Subliminal Wayfarer

“Pardon, sir…? What do you mean…? Ah— Yes. Yes, of course! Understood!”

After that, the carriage moved at a pace so slow, it felt like a turtle was crawling.

Actually, no. It wasn’t even moving at all.

The horses barely moved, as if they were standing still and taking a step only when they felt like it.

Lucas, having firmly closed the window, tightened his grip on Grace’s hand and spoke sweetly.

“If you wanted to hold my hand, you should have told me sooner, Grace.”

“…No, that’s not it.”

“Go ahead, hold it as much as you like. If there’s anywhere else you want to touch, feel free to do so.”

He loosened the buttons on the front of his shirt.

‘W-Why are you undoing your shirt…?’

Startled, Grace tried to pull her hand away, but Lucas held on tightly, not letting go.

‘Is this a spider web or what?’

As their entwined fingers refused to budge, Grace felt a wave of panic. Though she had initiated the hand-holding, the situation had quickly reversed. Her wide-eyed, startled expression resembled that of a rabbit about to be caught, as she nervously glanced around, seeking an escape.

The worry that had weighed down Lucas’s expression just moments ago had vanished, replaced by a lively glint in his eyes as he leaned closer to her.

“W…Why are you getting so close? I just wanted to hold hands…”

“Yes, we’re just holding hands, Grace.”

“…But it seems too close for just holding hands, Your Excellency.”

She muttered as she lowered her gaze, unable to handle how near his face had come to hers.

Chu—

His lips touched her cheek.

“I’ll stop at this.”

“How much is ‘this’, exactly…?”

“Just on your cheek…”

“…Only on my cheek?”

As if to prove his point, he kissed the center of her peachy cheek.

Then once more, on her slightly raised cheekbone.

Another kiss on the hollow of her other cheek.

And one more on her smooth, straight jawline.

Each time his lips brushed her skin, Grace shivered from an odd tickling sensation that spread through her body.

Warmth bloomed from her fingertips, her toes, inside her belly button, and even near her shoulder blades.

Inside the enclosed carriage, the only sound that filled the air was their mingling breaths.

It was dark outside, and the dim lighting within the carriage added an intimate, almost sensual atmosphere.

Grace, feeling her breath quicken, tightened her grip on Lucas’s hand.

Without realizing it, she bit her dry lips and slowly turned her head, catching sight of Lucas’s slightly damp lips before meeting his eyes.

“Really…”

Her dry throat tightened as she spoke, her voice coming out as a raspy whisper.

“Are you really just going to kiss my cheek?”

That was the signal.

Fire flickered in Lucas’s blue eyes, and in an instant, he swept in, covering her lips with his.

The feel of his warm, wet lips was shockingly soft and intoxicatingly stimulating.

Grace had to brace herself as his lips moved possessively, prying hers open with a force that made her entire body tremble.

His body pressed against hers, and it became difficult to breathe.

It was too hot, too intense, and… far too sweet.

The more Grace struggled to catch her breath, the more their lips parted, making their first kiss even more fervent.

“Mmh…”

As Lucas bit down on her lower lip, a sharp jolt of pain made Grace open her mouth slightly.

Without hesitation, Lucas caught her shyly retreating tongue.

Grace’s hesitant advance had only stoked the fire within him, causing him to lose all restraint.

He devoured her with a hunger that left her gasping.

Even as she panted for air, Grace took in all of Lucas’s desire, letting him explore her lips without hesitation.

The more their lips pressed together, the stronger the longing became.

With his large hands cupping her cheeks, Lucas drew even closer, fully indulging in her scent.

‘God almighty!’

Lucas realized for the first time that a mere kiss could drive someone mad.

Even Grace’s short, breathless gasps seemed too precious to waste.

“Your Excellency… st— mmh… stop…”

As her head began to spin from the overwhelming sensation, Grace gripped his shoulders tightly.

The intensity of his kiss left her dizzy, her heart pounding wildly and her body flushed with heat.

This was, without a doubt, the most intimate experience of Grace’s life.

