[Physis' POV]
After Adilun gave her bold answers to my family, her behavior changed even more aggressively.
Now it wasn't just limited to training. Whatever I did, she always moved with me, occasionally holding my hand, clasping our hand, or linking arms with me.
Especially when maids or servants were nearby, this tendency became more pronounced, as if boasting everywhere that this person was mine.
It was not that I disliked these actions. No, I was overflowing with happiness. However, if there was a problem, it was that every time that happened, my heart would skip a beat and my desire for her would intensify.
Due to Adilune's increasing seduction, I even started abstaining from alcohol altogether. I wasn't the type to enjoy drinking, but I used to drink occasionally to change my mood...But ever since Adilun came to Ortaire, I hadn't touched alcohol at all.
I couldn't afford to waste the time I had patiently endured by drinking for no reason.
At first glance, the change in Adilun felt dramatic. But now I felt like I knew a little bit about her. Her proactive and reckless nature must be a part of her original personality.
I didn't know that my change would bring such happiness to her. If I looked at her recently, there were moments when I suddenly burst into laughter.
How could I hate her, and how could I not love her when she confidently showed off her charms to me?
But that was why I had to be even more careful.
Even in my past life, it was the same. I had seen countless people ruin their relationships with their loved ones by showing their worst sides. So, I knew all too well how it leads to a downfall.
Love isn't just about expressing your feelings towards someone in a one-sided manner. It was about building trust with each other... and on that trust, forming a strong foundation of support for each other, this is what love is.
Love is about respecting each other, listening to each other's desires, and sometimes even compromising for each other happiness.
At least, that was my definition of love. So, I needed to act accordingly to the love that I desired.
That was why I couldn't afford to waver even once. Adilun's temptation might become stronger, and there might be times when it would be difficult to resist it... but I mustn't give in.
I knew myself too well. The moment I give in to Adilun's temptation, everything I had promised myself would scatter like bubbles, and I would be consumed by the existence of her, forgetting everything that I needed to do.
It was not like I didn't want it, but she said it herself that it was her tests, so I wanted to not fail her.
She was a deadly existence. Perhaps, once I fall for her, I won't be able to escape. So, I had to be vigilant.
At any moment, I might unknowingly be led by her and fall into her trap.
The scariest thing was, she might be planning it all along.
'Let's always keep my composure. should never go over.'
'Let's remember: trust and affection must go hand in hand.'
* * *
[Adilun's POV]
I knew I had become quite bold. However, I didn't expect to become this bold.
Until now, even if I had something I wanted, it was rare for me to reach out first.
Because I felt like I was going to get hurt. Things like my dragon scales prevented me from reaching for anything first.
But was it because the scales were gone? It was as if I had untied the chains that bound my very existence.
I was able to actively show interest in Physis, whom I wouldn't have approached before... The released chains must have played a part.
It was fortunate that my revealed appearance was beautiful. To obtain what I wanted, I had to use everything I had.
The more I attempted to seduce him... the more I found myself being attracted to him instead. It might have seemed like I was the one tempting him, but in reality, I was the one who was tempted.
It was as if some fate was pulling me towards him, and every time I saw him, my body burned with desires, and I could see myself wanting him.
The reason I was given seven months was because of that. If I didn't make such a promise, I felt like I would be buried in him at some point and become an idiot who couldn't think of anything else.
I didn't know that love could be so frightening. It felt like I was losing myself every time I saw him.
The problem was that the fear of being consumed by that love was causing me intense ecstasy. Every time I thought of him, I was thrilled, and I was so into him that I wanted to kiss him every time I saw his face.
Right now, to the extent, if he were to come to me tonight... I would want to give myself entirely to him without hesitation.
I thought it would not be difficult to endure it. Because most of my life had been directly related to perseverance.
However... this was too difficult.
Even though it was a situation where I could easily reach out and seize what I wanted most, even though it was a situation where I could forget everything in the sweetness of it all, I had no choice but to endure endlessly so as not to do so.
The sensation in my body, which increased every day, became sharper, and whenever I thought of him in my head, I indulged in impudent delusions.
These seven months would be like an eternity
But after those seven months have passed, a trust as strong as eternity would linger by our side.
This was not a mere guess. I would make it so.
During the last National Foundation Day, didn't I realize who I am? I am arrogant, conceited, and a strong-willed dragon. I must seize what I desired, and if I had sworn to something, I must keep it.
Therefore... the covenant that I made with him for those seven months must also be kept.
"Haaah… …"
However, despite knowing that fact, restless breath escapes me. Perhaps tonight would be terribly long.
.
.
.
.
.
The next day, I woke up with groggy eyes because I had fallen asleep very late.
Deep down, I had hoped that he would come to my room, but as expected, he must have exerted his superhuman patience because he did not come to my room.
I felt both regretful and relieved, and I also had conflicting thoughts about whether I should reduce my daring actions to provoke him, while at the same time, I had thoughts on how to seduce him today.
So, I was filled with contradictory thoughts.
But fortunately, ever since we arrived at the Ortaire estate, there had been no maids or servants who looked at him with admiring eyes or showed any interest in him. In fact, some people didn't even spare a glance at him, perhaps because they had already been impressed by my previous performance at the count's family.
It was better that way. There was no need to waste energy on unnecessary monitoring. I had to use the remaining energy to prove that he was mine.
So... I followed him closely and carried out various acts of affection.
It was amazing that I could even behave like this, but I couldn't help feeling embarrassed.
However, I ignored the embarrassment and felt the rising happiness.
Reorganizing my various worries and contemplations within me was good, but just being with him and walking around like this made something thrilling pulse in my heart.
Perhaps this thrill would change into something else as we continue to be together. However, if it was based on the foundation of trust, it would become something richer than love.
That was why I endured like this...
Anyway, he was dedicated to his training today as well. When asked what he was training so hard for, he replied:
"Because you never know what will happen. It is to prepare for that time. When we return to Rodenov later… … In conjunction with Sir Lucas, I have decided to start joint training with the knights."
"Oh, really?"
"Yes. It's still okay for now, but I have a bad feeling about something. I feel like something might happen. So we should be prepared. There's no movement from the central side yet... but it won't hurt to be prepared."
"I see. By the way, do you have any plans after training today?"
"No, not really."
"Then, would you like to come on a picnic with me? It's near the wheat field."
"Oh, since the weather is good today, that's fine. Okay. Anyway, the training will end around lunchtime... so I'll coordinate with that."
"Great! Then I'll go and prepare for the picnic with Mina."
"I'll be looking forward to it."
As he smiled, I also smiled at him.
Today, it wouldn't be a bad idea to try making a dish for him myself. I was pretty confident in my cooking skills.