Chapter 18: Your God

“Eden.”

At the sound of Liam’s voice, husky and blurred with sleep, Eden slowly opened her eyes. She hadn’t slept for even an hour, yet she didn’t feel all that tired. Compared to the weight on her heart, her body felt almost light.

With a faint smile, Eden greeted him softly.

“Did you sleep well?”

“…I did. Let’s stay like this just a bit longer.”

Stretching out his arm, Liam pulled her into his embrace, nuzzling his face into her shoulder like a cat. His slightly rough stubble lightly grazed her skin. His solid body pressed against hers with no space between. The heat of morning clung to them, nakedly perceptible through the thin sheet.

When Eden brushed a kiss along the curve of his ear, he let out a quiet groan.

“Eden.”

“Yes, Liam.”

After hugging her tight once more, Liam sat up, slipping off his robe and pulling on clothes with a gentle smile. His tousled hair and slightly flushed face made him look like a boy.

He approached Eden with the buttons of his shirt undone, as if wordlessly asking her to help. She cast him a sidelong glance but complied without a word.

‘Maybe it’s a blessing in disguise.’

Eden’s mood was weighed down completely, as though even lifting the corners of her lips took great effort.

At the very least, Liam was treating her as he normally did, showing no sign that anything had changed. It was a relief because when he’d said he loved her last night, she hadn’t been able to say a word in return.

He had said she didn’t need to respond, but the air between them had still turned awkward.

Liam’s lips curled into an easy smile as he watched her. He murmured quietly.

“Waking up to find you beside me has become so natural now. I can’t even remember how I used to live before. What kind of thoughts I had when I opened my eyes. You’ve made me lazy. I used to go nights without sleeping, you know.”

At those words, Eden’s hands paused for a moment. Forcing a smile, she finished buttoning up his shirt.

“What were you thinking about when you woke up today?”

“That I missed you.”

As if he had been waiting for her question, Liam responded without hesitation and placed a kiss on her forehead.

While adjusting his cravat, Eden asked lightly, “And now?”

“That you look dazzlingly beautiful.”

His eyes curved like crescent moons. The small mole beneath his eye was especially alluring.

His playful touch turned just a bit more possessive. Liam suddenly lifted her into his arms and spoke in a voice rich with amusement.

“That I want to hold you like this all day and kiss you over and over.”

Startled, Eden instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck, and Liam pressed a playful kiss to her lips, lightly nibbling her lower one. Giggling faintly, Eden pushed at his shoulder.

“Stop. I’m hungry. I want to see the sea. And tonight, I want to visit the night market.”

“If that’s what you want.”

* * *

“Wow…”

Eden gasped aloud.

The beach stretched endlessly, its sand as fine and white as snow. It was breathtaking. She had seen the ocean before, from afar, from high places, but this was her first time walking along the shoreline.

Liam’s expression glowed with satisfaction as he watched her take it all in.

As soon as they stepped onto the beach, Liam naturally kicked off his shoes and knelt on one knee in front of Eden. Flustered, Eden’s face turned red, but he only chuckled softly and gently took off her shoes.

Now barefoot, Eden wiggled her toes, slightly embarrassed. The soft sand slid between her toes. It felt strange, almost ticklish all the way to her stomach.

“Barefoot outside… It feels weird.”

“They say beaches are meant to be walked barefoot. Don’t you like it?”

“It’s soft and ticklish. A little strange, but… yes, it feels nice.”

Liam smiled brightly and held out his hand. His well-groomed dark hair danced lightly in the breeze, a striking contrast against the white sand.

Eden stood dazed, mesmerized by the sight of him. At that moment, he looked breathtakingly beautiful.

When she hesitated, Liam extended his hand a little farther, as if coaxing her to take it. Eden gently placed her hand in his.

“There’s no need for pointless formality. It’s just the two of us here.”

“Still…”

“Hold tight.”

He laced their fingers together firmly, then suddenly started running.

Caught off guard, Eden was pulled along, laughter bubbling up as she felt the sand shift beneath her feet. The unfamiliar sensation raced up through her soles. Soon, she forgot everything else and simply ran, following the line where waves kissed the shore.

The feeling of her ankles sinking into the soft sand, the sensation of breaking free as she kicked off, the plush texture of sand soaked in seawater, the cold rush of a wave that lapped at her feet before swiftly retreating…

Eden’s whole body felt as if it had opened up to the world. In this place where the blue sea met the sky, she tasted freedom.

They ran until they were breathless, and when exhaustion took over, they simply collapsed onto the sand and stared up at the sky.

Liam followed behind her at a slower pace, steadying her whenever she stumbled.

“Liam.”

As the sun began to dip and the sky turned crimson, the beach transformed again, striking Eden with a different kind of beauty. Panting, she dropped to the ground, and Liam settled beside her.

