Chapter 85.1

Looking back, he wasn’t always around on Yurina’s birthday.

Every time after a wild party, Yurina felt strangely empty before going to bed, but if you think about it, it was because Reynard wasn’t around.

And today, even if the evening is over, Yurina foresaw one thing: she would never be bored now.

“Ray.”

Yurina smiled brightly, suppressing the urge to kiss him.

“Thanks.”

“What did I do? Everything was prepared by others.”

“Still, thank you. Now I don’t even know how to repay you for this.”

Raynard smiled and pressed his lips against the back of Yurina’s hand, which was frozen in the sea breeze.

“I’m fine with that if you’re happy.”

* * *

The party lasted until late into the night. It all started as Yurina’s birthday, but over time, it turned into a holiday for the servants. Marchioness Carthia finished her dinner long ago and returned to her room.

Raynard and Yurina drank a glass of wine and watched the others dance and sing.

The fire that had been lit for cooking was still burning, driving away the chill of the night, but the wind was still chilly. As Yurina rubbed her hands together, Raynard took off his cloak and draped it over her shoulders.

“It’s getting late, so it’s time to finish. If you catch a cold again, I won’t forgive myself.”

“Is that so?”

Yurina and Reynard sneaked out of the garden so as not to spoil the atmosphere for the others.

There was no one in the dark corridor, but it was still loud because of the voices outside. Yurina looked around and took Reynard’s hand. As if in response, Raynard squeezed it, then relaxed it.

“Did you like it?”

Raynard, who was escorting Yurina to the exit of the garden, grabbed her cheeks and asked. Even though they were in the wind, Yurina’s cheeks were warm from the wine. Yurina placed her hand over Reynard’s and declared.

“Hm. It was fun.”

“Do you want a present for your birthday?”

“You already gave it to me. Fruit cake.”

“It can’t be called a gift.”

“It was good enough.”

It wasn’t that she wouldn’t turn down a new offering, but Yurina really liked that fruit gift. More specifically, she liked Reynard’s sincerity, who remembered exactly what fruits she liked.

“Still, I would like to give you something better.”

“Umm…”

She never thought about birthday presents. Yurina had to think seriously as she rolled her eyes and turned away. But she didn’t have much to ask for. Enough to keep Reynard around.

‘Ah, that’s it.’

Realizing belatedly, Yurina bit her lips. It’s not that she didn’t want anything from life. However, her wish sounded unexpected and a little awkward, so Yurina was playing for time.

“Why? Are you having a hard time talking? Looking at your expression, it doesn’t seem like it’s not there.”

“Could it be a wish, not a thing?”

“Is that what you said on your thirteenth birthday?”

Raynard folded his hands on Yurina’s cheeks and said to her somewhat arrogantly:

“As soon as you name your wish, and if it is in my power, it will be granted. If it’s an unreasonable wish, I won’t be able to grant it, even if it’s your birthday.”

Yurina giggled when she saw his playful face, then sarcastically replied:

“Was such a clause about exceptions really needed?”

“Of course. One wrong seal can ruin a family. I already have nothing, so what if something goes wrong?”

“Do you think I would ask for this?”

“It could be something you can’t predict.”

Reynard continued to fight back firmly.

“So what is your wish? I’ll give you whatever you want.”

“Do you remember what you asked me to do for my thirteenth birthday?”

“Of course. I said that I want only two of us to go out.”

“And I want the same. I want to spend time just the two of us without any interruptions.”

“Then shall we go out tomorrow? Dessert at that cafe was good, how about this?”

Yurina shook her head. It was good, but she really wanted something else.

“Not tomorrow, but now.”

“Right now? Do you want to go to the sea together? However, I’m worried about the cold. But if you get dressed, then everything will be okay.”

“No, not even that.”

Yurina stepped closer to Reynard. Her hand gently caressed his firm chest over his shirt. Raynard got scared and tried to pull away, but Yurina grabbed his hand.

As Yurina’s hand passed over his chest and gently caressed his belly where his abs were, Reynard’s muscles tightened.

“I want to be with you.”