What Remains in the Damaged Place - Side Story 1 (2)

Roziela had been right.

Just as she had said, the wedding went on, somehow.

Though Lirette felt dizzy under the flood of eyes and attention, she managed to endure it, holding on to the comfort of Valderion’s presence beside her. They walked down the wedding aisle together, standing before the officiant, and the ceremony proceeded smoothly without a hitch.

The only slight snag came during the ring exchange.

In the tradition of the Arlaint Empire, the groom wore his ring from the start of the ceremony and would place the bride’s ring on her finger after the vows. Then, the bride would lift her veil and kiss the groom.

The ring, adorned with a sparkling jewel, slipped onto Lirette’s finger easily enough. But when it came time for her to lift her veil, she found herself unable to do it.

The tension that she had managed to push down came rushing back with a force, spurred on by the hundreds of eyes she felt on her.

The weight of their stares, which had pressed down on her from the moment she entered the ceremony hall, now threatened to overwhelm her.

When Lirette didn’t follow through with the next step, the officiant glanced at Valderion, while murmurs began to spread among the select guests who had been invited.

Then, a soft laugh broke through the air.

It was light, like air escaping from a balloon.

Her eyes widened just as Valderion’s hand reached out and grasped the edge of her long veil.

Would he lift it?

Would he reveal her face?

Her heart raced in anticipation.

The veil lifted slightly, swaying in the air before settling back down. And then, right in front of her, Valderion’s golden eyes, so radiant they seemed to melt away her tension, came into view. His next action left her utterly stunned.

Instead of fully lifting the veil, Valderion leaned forward and slipped his head under it.

Before Lirette could even voice her surprise, his lips pressed against hers.

“Mm…”

Even the soft sound she made was swallowed by his kiss.

Valderion tilted his head, deepening the kiss, pressing his lips more firmly against hers before finally pulling back.

Lirette would never forget the atmosphere in that brief moment. The air fell still, but it wasn’t a tense silence. Rather, it was a quiet filled with gentle awe, the kind of peaceful anticipation mixed with the excitement unique to weddings.

It was, in essence, a serene form of attention.

Afterward, the ceremony continued smoothly, and everything went off without a hitch.

The final part of the day involved greeting Emperor Laegis, who had taken time from his busy schedule to attend the ceremony. With that done, Lirette returned to the main building to change out of her wedding attire.

This time, instead of Roziela, it was Valderion who accompanied her, gently pulling aside the long, flowing veil from her hair, which fell in silvery strands like threads of silk.

“Congratulations on the wedding,” he whispered.

Top of Form

Bottom of Form

Valderion kissed the bare, round curve of Lirette’s shoulder and whispered softly. Hearing the words “Congratulations on your wedding” from others hadn’t moved her much, but hearing it from him, now officially her husband, felt strangely different.

“Yes, congratulations to you too,” she replied.

“I deserve the congratulations, but I’m not sure it’s something to celebrate for you,” he teased, pulling her closer and pressing his nose into her hair, which now carried the scent of fragrant oils.

“Now, even if you hate me, you can’t escape anymore.”

Valderion often playfully brought up their past, when they had both bared their teeth at each other. Though his tone was light and teasing, Lirette couldn’t help but laugh it off, sensing the humor behind his words.

The two of them changed clothes together.

As Valderion helped her out of the wedding dress, he couldn’t resist teasing her by brushing his lips over the Name engraved on her skin. It left Lirette flustered, but she managed to finish changing into a lavender-colored travel dress. She then helped Valderion change as well.

“Shall we go?” he whispered, placing a kiss on the back of her hand.

By the time they stepped outside the estate, their honeymoon preparations were already complete.

Roziela, also dressed in travel attire, stood by the carriage, waving as she leaned against it.

“Off to Fellini now?” she asked, her eyes gleaming with excitement, clearly thrilled to finally return home.

The couple’s honeymoon destination had been decided as Fellini, the coastal city Roziela ruled over like a queen.

It hadn’t been their first choice, though. Initially, because Valderion couldn’t be away for too long, they had planned to go somewhere nearby—Holdinelli, a southern country famous for its world-renowned flower festival held around this time of year.

But, just days before the wedding, a problem arose with the railway leading to Holdinelli, making travel difficult. Though they could have taken a carriage, the route involved crossing treacherous mountain passes, and recent reports of bandit attacks in the area made the journey too dangerous.

There was no reason to risk their safety, so their honeymoon destination was left undecided once again.

“How about coming to Fellini instead?” Roziela had casually suggested during breakfast one morning. She spread butter on her toast and looked unconcerned, as though it were the simplest idea in the world.

