RODH Side Story Chapter 24

Side Story 24. The Blessing of Kirias

“I’m not tired of it.”

“…”

“And I won’t leave.”

“…”

At those words, the tight grip on his chest seemed to ease a little.

But still, the arms holding him showed no sign of letting go.

Ian gently stroked Nevan’s hand.

It had startled him at first to be seized like that, but the warmth against his back wasn’t unpleasant.

And the gentle spring breeze felt good.

Ian swayed his body from side to side as if dancing.

The banquet hall was already bustling with people dancing.

“We’re dancing our own dance, my lord Nevan.”

“…”

“Even if others say Kirias is boring, we’ll keep enjoying ourselves.”

Ian’s body was suddenly turned.

The motion of dancing stopped, and Nevan’s face was suddenly very close.

“Wait—”

Ian accepted the kiss without time to prepare himself.

In a world where all other noise was cut off, only the sound of lips meeting filled the air.

Sensitive to sound, Ian gasped for breath and wrapped his arms around Nevan’s neck.

Almost clinging to him, he pressed their lips together again and again.

Nevan’s pheromones reached him.

His lower belly ached with heat on its own.

With no wind to scatter it, Ian could feel Nevan’s heartbeat as if it were his own.

The press of their joined hands and overlapping bodies was overwhelming.

Skin on skin gave not just ticklishness but the sensation of unrestrained pleasure.

When at last their lips parted, a silver string of saliva stretched and broke between them.

Ian wanted to carry this buoyant feeling, like a soaring airship, straight to the bedchamber.

He glanced at the window and sighed, reminded that the banquet wasn’t over.

These days, with their duties and children, they rarely had as much time together as before.

A strange thought came to him—that they should have done more back then—but he told himself that if he wished, he could satisfy his desires anywhere.

Just as he was about to lead Nevan toward the baths at least, Nevan sank to one knee and kissed the back of his hand.

“Promise me you won’t leave.”

“My lord Nevan.”

“If you don’t answer, I won’t rise.”

What an adorable stubbornness this was.

Ian thought back to the unsteady moods he’d had when carrying the child.

Even then, he had never thought of leaving Kirias.

At worst, he might have chosen to sleep in another room if upset with Nevan, but never to leave the estate altogether.

That was how deeply he trusted him.

Ian clasped Nevan’s hands firmly in both of his.

“I love you.”

“…”

“That’s what you wanted to hear, isn’t it?”

Nevan’s crimson eyes trembled.

Who in the world wouldn’t want reassurance of their mate’s love?

Ian fully understood Nevan’s heart.

“I will neither leave, nor stay here out of duty alone.”

“My Ian…”

“So get up. Now.”

Nevan could hardly believe what he had just heard.

Ian was, to him, almost unbearably perfect.

The one who had brought spring itself into the silence of Kirias.

Because of him, the research passed down through generations on the bringer of spring had finally ended.

And the curse of Kirias had been broken.

By contrast, all Nevan was good for was fighting.

And there was no guarantee that having children meant Ian’s heart would never waver.

The frequent visits of other alphas left him perpetually on edge.

Though Ian showed no sign of caring, the two alphas who were godfathers to the children came and went from the estate as if it were their own.

It grated on him.

He feared that Ian might falter, even for a moment.

That Ian might leave him behind, too dull and joyless to keep.

Nevan looked into those honest green eyes.

He felt ashamed—he was always the one dragged about by needless worries.

“I love you, my lord Nevan.”

The words he had longed to hear spilled from Ian’s soft lips.

Nevan crushed him in a fierce embrace.

“Ugh.”

Ian had learned this was how family greeted each other, but it still felt strange.

Yet if it was what it took to put an end to Nevan’s fears, he could endure it a hundred times.

He only hoped his body would hold out.

Just then came a pounding sound from the balcony window.

Ian craned his neck and saw it was Bain.

“It’s Bain. Today’s event includes a dance.”

“I am not good at dancing.”

“Then just follow my lead. Don’t step on my feet.”

At Ian’s joke, Nevan’s lips softened into a smile.

