Epilogue (3)
Molitia’s forehead started creasing as she was lost in thought. Raven could easily infer to whom she actually was engrossed about.
“How many more children will the maids be inviting for tomorrow?”
“That’d be nice as well.”
“I suppose that you’re going to prepare a pony for tomorrow? The weather is still quite chilly, so what should I do with my clothes…”
“Molitia, you can think about tomorrow’s work, tomorrow itself.”
His lips slowly brushed against the temples that he had been constantly thinking about. When a heave of breath was finally relieved upon contact, only then did Molitia’s lips close themselves.
“He has already gone to bed and the maid, along with the nanny will take care of the clothes instead.”
Raven’s hand had gently patted her shoulder. It also became a tacit statement that rendered alright to just leave it be.
“But…”
“My kid is strong.”
Molitia’s lips were then tightly closed.
A child which had been born from her own body. There was a concern lingering in her head for every single day that he might be frail since he looked very similar to herself. As she noticed him eating as well as Raven, it was just comforting to see that he was already as strong as Raven himself.
“And you? Have you taken your dinner pills?”
“Yes, I know.”
His head dropped as he looked at Molitia. While holding onto her slender shoulders, he plunged himself through the slight gap between her lips. After he scoured softly through her teeth, he retreated as he had minced his appetite.
“I’m sure you’ve eaten them already.”
The bitter taste that lingered in her mouth had trailed in his own mouth. It was then followed by a strong flavor of chocolate.
“I’m not even complaining anymore.”
“Really? That’s a shame. You were so cute back then—the way you looked when you were seduced by the reward.”
“Raven!”
It was clear that the Duchess, who had already given birth to a successor, would be laughed at if the rumors were to spread that she had grumbled about it. Raven, who was gazing at Molitia’s flushed cheeks, drew a faint smile.
“It is still like that actually. I can always give you a reward.”
“Are you the only one who gets a good reward?”
“How can it be just me—”
Raven, who was with all smiles, gently pushed Molitia down. The silver locks slowly curled against the soft sheet.
“Or will you be rewarding me today instead? This oh-so hardworking husband of yours.”
“What kind of reward would you like?”
“Well…”
What he desired had already been set, but he was peculiarly stretching out his words.
“What kind of reward would you like to give?”
“Well, if it’s something that I wish to give you then…”
With her eyes folded nicely, she began tugging onto Raven’s neck. As he was gently pulled in by her strength, a series of soft sensations had touched him all over.
Her tongue was moistening his dry lips as it passed by. Then, she parted her eyes gently with her lower lips still thinned.
“Is this not enough?”
“No, not so much.”
She had gotten so thirsty herself that she couldn’t be quenched even if she drank. Then, his head popped slightly before he began covering her lips whole. It was at that moment when she clung onto his neck and exerted some strength to her hands as the thrilling sensation had taken her breath away while it rang through her lower abdomen as well.
“Mother.”
A child’s voice, which seemed to be mumbling in Molitia’s ear, could be heard faintly. Was it an auditory hallucination? It had been rather a long time since she left her child with the nanny for bed.
“I wish to sleep with my mother, too.”
Molitia immediately opened her eyes when she had been touched while quivering under her thin slip. Just a step earlier, Raven had already released his lips from her mouth.
Molitia then quickly picked her clothes up.
“Irit, how did you get here?”
“I saw that my nanny was asleep and so, I sneaked out…”
Irit’s shoulders shrank at the fierce eyes of Raven’s.
“Didn’t you say you were sleepy just then?”
“It’s actually to sleep with my mother…”
The child’s words eventually grew smaller and smaller. However, she could understand it clearly without even listening properly. He was actually too brilliant to be called a merely four-year-old child. Molitia sighed before hugging the child.
“Didn’t I tell you that lying is bad?”
“I’m sorry, but—”
“You’re not supposed to excuse yourself from your own fault. It’s not too late to say something only after your mistakes are completely forgiven.”
The plump child’s forehead sank. Although she was still gentle, her firm voice had the power to make him admit his mistakes quickly—no matter what.
“I’m sorry…”
“Alright, that’s all right.”
She patted the child’s head while smiling softly. Sweet praises were necessary for a child who acknowledged their own faults.
It was during the moment that Irit, who was brightened up by her laughter, tried to laugh along as well.
“Then, you have to go back to your room, Irit.”
”I don‘t like to.”
“Irit.”
“…I’ve already come all this way to sleep with Mother.”
The child stubbornly grabbed onto the hem of his mother’s clothes and didn’t let it go. Even when Raven had grabbed the child’s waist, he still didn’t think about letting her go at all.
“Then, shall we sleep together for today?”
“Really?”
“Molitia.”
“Well, what do you think? It’s not even every day—it’ll only be for once.”
It was at that moment when his face had frowned. Molitia held the child and put him gently on the bed.
“Instead, you shouldn’t be sneaking into our room like this after today. Okay?”
“Yes, I understand!”
Molitia’s eyes softened since the sight of her child nodding vigorously was utterly lovely. However, Raven was entirely different. He barely had enough time for the two of them. The atmosphere had been good just in time, but Irit had shattered it—in pieces.