CH 112

*******

When Yulif opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was a feast of gold. The feathers that fell from the sky and the wings that surrounded the field of vision were all golden. The next thing he saw was Canaren singing with her eyes closed. The moment he saw the luscious lips, Yulif, unable to resist the urge, got up and kissed them. The song mixed in the breath spread sweetly.

He licked Canaren’s startled lips as if to appease, and, helplessly, let out his breath into her hardened mouth. He was alive. Here, back to her side. Instead of words, he took a hot breath.

“Erm… Yulif…?”

A trembling voice called out his name as his lips were about to fall apart. It was only then that Yulif noticed that blood was dripping from Canaren’s arm. And that the blood soaked his mouth. His face hardened as he thought she had used her powers.

Seeing the expression on his face, Canaren said hastily.

“Not to the point where I die! Just enough to save Yulif… just that much…”

Canaren’s complexion, which clouded the end of her words, wasn’t bad. Instead of answering, Yulif gently grabbed her arm. Blood continued to flow from the large wound that looked like it had been cut with a sharp dagger. Yulif, who unconsciously raised his magical powers by using magic, was a little stunned. It was because the magic which had been running out and was like a tangled thread swirled around the inside was now working smoothly without any blockage.

Doubts were pushed aside as he focused on healing Canaren’s arm. Fortunately, the wound closed quickly.

“Can you explain what happened?”

“Um, I don’t know the details either… I thought I would be able to save Yulif on my own. In order to become immortal, you have to drink a lot of my blood, so I thought if I stopped before that, it would be okay. If the remaining time is not enough, then…”

‘I want to share my time.’

Canaren’s voice grew quieter. She didn’t regret her decision, but she was afraid that Yulif would be upset. Yulif was silent for a moment. He clearly looked alive now, with blood coming back to his face, as if he was judging something. Canaren reached out slowly and caressed his face. Yulif turned and looked at her.

“Are you all right now? How do you feel? Are you okay? Do you have any pain?”

“Great. I’m in good shape, and I have time…”

The clock hand, which was close to the end, turned back for a long time. It was not known exactly, but it seemed that the average human lifespan remained. It was said that the Hwira people live longer than normal humans. The time remaining for Canaren would be the same as his own. Yulif felt close to certainty that it would be.

She had saved his life. She had saved him again. Even sharing her time. His chest was tight. His heart pounded, and instead of blood, he wanted to let out hot cries.

There were so many things he wanted to say. There were countless things to say. But first, he had to say this. Something he hadn’t told her in a long time. The words that could only be said after returning from a long and difficult road.

“I love you.”

‘Since I met you, my world has only been filled with you. Your scent is permeated with every breath I take in and out of my lungs, and the light you scatter flickers wherever my eyes meet. In the blowing wind, your song is mixed with the sound of your melodious words.’

“I love you, Canaren.”

She was his world and she was his everything. Now she even gave him time.

‘You are my eternal master.’

Yulif rested his lips lightly on hers, then he felt the warm breath move away. The golden eyes that enveloped him were dazzlingly curved.

“I love you too, Yulif.”

The two who had completely saved each other overlapped their lips, it didn’t matter who came first. Hot breaths came and went, and their body scent mixed deeply. Yulif wrapped his arms around Canaren’s waist and pulled her in. Her lips alone were not enough. More. He wanted more. He wanted to get closer to her. He wanted to fill her with something other than his lips. His heart, bound together with hers, throbbed to become one.

Then her little hand clenched into a fist and slammed it against his shoulder. Yulif lifted his lips slightly and narrowed his eyes. The purple eyes were cloudy, giving off a strange atmosphere. Canaren’s face flushed red.

“What? No?”

“You, look around…”

At that moment, Yulif looked around. He didn’t realize it because he was only looking at Canaren the whole time, but the familiar faces surrounded the two, each with varying expressions. 

Derek turned his head in astonishment when their eyes met, and Duke Theodore smiled kindly. As for Roana, she crossed her arms with a dissatisfied expression. Then she shouted,

“I tried to wait patiently until he came to his senses, but I can’t stand it. We’ll be leaving soon, no, now!”

