‏‏‎ ‎Epilogue 2

Epilogue 2

She had a baby. A miraculous baby. Though she suffered greatly throughout the pregnancy, she was genuinely happy despite the hardship.

Even during childbirth, when her life was in danger, she was adamant about giving birth to the child. And so, she held in her arms a strong, healthy baby boy with black hair.

The rich July breeze brushed against the baby’s plump, rosy cheeks. As if trying to catch the wind, the baby busily moved his little hands.

It seemed he found it fascinating as something invisible shaking his hair and stroking his cheeks. Excited all on his own, he wriggled with delight.

“Eh! Eh!”

“Yes, the wind,” Daon replied.

She gently swung her feet as she sat on a swing Ixor had made. The baby’s unique, pleasant scent drifted up to her, filling her eyes with a sweet warmth. Watching the baby reach toward the sky with his tiny hands, she felt a fresh wave of pride.

“He’s so curious. And fearless.”

“He takes after me.”

Ixor puffed up proudly and knelt in front of them. Daon softly held the baby’s hand and handed it over to his father.

Ixor was great with the baby. He was already bubbling with plans—where to take him when he grew up, what to show him, what to teach him.

She too felt grounded after becoming a mother, like she had grown roots that no wind could shake. A deep calmness had settled solidly in her core.

She looked down at the baby squirming in her arms and at her husband, who played with him with eyes full of affection. The early summer breeze carried his scent to her.

His scent mingled with hers, and now mixed with the baby’s milky smell, they truly felt like one family.

“Ah-boo ah-boo! Pa-pa!”

The baby babbled, waving his short arms, fascinated by the sunlight filtering through the leaves. Then, suddenly, he grabbed at his mother’s chest.

Ixor raised his eyebrows in exaggerated offense.

“Hey, little guy, I only lent that to you for a bit. That originally belongs to Dad. Handle with care.”

Daon shot him a sharp glance. The baby didn’t understand a word but burst into laughter at his father’s voice and flipped over.

It was so adorable that she rubbed her nose into his tiny crown of hair. Ixor muttered with mock seriousness,

“It’s going to be a problem if my own son becomes my rival.”

His occasional bursts of jealousy were oddly endearing. Of course, most of that jealousy was genuine, though why, she didn’t know.

He wanted her to treat him exactly the way she treated the baby. Daon rolled her eyes, then smiled.

“But you’re still the only man I kiss.”

Ixor scoffed and started counting on his fingers in front of her face.

“Really? Missy, you kiss the baby, the dog, and even caress your flowers.”

“Those aren’t kisses. They’re pecks. And tending to flowers doesn’t count as caressing.”

“Says who? Don’t you know the flowers grow so well because you touch them so tenderly? If only you touched me like that…”

“Ixor.”

She gave him a warning glance before the conversation went further. About twenty paces away, a large canopy had been set up.

Blue and white fabric contrasted vividly, supported by slender iron poles. Beneath its shade were a carved baby cradle, toys, snacks, and six maids and a nanny sitting on standby.

The baby flailed his arms and legs like a little warrior, seemingly reacting to his father’s discontent. Daon scooped him up and patted his back, then teased,

“The baby’s smiling.”

“I’m seriously worried about the future. He already monopolizes you 24/7.”

“Well, he’s a baby.”

“There’s a saying, men are either babies or dogs. I’m not being a dog, so treat me like a baby.”

Daon was momentarily speechless, then burst into uncontrollable laughter.

As she laughed, Ixor grabbed the swing rope and leaned in. His shoulder muscles flexed, casting a deep shadow over her face with his broad chest.

His imposing presence made her laughter abruptly stop. He brought his lips to her ear and whispered in a husky tone,

“Fine. I’ll back off. But say just one thing for me: ‘You’re the only man I have s*x with.’”

His breath brushed hot and humid against her neck. He pressed his lips to her pale, slender throat and murmured,

“Say it.”

Desire thickened his voice. At times like this, he was unstoppable, sensual and aggressive.

Daon’s chest rose heavily. His lips trailed from her neck down to her shoulder. A shiver ran through her, and her head tilted back involuntarily.

“The baby’s listening,” she said, her voice slightly hoarse.

Ixor licked her skin and leaned in further. His lips now reached the upper swell of her chest. He was skilled—as always. Her chest began to tighten, and her breathing grew heavy.

“Ixor…”

“Say it.” He met her eyes, grinning wickedly.

Daon inhaled deeply and tightened her hold on the baby. The crossed ribbons of her dress came undone in an instant, and his hand met the bare skin of her back.

She twisted slightly, breath charged with tension, a delicious ache building in her body. Unable to hold back any longer, she blurted out,

“You’re the only man I have s*x with.”

She meant to end the game, but Ixor wasn’t the type to give up easily. He was relentless once he had the upper hand.

“Say it again.”

“You’re so annoying.”

“Come on.”

“You’re the only man I have s*x with.”

She enunciated each word clearly. Satisfied, he rubbed his lips along her shoulder.

“Now just say ‘s*x’.”

She narrowed her eyes and stared at him silently. He explained with the utmost seriousness, as if it were of life-or-death importance.

“I want to see your expression, the look in your eyes, the movement of your lips when you say that word.”

