The Tyrant Won’t Let Me Go Chapter 117 - Side Story 1

 

On a sweltering summer day, Cedric Deamant was going about his usual routine.

 

A mountain of paperwork and a schedule packed to the brim.

 

It was only natural to feel a tightening in his chest and a sudden wave of fatigue as he looked at the piles of parchment that hinted at the daunting amount of work still ahead.

 

But Cedric was unfazed.

 

“Your Majesty.”

 

“Yes, Ciel.”

 

Because, beyond the desk cluttered with documents, sat his beloved partner.

 

“I have something to tell you.”

 

At her words, Cedric stopped writing.

 

‘Finally, does she need something?’

 

Ciel rarely made requests or asked for things she wanted or needed.

 

Cedric always wanted to give her everything she desired, even more than what she actually needed, and it always left him wishing she would ask for more.

 

So, he always waited for Ciel to ask him for something.

 

And on the rare occasions when Ciel did have a request, she usually prefaced it with, ‘I have something to say.’

 

“Yes, I’m listening.”

 

Cedric, excited at the chance to finally fulfill Ciel’s request, smiled brightly and put down his quill.

 

“What is it, Ciel?”

 

“Oh, it’s nothing much.”

 

Ciel spoke in her usual calm voice.

 

Cedric, curious about what words would come from her lips, pretended to sip his now lukewarm tea to hide his rising smile.

 

‘What does she want this time? How can I help her?’

 

Filled with anticipation, Cedric let his imagination run wild. He couldn’t quite guess what Ciel wanted, but he planned to give her more than she asked for.

 

Of course, Ciel always seemed flustered or troubled whenever he did that.

 

‘But if I keep doing it, she’ll get used to receiving from me.’

 

And honestly, he found her flustered expression utterly adorable.

 

As Cedric happily plotted how to surprise Ciel this time, her serene voice interrupted his thoughts.

 

“Shall we sleep together every night from now on?”

 

There was a silence that lasted about three seconds.

 

Then, the sound of a teacup shattering into pieces echoed through the office.

 

“Your Majesty!”

 

Startled, Ciel stood up and saw Cedric, still holding the teacup in the same position, with a dazed expression on his face.

 

“…What?”

 

And so, their nights together began.

 

💫

 

[Sigh, you’re really something.]

 

Caliberne muttered as she watched me rummage through Cedric’s pillow before he returned.

 

‘Don’t say anything. We can’t get caught.’

 

I deliberately didn’t speak out loud and instead communicated with Caliberne in my mind.

 

Then, I slipped a shimmering green gem into the white pillowcase.

 

[As if. What do I gain from saying anything?]

 

‘Right?’

 

After double-checking that the gem wasn’t visible from the outside, I lay down on the bed as if nothing had happened.

 

[That emperor should appreciate your efforts.]

 

Caliberne clicked her tongue as she spoke. But I shook my head in disagreement.

 

‘No, Cedric shouldn’t know.’

 

If he found out, he would just worry about me.

 

Someone who only sees me so blindly would surely be concerned if he knew what I was doing.

 

“I’m back, Ciel.”

 

At the sound of the door opening, I half-sat up and turned my head toward the door.

 

“Your Majesty, you’re here—”

 

And then, I was so shocked by the scene unfolding before my eyes that I stopped mid-sentence and closed my mouth.  

 

At the same time, Caliberne bid her farewell.  

 

[…Alright. Have a happy night, you two.]  

 

‘Wait, hold on—’  

 

Before I could properly explain anything to Caliberne, Cedric approached with a sly smile.  

 

“Did you wait long?”  

 

“No, not too long, but, um…”  

 

In the end, I tightly shut my eyes.  

 

‘There’s too much skin!’  

 

Even with my eyes closed, the image of Cedric, completely shirtless and showing off his chest muscles, lingered in my mind.  