“Oh, no. Roana. Not like that!”

Canaren pushed Yulif away, jumping up and running to Roana. It was so quick that Yulif couldn’t even catch her. She hid behind Roana’s back, sticking out her flushed face. Then, when her eyes met Yulif’s, she blushed even more and hid again.

Yulif smiled and got up. Desperately, Derek approached.

“Are you okay? Can I help you?”

“I’m okay..”

Everything was fine. His body and mind. He was in a very full state because he was overflowing with love given by Canaren.

The words of Derek talking next to him could only pass through his ears. Yulif continued to watch Roana and Canaren chatting with each other. Feeling his gaze, Canaren occasionally turned her eyes towards him. But when their gazes interlocked, even her neck turned red and she looked away hastily at Roana.

How could she be so lovely? He couldn’t hold it in anymore.  Even if he couldn’t kiss her, he had to hold her in his arms, or he would throw someone away. At the same time as Yulif took her steps, Roana, who had finished talking, quickly turned around and approached him. She stopped in front of Yulif as he was going to Canaren.

“Get out of the way.”

“Madam Canaren, is he really okay?”

“Well… be gentle. He hasn’t gotten better yet…”

What did she want Roana to do gently? The question of Yulif did not last long. Roana smiled and clenched her fist.

“Canaren only gave me one shot to return the suffering you gave me.”

She punched him coolly.

*******

“Roana really… I told her to be quick but gentle.”

“I’m okay.”

“Is it okay, really okay? There was even blood. I should call the healing wizard. I can’t wait for them to come…”

“Don’t go. Stay by my side.”

Yulif caught Canaren. He wasn’t satisfied with just that, so he lifted her up and placed on top of himself.

The two were locked up in an empty room in a detached palace that was in good condition. Duke Theodore sent the two of them here to rest, saying leave it to him to take care of everything else. Yulif, who wanted to be alone with Canaren, quickly accepted the duke’s consideration. And as soon as he entered the room, he locked the door and applied soundproofing magic.

Canaren’s face turned red from embarrassment at their tight posture. It was amazing how he lifted her up without using any magic. Yulif gently caressed the corners of her eyes.

“Why are you so shy?”

“Is Yulif okay? Close… You seem too close.”

“Didn’t you say you wanted to see me in bed?”

“What! That! Yu-Yulif said it first! Because you didn’t want to see me in the dining hall, so I have no choice but to… to…”

“You had no choice? You didn’t like it, but did you say that because you wanted to?”

Canaren didn’t know how to answer. Her head was spinning at the refreshing scent of Yulif that filled her with every breath.

“I didn’t like it. I don’t know. So don’t keep asking.”

Canaren spoke like a child and shook her head. A low laughter flowed from above. She thought Yulif might be making fun of her. It was so embarrassing. Even without looking at him, her face was warm enough to know that it was bright red like fire.

Canaren pinned her forehead to Yulif’s shoulder. Yulif smiled again and he stroked the back of her head. It felt good to be touched by a big, warm hand that was gentle.

“Yulif.”

“What?”

“Actually, I still can’t believe it. What if this is a dream? What if you’re dead and I ran away in a dream because I didn’t want to believe that reality? I’m afraid that you won’t be there when I open my eyes. If I’m left alone, waiting for you to never come back, I…”

“Look at me, Canaren.”

Canaren slowly raised her head. His infinitely sweet and tender eyes were looking at her. His warm voice filled with affection gently touched her heart.

“I’m here. I’m not going anywhere again. I will always be with you.”

“Really? Is that a promise?”

“Yes. Promise.”

Yulif took Canaren’s hand and placed it on his chest. Thump, thump, thump. His heart was beating fast. She was amazed, surprised, and happy that his heart was beating at the same beat as her own. Canaren felt like she was about to cry again. Her heart pounded hard at his beating heart that seemed to say she saved him.

“What if I say I hate you or I don’t like you?”

“It doesn’t matter. Because I love you.”