Ian slipped from his arms and walked with him to the center of the banquet hall.

“Wow, it’s Father and Mother!”

Elena shouted from beside Leo and Taylor.

Leo whispered something to her, and Elena pursed her lips shut but clapped eagerly.

The music was a gentle waltz.

Unfamiliar to northerners, but chosen because it was easy enough to grow accustomed to.

Luke and Klain were there too.

“I never knew His Grace could dance so well…”

“It’s enough to let Her Grace guide him.”

Luke glanced at Klain’s cryptic remark, but turned back as the dance truly began.

Nevan moved carefully, making sure not to step on Ian’s feet just as instructed.

“Relax your shoulders and move with the rhythm, one step at a time. Like this.”

When Ian pulled at one arm, Nevan turned smoothly in a circle and came back again.

Nevan blinked in surprise.

“Just now, did I…”

“Yes, you turned. A full circle.”

“But I am not good at dancing.”

“For someone not good at it, you’re doing very well.”

Ian didn’t think Nevan’s dancing was bad at all.

If properly trained, he might even dazzle society.

For a brief moment Ian worried such a dance might inspire unwanted feelings in others, but he shook the thought away.

“What is it?”

“I was just lost in thought.”

“What were you thinking about?”

By now Nevan had picked up the repeated steps enough to have the leisure to ask questions.

Ian smiled and answered,

“Something that will never happen in this lifetime.”

* * *

The banquet lasted late into the evening.

“I’ll finish things up here, so Your Grace should head upstairs and rest.”

Bain, dependable as ever, was skillfully seeing the guests off.

Normally, this would have been Ian’s task, but seeing the twins stumbling with fatigue, Bain had offered first.

“Would you? Thank you, Bain. You came such a long way and haven’t had any rest.”

“Not at all. This is my duty to begin with. Please, go on up quickly.”

Ian left with Nevan, each carrying one of the twins.

They had already finished their farewells with the four alphas, who were always noisy and troublesome.

“I’m sleepy, Mother.”

That was what Elena always said when she grew fussy before bed.

Ian stroked her back and handed the children over to Blony.

“You’ll be going to Her Grace’s chamber, correct?”

“Yes.”

“Then please take this.”

Ian accepted a round, fragrant sphere.

“What is this?”

“Hehe. It was among the gifts delivered earlier. They say it’s a pheromone bath bomb that’s popular in the Empire these days.”

Ian’s cheeks flushed pink, and he quickly tucked the bath bomb into his clothes.

“Have a wonderful time!”

“Mm.”

Once in their room, Ian turned on the water in the large bath.

The spacious bathroom, nearly half the size of the room itself, contained two tubs.

One was a personal bath, the other large enough for two.

Ian glanced at Nevan, who was changing his clothes, then went to fill the second tub.

When the water rose to a gentle ripple, he dropped in the bath bomb.

“The scent seems familiar…”

It was an ordinary fruity fragrance, and his momentary excitement faded.

I’ll just wash quickly, then smother Nevan with kisses before going to bed.

With that thought, Ian called him over.

Nevan blinked when he saw the large bath filled to the brim.

Ian declared confidently,

“One of the gifts today was a special bath bomb, so I tried it out.”

“Then the bath…”

“We’ll take it together, of course.”

Ian shamelessly complained that the first tub was far too small, then went outside to undress.

After a long hesitation, Nevan shed his robe and stepped into the bath.

At first, he thought it was only the fruity scent—until a sudden heat surged through his body.

His pheromones began flaring out of control.

This was too dangerous.

Nevan rose to his feet, unsteady, and tried to climb out of the tub.

Just then, he sensed someone approaching.

It was Ian.

Nevan hastily grabbed his robe and slipped it on, speaking quickly.

“I’m not feeling well… I’ll excuse myself.”

“What do you mean, not feeling well?”

“My Ian.”

Ian blocked him with his whole body, refusing to let him leave the bath.

Nevan sighed and answered.

“It’s nearly my rut.”

“I’m nearly in heat too.”

“…”

“Doesn’t that make this a win-win? Then why are you avoiding me?”