Chapter 55

I also waved slightly next to Carl. Gellerhard smiled at us before he soon left the room. After leaving like that, he hurriedly returned even late that night while Carl struggled until just then to endure his sleepiness. Only then did he fall asleep in Gellerhard’s arms like he had wished before. Gellerhard’s purple eyes shone with emotions at his son’s face as he slept peacefully in his arms. The three of us then lay on the bed together in order and his hand was placed right on top of mine as I continued to soothe Carl.

“Thank you, Mandy.”

“What?”

A low voice suddenly flowed out quietly. In all calmness, I could hear Carl’s loud breathing today probably because he had been awake all day long  just to wait for Gellerhard. Under the light of the small lamp in the bedroom, the dense black eyelashes trailed along the slender pair of eyes as they cast long shadows in tow. His eyes sparkled even in the midst of shadows.

“For everything.”

No other words were truly needed. As I faced his eyes, I could feel a sense of solidarity that he was my husband as well as the fact that we were truly husband and wife even more than ever—right at this moment.

* * *

The morning of the castle where its Lord had returned began slowly, unlike its usual. Since I had to go to the bathroom, Gellerhard woke up three times. And around dawn, he woke up because Carl, who awoke from his good night’s sleep despite the noise in the middle of the night, had started running wild.

“Get some more sleep. You are tired.”

“Yes…”

“Carl, let your father sleep more. You should eat your breakfast instead.”

“Yes!”

After waking up with such a grubby face, I left Gellerhard on the bed and moved along with Carl to have breakfast. Carl was sent to the nursery first and when he had finished washing up as well as grooming himself with the help of the maid, Gellerhard came out of the bedroom with a dazed face plastered all over.

“Did you sleep well?”

“Yeah…”

Hoam—he yawned loudly without any considerable feelings. Gellerhard’s purple eyes were still hazy and he began stretching out his tall and big body before he leaned it back out and swept through his disorganized hair back. Plop—he took a seat next to me while simply sprawling his back against the backrest.

“Sleep some more.”

“Hoam, I still have to get up.”

In contrast to what he had just said, he proceeded to slump onto the sofa. It reminded me of Carl when he clung to my side while lazily lounging around. He had been as big as a mountain, but looking at what he was currently doing, he appeared just like his small son. So, it reminded me of a large dog that clung to its owner while forgetting its own puppies. I stroked Gellerhard’s back as if I was petting a dog and he leaned his head gently in response. I stroked his hair softly and gestured to send all the remaining maids out of the room. Not long after that, they had quietly exited the room.

As soon as the maids left, Gellerhard’s lips grazed over the nape of my neck. The kisses continued one after another as if he was fishing for the strings of a necklace and since the maids weren’t sent out in order for us to have that kind of time, I dodged—ever so slightly.

“Why?”

“Wait a minute—wait, talk to me first.”

“Okay…”

With my words, he obediently nodded his head and straightened his body. I stroked his sullen face and slowly began to choose the things that should be said to him. I refrained from making guesses on top of having any personal assumptions as much as possible and said that there was a strange maid at the picnic. Then, I proceeded talking about the event after eating with Carl before I got better and finally, I only ate with Carl from then onwards.

As the story progressed, Gellerhard’s eyes instantly widened, his eyebrows furrowed and his mouth became contorted. Trailing after his flushed face, numbers of swollen blood vessels stood up all over his neck as well.

Gellerhard was absolutely furious. All of the muscles in his body swelled up and he could feel a certain chill—goosebumps right on his back. As I suppressed an instinctive fear, I eventually gave a slap across his forearm.

“Don’t be afraid and don’t be angry as well.”

“I-I’m sorry.”

He apologized as he tried to calm his mind somehow, but it was in vain. His snort was still wild with seething rage and his muscles were taut all over, so at long last, Gellerhard was asked to take his leave. I thought that he couldn’t hurt me, but his rage was so strong that I still had to hug and calm myself down right after he had left. Gellerhard returned only a little while later. Gellerhard’s skin was utterly cold as he quietly took a seat next to me before he proceeded to look at me.

“Did you wash up with cold water?”

“Yes.”

Droplets of water dripped from the tips of his wet hair and soaked his shoulders. It was cool when I placed my cheek while avoiding the already dampened place. I hugged my stomach before I leaned against him a little bit more.

“It’s very cool.”

Gellerhard’s shoulders rested firmly behind my head, followed by his arms carefully wrapped around my back and waist. Gellerhard kept holding onto me securely. It was a little strange to compare a person with a cushion, but Gellerhard had been much more comfortable than the soft cushion.

The heat spread all over his skin, which was cooled with cold water, and it gradually warmed up. Since we were all alone in the room while talking about secrets, the only sound that could be heard had been the crackling of wood burning in the fireplace as we both kept our mouths shut.