When That Door Opens - Chapter 41
The earnestness of his nature seemed oddly endearing. It was surprising how someone could appear so different after just one physical encounter. Knowing that his concern was genuine likely contributed to this feeling. I felt both gratitude and sadness for his childhood, which must have shaped his character, teaching him to adhere to principles and consider others.
As the heir to a dukedom, he must have learned and practiced these behaviors diligently.
Perhaps if his circumstances were the same as back then, he would have never even looked at someone like me. Now, the roles were reversed…
An old sense of self-loathing began to resurface. I suppressed the dark thoughts and spoke to him instead.
“Enough of the uncomfortable conversation. Just lie down next to me, okay?”
“Lady Astel. This isn’t something to be taken lightly. Why would you choose someone like me for your first experience…?”
“And stop calling me ‘Astel’.”
“What?”
“Call me something else. Anything else. And stop all of this talk about my ‘first experience.’ I wanted it.”
I reached out and pulled him into a hug. He frowned down at me, still resisting slightly.
You’re younger than me, but so stubborn. I rubbed my cheek against his hand and whined.
“I’m cold and it’s hard for me to handle. Hug me. Come on.”
“…Alright.”
I thought he’d be stubborn for longer, but he obediently lay next to me when I mentioned being cold. I reached out and hugged his broad back. Patting it softly, I wondered if hugging a large dog would feel like this.
“Your embrace, it’s nice. It was nice earlier too…”
“…I’m glad to hear that.”
He extended his arm to pull me close, wrapping me in his large frame. It felt like I was enveloped in strong armor.
As I enjoyed the peaceful moment in his embrace, I suddenly became curious about his name.
“What’s your name?”
“…Lakian.”
“Lakian.”
I rolled his name around in my mouth, then smiled broadly.
“It’s a pretty name.”
“How could you say that to a nameless slave…?”
“Stop nagging. You’re younger than me.”
I covered his mouth with one hand. He looked down at me with displeasure. The breath felt under my palm made me laugh. He wrapped his hands around mine and pressed his lips against my palm, whispering.
“What is your name, Lady Astel?”
“My name?”
“You said not to call you Astel.”
I didn’t have a name. Officially, I was called Verina, but that was my sister’s name. At least to Lakian, I wanted to be called my own name, not just my sister’s shell.
“I have a name, but I don’t like it. Just call me noonim. You can give me an appropriate name later. By the way.”
I nestled into his embrace and spoke casually.
“Can I come again tomorrow?”
His arm around my shoulder tightened. I was a bit nervous waiting for his answer, but I wasn’t too worried.
“I’ll be waiting for you.”
As expected, he’s really kind.
I smiled bashfully.
* * *
From that day on, I visited him every day. I thought this relationship would end soon since it started as a means to get revenge on Roman. But it didn’t. From the moment I opened my eyes in the morning, I longed for the night.
No, from the moment I left his room at dawn, I already missed him. I was desperate to see him. By dusk, I was so anxious I couldn’t stand it. I tried to walk calmly as there might be eyes watching, but I found myself running as soon as I reached the forest path.
“Lakian!”
“Noonim.”
He stepped forward as I called out to him from the door. He agreed to call me noonim as I requested.
He said he would give my new name more thought. I said it didn’t matter what he called me, but he firmly shook his head. I laughed to myself while chiding him for being so proper. I liked his careful nature.
Yes.
I had grown to like him.
Everything about him.
Our reunions always began with passionate kisses, and as if by promise, we entwined every night. With only the night to share, we wasted no time heading to bed. We fell for each other at an alarming speed.
I thought about him all day long. His embrace, his touch, his voice.
It wasn’t just about physical pleasure. When I was with him, I could be entirely myself. Not the fake Astel who stole my sister’s place, nor the fake Verina. Just me.
I also enjoyed our conversations during the afterglow. After making love, we would lie together, sharing various stories.
I would talk about my experiences as Astel, and he would tell me about his childhood.
Even the simplest conversation filled my heart. Nestling into his arms, I realized something new.
