddum, baddum, baddum.

His heart was beating hard.

Lucian replied with a look of surprise.

I'm very surprised.

I think so too.

I grinned with a happy face.

Oh, I have a birthday present, too.

A present?

Lucian opened his eyes wide.

I put the cake on the table and gestured to him. He bent down, following my gesture like an obedient puppy.

I put a cute cone hat on his head.

He burst into laughter.

Is this the present? It's cute.

Oh no, I can't give you this as a present, can I?

I raised my toes.

Soon my lips touched his.

His lips were soft and warm.

I said, as my lips were against his.

I love you.

This was my first confession that I said with my mouth.

Lucian's face did not seem as relaxed as it had been. His face twisted as if he was going to cry.

But he didn't cry.

Instead, he kissed me again.

This time, it wasn't a baby kiss where only our lips touched.

It was a powerful kiss that intertwined our tongues.

I was flustered because it was the first time he had actively kissed me this way. But I didn't stop him. Because his kiss was so sweet.

'But isn't this position a little dangerous?'

At first, it was definitely a normal kiss, but before I knew it, I was leaning on the sofa and Lucian was sitting on top of me.

Anyone can tell that this was a strange position.

'C-can we proceed like this? Was this novel R-rated?'

I opened my eyes slightly in a sense of crisis, and my heart sank.

Because Lucian was looking at me with a heated face.

I made up my mind at that moment.

I don't care what age I am! I and Lucian are grown-ups!

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From now on, what I had to worry about was not until when this physical contact becomes too seductive, but what kind of excuse I should make to father if I come home late today.

'Anne, I trust you.'

I just wanted the quick-witted Anne to give him a plausible excuse.

But my anxiety was shattered by the banging of the door.

Lord Lucian, are you there? It's Paul!

At Paul's unexpected voice, Lucian stiffened like a stone. Paul, who was not aware of the situation, shouted outside the door in a tearful voice.

Even if Lady Pernia asked me to do it, I shouldn't have done this. I can't believe I left work without getting permission from my boss. I am deeply reflecting on myself. Forgive me, Lord Lucian.

I don't think he'll ever be forgiven.

I looked at Lucian's face and thought.

I've never seen Lucian's face like that before. My father wasn't even that bad when he attacked me for talking about my first love.

I could even feel the murderous intent in his dark red eyes.

I remembered something I had forgotten for a while because I was roasting sesame seeds with him. (Note: I think you can figure out what 'roasting sesame seeds' is referring to.)

'Right, Lucian was a man with a black dragon in his chest.'

But I wasn't as scared of him as I used to be. Because I knew he loved me.

He won't turn yandere as long as I love him.

I said, hugging Lucian.

It's your birthday. Don't kill him.

Lucian's dark energy quickly disappeared at my words. Lucian said as if he were being falsely accused.

I won't kill him.

Really?

I had the impulse to for one second.

I burst into laughter at his words.

Paul, I saved your life. Don't forget my kindness.

The next day, Lucian said with a face that was unimaginably calm, unlike what it had been like yesterday.

Nia, I've been thinking about it all night and I think I made a big mistake yesterday.

What mistake?

That you didn't kill Paul and ended up eating cake together? Or that you did not seduce me once again after Paul came back?

Lucian lowered his eyes and said as if he were guilty of something.

We're not married yet.

I opened my mouth and looked at Lucian.

It was hard to believe that a 20-year-old man who was healthy enough to chew iron said such an innocent thing.

But I soon understood what he meant.

The man in front of me was beautiful enough to captivate every woman in the world, but he was conservative with love.

He had a crush on only one person for a long time.

'He's that kind of man, so chastity before marriage could be important to him.'

But I was disappointed on the inside.

Could he stand the hot desire he felt yesterday? I couldn't.

I couldn't sleep well because I was imagining everything we couldn't do.

However, what Lucian said next was unexpected.

Spending the night with you is heart-fluttering to think about. I will become the happiest man in the world. But if someone finds out about it, it will definitely become a big flaw for the lady.

It was as Lucian said.

The aristocratic society was conservative.

Even if we were engaged, if it was known that you slept together before marriage, there would be gossip.

Most of the blame fell on the woman.

People would point their fingers at me for not being virtuous.

I spoke to Lucian.

But I don't care about that. The people who criticize others for that are wrong.

I know, because you're always confident. But I wouldn't like it.

I don't want you to hear bad things from anyone, and I don't want you to be ignored by anyone. I want you to marry me with everyone's blessing.

Lucian approached me one step closer and held me in his arms.

His firm embrace was as warm as spring.

So I want to cherish you until we get married.

I could feel his determination in his trembling voice.

I couldn't say no when he said it like that.

So I nodded my head.

Everything was as beautiful as a fairy tale up to that point.

Because reality was not easy.

Lucian always kissed me when we were alone.

First, he would kiss above my lips. After that, the tip of my nose, my eyes, cheeks, forehead, and earlobe. And down the neckline.

Then he whispered in a heated voice.

I love you, Nia.

Every time I heard that, my heart trembled. My desire to knock him over immediately soared.

'You have to put up with it, Pernia. So we can have a beautiful first night.'

Father! When are you going to get your daughter married? It's already been two years since we got engaged!

The father had been under attack by his 20-year-old daughter for days. My father, tired of hearing about my marriage, shouted.

It's no use pestering me about that.

But why?

Because the Emperor hasn't said anything!

When the word Emperor came out, I kept my mouth shut.

It was nonsensical that it's the Emperor, not I, Lucian, nor father, who had the most power in hosting our wedding.

But because it was the Emperor who arranged our engagement, he gets the final say.

My father said with a dark face.

You know it too, Pernia. The Emperor has been in a very serious condition lately. How can we bring up your marriage when he's in such a state?