They giggled like children as Benedikt carried her in his arms across the hallway of their residence.
They spent the entire afternoon in the garden, leisurely talking and genuinely enjoying each other's company after what felt like an eternity of barely spending time together. None of the employees dared to disturb their intimate moment and continued to stay out of their way.
Just once did Takane bring them some refreshments in a very subtle and polite manner. She had carefully slipped the tray with various drinks and snacks through the door without disturbing their conversation. Benedikt and Yumiko talked and talked and although it was nothing of great interest, the simple gesture of being able to just blabber on freely was comforting.
The sun began to set when Benedikt finally decided to carry her to the dining hall. She halfheartedly protested but held onto him tightly with a big grin as he walked them from the garden inside the house.
It has been way too long since they last shared a meal in the dining hall and Benedikt felt almost awkward entering the room which suddenly seemed unfamiliar to him. Their dinner was served quietly, the employees tried to be as inconspicuous as possible. It was clear that everyone wanted for their dear Prince and Princess to indulge in that rare moment for as long as possible.
They also found joy in seeing them being happy.
Benedikt wasn't so sure if he even tasted anything, he was too invested in their lighthearted banter to pay any attention to the dishes that were served.
They could have served him the most vile things and he still wouldn't have been bothered by it as he simply enjoyed watching Yumiko eat and talk.
He once heard her mother say that there were times when Yumiko was still a child, that she would feel full by just watching her daughter eat to her heart's content. Now he understood what she meant as he watched over her every movement.
Apparently there was a saying on the eastern continent that when one is happily in love, merely water is enough to survive as the sole feeling of love shall keep one full.
He nodded in agreement by himself as the thought crossed his mind. He wouldn't want anything else but to have the possibility to continue loving her to his heart's content. Benedikt couldn't have cared less about royal titles or prestige.
He simply wanted to enable her to live the life she deserved.
"Is something on your mind?" Yumiko asked him from across the table, tilting her head questioningly. They had finished their dinner already.
"Yes." Benedikt snapped out of his thoughts without elaborating further.
"May I know what keeps my husband's mind so occupied?"
Benedikt began to grin. He always liked it when she referred to him directly as her husband. That was a title worth fighting for and probably the only title he ever truly wanted.
"Please pardon my rudeness. I didn't intend to exclude you, my dearest, from my thoughts. My attention shall be yours undivided." He couldn't suppress his smile as he spoke.
Yumiko frowned, unsatisfied with his vague answer.
He chuckled.
"I was distracted by the thought that my feelings towards you are the only thing in the world that makes my humble life worthy. I am indeed a lucky man, bestowed by the gracious mercy of the Heavens to call you mine." Benedikt was serious about that.
Yumiko's frown deepened but she smiled at him, unsure where this sudden burst of charming praise came from. "Oh my, you could have been a great poet. Whatever slumbers deep inside you must be of great artistic value."
"I think it is you, my sole audience, that determines if I am fit to be a poet. And it is also you, who inspires me to explore my more sensitive sides," he smirked as he spoke, observing her every expression.
A smile played around her lips. Yumiko leaned back into her seat. He saw that she was willing to play along.
"Then, my dearest poet, please give me the same feeling of awe once again with your beautifully elaborate words. Impress me." She challenged him.
His grin deepened. "Nothing could be easier than that."
Benedikt slightly tilted his head as he let his eyes wander along Yumiko's figure. As if he was making a mental note for every detail, he took his time to observe her.
She sat comfortably in the chair, leaning back, her hands politely on the table playing with the tea cup in front of her.
She had a lovely smile on her lips and a few strands of her dark hair hung loosely in her face.
Although he had never indulged himself in any real poetry or literature as a form of pastime, he knew exactly how to phrase whatever he felt towards Yumiko.
It was as if all the words and expressions came pouring out of his mind, trying to find their way out and wanting to be heard by her.
