The Lady Only Deals With the Real Ones - Chapter 206

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Tesagh, who devoured me as if thirsting for me, seemed to have all the emotions he had suppressed and endured bursting forth.

He kissed me urgently and desperately, then gazed at me while breathing hotly. His eyes were like flames, desire and longing intertwined.

But among all those intense emotions, what stood out most was still his tender affection toward me.

“….”

I liked that.

The second kiss that followed was more careful and gentle. Yet somehow my breathing became even more labored.

Was it because of Tesagh’s warmth and rough heartbeat I could feel through our closely touching clothes?

When I placed my hand on his chest as if counting his pounding heartbeat, Tesagh let out a breath and pulled me into a tight embrace.

Tesagh and I pressed our foreheads together for a moment, catching our breath while looking at each other.

“I like you.”

“I like you.”

We paused at the words that came out simultaneously, then soon laughed.

However, Tesagh’s expression soon hardened a little.

After hesitating for a moment, he spoke.

“…I’m sorry.”

“Huh?”

Hm? About what exactly?

While I was bewildered, not understanding, Tesagh stroked around my eyes and spoke seriously and somewhat gloomily.

“I wanted to confess in a more wonderful place, with more wonderful words. I should have done that….”

“But you confessed to me with incredibly wonderful words earlier?”

“That was more like stating facts rather than a confession.”

After thinking, I chuckled.

“I really liked it though. Actually, hearing what you just said makes me like it even more.”

“…Really?”

“Yes. If saying you’d walk the path I walk alongside me wasn’t a proper confession and this isn’t a wonderful place, then what exactly were you planning? I’m curious, but setting that aside.”

Speaking in a slightly playful tone, I added quietly.

“It means that to Duke, that’s such a natural and everyday thought. An unadorned sincerity that might seem a bit plain for a confession.”

“….”

“I like that better. That aspect of Duke is what’s good.”

Tesagh’s ears turned bright red.

Though it’s a bit embarrassing to say myself, seeing him look at me with newly smitten eyes, I pretended to clear my throat.

“And you shouldn’t say sorry after kissing.”

Tesagh, who believed in apologizing properly and promptly, looked puzzled.

Smiling inwardly, I whispered as if telling a secret.

“The person listening gets all sorts of thoughts. Conversely, what would you have thought if I said sorry right after kissing you?”

“Ah.”

Just imagining it seemed to make his heart sink as Tesagh shook his head vigorously.

With an expression of having gained enlightenment, he slowly approached and whispered. There was laughter in his eyes.

“This time, I’ll be careful.”

Smiling, I wrapped my arms around his neck.

*

Light rose-colored hair sparkled in the dawn light.

Tesagh brushed aside Elisha’s hair and had a fresh thought.

That just watching someone’s sleeping face could make one’s heart feel so full.

Elisha, nestled in his arms with her delicate soft features, slightly swollen lips, flushed cheeks, gentle breathing sounds and fragrance, was overwhelmingly lovely in every way.

“I like you.”

In contrast, he thought himself quite plain.

Not only his fierce and cold appearance and rough manner, but also his personality that, as someone might say, wasn’t meant to be loved. He even had a history of hurting Elisha’s feelings by jumping to conclusions and misunderstanding.

But even so, Elisha had told him she liked him. She even said she liked that aspect of him.

“By the way, I’m not drunk.”

Remembering Elisha speaking with a somewhat pouty face while he carried her up, saying “Just in case you misunderstand,” a smile naturally spread across his lips.

Actually, he wasn’t entirely uncurious about Elisha’s so-called “destined partner.” Just thinking about it made his insides boil.

But Tesagh had Elisha’s definite words, not some uncertain fate. That was enough. He couldn’t ask for more.

If there was anything to wish for, it was for today’s Elisha to sleep deeply and comfortably.

‘And for Elisha to share her burdens with me.’

That was about it.

Morning broke and light streamed in.

