Why… do I feel this pain?
I don't understand it.
Is it because it's only my second night with him… and somehow that makes it feel so significant?
I'm sure… if it were anyone else, I wouldn't feel this knot in my stomach.
It's not like I loved him. Not really.
But if someone asked me who the most attractive man in the clan was…
I would choose him.
Handsome.
Good personality.
Talented.
Of noble lineage.
There was no real reason to reject him.
Without thinking further, I cut off my hesitation.
I grabbed a blanket and a pillow, then walked toward the carpet… toward Theo.
I knew it.
If I stopped, even for a moment—if I let myself think too deeply—I would back away.
So I didn't stop.
I stood there for a second… then spread the blanket beside him and lay down behind his back.
Slowly, I slipped my arm around his waist and pulled myself closer.
"I'm sorry, Theo… I still don't understand what came over me."
I meant it.
I truly did.
But he didn't respond.
He was pretending to sleep.
…Ah.
So he won't accept my apology tonight.
Does he want space?
Fine… I'll back off.
…No.
I stopped myself.
Our relationship isn't strong enough yet to allow distance.
There's no logic in retreating now.
It would be like stepping back while laying the very foundation of a house.
So instead…
I chose the opposite.
Let's see how long you can keep pretending.
I moved closer.
My lips brushed against his neck… then I began kissing him.
The neck—
the most sensitive place.
I kissed him without restraint.
Honestly… I was enjoying it more than I expected.
Maybe…
Maybe I had wanted this for a while.
I felt his muscles tense.
I didn't care.
I'll wake that fire inside you… no matter what.
Even after a while, despite his reactions, he still didn't speak.
So I moved higher—toward his ear.
Soft kisses. Warm breaths.
His head trembled instinctively.
I smirked slightly.
"Oh? Hello, Theo… are you going to talk now?"
I didn't stop.
My hand traced along his chest… while the other moved lower—
But just as I got closer…
His hand caught mine.
He took a deep breath.
"…Not tonight, Sera."
At first, I didn't react.
Even after I understood, I still wanted to continue.
But something in his tone stopped me.
It was serious.
He really didn't want this tonight.
So I stopped.
Completely.
…Except for the embrace.
"I'm sorry, Theo… I really am."
This time, my voice was softer.
More honest.
What he said before… was true.
It really is easy for affection to grow between us.
I could feel it now.
Something new… taking shape inside me.
A quiet certainty.
…I want him.
Am I really that easy?
Where did my coldness go?
It only took one night…
Or…
Was I always like this?
And I was denying it?
…I don't know.
I hope things turn out well.
…
The next morning
Last night was strange.
My mood had been off from the beginning.
Because of that nightmare… I chose to sleep on the floor.
I wanted some distance from Sera.
At first, I only meant to avoid the bed for a night or two.
But after that dream…
I decided to stop it completely.
This was becoming dangerous.
I didn't want my bloodline to awaken.
Yes… The benefits would be great.
But the risk would rise just as much.
I wanted to delay it… until I found something that could deal with emotions.
But Sera…
What happened to her?
Since when did she have that kind of desire for me?
Just remembering last night…
It's hard to keep myself together.
Her actions—
They felt like she truly wanted me.
Especially those kisses.
A strange lightness filled me.
As if I had finally received an answer.
An acknowledgement.
I barely slept after that.
The excitement wouldn't let me.
I turned my head slightly.
She was there.
Sleeping beside me.
A quiet, captivating beauty… wrapped in light silk.
My gaze lingered for a moment.
That alone was enough to stir something inside me.
This…
This is every man's dream.
Waking up in the morning to a sight like this.
The contrast of her dark hair against her skin… against the pillow—
It felt unreal.
Without thinking, I pulled her closer.
Gently.
But with overflowing emotion.
I did what she had done the night before… and more.
Kisses.
Soft touches.
A quiet, intimate beginning to the day.
Her faint, soft sounds—
They shattered whatever restraint I had left.
Time slipped away before I noticed.
…I couldn't believe it.
Sex really is the greatest way to wash away burdens.
I felt light.
Free.
Overwhelmed.
"Sera… I really love you. You're the best."
The words came out on impulse.
But I didn't care.
Not with how happy I felt.
She laughed softly.
And in that moment…
I felt it clearly.
This was the best day of my life.
Even better than the day before.
I wish this feeling would last forever.
But I know it won't.
I'll have to go to the Mist Layer.
It's one of the clan's traditions.
During the first month of marriage… every day, you must go there, hunt a beast, and return.
Fail to do so—
And you'll be imprisoned for years.
No exceptions.
And even after you get out…
You won't be able to speak with pride again.
The shame will follow you.
For any man…
It's a social death.
This ritual is called—
Proof of Manhood.