SFO CH 8

The Younger Husband’s Test of Restraint

What was that all about?

The soft fragrance that floated in the air, his slightly misty eyes, and his dampened hair…

The moment I caught sight of my wife sitting on the bed, a surge of desire to just push him down overcame me. I realized right away—I had made a mistake.

—I shouldn’t have called him to this room at night…

After he left work early and came back to rest, I had been pacing in front of the door, waiting for a chance to talk to him, only to be turned away with exasperated looks from Edna and Mia. They said that he needed to rest, that he had been holding off taking breaks because of his concern for me.

Since I don’t need much sleep, I’d had plenty of time for myself. In hindsight, though, I’d never really taken a proper day off. Out of respect, my wife had been taking his own rest days working around the estate in line with my schedule. And so, I only now realized that in three years, he had never had a decent day off. How could I have let this happen?

The staff has a system in place for alternating days off, regardless of whether I rest or not. But since there’s no one to cover for my wife, he has been managing his own breaks at his own discretion, and it backfired.

I’ve been treating Finn badly all this time. From now on, I’ll make sure he’s getting enough rest. It is precisely because I never said anything that I ended up letting him go on overworking himself for three whole years.

Should he accept my apology for how I’ve acted, I’ll ask him if there’s anything else he’s been quietly putting up with. He’s naturally reserved, so I’ll also make sure to check in with the staff about his well-being from time to time.

With Edna and Mia’s blessing, and seeing how his complexion improved, I asked him to wait for me in my room after dinner. I knew it wouldn’t be unreasonable if he refused, given my behavior, but he readily agreed.

I expected it to be shortly after dinner, but the maid informed me it would take two hours for him to get ready, and I couldn’t help but feel puzzled. Getting ready just to talk…? Surely not. Even if Mia and the others had some kind of romantic outcome in mind, Finn would surely express his dislike of it, and they’d have to resign themselves and call me early.

Assuming that would be the case, I waited—and waited. When I was finally called in after two hours, I was met with a gleaming, fragrant Finn, his skin fresh and radiant.

What exactly are you thinking, Finn…?

I struggled to keep myself in check as best as I could. If I let my guard down for even a second, my lower half would betray me. Trying to clear my mind, I coughed awkwardly and started speaking. I couldn’t even look at him.

“I apologize for the sudden request tonight.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

“Umm, I didn’t think you’d agree to this. Up until now—”

I meant to apologize for treating him so poorly until now, but then my words were interrupted by none other than my wife’s.

“Husband, why won’t you look at me?”

Because if I do, I’ll lose control! And honestly, I might just end up pouncing on you!

These words flashed through my mind, but before I could gather myself, he lightly touched my arm.

Finn radiates a striking sensuality, though he isn’t particularly feminine.

He’s just a bit taller than average and has a toned physique. His princely aura makes him wildly popular with both men and women alike. Even men with physiques like mine, who usually seek someone more delicate, find him irresistible, drawn in by his unique allure.

He has a pale, porcelain complexion that blushes at the slightest touch, slightly downturned eyes, a firm yet beguiling roundness to his hips, and a waist so slender it looks like it could snap at any moment. Despite all these sensual traits, he’s friendly and approachable, with a down-to-earth nature that charms everyone he works with. Though everyone falls for him, naturally, since he’s married to a marquess, any feelings remain unspoken.

And now, this embodiment of allure is pulling me toward the bed by the arm! I could feel my pulse thumping in my veins. How could I be reduced to this—losing all self-control at his mere touch, just like the others who secretly adore him!

Desperately trying to mask my reaction, I kept my gown draped in front of me as I settled on the bed at a cautious distance.

But then, Finn leaned closer, pressing against me, cradling my face in his hands and looking straight at me.

“F-Finn!”

He looked almost sorrowful, which made me want to comfort him. But more than that, his melancholic expression was irresistibly alluring, and for a few seconds, my mind went blank.

“I’m sorry, husb—hmm?!”

Before I knew it, I had claimed his lips.

Sweet. A hint of alcohol lingered, but he tasted overwhelmingly sweet.

“W-wai—mmhg!”

Finn, startled, pulled away immediately, but I captured his jaw, pulling him back for a deeper kiss.

He’s five years older than me, and undoubtedly experienced. During his academy days, he was famous for dating the student council president, who was the eldest son of a marquess. They were the most ideal couple of all time. He supported him devotedly, and together, they orchestrated numerous reforms. It seems this eldest son also managed to have quite a lot of fun with Finn before he was betrothed to me. I couldn’t bear to lose to him.

So I poured every ounce of skill I had into savoring his lips. I discovered that his upper palate was especially sensitive, and as I traced it with my tongue, his body shivered and clung to me. —How utterly intoxicating he is.

Soon, he began to respond to my tongue with a dazed expression.

Occasionally, soft, sweet sighs escaped his lips.

When his breath grew unsteady, I reluctantly pulled back. He looked up at me with a completely blissed-out expression. Too adorable. I wanted nothing more than to pin him down and listen to his voice quiver until dawn. Would he accept me if I did?

In the middle of that thought, I snapped back to reality.

What am I even here for today? I didn’t come here just to snatch a kiss. I came here to apologize for my past behavior…

I could feel my face turning white.

“I—! I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to act without your permission…”

I quickly tried to leave, but he feebly grasped the hem of my gown.

“…Finn, I’m glad to see that you’d want me to stay, but if things continue like this…”

My head might be cooling down, but the lower half of my body most definitely hasn’t. If I stay in this room with my alluring, rumpled wife, I can’t predict what I’ll do. With this in mind, I was just about to leave when—

“No. Don’t leave.”

“—!!”

“Please… don’t go.”

What man could possibly say no to such a request?

Usually cheerful, my wife looked up at me with sad, pleading eyes, and a soft, childlike tone. He’s almost unbearably cute. I could feel an entirely new door within me open.

Just then, I spotted the empty glass and bottle of brandy on the bedside table.

“…Did you drink my brandy? I didn’t realize you were this sensitive to it…”

If that was the case, then his odd behavior made sense. The drink must have gone to his head. I’ll make sure the staff keeps him from drinking with anyone else…

Thinking how outrageous even considering taking advantage of his drunk state was for a gentleman such as myself, I gently laid him into bed. The warmth and softness of his body and the blend of his scent with the rose oil made this a nearly impossible test of restraint. Fortunately, I managed to settle him in bed and finally let out a sigh of relief. Just as I tried to slip away—

“Please, husband… don’t go.”

His sweet yet devastating request reached my ears, and as he gripped the sleeve of my nightwear tightly, I spent the entire night gazing at my wife’s sleeping face, unable to get a single wink of sleep.

When he woke up red-faced and stammering apologies, I nearly lost my composure.

But when he said the kiss felt good, I was elated. And when he asked if I disliked him, I froze up. Somehow, I managed to convey that I didn’t dislike him, that I wanted to apologize again and that I wanted to have some time together on my next day off.

On my next day off, I’ll make sure to meet him during the day.

And I’ll sincerely apologize for everything and finally tell him what my feelings are.

Will he forgive me?