 

Fortunately, it seemed he was still wearing his pants, but even so, I couldn’t bring myself to look at him directly and speak.  

 

“Really? That’s good.”  

 

Unlike Cedric, who kept smiling as if something was amusing, I couldn’t bring myself to laugh.  

 

“By the way, Ciel.”  

 

Suddenly, Cedric leaned in close, wrapped his arms around my shoulders, and whispered.  

 

“Why do you keep avoiding me?”  

 

“Well… it’s because you’re completely shirtless.”  

 

I subtly shifted my body back and pushed Cedric away as I spoke.  

 

“Didn’t I clearly tell you last time not to just wear a robe and to wear a proper nightshirt buttoned all the way up?”  

 

“That’s why I didn’t wear a robe.”  

 

“No, but this is even more revealing than wearing a robe.”  

 

“I’m wearing pants properly.”  

 

Cedric, who had been arguing, suddenly changed his tone and pouted, pretending to be pitiful.  

 

“Ciel, are you ignoring me just because I’m not wearing one piece of clothing? That hurts my feelings.”  

 

“No, wait a minute.”  

 

Every time he made those puppy-dog eyes, he made me look like the bad guy.  

 

When I hesitated, Cedric seemed to take it as a sign of agreement and brought his face closer.  

 

“Look at me, okay?”  

 

His hand, smelling faintly of soap and radiating warmth, cupped my cheek.  

 

Cedric, tilting my face slightly toward his, smiled with a flushed expression.  

 

As I cursed my foolish heart for pounding so loudly, I barely managed to speak.  

 

“What am I supposed to do if I can’t get used to it?”  

 

“Ah, is it too stimulating?”  

 

He hit the nail on the head. When I only sighed in response, Cedric laughed out loud and pinched my cheek.  

 

“You’ll have to get used to it now.”  

 

“Huh?”  

 

Before I realized it, my body was already leaning back. Trapped in Cedric’s embrace, with one hand gently cradling my head.  

 

“You’ll be seeing a lot more of it from now on.”  

 

I let out a soft laugh as I met his crimson eyes, which were drawing closer.  

 

“So, today is about me getting used to seeing Your Majesty shirtless?”  

 

“Exactly. That’s my Ciel.”  

 

And then, the kisses followed.  

 

On my forehead, my cheek, the corner of my eye.  

 

And finally, on my lips.

 

💫

 

Several days passed like that.

 

Either I would head to Cedric’s bedroom, or Cedric would carry me to his bedroom himself.

 

And Cedric would kiss me for quite a long time, smile at me, and bid me goodnight in a warm voice before falling asleep.

 

Beside him, I lay awake for a long time on the dark bed. I had to wait until Cedric was completely asleep.

 

‘Is he asleep now?’

 

Although it was dark, a bit of moonlight seeped through the curtains, allowing me to make out some shapes.

 

And Cedric’s face, illuminated by that faint, almost flickering light, was truly lovely.

 

Once I was certain Cedric was fully asleep, I would always gaze at his face for quite a while.

 

Looking at his peacefully sleeping face seemed to calm my heart. But seeing him lie still without tossing or turning for a while would suddenly make me anxious.

 

At those times, it felt like my heart was sinking.

 

Listening to his steady breathing in the darkness would somewhat ease my mind.

 

Whew—

 

I took out the green gemstone I had hidden in my nightclothes and pressed my lips to its cool surface.

 

As the cool sensation spread through my lips, my mind somehow became calm. I removed the gemstone from my lips and looked at the sleeping Cedric.

 

And when I was sure he was asleep, I leaned towards him.

 

‘Please.’

 

I pressed my lips against Cedric’s slightly parted lips.

 

Just as I had done every night since the first time we slept together.

 

And I made a wish. Earnestly, and then even more earnestly.

 

‘I’m sorry.’

 

If he found out that this was the reason I suggested we sleep together, he would be upset.

 

Even though I knew that, I couldn’t stop.