"I see in front of me a figure so enchanting that I can barely trust my foolish eyes that are trying to tell me that she is human. Though, it isn't only my eyes that are trying to convince me of this wrongful assumption. My mind, too, is plotting against me and my rationality. How can a woman be beautiful from deep within and also from the outside? How can her gorgeous soul shine through every single movement, every action? It is almost a waste to this world that her existence alone brings so much elegance and blissful mercy upon us," Benedikt had gotten up from his seat and walked slowly around the table, approaching Yumiko while he was speaking. Not once did he break away his gaze from her.
She progressively looked more embarrassed and overwhelmed the more he spoke. He liked it when she was flustered to the point that she couldn't hide it anymore. It would show him that even the disciplined and proper Yumiko wasn't able to withhold his boldness.
"But what can my humble, worthless soul say towards the woman who gave him nothing but value to his own existence? What else is there to say…," he stopped beside her, leaning casually against the table. His right hand carefully interlocked with her fingers that were wrapped around the white porcelain cup. She didn't look up at him, but faced their fingers that were intertwining on the wooden table while he paused for a moment. "...but the most obvious?" Benedikt squeezed her fingers between his, gently yet firmly and still observing her every expression. He leaned forwards with his upper body closing onto her, brushing his lips on her cheeks as he whispered in her ear. "I love you."
He heard her gasping quietly and kissed her earlobe as he straightened himself back up again. She raised her hand in surprise and touched where he had just kissed her so cheekily.
He grinned upon seeing her blushed face. They hadn't really said those words to each other so directly before. Most of the time their actions spoke louder and if there was a form of expressing their feelings, they would usually use different words and phrases to describe it.
None of them ever used the simple and most obvious word: Love.
Although, it was clearly exactly what they felt for each other, it just never came over their lips.
Benedikt freed Yumiko's hand and instead cupped her face, so carefully and delicately as if she could break any second. He directed her to face him and a warm wave of affection came over him. It heated him up from within, healed his tired mind and relaxed his sore body.
"Aishiteru."
His voice came out confidently as he spoke in yashimin.
Yumiko raised her eyebrows in surprise, her entire expression softened up so much and she gave him a smile so endearing and tender that he could feel his own heart melting.
"Watashi mo, aishiteru."
She replied to him with the same confidence despite looking so overwhelmingly touched. His heart was beating fast, excitingly and incredibly relieved.
Hearing those words were such a simple confirmation of what he was rightfully assuming all this time already. And yet it gave him so much happiness that it was almost unbearable.
Yumiko slowly stood up from her chair and was almost at his height as he was still leaning against the dining table. She put her hands on his upper body, knowingly wandering upwards to his face.
He could see that she was focused, her fingers were inspecting his expression, trying to see what he looked like and he gave her all the time and freedom to do so.
She ran her soft fingertips along his eyebrows, the bridge of his nose, the corners of his eyes and lips.
It all made his heart beat even faster.
Benedikt tried to calm down his breathing, keeping composure.
But it was difficult, having Yumiko standing so close in front of him and her fingers curiously running along his face was indeed something intimate. The dining hall was dimly lit by the electric lights on the ceiling, but the main source of light came from the countless candles.
Their warm, flickering light made this entire moment even more sensual. At least to him, since she wouldn't be affected by that.
At last as a gesture of mercy she stood up on her toes, pushed upwards and kissed him on the lips as she was holding his face.
Her assertiveness caught him by surprise, that was very bold of her. But he liked it, indulging in her brazenness.
Benedikt let out a sigh and wrapped his arms around her slender body, intensifying the kiss.
If he were to die now right at this moment, he would certainly and without a doubt die as a happy man.
After what felt like an eternity and a brief second at the same time, he put her arms around his neck and skillfully lifted her up in his arms. Yumiko let out a laugh of surprise, holding onto him even tighter. He smiled at her and continued to kiss her as he carried her out of the dining hall and towards their bedroom.
As he carefully put Yumiko down on the bed he showered her with kisses all over. Not leaving even one single part of her bare skin untouched.
Countless hot kisses traced along her body as if he was dying of thirst and she was the water that he needed so desperately.
