Chapter 62: Heroine's Love

The room was dimly lit by the moonlight that slipped through the curtains, casting gentle shadows across the furniture. The air was thick with the scent of lavender and sandalwood, an aromatic blend that Maris had personally chosen. It was meant to soothe and relax, but tonight, her heart was anything but calm."Mmm... Lucan, you're such a bad person, sleeping with a woman other than me..."

Maris's voice was a soft whisper, a teasing lilt that didn't quite hide the undertone of yearning. She pouted, her lips slightly parted in a mix of frustration and longing. Her delicate hands cradled Lucan's head, guiding it to rest against her chest, where her heart beat rapidly under the lace of her nightgown.

Lucan was deep in a peaceful sleep, thanks to the spell Maris had cast earlier. His breathing was steady, his chest rising and falling in a rhythm that was both comforting and maddening to her.

Though older, in sleep, Lucan's features softened, revealing a youthfulness that often hid beneath his serious demeanor. His strong jawline relaxed, and the slight furrow of his brow smoothed out, making him appear almost boyish.

"Mmph..."

"Ah!"

Lucan stirred slightly, his head moving restlessly against Maris's chest. The unexpected movement sent a shiver down her spine, and she gasped softly, her cheeks flushing a deep shade of pink.

Her thoughts became a whirlwind of emotions. Was it wrong to want this? To desire him so intensely that she'd resort to such measures just to be close to him?

"...You should do that while you're awake sometime. I'm always ready for you to pounce."

Her voice was barely audible, more to herself than to Lucan. Maris's heart ached with the weight of unspoken words and unfulfilled desires. She shifted slightly, adjusting his position with surprising ease, laying him down on the plush bed.

The bed was large, draped in luxurious silks and velvets, with pillows arranged meticulously. Maris had prepared everything just so, imagining a night where they could be together, even if only in her dreams.

She slipped into the bed beside him, her movements slow and deliberate, as if savoring every second. Her body curled into his, one arm draped over his waist, pulling him closer.

"Suu... Suu..."

The soft sound of Lucan's breathing filled the room, a steady melody that contrasted with the erratic thumping of Maris's heart. She pressed her cheek against his chest, feeling the warmth of his body seep into hers.

The scent of him—clean, with a hint of something distinctly masculine—was intoxicating. It was a mix of the soap they shared and a trace of sweat from the day's activities. Maris inhaled deeply, letting the aroma envelop her senses.

Part of her wanted to do more than just hold him. She wanted to strip away the barriers, the clothes, and the unspoken rules that kept them apart. She longed to run her hands over the hard planes of his chest, to feel the warmth of his skin under her fingertips.

But she restrained herself, reminding herself that this was enough—for now. Instead, she leaned in and pressed her lips gently against his neck. The soft skin there was warm, and the slight pressure of her kiss left a small, red mark—a token of her affection, a mark of her territory.

The act made her blush furiously, and she squirmed with a mixture of embarrassment and satisfaction. It was a bold move, something she would never dare do if Lucan were awake. But the spell allowed her this fleeting moment of intimacy.

"Haa... I love you, Lucan..."

Her words were a quiet confession, one that she had kept locked away in her heart for far too long. As she murmured them, Maris nuzzled closer to Lucan, her body seeking more contact, more warmth, more of him.

When had she fallen in love with him? She couldn't pinpoint the exact moment. It had started as respect, admiration, and dependence. Lucan had rescued her from a life of despair, taking her in when she had no one else. He had become her family, her protector, her everything. Sёarch* The ηovelFire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

But somewhere along the way, that respect had deepened into something more. It hadn't taken long—perhaps just a few months after they met—for her to realize that Lucan was the one. The only one.

I'm probably not Lucan's destined partner...

The thought was a bitter one, one that she had wrestled with many times. Surely, there was someone more suitable for him. Lucan, with his calm demeanor and steady presence, deserved someone who could walk beside him without bringing him hardship.

If he were to be with her, a saint, it would be a burden—a life filled with expectations, responsibilities, and sacrifices that he had never asked for.

Lucan doesn't want that...

Maris knew this, and yet, she couldn't let him go. She had chosen Lucan, chosen to walk a future with him, even if it meant imposing her own desires on him.

There were others who would have been more suitable to be the saint's husband—men of power, valor, wit, or even those who were shamelessly bold. But none of them were Lucan. None of them held her heart the way he did.

Even if it wasn't what Lucan wanted, she had resolved to walk this path, knowing full well that it would bring him difficulties. It was a selfish choice, one she had made for love.

"Syaa... Syaa..."

"I'm sorry, Lucan..."

Her voice cracked slightly as she clung to him, her fingers tightening around his waist. The months they had spent apart, while she attended the academy, had only made her more certain of her feelings. Lucan was the only one for her, the one she couldn't live without.

She knew that her choice would bring him challenges, that walking beside her would not be easy. But even so, Maris had decided. She would dedicate everything to Lucan's happiness, even if it meant sacrificing her own mission as a saint.

This was her selfishness, her burden to bear. It pained her to repay Lucan's love and care with such a heavy price. But she couldn't imagine a life without him.

God made a mistake. I shouldn't have been made a saint...

A small, bitter smile tugged at her lips. If she hadn't become a saint, if she hadn't been sent to the academy, she wouldn't have been separated from Lucan. She would have stayed by his side, where she belonged.

But there was nothing she could do to change that now. All she could do was cling to the present, to the moments she had with him.

"Just for a little bit... it's okay, right, Lucan?"

Her voice was a whisper as she momentarily released her embrace. With trembling fingers, she reached for the hem of her nightgown, lifting the delicate fabric over her head.

The nightgown slipped off, pooling on the floor beside the bed, leaving her naked under the soft glow of the moonlight. Maris hesitated for a moment, her heart pounding in her chest. But the desire to be close to Lucan, to feel his warmth against her skin, was too strong to resist.

She removed Lucan's nightwear with the same careful attention, leaving him in just his underwear. Her eyes traced the contours of his body, the hard lines of his muscles, the steady rise and fall of his chest.

"There," she whispered to herself, a small, satisfied smile on her lips.

What was 'there' supposed to mean? Naked, Maris slipped back into the bed, curling her body against Lucan's. She wrapped her arms around him, feeling the heat of his skin against hers, the steady beat of his heart under her cheek.

"Honk... Honk..."

She imagined the morning light spilling into the room, the soft sounds of the world waking up. What would happen if they were found like this? If a drop of her blood fell onto the sheets, marking the moment as something more?

The thought made her heart race, a mix of excitement and fear. But she knew better than to act on it. This was enough—for now.

Even though Maris had chosen this path, knowing it would bring Lucan difficulties, she didn't want to trouble him more than necessary. She just wanted to be close to him, to feel his presence beside her.

As the night wore on, Maris lay in Lucan's arms, her eyes growing heavy with sleep. She held onto him tightly, as if afraid he might disappear if she let go.

An hour before dawn, just before the spell wore off, Maris reluctantly untangled herself from him. She adjusted her clothes, carefully smoothing out any wrinkles, and she leaned, her lips were just above Lucan's lips

"No, my first kiss shouldn't be like this," Maris said to herself and she placed a soft kiss on his forehead.

With one last glance at the man she loved, Maris quietly left the bedroom, slipping into the hallway as the first light of day began to break through the horizon.