“Fellini has a lot to offer. The trading ships visit frequently, so there’s always something interesting to see. Plus, if you get bored, you can go for a swim. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a pod of dolphins.”

As Roziela talked, Lirette had sensed Valderion’s gaze on her, sharp and unwavering. When she turned her head, she found him staring at her intently, barely touching his breakfast.

It didn’t take long for Lirette to understand the meaning behind his look.

Fellini was the city where she had once fled, and where Valderion had pursued her. It was the place where they had played a game of chase, each with conflicting emotions.

The memory of that time, when they had been hunter and prey, briefly made her feel dizzy. But now, she had no reason to run, and it seemed fitting to reclaim that place—to rewrite those memories.

“I like the idea,” she had said softly.

“…”

“What about you?”

Valderion had brushed a finger over the smear of cheese on her lips, then slowly licked it off his own fingertip, finally breaking his intense gaze.

“If that’s what you want,” he had replied.

Roziela, witnessing the exchange, had dramatically gagged, “Ugh!” And with that, the decision for their honeymoon in Fellini was sealed.

As the carriage rattled toward the coastal city, Lirette couldn’t hide the fluttering excitement in her chest. Though she had been to Fellini once before, it hadn’t been under the best circumstances. That time, she had been too focused on escaping, her mind consumed with thoughts of where to go next, and whether someone was already hot on her heels.

All she remembered of Fellini was a blur of fear and uncertainty.

Now, however, the wind rushing in through the carriage’s open window seemed to lift her spirits. Lirette stretched out her arm, letting the breeze tangle her hair, which she then tucked behind her ear.

“Have you been to Fellini often?” she asked.

“Not often, just a few times,” Valderion replied, watching her as he loosened his cravat. His large hand then reached out to gently gather her silver hair, which had been tousled by the wind.

“They say the beaches are beautiful,” she mused.

“Especially the view from Roziela’s estate. You won’t be disappointed,” Valderion said as he gathered her hair into a makeshift ponytail, using his cravat as a tie. Though his hands were clumsy from inexperience, the result was surprisingly neat.

“What’s got you so excited like a child?” Valderion teased, though his voice was as soft and smooth as silk. As Lirette fumbled to check the makeshift ponytail he had tied with his cravat, she replied.

“Well, I’d like to dip my toes in the sea.”

She smiled sheepishly after confessing her small wish.

“Not much, right?”

Valderion looked at her for a moment, as if trying to understand why something so simple made her happy. He then pulled out his pocket watch and glanced at the time.

“We’ll arrive in Fellini at night.”

“…”

“It’ll be too late by then. How about visiting the beach tomorrow?”

His warning, almost as if to scare her, came with the note that the beach at night could be very eerie. Lirette giggled, her soft laughter echoing through the carriage. “Alright,” she agreed, and the cool spring breeze gently swept in around them.

***

Knock knock.

The sound of knocking woke her from her sleep.

“Mmm…”

Her mind slowly cleared from the fog of sleep. When she finally managed to lift her heavy eyelids, bright sunlight poured into the room, like it was stretching its arms.

Oh, right. We’re in Fellini now.

They had arrived late last night, much later than expected. Roziela’s estate, though, was flawless, a masterpiece of clean, ivory-colored architecture with a blue roof that stood out brilliantly. Surrounded by exotic gardens, the estate was situated far enough from the bustling harbor to offer the tranquility and warmth of a true vacation retreat.

Knock knock.

The sound came again.

“Lirette, are you awake?” It was Roziela’s voice.

Lirette wondered why Roziela had come herself instead of sending a servant, but the question was short-lived. Knowing Roziela’s personality, it made perfect sense that she’d come in person.

Lirette attempted to sit up to let Roziela know she was awake, but she found herself held down by an arm wrapped tightly around her waist.

Her eyes widened, and before she could react, she was pulled back down into the bed.

A deep breath brushed against her shoulder, followed by the warmth of a face nuzzling against her skin. She blinked as Valderion’s nose grazed against her neck, his husky morning voice sending shivers down her spine.

“Roziela is outside.”

“I know,” he murmured.

Did he really, though?

Despite someone waiting outside, Valderion seemed unfazed as he lazily kissed the nape of her neck. Lirette wondered if giving in and letting him continue would make him stop, but it seemed unlikely. He pressed his lips more firmly against her skin, starting to suck lightly.

“Val-Valderion, she’s right outside…”

“Call me ‘Rion,’” he whispered, his deep, velvety voice making her even more flustered.

“Why… suddenly?”

“Is it too much to ask my wife to use the same nickname even my cousin does?” he teased, his lips grazing her skin as he licked and whispered against her neck. It was clear he had no intention of stopping until she gave in.

