Giving the couple some privacy, Alon quietly stepped out of the greenhouse. The door closed softly behind him, leaving only silence and the faint sound of leaves moving in the warm air.
Though Draen still didn't let Lewis move away.
When Lewis tried to shift and sit on another chair, Draen's arm tightened around his waist, gently but firmly keeping him on his lap. It wasn't forceful but it was clear he didn't want to let go.
His hands kept moving slowly, resting and lightly caressing Lewis' stomach. The area was still sensitive, especially after the mark had fully settled. For days, Draen had been careful, only giving him soft kisses and quiet cuddles so Lewis wouldn't get tired.
But now, his touches lingered a little longer.
"Ugh… haa… Y-Your Grace…?" Lewis spoke softly with voice shaking a little. He tried to hold Draen's hands, not really pushing them away, just trying to calm himself. His face even turned red when he felt Draen's lips brush lightly against his neck.
"Yes," Draen answered in a low voice, still close to him. "I'm listening. You can tell me anything, my bride."
"It's not about that…" Lewis said quickly, embarrassed. "Y-Your Grace, can you… listen to what I want to say first?"
Draen let out a quiet hum before finally lifting his head slightly. "Alright. What is it? Tell me, my bride."
Lewis hesitated, then spoke softly, "It's about… my uncle."
The moment he said that, Draen stopped.
His hand froze and the warmth in his expression changed for just a second. He lifted his head completely and looked at Lewis' side profile. There was something cold in his eyes, something hidden.
Even the knights outside, though far away, could feel the sudden tension in the air.
"…Do you want to see him?" Draen asked calmly, hiding his anger well.
Lewis turned to him and quickly shook his head. "N-no… It's not like he treated me well. Actually…" He paused, then spoke more firmly. "I want him to stay away from me."
For a moment, everything went quiet then, Draen smiled.
This time, it was gentle.
He placed his hand on the back of Lewis' neck and slowly pulled him closer. "That's a good choice, my bride," he said softly. "Don't worry. He will never be able to come near you again. I promise."
There was something serious in his voice, like he truly meant every word. Before Lewis could reply, Draen leaned in and kissed him.
At first, it was soft and slow, just like before but this time, he didn't pull away quickly.
Lewis froze for a second, surprised. It wasn't their first kiss but it felt different now. His heart started beating faster.
"Hngh…" a small sound escaped him as he held onto Draen's clothes.
Draen kept the kiss gentle, not rushing, as if he was taking his time. One hand stayed on Lewis' neck, holding him carefully while the other rested on his waist.
It wasn't just desire.
There was something warmer in it. Something calm and protective. And even though Lewis felt shy and nervous, he didn't pull away.
He stayed.
Maybe it was because it felt good… or maybe because it was something new to him. Or maybe, Lewis couldn't deny that the man holding him was simply a good kisser.
He didn't really know.
All he knew was that he wasn't pulling away.
The kiss continued, slow and deep while stretching for what felt like long, quiet minutes. Time seemed to blur inside the warm greenhouse, leaving only the soft sound of their breathing and the faint rustle of leaves around them.
At some point, their position shifted.
Lewis was still on Draen's lap but now, he was facing him fully. Their bodies were close and without realizing it, Lewis had lifted his hands, wrapping them loosely around Draen's neck. His fingers curled slightly, holding on as if he needed the support or as if he didn't want the moment to end.
His mind felt hazy.
'Good… it's working.'
Draen's eyes opened slightly between kisses with his soft gaze but observant as he looked at Lewis' long eyelashes fluttering weakly. There was something careful in the way he watched him, as if measuring every reaction and every breath.
Lewis, on the other hand, was starting to lose himself.
A small part of him knew that he should pull away. He should stop, should create some distance but he couldn't.
His body felt too warm and sensitive. Every small touch sent a faint shiver through him. Even the brush of Draen's lips, the steady hold on his waist felt stronger now.
It wasn't just emotion.
It was his body reacting on its own.
After everything that had happened, the pain he endured before the mark fully settled, his senses had become sharper. And during those days, Draen had stayed close, giving him nothing more than soft kisses and gentle touches.
Now, it was different and Lewis could feel it.
"Hngh… haa…" A quiet, breathless sound escaped him when Draen finally pulled back slightly, giving him space to breathe.
His chest rose and fell quickly with his face flushed red as he struggled to steady himself.
"…Feels good…" he admitted softly, almost without thinking.
After a moment, he leaned forward, resting his forehead and then his cheek against Draen's chest. His hands slid down from Draen's neck and settled against his chest instead, fingers lightly gripping the fabric of his clothes.
He stayed like that, close and quiet while Draen's arms wrapped around him again, holding him securely with one hand gently brushing along his back in slow, calming strokes.
Lewis tried to calm his breathing but his body still felt warm, his heart still beating too fast.
He didn't understand everything he was feeling but he didn't move away either.
'Damn it…' Lewis groaned inwardly, flustered as the realization of what he'd just done hit him.
"Hmm? What's wrong, my bride?" Draen chuckled with low and teasing voice as he took in Lewis's pouting lips and adorable frown. "Are you hungry already?"
"No, sir…" Lewis muttered, cheeks burning.
Draen's chuckle deepened, darker this time. Without hesitation, he slid both hands down and greedily squeezed Lewis's ass, fingers digging into the soft flesh as if he couldn't get enough.
Then Lewis gasped and flinched hard, quickly pushing himself up from Draen's chest and bracing his trembling hands on the duke's broad shoulders.
"W-what are you doing, Your Grace?!"
Draen smirked with eyes dark with lust. He gave another firm, possessive squeeze before leaning in, lips brushing Lewis's ear as he whispered hotly,
"You're soaking wet down here, my pretty little bride… Did you make a mess just from sitting on my lap?"