Chapter 30 - Sweet Traces Part 30: You Are Like a Rose

Luciano was too close, his warm breath brushing against Filia's neck, the exposed nape of her neck almost touching her lips.Filia could easily bite through.With a hint of remaining rationality, Filia pushed Luciano away with difficulty, managing to utter a few words."Commander, please restrain yourself."Perhaps due to the influence of his blood on her, despite verbal rejection, Filia's tone sounded strangely welcoming.Understanding that Filia was starting to feel disoriented, Luciano opted for silence. Since she wasn't biting his neck, he decided to embrace her instead.Before long, Filia's desire for blood overwhelmed all the sober voices in her head.As two small fangs pierced the skin again, Luciano couldn't hold back either.The low growl in his throat traveled far across this garden-like solitary planet on that luminous night...Filia couldn't recall how she got through that bright night. Even if she regained her senses at some point, she didn't resist Luciano anymore. After waking up in the morning, she contemplated divorce. She no longer wanted to undertake the task of making Luciano a better husband.Dressed and packed up, Filia didn't speak to the figure still lying silently on the ground, half-covered with a blanket. After finishing her preparations, she walked away alone, leaving the scoundrel behind until he woke up.A few minutes later, the scoundrel caught up with her."What's wrong? Are you angry?"Luciano spoke, reaching out to grab Filia's arm."I'm not, no... dare."Filia tried to shake off the scoundrel's hand, but he held on tight. Despite several attempts to break free, she remained firmly caught."Feeling guilty for sleeping with a married man? Heh heh, but last night, you also...""Luciano, that's enough!"Frustrated, Filia shouted, finally breaking free from Luciano's grip to continue walking ahead.Yet as she began to move, Luciano pulled her back, pinning her against the thick stem of a lily flower. Above them, a large cluster of white lilies swayed gently in the wind."Can't handle a little discomfort, eh?"Immobile under Luciano's restraint, Filia neither wanted to speak nor cry. Tears welled up slightly, but she held them back, her eyes reddening after a few suppressions."Look at me."Filia: "...""Fine, you don't have to look at me. I'll ask you one thing: do you love me?"Love him?He asked Athena if she loved him?!Gritting her teeth, Filia finally raised her gaze."Why should I love you? Just because you're a commander, am I obligated to love you? Don't think that sleeping with you means I care for you. It was you who seduced me, and I couldn't resist the temptation...""But I love you." Before Filia could finish speaking, Luciano interrupted with those words."I love you, very much. I love you to the point of wanting to give you my entire world. We werewolves uphold absolute fidelity in marriage, I will never betray my wife. Besides, I am a White Wolf; it is our family tradition that our backs belong only to our beloved. Even in the face of death, this cannot be changed."With these heartfelt words, Luciano's deep affection left Filia speechless."Vivi, initially, I thought marrying you was just a mission to complete, but I was wrong. This isn't merely a task—it's a gift bestowed upon me by the heavens. You are like a rose to me, quietly budding in my heart, then growing wildly, blossoming into a garden of flowers."As Filia was taken aback by this sudden confession, Luciano gently cupped her face, removing the mask from her face bit by bit.Her delicate face finally reappeared before Luciano's eyes."My lady, you are most beautiful this way."With those words, Luciano lowered his head and kissed Filia, who was now tear-streaked.The kiss ended only when Filia's legs grew weak.Resting against Luciano, Filia gradually regained her composure."When did you realize I was me?""When you found me on Planet 4-28, I recognized you.""How is that possible? Didn't you see me in a video before?" Filia couldn't figure out how she had exposed herself so early; she had unmasked herself prematurely!"I could smell it," Luciano replied truthfully with a smile."Smell it? How is that possible? I never wear perfume. Do I have a distinct scent?""It's not your scent, it's a mark. When I first saw you and recognized you as my wife, you bore my mark. In a werewolf-destined love, there is an indelible scent left on the beloved.""Oh, that's why. So, what does my scent smell like?"As Filia raised her head and looked at the indulgent Luciano, anticipating him to divulge the truth, she was met with a surprising response."I won't tell you, it's my scent.""You? Well, I can't smell it anyway." Filia hesitated to confront her husband, feeling uneasy about hiding her military enlistment from him initially. He hadn't cheated, just made her jealous, but she felt a pang of guilt.Pushing the man beside her away, Filia frowned."Luciano, you knew it was me all along; you teased me, spread rumors with me. I felt terrible.""Hah, I almost forgot. You're the wife of the Star Alliance Air Force Commander, pretending to be someone else, joining Alpha. Do you think you did the right thing?""How am I wrong? Am I not exceptional? What's wrong with letting others know that their wife is Athena? Are you ashamed?" Filia began to lose her rationality.Seeing her like this, Luciano sighed."I was wrong, my dear, I was wrong. I just wanted to tease you. Don't be angry, see, I took three days off just to take you out."As he comforted her, Luciano wrapped his arms around Filia's shoulders.Familiar with such tactics, Filia leaned on Luciano, continuing to walk alongside him."So, this is my R-Ranked mission. And who did you ask for leave from?""I granted it myself. After being busy for so long, I needed to make time to accompany my beloved wife.""Oh, I see. Then, I forgive you."