I Was Meant to Be the Evil Wife, But the Cold Marquis Fell for Me - Chapter 24

—Night.

In Leivis’s bedroom, softly lit by the lamps, Liliana sat in her nightclothes beside him, also dressed for bed.

This was the same room she had fled from on their wedding night. Now she was here by her own choice, and the thought made her tremble with nervousness.

Her heartbeat raced.

No! This was only magic training. She mustn’t think of anything improper. That would be disrespectful to him.

“Liliana, are you ready?”

His gentle voice brushed her ear.

“Y-yes…”

She steeled herself, placed her hand over his. The instant her fingers touched his, her body jolted involuntarily, and she pulled back.

“S-sorry, I was startled.”
“It’s fine.”

His voice was calm, kind. He seemed so composed that she felt guilty for being the only one tense.

Liliana took a deep breath, steadied herself, and tried again. Slowly she pressed her palm to his, aligning her fingers.

—At once, his fingers intertwined with hers, holding firmly. The feel of his large, strong hand made her heart leap.

“Then, I’ll begin.”

His words made her spine stiffen.

“…Y-yes…”

From their joined hands, his magic flowed into her. Her body shivered instinctively, but she exhaled and closed her eyes, letting it in.

Something foreign spread inside her, filling her. The sensation made her shiver, breath escaping.

—Why did he feel so much larger than before?

“Are you alright?”
“…Yes… but, slower, please…”
“Understood. I’ll increase it gradually.”

His magic slowed, entering gently. Liliana breathed steadily, accepting it.

“You’re doing well. You’re receiving it perfectly.”

Praised, her body and heart eased.

After a while, the flow stopped.

“…That’s enough for now. Next, I’ll probe your magic. Try to sense it.”
“Yes…”

Would she be able to? Would she disappoint him?

“…Do you feel mine?”
“Yes! Strongly like the sun…”
“I feel yours too. Soft, gentle, sweet, like a flower… and vast, like the sea.”
“Lord Leivis… ah…”

His magic stirred, like waves lapping within her. It soothed her, easing her tension, helping her recognize her own presence.

The more she focused, the hotter her body grew, a deep trembling rising. Something long asleep was being awakened again.

Her breath quickened, her head grew hazy…

—Suddenly, his magic reached a place no one had ever touched, not even herself.

“U-uh…”

A groan escaped.

“Is it painful?”
“N-no… I’m fine…”

It felt as though her insides were being stirred, transformed. It was uncomfortable, yet strangely joyous because she felt him so deeply.

Her body reacted more strongly than her magic, breath ragged.

Unaware, she leaned into him. He supported her firmly, and relief spread through her.

“Good. Keep accepting it…”

She relaxed, and his magic sank deeper.

“Ah…”

Her instincts screamed to stop. But his magic remained, pressing deeper, unmoving.

“Liliana, relax.”

She exhaled, closed her eyes, and yielded.

Then she felt her own magic entwining with his.

“Amazing! Your magic is responding to mine.”

His voice was heated.

(This is mine!)

She felt it clearly. Her soft, deep magic intertwining with his strong, burning power.

It was sweet, ticklish, delightful.

Learning from him, being changed by him. It made her happy.

“…Lord Leivis…”

Her free hand clutched his arm.

“I’m here.”

Guided by him, she began to sense control over her own magic.

Each response brought pleasure, a tingling that melted her being.

Heat enveloped her, his presence so near.

His grip tightened. She felt wanted, needed. She slipped fully into his arms.

Opening her eyes, she met his golden gaze piercing deep into her soul.

“I feel like I’ll be swallowed…”
“Me too…”

She closed her eyes again, surrendering. His warmth, his scent surrounded her.

(Ah… I love Lord Leivis…)

She loved him. She wanted to be his. To stay like this forever, drowning in him.

“Lord Leivis—”
“…Yes…”

His magic surged, intertwining with hers, resonating, growing.

It swelled, pressing deeper, until it reached her very core.

Heat overwhelmed her, breath ragged, toes curling. She couldn’t endure—

“Good, Liliana, just like that—”
“Leivis…!”

He gripped her hand tightly. His magic burst through, breaking open the barrier—

“Ah—!”

She released, her whole-body trembling, heart pounding wildly. She clutched his hand, mind blank.

Through tear-blurred vision, she saw their magic swirl together, glowing, forming a crystal.

A hexagonal pillar.

“Well done, Liliana!”

His joyous voice thrilled her. She had created her first pillar. She nearly cried with happiness.

(This… is mine…)

She gazed at the perfect hexagon, tears welling.

“May I examine it?”

She nodded, handed it over. He studied it intently.

“…Our magic is blended. So perfectly…”

She listened, strangely calm. After all, his magic had entered her so deeply. It was natural they had merged.

She still felt his magic resonating inside her.

“Liliana, may I keep this?”
“Y-yes…”

Her voice was weak, her body exhausted.

“Let’s stop here. You did well. Are you alright?”
“…Y-yes…”

Barely able to answer.

“I’m sorry. I went too far… your depths seemed endless, and I delved too deep…”

He sounded regretful.

“But I was glad you accepted me so deeply.”
“I was glad too to feel you so much.”

She spoke honestly. He looked away, flustered.

“I see… I left much of my magic in you. You should feel stable for now.”

—Ah, that explained why she still felt him inside.

“As you learn to sense your own magic, you’ll grow steadier.”
“Yes! Thank you…”

Her words slurred with drowsiness. Sleep pressed down.

“Lord Leivis, please teach me again.”

And she drifted into sleep on his bed.