I Want To Be Your First – R19 - Chapter 106

Ariel lifted her head to look at Berthwald, seeming to examine Berthwald’s mood. Within her gray eyes was the reflection of Berthwald’s look of surprise.

“Precognitive dream… It’s amazing. Since you’ve gotten even this right, it seems that a typhoon would truly appear at Rach Province soon.”

As Berthwald swept up his dishevelled bangs, murmurs escaped from his lips. The gold hair that was drooping downwards naturally looked even whiter under the incandescent stones’ light.

“You’re right. I’m bound to leave for the North soon, because of Nachtfil.”

“What? Really? Why… but there’s nothing there?”

Berthwald brushed his chin while looking at Ariel’s surprised expression,

At the question that hit the bull’s eye, he agonised over whether to tell her the truth or not.

If he told Ariel that he managed to locate a wizard, no, a sage, she would be delighted now, but if the sage was a swindler or the information that they were based in Nachtfil was false information, he might not be able to handle her crestfallen appearance.

However, it would be even more suspicious if he headed to the North for no particular reason. With a calm expression, Berthwald began to ponder over how he should phrase it.

‘Should I say that I’m going to the duchy for business?’

No, it would be even more difficult if Ariel wants to come along. Berthwald frowned and tapped the sofa handle with his index finger.

‘Did I speak too frankly for nothing? I should’ve just roughly agreed that it’s an amazing dream, and lied about going up to the capital for the time being.’

His prolonged agonising came to an end with Ariel’s words.

“Oh, it will soon be the New Year. Are you, perhaps, going to receive the New Year’s blessings?”

What… blessing? New Year’s blessings?

It was a phrase that he’d never heard of before. However, from the looks of Ariel’s sparkling eyes, he had a hunch that it’s better if he pretended to understand. Berthwald tilted his head and equivocated vaguely.

“Ahh, yes. The New Year’s blessings. You’re right.”

“That’s why you’re setting off in a hurry. That’s right. The mountain only opens from the first day till the fifteenth day of the New Year… Even if you leave now, it’ll be a close call.”

“Yes, it’s a little rushed.”

Even though he had only moderately agreed, Ariel spoke happily, “So the Count also knows about that.” He didn’t forget to say, “Was it already that period?” while being surprised.

Ariel chattered on about the New Year’s blessings by herself, and suddenly held Berthwald’s hand with a worried expression.

“Mm, it’s really cold there, so it would definitely be hard to climb up there. And because of the white night during the period of blessing, it’ll be bright all day and difficult for you to sleep. You don’t have to go if it’s because of me.”

“I can’t do that. Well… it’s quite a blessing. Anyways, isn’t it quite good?”

“Oh, there’s nothing good about that. Wasn’t the sacred water that’s given there said to be a panacea? I would always drink it every year since my father is the Lord of the territory, but it didn’t work.”

“Ah… Oh dear. Is that so?”

“Well, according to the high priest, I have to continue drinking it every year for my eyes to be healed… I ‘m not too sure. It didn’t get better at all.”

A sheepish smile appeared on Ariel’s face as she rubbed her eyes with her palm.

Ariel thought of an uncomfortable smile as he rubbed his eyes with his palm.

“Anyways, Count… Please don’t go. Nachtfil is too far away. You can just stay with me. Let’s celebrate the New Year together at the mansion.”

“…Hm.”

“We can look at the sea and fly kites like we did previously. Alright?”

Her round eyes, as well as her urging appearance, caused Berthwald to waver. To think that he was celebrating the New Year with Ariel. Just hearing those words made him elated, but…

Berthwald turned his gaze to the side secretly and removed Ariel from view. While it was a sweet temptation, his determination wasn’t weak enough for him to waver now.

Berthwald overcame that temptation, and put together the words to derive the answer to the New Year’s blessing.

From the first day to the fifteenth of the New Year, the mountain is opened, and the high priest will offer sacrifices to the mountain god. After the rites, water from the mountain is collected and distributed to people with the name of sacred water…

The sacred water mentioned is the New Year’s blessing. Just like how the South used branches from white oak trees to ward off demons and misfortune during New Year, the North also seemed to have their own traditional rituals.

The New Year’s blessing. It was a simple, yet plausible excuse.

“You were still a Northerner this spring, before our marriage. So, until this year. Why don’t you take a chance and drink the blessing?”

“Up till now, it’s been of no use to me. Even if I drink it again, it won’t mean anything.”

“You never know. Your eyes might get better if you drink the sacred water this time.”

Berthwald lied smoothly with a slight curve to his eyes.