Despite how long they’d been together, he still treated her like a woman he was courting. He seemed to linger between a bachelor and a husband—especially after their son was born, his affections had become even more intense.

Daon deliberately opened her lips slowly and, with a seductive gaze, moved her plump red lips sensually.

“S*x.”

Apparently, he hadn’t expected her to actually say it, his shoulders twitched. Daon immediately took control of the game, her eyes gleaming.

“Want me to say it again?”

“No. That’s enough.”

A noticeable bulge had formed between Ixor’s thighs. It was so obvious she regretted teasing him. He quickly took the baby from her.

“Up we go! Dahui, let me borrow Mom for a bit.”

“Daah!”

The baby cried out, gripping his father’s collar with his chubby fingers. Suddenly, an unpleasant smell wafted around them. Ixor wrinkled his brow and lifted the baby up.

“Did you just poop?”

The heavy diaper confirmed it. Ixor burst out laughing.

“Look at this guy! Is it because he’s a boy? He knows exactly what I’m doing and interrupts me!”

He rubbed his nose into the baby’s belly. The baby squealed and stretched out his limbs in delight.

“Little punk! Already trying to protect your mom from me?”

“Well, I don’t mind this kind of interruption.”

Daon adjusted her dress and draped a sheer shawl over her shoulders. These days, she felt like a mother of two—Ixor, her charming older ‘son’ who clung to her for love making, and Dahui, her energetic baby who only rested when asleep.

The two had much in common: they were stubborn, strong, and never listened.

She gently cradled the baby and walked under the canopy, carefully laying him on the soft mat. While the nanny fanned the baby with a gold-threaded fan, the maids immediately began changing his diaper.

The baby wasn’t shy and, like his dad, was curious and bold. But the quiet, observant way he looked at people…he got that from her.

She played with him, making finger gestures to keep him entertained.

Warm, lovely scents filled the air. Drawn in, she leaned down and rubbed her cheek against his tiny feet, then softly kissed the tender soles.

The baby let out a yawn, his mouth stretching wide, and closed his eyes. A rosy blush spread across his plump cheeks.

Smiling, Daon looked up to see Ixor standing leisurely nearby with his arms crossed, watching her.

His face looked happier than ever.

Daon slowly stood up, intending to send him back to his office.

“You should get back to work now.”

She said as she gently pushed his back. Ixor took both of her hands and held them in front of his stomach.

She naturally leaned her face against his back and began to walk slowly, pressed close to him. His thumb gently caressed the top of her wrist, a subtle but affectionate gesture.

“Are you going to kiss my feet too?” he teased.

“What kind of father competes with his own son?”

“Me.”

“You should let your son win.”

“Oh, that won’t do. A father should be like a tall mountain to his son, someone not easily defeated.”

Though it sounded like a reasonable explanation, it didn’t justify his competitive spirit toward a newborn. Still, he was quite determined.

“Just wait. The competition is only going to get fiercer.”

“Then I’ll think of a prize for the winner.”

She whispered brightly against his back, like she was speaking directly to his heart.

She could tell from the subtle change in his touch and steps that he was pleased. These small, intimate reactions reminded her how deeply entwined they’d become in each other’s daily lives.

As they walked between tall ornamental trees, they arrived at a fragrant garden, enclosed subtly on all sides. Suddenly, Ixor turned and kissed her, his actions hinting on some things.

Just then, a maid called out, “Your Majesty! Your Majesty!”

They stopped, startled. It seemed the baby had woken and was calling for his mother.

Daon pulled back, catching her breath. Though her body still ached with longing, it wasn’t the right time or place.

She calmly fixed her hair and smoothed her dress, regaining her composure. Ixor leaned in again for a kiss, but she gently pushed him away.

“Later. Tonight.”

Worried about their child, she firmly set him aside. Ixor sighed deeply, resting both fists above her head against a tree trunk, before stepping aside, grumbling.

“That kid… I need to buy him a mountain of gifts.”

“Gifts?”

“A big ball or maybe a bow. No…maybe a puppy or a pony would be better. Something with lots of energy. Once he’s old enough, I’ll have him run around all day. That way, he’ll fall asleep early at night.”

Daon couldn’t help but chuckle, bowing her head to hide her smile as she covered her mouth. Ixor gave a mock growl.

“He’s already interrupting us. Imagine later…he’ll barge into our bedroom with nightmares or beg for bedtime stories and end up sleeping between us.”

Daon burst out laughing, tears welling in her eyes. Ixor looked so serious and earnest, which only made him more endearing.

“That’s what you’re worried about?”

“Of course. It means I can’t have you all to myself. He’s a formidable rival. It’s like facing a million soldiers unarmed. I need to come up with a strategy.”

Just then, the maid who had been calling her finally caught up, breathing hard. Though it wasn’t an emergency, her face said it would be best for Daon to hurry back.

Before leaving, Daon gently cradled Ixor’s face, comforting him. Then, for the first time, she showed him a bit of playful affection. She was slightly embarrassed, but happy nevertheless.

She pulled his face down, gave him a loud kiss, and whispered with a smile that held both warmth and a secret promise.

“Don’t worry. The only one I’ll ever share a bed with is you.”