Please be Patient, Grand Duke - Chapter 112.2

The distorted shadow of the moon reflected in the center of the hot spring lake. She took his hand and leaped into the water as if embracing it.

Claude put his arms behind Canilia’s back and knees, lifting her up in a stable embrace.

Floating in the water, she couldn’t concentrate because she was too busy covering her exposed body.

“Don’t cover yourself.”

Claude kissed her lips and slowly walked through the water.

The gentle current felt like caressing her body. The surroundings became brighter than expected, making her feel embarrassed, but the sensation of relaxation as her body grew weary was pleasant.

Lia pressed her lips against Claude’s wounded skin. As her tongue flicked across his body like a beast licking a wound, his body stiffened.

Claude brushed aside her hair and kissed her cheek, forehead, and lips. Then he submerged her body in the water and gently caressed her softened skin.

Canilia looked up at him with trembling eyes and took a deep breath. A faint warmth emanated from his solid shoulders like marble.

Her spread-open chest was as firm as stone, but her skin was as soft as silk.

“Do you like it?”

“It’s warm…”

“You did well by coming in.”

“Yes.”

He gently placed her on the rock in the middle of the lake, watching her with concern as she seemed less talkative than usual. Canilia gathered her knees as a sudden chill ran through her. But as he spread her legs and kissed her thighs, her mind cleared.

“What do you think about Luan’s proposition?”

“…I thought it was like a dream.”

“That’s all?”

He seemed somewhat dissatisfied with Luan’s appearance, but Canilia had nothing but different thoughts in her mind.

A droplet of water hanging from her eyelashes rolled down.

“Did Marilyn Shelby… by any chance, try to kill you?” Not liking the question, Claude answered by biting gently on the inside of her thigh. Canilia pushed his shoulder without even realizing that her legs were getting wet.

“Tell me. I heard it clearly… Marilyn said to forgive her and that she would follow soon.”

“Revenge. Revenge ultimately breeds more revenge.”

He wiped his wet lips with the back of his hand and slipped his pinky finger into hers. Canilia couldn’t take her eyes off his face as he mentioned revenge.

“She caused this wound… didn’t she?”

Canilia gently stroked the scar in the center of her chest with a trembling hand.

When she heard about the mining accident from Luan, her world had already collapsed once. Her body and mind had been beaten to a pulp by the despair that he might have died.

Fortunately, he was unharmed, but even just recalling that time made her blood rush to her fingertips. She still felt nauseous and dizzy.

“No, I really…”

Her nostrils turned red.

The muscles in his jaw stiffened as he looked down at his fingertips caressing her wounds.

Splash! With a sound, she was sucked into the water.

He pulled Canilia’s hand, dragging her into the water, and forcefully thrust his lips, which had become tense, into hers. His tongue dug in fiercely, as if trying to steal her breath, swirling down to the root. Teeth clashed, and the delicate flesh quickly swelled.

They gasped for air, then once again lunged at each other as if devouring each other. Her hair, resembling moonlight, spread out like ripples on the surface of the pond, and their breaths tangled roughly.

“Be jealous.”

He whispered. Her mind, eroded by a place hotter than the temperature of the water, suddenly cleared.

Canilia shook her head like a spoiled child.

“That’s not a ladylike virtue.”

“Will you wound me? Pierce me. You can add your wounds on top of the ones you inflict on me.” Enraged by the absurd words, she slapped Claude’s shoulder.

“Don’t say nonsensical things! I won’t cause you any harm, not even a little bit.”

He brushed aside Canilia’s hair that clung to his face and dove deep into the water. A place where no sound could be heard. All they could see in the clear water were each other’s eyes.

It felt as if her heart was painfully stinging, just like that day long ago, and her breath was heavier than usual.

Canilia reached out her hand and pulled his neck close. Unlike when they ran away, they kissed for a very long time.

*****

“Never again! You mustn’t do this. Do you understand? If you keep getting wounded, how can I bear to look at Madam’s face!”

Ignoring Carso’s nagging, Canilia buried her face in Claude’s chest for no reason. The doctor who had come a while ago took out a syringe after seeing Claude’s swollen wounds.

The doctor warned that it might cause a fever instead of relieving the inflammation, as he removed Canilia’s wet bandages and sighed once again.

Carso paced back and forth, saying they were both the same.

“We have to part ways tomorrow. So please, understand. There are still 20 more days until my return.”

Claude said, covering Canilia’s face as she dozed off tiredly. It was Carso who was surprised by his words. Naturally, Carso thought Canilia would be taken to Del Casa. He closed his mouth, frustrated by the futile decision of the Grand Duke.

“Carso.”

Claude called out to Carso as he was about to leave the lodge. With a sullen expression, Carso turned around and replied, “Yes?”

“You did well. Regardless of the outcome, you made the best choice.”

“If only I had been more careful, my brother wouldn’t have been hurt.”

“If you feel guilty, then work harder.”

“I will! And as soon as we return, I will find the top scorer and consider them as my attendant. I will truly…!”

Claude pressed his lips with his index finger while looking at the determined Carso. His brow furrowed.

“That won’t do. The top scorer… she’ll be busy playing the role of my wife.”

In an instant, Carso’s expression faded, unable to grasp the meaning of Claude’s words. Then, realizing belatedly that he was referring to Canilia, he was surprised, his mouth agape.

“So, now go and rest. If someone asks, I’m busy. As you can see, my lady won’t let go of me.”