Published: August 15, 2025
This is the latter part of the three-part series: beginning, middle, and end.
...My heart is pounding so loudly, I can’t sleep.
I had been tossing and turning on the bed for hours.
A night visit... Lord Cyrus might come tonight. I might see him after three days.
Just thinking about it made it impossible to fall asleep.
—Come to think of it, even two days before coming to this royal palace, Lord Cyrus had been feeling unwell, and we barely exchanged words.
It wasn’t that I was dissatisfied or anxious, or disappointed in him. But still, I felt a little lonely.
I wanted to share with him every impression of Ipsandros’s long-awaited arrival—everything visible to the eye.
Even here in the Old Royal Palace, I wanted to explore with him, pointing out each harem relief, saying, “Wow, isn’t this beautiful? What could this be? So lovely!” and be excited together.
Lonely. I want to see him. I want to talk. I want to be close.
"...I want to be held."
As the words slipped out, my whole body trembled. I hugged my own shoulders tightly, squeezing hard. But it was not enough. My hands are quite large for a woman, but his hands are even bigger.
His thick palms and long, bony fingers look slender, but when you touch them, they are surprisingly thick and powerful. When he pulls me close by my shoulders, it’s so strong it’s almost frightening—I fear being crushed—but I can also feel how careful he is not to hurt me, and that makes me happy.
Warm, gentle, beloved hands. I want Lord Cyrus’s hands. Right now.
I slipped out of bed.
It was winter in Ipsandros. Although the temperature was higher than in Dilz and there was no snow, the humidity and wind made the night bitterly cold.
Still, I stepped outside without hesitation. I felt no chill at all.
The Old Royal Palace is currently uninhabited. There were no lights of anyone living there, only faint gas lamps glowing here and there.
Though visibility was hardly good, I staggered out of the harem and headed toward the sovereign’s private residence—the main hall where Lord Cyrus sleeps. Though they were adjacent, the facilities were vast and the buildings enormous. I quickened my pace, hurrying toward the palace faintly illuminated by moonlight.
The stone white walls drew closer under the moonlight—at that moment,
From straight ahead, someone was approaching.
Even from the silhouette, I could tell he was tall. Tall enough that I, average height for a woman, had to look up.
His long black hair tied at the nape of his neck and his tanned skin were swallowed by the night’s darkness, but his green eyes shone ominously bright, revealing his identity. I immediately called his name.
“Lord Cyrus.”
“Marie.”
He called my name back.
Neither of us said anything else.
Without either leading, we closed the distance at the same pace. As soon as our hands could reach, we clasped them.
Lord Cyrus grasped my cold fingers firmly and pulled me toward him. I didn’t hesitate to leap into his chest. We hugged each other tightly, the sound of our embrace audible.
Though I had so much to say, I forgot even to breathe.
We just held each other, stroking each other’s backs as if to confirm our existence. We pressed close, sharing body heat. Then we quietly pressed our lips together. Twice, thrice, pausing only to breathe before pressing again.
...Isn’t it strange? I silently spoke to Lord Cyrus in my heart.
It’s strange. Until just a year ago, we hardly knew anything about each other. Yet we lived just fine.
But somehow, he became important.
Since leaving Dilz and during the sea voyage, we were always side by side. There wasn’t a single day we didn’t hold hands. I thought that was more than enough, but I was terribly mistaken.
I’m still not satisfied. I want to fill every gap inside me with him—I want to take him inside me.
“Hold me. Tighter... tighter still.”
I begged while binding him with my arms.
Lord Cyrus granted my wish and hugged me so tightly it felt like he would crush me. My lungs were compressed and my breathing became erratic. I was happy.