I Was Meant to Be the Evil Wife, But the Cold Marquis Fell for Me - Chapter 25

—Morning sunlight streamed softly as Liliana awoke, sensing an unfamiliar atmosphere.

Rolling over in bed, she saw the back of a blond man.

(Lord Leivis…?!)

She gasped, then recalled the previous night. Yes! She had received his magic training here, on this bed, and fallen asleep from exhaustion.

“……”

It felt strange. Her body was different from yesterday—warm, as if bathed in sunlight, as though his magic still resonated inside her.

As she touched her abdomen absentmindedly, Leivis stirred and turned. Their eyes met.

“—Good morning.”

He greeted her naturally, with a gentle expression.

“G-good morning…”

Her reply came awkwardly.

“Is your body alright?”
“Yes but it feels strange. I can’t explain it well. It’s different from before…”

She tried to put the sensation into words.

“It’s like your sun is inside me. Giving me strength…”
“…I-I see…”

He caught his breath, looking away.

“I must go to the castle today, but don’t overexert yourself. I wish I could stay with you all day…”
“Please do your best at work. And, will you return tonight…?”

—She wanted to spend the night together again.

Leivis smiled like the sun itself.

“Of course. I’ll return without fail.”

That night, they sat on the bed again in their nightclothes, facing each other this time.

“Will we make another pillar today?”
“No. For now, we should focus on learning control. Tonight, we’ll practice circulating magic. Give me both hands.”

He held out his palms. Liliana moved closer, extended her hands, and joined them with his.

(This position…)

Facing each other on the bed, holding both hands. It was closer than she expected. His scent reached her, making her want to pull back, but his firm grip kept her still.

“Let’s begin.”
“Yes…”

His magic flowed quietly through her palms.

“……”

She concentrated, receiving his warmth with her own magic. That was all she needed to do. Yet—

His face was close. His golden eyes watched her intently, observing her every reaction.

It was unbearably embarrassing. She lowered her gaze only to see his body.

His strong frame was wrapped in soft nightclothes. She too wore soft sleepwear, both of them outlined.

It was the same attire as their wedding night. The thought made her blush furiously.

And this position, there was no escape. Both hands were bound in his, magic flowing constantly.

His sun-like magic raised heat inside her.

Her chest pounded, breath quickened. Just holding hands, yet her heartbeat raced.

Sweat beaded her skin. His gaze made her body ache deep within.

“…Liliana, calm yourself.”
“Y-yes…”

She nodded, but couldn’t calm down. Her body sought more of him, waves of sensation rippling through her.

Her shoulders trembled, breath came short.

(It’s like Lord Leivis is inside me…)

His magic stirred her depths, spreading sweetly, filling her.

Yet it wasn’t enough.

“…Liliana?”

He called again. She raised her face, met his eyes and quickly looked away, shaken.

“…Are you embarrassed to be seen?”

A difficult question.

“I-I don’t know.”
“I see. But your magic responds honestly to mine.”

His penetrating gaze made her heart leap.

She felt exposed, cornered, breathless.

“Ah… um…”

She blurted out:

“D-does everyone really do this?”
“As children.”

He spoke casually. She vaguely remembered hearing such.

“Women usually stabilize naturally. But men may erupt. So, they learn control young. I did, from my father.”
“O-oh… I see…”

Her hips jolted, voice trembling.

“…Liliana, if it’s too much, we can stop—”
“N-no, I’m fine! Please don’t stop…”

She didn’t want to end it. It wasn’t finished yet.

“I see. Then let’s go deeper.”

His golden eyes gleamed—

(Ah—)

And suddenly, he reached deeper than ever before.