By Zephyria It must be true.
Fuck, I… I think I’m a pervert.
After being fucked until I cried and fainted, my mind was surprisingly clear. Realizing I had whined out of frustration made me feel so sorry and guilty. Later, I cried and begged for forgiveness, saying I was sorry and wrong, but Ivan showed no mercy.
I couldn’t muster strength in my waist. I was just lying on my side, enduring the shame.
“…You’re awake?”
Ivan’s muffled voice came from behind me. Startled by the rustling sound as he moved, I squeezed my eyes shut, but as expected, his arm, warm and comforting, wrapped around my waist. The hand that had been gently stroking my lower abdomen moved up, and with a light touch, he grazed my still-sore nipples.
“Hick…”
“You’re awake.”
“…Why, why do you confirm it with something like this…”
“Just because I like it.”
The sensation against my back was a soft rustle. Even now, I didn’t know whether to admire him for putting on his pajamas and wearing that brooch to bed, or to be scared.
After lying there for a moment, I slowly turned my body. Ivan’s calm face showed no hint of anger.
Still, I had to say what I needed to say. I repeated the words I had mulled over all day, now that I was clear-headed.
“…I, I’m sorry…”
“For what?”
“Yesterday, well, for suddenly being so demanding…”
“Even though I enjoyed it.”
“…”
“Of course, if you’re upset, I’m upset too.”
“…”
“But I like it when you pout and act demanding. It makes me feel like you can trust me a little more now. And I think it’s really cute how you get worked up when we do something lewd… I also like learning more about you.”
“…What, what more did you learn…?”
“So, you like getting spanked on the ass, right? And hearing embarrassing things?”
“Wh-what, no, that’s not true! Absolutely not.”
“Is that so? I like it.”
“…Yes?”
“When Eric cries, saying he can’t take anymore, and gasps as if he’s dying from embarrassment, and his big penis bumps against me everywhere as he thrusts wildly, begging me to hit him just one more time… Every time that happens, I’m so happy I wish I had more than one penis.”
“…N-n-no…”
“No?”
“That’s impossible…”
“Why is it impossible? It’s fun.”
“No… Well, people only have one, you know…”
“Exactly.”
I had no idea what he meant by “exactly.” My husband, who had been spouting lewd nonsense since morning, pecked at my chin, then pressed his lips firmly against the corners of my mouth, and let out a soft, husky laugh. He was truly skilled at infuriating people.
Was he infuriating me, or arousing me? It felt like both.
So dumbfounded that I couldn’t say anything, Ivan buried his face in my collarbone and mumbled softly.
“Anyway, it’s just the two of us in this mansion for a while now. The people sent to Palmir will be the first to arrive, right? It’ll take about… three days?”
“…Yes. W-well… that’s right.”
“Shall we have breakfast after one more round?”
“…”
“Hm?”
What choice did I have? Instead of answering, I wrapped my arms around Ivan’s neck. Ivan laughed heartily and responded with a deep kiss. As we kissed and held each other, I thought to myself.
Ivan suits a hearty laugh like “Ahaha!” better than a soft chuckle like “Hoo.”
Winter passed, spring passed, and summer arrived.
The laborers who had dispersed throughout Yulan had all returned. They brought back various pieces of news. The main topics were how many boats the village originally had, how many had not returned, and the characteristics of the missing fishermen. They carried appropriate gifts and invitations, and Ivan and I personally visited some of the more promising individuals.
We gathered only those with Artifacts and took a few tourists on the Eldos Ho, venturing out to sea to see the Golden Island. The three magic defense Artifacts received from the Department of Noble Lineage Management were for me, Paul, and the captain. The Artifacts, worn on necklaces so we could carry them at all times, proved very effective.
While confirming the optimal distance at which the song was barely audible and the island came into view, watching the tourists flailing with their waists bound was terrifying, but after a few times, I grew somewhat accustomed to it and found it bearable.
Ivan frequently, or rather, quite often, contacted informants from the Noble Yearbook department. And strangely, each time, he insisted on bringing me along. We were introduced, albeit under assumed names. The woman who had first guided Ivan and me was called Windy. She said she had left Sierren over twenty years ago. Her accomplishments, imbued with experience that belied her youthful appearance, were truly fascinating.
One day, Ivan left me with Windy and departed. I didn’t know why I had to stay alone with her, but I endured the long silence. Then, on impulse, I asked something.
“…Isn’t it a bit strange that I, that is, the Baroness, am male?”
“Well, it’s not common, is it? But it was necessary.”
“…That may be, but…”
“And your relationship as a couple seems quite good, so it’s a bit late to worry about it now. In fact, same-sex relationships are more common in Yulan than in Sierren. Everyone just keeps it quiet. I myself fall for people regardless of gender, as long as I like them.”
