The Tyrant Won’t Let Me Go Chapter 123 - Side Story 7

 

His crimson eyes seemed to flicker for a moment.  

 

“Ciel, I can’t sleep again.”  

 

Cedric, who had positioned himself above me after trapping me between his arms, spoke in a coaxing tone.  

 

His eyes, gleaming like mesmerizing rubies, curved softly once more.  

 

Though his intentions were obvious, I couldn’t bring myself to dislike it.  

 

In fact, it was rather endearing.  

 

“The Sun of the Empire should get some rest. You have work again tomorrow.”  

 

“But I don’t think I can sleep because of you.”  

 

His long fingers reached toward my lips.  

 

Gently brushing his index finger against my lower lip, his touch was as careful and tender as handling glass artwork.  

 

“This is all your fault. You told me to wear full pajamas and button them all the way up to the neck.”  

 

“Oh? Should I stop wearing them then?”  

 

“No. Absolutely not.”  

 

“Isn’t your answer a little too blatantly quick?”  

 

“Well, so what?”  

 

Cedric grinned as he began undoing the buttons of his pajama top with one hand.  

 

“Anyway, what I’m saying is—play with me.”  

 

As I nodded, Cedric immediately pressed his lips against mine.  

 

The kiss was so relentless, as if trying to devour me, that I closed my eyes.  

 

“Your Majesty…”  

 

“Cedric.”  

 

He corrected me, pressing a kiss to the corner of my eye.  

 

“Call me Cedric.”  

 

His voice was tender, dripping with affection.  

 

I nodded in response, and Cedric laughed as he pulled me into his embrace.  

 

💫

 

The next morning arrived.  

 

“Ugh…”  

 

“Ciel, are you in a lot of pain?”  

 

“Yes…”  

 

Not being able to open my eyes was one thing, but my entire body ached terribly.  Even after returning from expeditions, I had never been in this much pain.  

 

‘Just wait till I recover. I won’t let this slide, seriously…’  

 

This was all Cedric’s fault. He was the culprit who lured me in with that tempting face of his and reduced me to this state.  

 

Once my body recovers, I’ll make him pay.  

 

‘How many hours did he even put me through this?’

 

I wanted to scold Cedric right then and there, but my voice was completely gone from exhaustion.  

 

The only word I could manage was a weak, “Yes.”  

 

“Should I get you some water?”  

 

“Yes…”  

 

“You probably can’t go to work today, right? Should I tell Paul to inform the knight order?”  

 

“Yes.”  

 

“Look at me, Ciel.”  

 

With great effort, I opened my eyes and met Cedric’s gaze.  

 

Studying my condition carefully, he wore a guilty expression.  

 

“I’m sorry…”  

 

I really wanted to hit him, but I had no strength left—neither to move nor to think.  

 

“Should I have them bring tea? And breakfast here too, right?”  

 

I couldn’t even focus on Cedric’s words anymore.  

 

All I could do was weakly repeat, “Yes.”  

 

‘He already knows exactly what I’d say anyway.’

 

I kept nodding with my eyes closed.  

 

“I’ll have them prepare a bath. You can wash up as soon as you wake up.”  

 

“Yes…”  

 

“And the staff will come by to clean the cabinet later. They’ll arrive around 3, so stay in your room until then. I’ll come get you after my meeting. Okay?”  

 

“Yes…”  

 

“Oh, and should we get married next month?”  

 

“Yes…”  

 

Still nodding mindlessly with my eyes closed, it took me about three seconds to snap them open.  

 

“Wait, what did you just say?”  

 

“You clearly said ‘Yes.’”  

 

Cedric grinned.  

 

“No takebacks.”  

 

Seeing his annoyingly radiant face, I finally realized—  

 

‘I got tricked again…’

  

He deliberately asked, knowing exactly what I’d say in this state. His childhood habits hadn’t faded—if anything, they’d only grown worse.  

 

“Don’t give me that ‘I got tricked again’ look. Does it bother you?”  

 

Seriously, has this man been inside my head or something? The more he acted like he knew me inside out, the more irritated I became.  

 

“Your Majesty shouldn’t look so smug about it.”  

 

I scowled, and Cedric chuckled, amused, as he tucked my hair behind my ear.  

 

“Why not?”  

 

“I kind of expected it. You probably already had everything prepared in the background.”  