The heat coursing through her now made the moment when Lucas had licked her palm feel like nothing in comparison.

“Two weeks… It felt to me like it’s not much time left.”

His voice dripped with lingering regret as he muttered to himself.

Grace lifted her trembling eyelids to look at him. His blue eyes were filled with desire, as if he wanted to consume her whole.

Her heart raced.

“…From today on, it feels like it’s going to be too far away.”

Like a loving fiancé, he kissed her tenderly. His lips traced a path over her eyelids, her temple, her slightly swollen lips, and her chin, leaving a trail of longing.

“That was… my first kiss.”

At her words, he smiled with his eyes, a smile so soft it surprised her.

He whispered as if sharing a secret.

“It’s the same for me.”

‘…Liar!’

She shot him a doubtful look.

Lucas kissed her eyelids once more.

“It’s true.”

No matter how much he insisted, she couldn’t believe it.

How could someone so heated and skilled moments ago have just had his first kiss?

“Your Excellency, I don’t mind if it wasn’t your first. I only mentioned it because… I wanted you to know that I might be clumsy.”

“I really am telling the truth, Grace. It was my first time.”

“…I find that hard to believe.”

Grace couldn’t shake her disbelief.

She could still vividly feel how boldly he had invaded her mouth. Could someone truly be that confident and skilled without any hesitation, awkwardness, or inexperience the first time?

He laughed in response.

“Well, of course, I studied a lot…”

“Studied?”

“Naturally. A husband must prepare properly to meet his wife.”

Did that study include learning how to kiss so expertly?

She couldn’t understand.

But before she could question him further, the carriage they were riding in, which had been moving at a snail’s pace, finally arrived at the front of the mansion.

 

* * *

 

“Good. Everything is proceeding smoothly.”

Kafrenn hummed contentedly as he climbed into the carriage.

Out of the forty-two seats in the council, he had secured twenty.

Kafrenn had received solid commitments from them to push for the marriage between Princess Vivian and Norman.

While the majority was needed to enforce anything, securing this many votes was already a significant victory.

It was rare for all forty-two families to attend a noble council, even in history.

And with more than half of the attendees’ support, most issues passed with ease.

So securing twenty seats meant that the matter was as good as settled.

“I have an appointment with Young Count Andre, Father. I’ll take my leave here.”

“Oh, of course. Socializing is important. Make good connections, Norman.”

Kafrenn patted Norman’s shoulder and handed him a thick bundle of money.

Norman accepted the cash without a word.

Lately, his father had been spending lavishly.

Norman knew it was due to their confidence in the diamond mine, but he still couldn’t help feeling uneasy.

What kind of fool gives away an entire diamond mine to his wife’s family just because he’s getting married?

There had to be some hidden agenda or something he hoped to gain from the marquisate.

‘Hmm, for all I know, this might be a hint that Duke Blacke’s wife could die due to his cruel nature.’

Norman smirked wickedly as the thought crossed his mind.

It was common among wealthy old nobles to remarry multiple times.

They’d give large dowries, bring in new wives, and make them endure all sorts of hardships.

And if the wife died, they’d simply marry again.

The woman’s family couldn’t even complain, because the dowry they’d received was often more than generous.

‘It’s not entirely impossible.’

For Duke Blacke, who had never shown interest in women, to rush into marriage like this meant he had some ulterior motive regarding Grace.

‘She must have triggered some sadistic tendency in him. Yes, that has to be it.’

The more Norman thought about it, the more entertained he became.

After all, what else could there be to like about a woman with just a decent face? A duke like Duke Blacke wouldn’t fall in love with her just for that.

Speaking of faces, a particularly beautiful one came to mind—the one he had seen recently.

Tricia Onium.

The woman who had recently become the head of House Onium, known as the silver wolves.

‘…Such a face is wasted in the borderlands.’

Why on earth was someone with a face like that running around wielding a sword and living in the wilderness?

If she just smiled sweetly and undid a few buttons on her dress, men would line up to kneel at her feet.

For a moment, a sordid grin spread across Norman’s lips.

“Then again… that might be why she became the head of her house.”