“…Yes?”
“You look so surprised. That’s rude.”
“Ah, ah. I’m sorry. I, I didn’t expect it at all.”
“Weren’t there any around Baroness Bikoff? While people from the sea are a bit more liberal… Even in Sierren, unless it’s someone like Kiadris, I don’t think they’d go as far as throwing stones.”
“Throw stones?”
“Well, that was more than ten years ago.”
Many of the Eldos Merchant Guild laborers were from Kiadris. Among the commoners who wanted to move to the capital whenever they had the chance, there were many with strong wills and a desperate edge. Their greatest motivation was the temporary residency permit acquired through employment. I think that bastard John was also from Kiadris. It left a lingering discomfort in a corner of my heart to gain information I didn’t particularly want.
So, one day, I grabbed Ivan and asked if he really needed to go with me every time. It was fine when Ivan was by my side when we went to places like the Noble Yearbook department, but it felt strange to be left alone with Windy or someone else, waiting for Ivan.
Ivan then smiled mischievously and said something.
“My wife is suffering from jealousy, isn’t she?”
“…No, I’m not anymore…”
With us constantly being intimate like this, who else would he look for besides me? Moreover, seeing Ivan kiss my dark face, calling me beautiful, I couldn’t help but realize that my current body was his type.
And Ivan suited someone strong like me. Ivan had a rather extreme side, so someone like me was the only one who could handle him. I felt this would be the case for years to come. Thinking that brought me peace of mind.
Ivan, watching me earnestly defend my position with a smile, added another reason.
“And, since there’s no accompanying knight, I’m worried. I can’t leave you alone with peace of mind. The headquarters of the Department of Noble Lineage Management always has at least two hidden knights, so even if something suddenly happens, I can protect you.”
“…Ah.”
“Even though we’re sending news regularly, there’s no significant response, so we might have to consider going up to Palmir, the capital of Yulan, to purchase the last necessary supplies and then return to our homeland through the Kiadris territory. The land route will take a bit longer than by sea, so it would be best to travel before winter.”
“…What about the ships?”
“Unfortunately, we’ll have to keep them docked until the matter is resolved. However, Indus Bay is relatively safe from natural disasters. If we pay the sailors a stipend and ask them to maintain the ships diligently, they’ll last for several years, and we can retrieve them after everything is resolved.”
“…”
“I’ll prepare your anniversary gift again.”
“No, no… It’s not because of that…”
“Not because of what?”
“I still haven’t learned to swim.”
Ivan had once told me about his long-held dream.
I had repeated his words, about wanting to visit all five Duchies and five Kingdoms, creating a memorable event in each, and etched them into my mind.
In Yulan, we would enjoy swimming; in Biban, we would set up tents by the lake and stay up all night; in Felix, we would wear headscarves and sled on the sand; in Floyd, we would make flower rings and exchange them; and in Owen, he wanted to buy the most useless-looking item at an auction.
Since summer hadn’t arrived yet, we couldn’t leave Yulan without enjoying the sea. I stammered out these words, and Ivan laughed “Ahaha!” again.
“But, my dear, to enjoy swimming, you have to wear a swimsuit.”
“What problem does that pose?”
“Your nipples have gotten too big now.”
“…Nonsense! Don’t say such impossible things. Really, what, what is it.”
“I don’t want to show them to others.”
“…There’s no rule that you have to swim naked, or, they haven’t gotten that big!”
“Shall I take a look?”
“…”
This bastard, again.
If I meekly lifted my top at times like this, my body would become one that couldn’t be shown to others, just as he said. I was no longer intimidated by Ivan. Even if I just pursed my lips and glared, Ivan would immediately raise his hands in surrender as if he hadn’t said anything mischievous.
“Ah, sorry. Sorry. I understand. Right… In a little while, the water temperature will rise enough for us to enjoy swimming. I’ve already found a place I had in mind, shall we go there?”
“…”
“It’s called Moonstone Beach, a white sandy beach with sand fine enough to enjoy swimming. They say the sand sparkles like the moon at night.”
“…Alright. How far is it from here?”
“Well, about half a day by horse or carriage?”
“Then let’s go by horse. It’s dangerous to travel by carriage in the middle of the night.”
“No, how long do you plan to play? All day?”
“Just for a day… You don’t want to?”
“How could I not.”
I gave him a stern look, as if saying, This is the one time I’m letting it slide, so behave yourself.* Ivan laughed heartily again. Nowadays, unlike before, Ivan’s lips were often slightly upturned even when he was just idly standing there.
Seeing him like that made my heart flutter and feel proud all over again. It felt warm and ticklish, as if a salamander had settled in my chest. Am I happy? Then I’ll make you even happier. I’ll make sure you’re tied to me forever, loving only me. I reaffirmed those vows I had made many times before.