Burning hot shivers rushed in waves through Yumiko's body and it became clear to her that she had missed the intimacy with Benedikt probably just as much as his proactive presence in her daily life. The thought of desiring him in a way of wanting him to desire her as a woman was embarrassing, almost shameful. But Yumiko also knew that although it was scandalous to even put it into words, it was simply what she truly felt and it felt liberating to be able to let those thoughts pass and occupy her mind. At the same time it was something that she would never speak aloud, especially outside of their bedroom. However, right now she allowed herself to drown in the burning passion that seeped through Benedikt's hands and lips onto her. It embraced her entire mind and body like a spell. She could feel exactly how he felt as his every movement, his panting, sighing and the way his hands were running along her trembling body were so clear to her.
Although she had to learn these new emotions of desire and lust just after their marriage, it all came so natural to her. The desire and lust that Benedikt openly showed her were so raw and unfiltered that despite hearing and learning about their shameful nature felt wrong. They were the purest and easiest to understand to Yumiko. She didn't have to pay attention to every single nuance of his voice or tone. His very being during these kinds of moments spoke clearer and louder than any description with words could ever accomplish.
Benedikt began loosening up her kimono as he kissed her neck. His eager kisses were followed by teasing bites and he would repeat that all over again. It sent shivers down her spine.
His hands were gentle yet hasty as if he was in a hurry. She too felt the urge to get rid of all the fabrics that separated them, wanting to feel entirely close to him.
Yumiko heard him sigh deeply as she helped him to remove the layers of her kimono, presenting her bare skin underneath the fine silk. There was a brief moment where his rushed movements stopped. She could feel his eyes on her, burning onto her skin and for a second she felt embarrassment.
"You are so beautiful," he whispered under his breath as he came closer and kissed her collarbone.
She smiled and a moan of enjoyment escaped through her lips as he began caressing her breasts with his hands and mouth.
Her hands reached for his head and held onto his soft hair as she arched her back against him. She wanted him to continue.
Yumiko bit her lower lip to hold back the moans and sighs that wanted to escape.
Benedikt reached out one of his hands, his thumb slid between her lips, opening up her mouth.
"Don't hold back, let me hear your voice." Benedikt's voice came out rougher and deeper as usual. It gave her goosebumps.
It felt like he was losing his composure and struggled to hold back. Yumiko enjoyed that side of him, so unrestrained and unmasked. He carried his emotions openly, while trying not to overwhelm her too.
It made her want to tease him, challenge his rationality.
Yumiko closed her lips around his thumb and traced her tongue around his finger inside her mouth.
She could hear Benedikt gasp, stopping in his caressing once again to look up.
Her heart was beating so loud and quick and the heat that came in waves from between her legs was intoxicating, sending shivers all the way into her own fingertips.
She smiled with her lips still closed.
"May I say that I am pleasantly surprised? However, I am already trying my very best to hold back. Your Royal Highness Yumiko, you are not of great help," he panted. His breaths came out quick and short.
Yumiko decided to not reply and instead opened her mouth, turned her face towards the palm of his hand around her chin and licked in between his other fingers with her tongue. She felt him jolt with his body but he didn't move away from her.
She kept her grin as she did that and heard Benedikt moan in frustration. The feeling of success and accomplishment rolled over her upon hearing him.
Just as much as he was able to make her lose her composure and control, she too was capable of doing that to him.
"Yumiko," he whispered her name in frustration. The heat within her body rose into her head, clouding it, filling her mind and replacing it with her rationality.
Benedikt made a sound that reminded Yumiko of a growl, she had never heard him make that noise before but she felt the intensity of his distress. He continued to caress her chest with his lips and tongue and proceeded to actively put two of his fingers into her mouth.
Yumiko didn't hesitate and swirled her tongue around his fingers.
Benedikt then freed his fingers from the inside of her mouth and put them in between her legs with gentle yet firm pressure. Yumiko gasped in surprise and lust. She arched her back against his fingers, clasping the bedsheets around her.