Tesagh, who had raised his hand to create shade, met Elisha’s eyes.

“Did you sleep well?”

Her violet eyes curved beautifully.

“Yes, of course. How about Duke— no, how about Tesagh?”

Last night Elisha had boldly declared she would no longer call him “Duke.” Though she said she’d think about what to call him instead.

Actually, Tesagh didn’t care what she called him.

He thought Elisha might choose some extraordinary nickname to tease him, but if it was her calling him, even “Hey, you there” would probably be fine.

The fact that she was calling him with her voice was what mattered.

But then?

“Why aren’t you answering, Alter?”

“…What?”

“You didn’t sleep, did you, Ris?”

Elisha, who had suddenly called three names at once, smiled mischievously.

“I wasn’t sure which would roll off my tongue best, so I decided to try them in rotation. Hey, no looking at me with that ‘what is all this’ expression. Answer me first.”

Though he wasn’t sure what his expression looked like, Tesagh answered anyway.

“With you beside me, I couldn’t afford the luxury of falling asleep. My condition is fine, so don’t worry.”

“Hmm.”

“More importantly, I didn’t know that thinking about what to call me included considering my aliases too.”

“They’re aliases derived from your middle names anyway. If you think about it that way, they’re nicknames, right? Used between close people.”

Close people.

Though Elisha had said it casually, those words made him newly aware.

His heart pounded. The heartbeat must have reached Elisha’s ears too. Her eyes widened, then she giggled softly.

“You said you couldn’t afford the luxury of falling asleep.”

Elisha’s eyes were close as she tilted her head slightly to look up at Tesagh.

“But you have some leisure to let me listen to this heartbeat a little longer, right?”

Elisha’s fingertips brushed his cheek.

All his nerves turned toward her. Tesagh nodded and drew that hand to place it over his heart.

“Yes.”

Because you are the owner.

*

The curtains fluttered.

“Ah, thank you.”

Elisha, receiving the steaming coffee cup, leaned against the terrace.

The lakeside breeze blew through her not-quite-dry hair. It was cold but also a wind that awakened the mind.

Of the two people who had been gazing at the lake with its rippling waves as if by agreement, Tesagh was the first to speak.

“You said you wanted to come here to play with your friends.”

“Yes.”

“Is your ‘friend’ list still valid?”

Elisha, who had been just looking at her coffee without drinking it, nodded her head.

“Yes. Of course.”

Elisha dropped two sugar cubes in with a plop and took a sip of her coffee.

“I tried adding some just in case, but sweet coffee really isn’t my taste.”

“I’ll change it.”

“It’s fine, it’s not undrinkable. Besides, you hate sweet things even more than I do, don’t you?”

Yesterday, even while talking about the ‘original body’, Elisha had worn a somewhat complicated expression.

As if she hadn’t reached a conclusion yet.

But after taking a sip of coffee, Elisha’s expression had become calm and resolute.

There must have been a reason for suddenly trying sugar in her coffee. Tesagh waited quietly.

“I have something to tell you.”

Having opened her mouth to speak, Elisha immediately changed her words.

“No, there’s something I’d like to discuss with you.”

From those words, Tesagh could tell that Elisha had seriously considered his story.

It wasn’t a notification or announcement. Elisha had chosen the word ‘discuss’.

Since one who walks alone has no need to share opinions, Elisha had decided to accompany him.

“I feel the same way.”

Perhaps this story applied to him as well.

Tesagh couldn’t readily bring up the story that Michele didn’t remember her, and that she wasn’t his real granddaughter.

Thinking that Elisha might already suspect it made him even more hesitant to mention it.

He couldn’t gauge at all how much would be appropriate to say.

But now he thought he understood. Making assumptions and drawing lines in advance to offer half-truths wasn’t for the other person’s sake.

And Elisha wouldn’t want that.

“That’s what I was hoping for.”

Tesagh took Elisha’s hand.

As people who walk together do.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————