Until just a few months ago, he was the only one that was anxious as he couldn’t reach her, but now Ariel came forward and begged him to not go while holding his hand tightly. When their eyes met, the sight of her stammering mouth and restless appearance was so cute and lovely that he couldn’t stand it.

Berthwald couldn’t help but laugh as he opened his mouth.

“What’s wrong?”

“Yes?”

“You seem to be very restless. Are you sad that you won’t be able to see me for a while?”

Ariel looked away to avoid answering his direct question. She fiddled with her fingers and looked downwards, before answering with a yes in a barely discernible voice.

As soon as he heard her answer, an incomparably bright smile appeared on Berthwald’s face.

“Seriously…I can’t even bring you around with me everyday.”

He lowered his head and kissed Ariel’s forehead and eyelids. He wrapped his hands on her small cheeks to face him, and instantly swallowed the slightly parted peach-hued lips.

Surprised, Ariel tried to pull her head back, but the strong grip on her prevented her from budging, causing her to struggle while groaning. The groans disappeared into Berthwald’s throat.

Berthwald moved the hand that was on her cheek to support her nape, and gently brushed against Ariel’s back with his other hand. When Ariel arched her upper body sharply at his scratching touch on her spine, he closely adhered to his body like he had been waiting and sucked on her lips fervently.

“Cou, uh…!”

A wet groan and a muddy sigh intertwined together, increasing the air’s density.

The escaping appearance disappeared as Ariel hugged Berthwald’s neck and kissed him passionately with a red face. As that was also very beautiful, Berthwald coveted her lips roughly like he was trying to swallow them.

The white hand hugging his neck reached down to his thick chest. It wandered around the slightly raised chest muscles and slowly headed down his sides. At the tight hug, Ariel’s hands struggled by his side for a moment before falling onto the sofa.

As a groan resounded, the hand that was scratching at the sofa grabbed the pocket of Berthwald’s pants. As soon as the object in his pocket was pressed against his thigh, the mind that had left him quickly returned and evoked reason.

“Hah, oh right. This isn’t the time for that.”

“B—Berry…?”

Ariel, who’s eyes were closed with a half-dreamy expression, slowly lifted her eyelids as she was released from his embrace. From the blankly opened mouth and the reddened and rapidly blinking eyes, she seemed quite bewildered. Similarly, there was a regretful feeling from her red and swollen lips.

Her restless appearance made him want to lay her onto the floor right away. But right now, there was something else that was more important. Berthwald shoved his hand into his pocket.

“Ariel, please hold out your hand for a moment.”

“Huh? Hands? Right now? Why?”

“Hurry.”

Ariel caught her breath and extended her hands with a puzzled look. Berthwald took out a jewellery box and placed it on Ariel’s hand carefully.

“I’ll finish my work as soon as possible and return. Don’t be disappointed. This is a gift so that you wouldn’t feel lonely.”

At the word, gift, Ariel’s eyes widened. She kept looking alternately between the box in her hands and Berthwald, and shook the box with a look of curiosity.

“What is it? Is it a jewel?”

“Open it and take a look.”

Thin fingers fiddled with the box. Ariel traced the box several times and opened it clumsily after several tries.

Under the white incandescent light, two rings twinkled. Ariel used her fingers to feel the contents of the box, and moved her fingers slowly along the ring’s shape.

A sapphire the size of a mung bean was embedded in the middle of the thin ring. After Ariel deduced the shape of the ring with her fingers, she looked surprised and said, “It’s a very simple ring.”

The design of this ring was completely different from the aristocrat’s tastes, who preferred large and ornate cuttings. However, this simple design was more to Ariel’s liking.

It seems that her mother also wore something similar.

The corners of her mouth rose almost imperceptibly, and a smile that seemed somewhat embarrassed appeared on Ariel’s face.

“Is it a ring? Didn’t I already receive one at the wedding?”

“It’s not just a ring.”

Berthwald took over the box elegantly. He took out the smaller of the two rings, and inserted the ring on Ariel’s index finger after measuring the size with his eyes.

“This is quite an interesting item. Over here. There’s a main stone on the ring, right?”

“Main stone… This jewel?”

“Yes. Press down on it with your finger.”

He pulled the other hand and placed it on the sapphire, before taking his ring and leaving the room with the words, “Don’t be too surprised.”

Unable to guess what he was trying to do, Ariel blinked while sitting still.

After roughly a minute.

“Madam.”

“…Hm?”

“Can you hear me?”

“…Huh? Huh?”

A familiar voice buzzed in her head. She sprang up from her seat with surprise, and the sound waves that surrounded her instantly vanished.