Waves of pleasure swept over her from where he was touching her and she couldn't hold back the sounds coming from her mouth. Since it had been a while it felt even more intense.
Benedikt's panting mixed with her moans and it filled all of her senses.
Her legs began to tremble and Yumiko gave into the pleasure that Benedikt caused with his fingers inside of her. He also leaned over her again and kissed her breasts, fondling them too with his other hand.
It was pure euphoria.
Although she wanted to enjoy that intense handling by Benedikt for a while longer, she also wanted him to experience the pleasure that she felt. So she tried to relax her trembling body, focused and got up with her upper body. Benedikt looked up, but his hand between her legs didn't even stop for a second. It was difficult for Yumiko to grasp a proper thought.
She wanted to know what expression he made right now.
"Do you want me to stop?" His voice was questioning carefully. Without hesitating even for a brief moment Yumiko shook her head.
She put her hand on his broad shoulder. "I want you to lay down." Yumiko was surprised by her own voice that sounded raspy and out of breath.
Benedikt gave way, pulled out his fingers and obediently laid down next to her on the bed.
Yumiko wasn't all so sure about what to do next, but she tried to follow what simply felt right. His breathing was still loud and agitated.
Yumiko rolled around and sat on top of his stomach, he gasped and sighed.
Benedikt was still wearing his clothes so she proceeded to move her hands upwards along his firm chest. She could feel his muscles underneath the fabric of his shirt and vest.
"Yumiko," he grunted in frustration. "You can't possibly imagine the sight that you are presenting to me right now."
She smiled.
According to his reactions, his panting and the undeniable bulge that occasionally grazed her behind she could at least assume that he must feel the same way as her.
She slowly started to unbutton his vest that had a velvety texture. Then her hands would find their way to the very top of his shirt.
The heavy breathing that lifted and lowered his chest came in quicker intervals.
Yumiko unbuttoned the cotton shirt, each button with care and attention. Her fingers had to get used to the unusual movement.
It was a weird sensation sitting on top of him with her bare skin.
She unfolded the shirt, but didn't try to take it off from him. Yumiko now ran her hands over his naked chest. Benedikt sighed loudly.
She slowly slid backwards until she was sitting on his thighs. Both of his hands grasped her legs. Holding on to them tightly.
Yumiko's hands began trying to open his pants and Benedikt's breathing now came in even shorter intervals, heavy and with a moan.
His reactions sparked something within her that made her overcome even the last bit of hesitation and worries.
Impatiently she managed to fumble open the buttons of his pants, revealing his stiff erection underneath it. Benedikt moaned loudly.
Yumiko got up, leaned forwards and tried to kiss him on the lips, still hovering with her naked body over him.
As they kissed she used her right hand to position his erection and slowly sat back down on him, inserting him inside of her. Benedikt gasped in shock.
Yumiko let out a sigh, trying to control her breathing.
The feeling was so much more different than his fingers, so much more intense and it felt like he could fill her up completely. Shivers went down her spine.
It seemed like Benedikt stopped breathing, his hands were wrapped tightly around her waist.
"It feels incredibly good," he groaned.
Yumiko grinned, biting on her lower lip.
This is exactly what she wanted.
She finally completely sat down on him, taking in the sensation within her that spread to every corner of her body. She could feel her fingertips tingle and the trembling feeling in her lower stomach was numbingly good.
After getting used to the feeling she then proceeded to move upwards only to lower herself again. With each thrust she became more confident and quickened her pace.
The way he would reach into every corner within her made her shudder each time she would push down.
Together they enjoyed the pleasure, immersing themselves in it as if it was only them and their raging passion for each other in this world.
In between changing the positions, drowning in the euphoric waves and the various caresses, they would take breaks, holding each other tightly. Benedikt once even carried Yumiko to the adjacent bathroom to wipe her body gently with a warm towel. Only to continue on with the bodily passions that they felt towards each other.
Finally, as they whispered loving words they fell into a deep slumber that wasn't disturbed even after the sun had risen.