 

“Wow, spot on. You’re right. All the paperwork’s done, and the ceremony can happen anytime.”  

 

‘Of course. He never strays from expectations.’

 

Being this consistently predictable is almost impressive.  

 

“Honestly, if we wanted to, we could get married next week. But that would make everyone’s schedules too tight, so it’s better not to rush.”  

 

“Yes, next week would be a bit…”  

 

“Right. So, next month it is.”  

 

Cedric emphasized again.  

 

“We’re getting married next month, understood?”  

 

“Excuse me, but why are you talking as if you’ve successfully tricked me into a fraudulent marriage contract with some elaborate scheme? We’re already in a relationship, you know?”  

 

I sighed and shot him a glare.  

 

“Honestly, no matter when or how you asked, I would’ve said yes anyway.”  

 

Wasn’t he asking me to live with him for over 80 years already close enough to a proposal?  

 

Not to mention, even Caliberne has been asking when we’d finally get married.  

 

“At this point, we’re already sharing a bed. Wouldn’t it be weirder if we *didn’t* get married?”  

 

“Fair point.”  

 

Cedric chuckled and patted my head.  

 

“So, next month. You agree, right?”  

 

“I don’t mind. As long as the people preparing the ceremony aren’t overworked.”  

 

“That department was the one who subtly suggested next month in the first place.”  

 

“Oh, really…?”  

 

“Yep. So, the conclusion is—we’re getting married next month. Now, get some more sleep. You still look exhausted.”  

 

“And whose fault is that?”  

 

“Sorry…”  

 

“Don’t come near me tonight.”  

 

“That’s too cruel.”  

 

Just as we were bickering, someone knocked urgently on the door.  

 

“Your Majesty, you really must leave now!”  

 

At the genuinely rushed tone, Cedric reluctantly stood up.  

 

“I’ll be back. Rest well.”  

 

“Got it. You should hurry—you’ll be late.”  

 

“Yeah. Oh, and—”  

 

Cedric met my eyes and grinned.  

 

“I’m going to propose to you properly with a grand ceremony, so be mentally prepared.”  

 

If Cedric considered it ‘grand,’ then by my standards, it would undoubtedly be unimaginably extravagant.  

 

A wave of unease washed over me, and I opened my mouth to protest.  

 

“Wait, no, this is enough, what else are you plann—”  

 

“I’ll be back.”  

But Cedric, looking utterly pleased with himself, flashed a bright smile and left the room.  

 

As the door clicked shut, I stared at it for a moment before shaking my head.  

 

‘Well, whatever.’  

 

At this point, I might as well let things unfold as they will.  

 

Right now, all I wanted was to go back to sleep.

 

💫

 

The sun was shining brightly, a clear summer day without a single cloud in the sky.  

 

On such a beautiful day, Cedric and I were to be joined in marriage.  

 

Many wonderful people who had stood by us during difficult times came to celebrate with us.  

 

The ministers who had assisted Cedric, Paul, the knights I had grown up with, the attendants, and the handmaidens.  

 

The imperial mages, led by Kashuel, and the members of the magical research division.  

 

And even Persephine and Felix, who had traveled from afar to congratulate us on our new beginning.  

 

Surrounded by those who had always supported us and would continue to cheer us on in the future, the person I loved most stood before me.  

 

“Do you, the groom, vow to cherish, care for, and love the bride for the rest of your life?”  

 

“Yes.”  

 

His answer came before even a second had passed after the officiant finished speaking.  

 

Trying my hardest not to laugh at Cedric’s eagerness, I turned my gaze to the officiant.  

 

“Do you, the bride, vow to cherish, care for, and love the groom for the rest of your life?”  

 

The answer was already decided.  

 

Not even death could sever the bond between Cedric and me. I intended to add another promise to the resilient thread of fate we had woven through countless small vows, making it an even stronger bond.  

 

“Yes.”  

 

As I answered, Cedric smiled brightly, looking truly overjoyed, and the guests began applauding in celebration.  

 

“With this, I declare the two of you now bound in matrimony.”  

 

And at last, I had truly become Cedric’s wife.  

 

“Now, we will proceed with the ring exchange. Groom first.”  

 

Holding my hand tenderly, Cedric, with a faint blush on his cheeks and a radiant smile, slipped the ring onto my finger.