His firm chest pressed against her back, rubbing against the spot where her Name was marked. That familiar heat began to stir within her body again, spreading like simmering water. She knew all too well what was happening—it was a sensation that was impossible to ignore, and understanding it only made it harder.

“R-Rion, please…”

She finally whispered the nickname, hoping it would convince him to stop. A quiet chuckle escaped him, as if amused by her surrender.

Before she could even process it, Valderion had effortlessly shifted her position. What had been a sideways posture facing the edge of the bed was now a position with her lying flat on her back, staring up at the ceiling.

The familiar shadow above her, and the warm skin that followed it, were no strangers to Lirette. She knew Valderion’s habits all too well by now—how he loved falling asleep without a stitch of clothing, and how he especially enjoyed nuzzling and kissing the nape of her neck, claiming that’s where her scent was the strongest, especially in the morning. This morning was no different, as he buried his face in her neck, clearly intent on savoring every bit of her scent.

Lirette instinctively wrapped her arms around his shoulders, only to startle at the sound of a knock at the door.

“Rion,” she whispered, trying to catch his attention.

“I’m up,” he replied casually.

“What?”

“You called me that, so now I’m fully awake.”

“That’s not—”

“Well, now you have to take responsibility,” he teased, his voice a low rumble, as his hand trailed over her bent knees, sliding up under her negligee.

His lips, still latched onto her neck, pulled down the strap of her nightgown, exposing the delicate curve of her shoulder. Realizing that more of her skin was becoming visible, Lirette squirmed in protest.

“You were the one who told me to call you that!” she whispered urgently, worried that the sound might reach outside.

Valderion chuckled softly and wrapped her leg around his waist, pulling her closer.

“When did you become so obedient?” he teased again, clearly enjoying her flustered state.

Lirette opened her mouth to retort, but before any words could come out, he moved, and suddenly he was inside her, filling her completely.

“Ah…!” A surprised gasp escaped her lips.

Valderion was already undressed, and Lirette’s thin negligee was no barrier between them. The connection was immediate and overwhelming, leaving her body trembling as she tried to keep quiet. Her foot curled in reaction to the sudden invasion, and her toes flexed tightly before relaxing again.

He kissed her cheek, and Lirette could only release a shaky breath as the intensity of his movements increased. Every thrust was deliberate, pushing her toward a peak that felt more sensitive than usual, perhaps because it was early morning. Everything felt just the right amount of soft and sensitive, making it hard to focus.

“Are you still asleep?” came a voice from outside the door—Roziela’s, this time without a knock.

Lirette quickly raised a hand to cover her mouth, just in time to stifle a louder moan. The timing was perfect, as the force of Valderion’s thrusts would have otherwise made her cry out.

“R-Roziela… she’s right outside,” Lirette whispered, her voice shaky.

“We’re on our honeymoon. She should understand,” Valderion replied between ragged breaths, his voice dropping as he leaned closer, his warm breath ghosting across her face.

The lazy, languid rhythm suddenly shifted, becoming more intense. Valderion braced himself above her, moving with purpose now, and Lirette clutched the pillow tightly as her body shuddered under his deliberate motions.

It was overwhelming, a rush of pleasure washing over her like a wave, leaving her floating somewhere between reality and a dream. Everything felt slightly out of focus, blurred by the intensity of the moment. The bright sunlight pouring over Valderion’s back only heightened the sensation.

Her body gave in, her arms wrapping tightly around his neck in surrender. He smiled down at her, leaning in for a kiss, but in a last-ditch attempt to maintain some semblance of control, Lirette turned her head away.

Valderion didn’t seem to mind. Instead, he pressed his lips to her ear, lightly sucking on her earlobe, and the sensation sent another ripple of pleasure coursing through her.

The lovemaking continued until noon, finally ending when Valderion pulled away from her. The sticky warmth left between her legs made her cringe in embarrassment.

I must be out of my mind, she thought, dazed by how long they’d been at it.

They had woken up at a reasonable hour, but somehow had spent hours tangled together. When Valderion handed her a cloth to clean herself with, she stared at him wordlessly. He raised an eyebrow at her, his lips curving into a knowing smile.

“Technically, last night was our wedding night. Since we didn’t celebrate properly, this morning was just us making up for lost time.”

The nerve of him.

Lirette couldn’t help but shake her head at his audacity. First night? she thought. They had been intimate before the wedding, so the concept of a “first night” seemed absurd. Still, after they had finished, both a mess from the passionate morning, they got up and headed to the bathroom for a much-needed bath.

***