“Thank you for today. I had such a wonderful time.”

“I knew you’d like it. I’m glad you enjoyed yourself.”

“It’s so… beautiful. It almost hurts to look at.”

Liam chuckled quietly at Eden’s breathless awe as she stared out at the sunset-stained sea. Their eyes met. He slowly brushed back her tousled hair and spoke.

“You’re right. It is beautiful.”

Embarrassed, Eden quickly turned her head, and Liam let out another soft laugh.

“I’ll never forget this. I don’t want to leave.”

“Then we’ll come back. Next time, I’ll show you Rigott Beach. You’ll love it, I’m sure.”

“…Okay. Let’s come back. Together.”

Eden’s heart, which had soared with his words, settled calmly. She nodded slowly.

Liam cupped her cheek in his calloused hand and kissed her deeply. They stayed like that for a long time, sharing each other’s breath.

Flushed, Eden gently pushed against his chest. Liam gazed at her from close range, face still red, his breath ragged. The intensity in his eyes made Eden lower her lashes instinctively.

“Eden.”

Liam called her name softly, his hand still cradling her cheek.

Eden didn’t answer but met his crimson gaze head-on. Once filled with anger, his red eyes now glowed warmly like the setting sun.

With care, Liam began to speak.

“You make me look forward to the future. At night, I wish for morning just so I can see your face. In the morning, I wish for night so I can hold you again.”

His voice trembled faintly with emotion. After a long breath, he continued as though resolving himself.

“I carry the same blood as my father. Cruel and suspicious by nature. Since childhood, I was taught over and over that I mustn’t have anything precious. That if I did, it would only become a weakness. You’ve always made me uncomfortable. You were an instinctive threat to me. But now…”

“Liam.”

His hand slowly slipped away from her cheek. The sunset bathed his face in a soft red glow, softening his usually sharp features.

Eden’s eyes widened. Liam looked happy. No, he was happy. She could see it in his eyes, emotions brimming to the edge. She couldn’t pretend not to see. Her own eyes, watching him, surely looked the same.

‘He’ll never smile like this again.’

Everything was going according to Eden’s plan. The man before her had exposed his heart completely, without the slightest guard.

Liam whispered like a confession, a bashful look on his face.

“Eden, I thank the heavens for your existence.”

“Do you… believe in God?”

Eden’s voice was barely a whisper, but he shook his head slowly.

“No. To me, Eden, you are God. You are my absolute.”

* * *

Florite was far more remote than Julius had anticipated. Forget a city, just reaching a small village with a modest inn, tavern, and general store required a 30-minute ride on horseback.

It was a breathtakingly beautiful place, but after about a week, even Julius began to tire of it.

“Ian, the weather’s perfect. How about a sparring match?”

From his seat by the window, Julius suggested the idea.

“If it involves sweating in the dirt, I must decline. There’s a reason I chose a desk job. Ask another knight.”

Ian didn’t even glance his way before flatly refusing. Julius sighed and stretched.

“But no one ever puts up a proper fight. And now that all the paperwork’s done, even you must be bored.”

“Not at all. Doing nothing suits me quite well.”

Though he had grumbled the entire journey from the capital, Ian seemed to be enjoying the quiet life here. It was Julius who was growing restless from the peaceful monotony.

He had heard reports that bandits from across the Cherott border had been stirring up trouble—but oddly enough, ever since Julius arrived, not a single incident had occurred.

“If you’re bored, perhaps go for a walk.”

“Even that’s gotten dull. Maybe I’ll take a nap for a change.”

“Excellent idea. You should learn to rest, Your Highness. Take this chance to enjoy some laziness.”

Ian replied absentmindedly, sinking into his plush chair. 

Feeling drowsy, Julius headed to his bedchamber. But once he lay down, his mind wouldn’t settle. Tossing and turning, he muttered under his breath.

“Come to think of it, I haven’t had that dream lately. Not even once since arriving here.”

His eyes lit up at the realization.

The woman in his dreams remained elusive, her face blurred, like she was behind a thick fog, yet strangely vivid, as if he could reach out and touch her. He had compared her to every noblewoman he knew but found no match.

Still, Julius believed in fate. He believed in destined connections.

It was overly romantic thinking for a Crown Prince, but Julius had come to see the woman in his dreams as his destined one. Even if he had only a vague impression, he was sure he’d recognize her the moment they met.

The Emperor had chosen Lady Penelope of the Duke of Roxanne as Julius’s future Empress.

Julius knew her well. He had seen her at every banquet since they were young. She came from a fine family, had striking looks, and a charming personality. He acknowledged that Penelope would make an ideal Empress. But when it came to the marriage itself, he always drew a line.

Her father was an ambitious man. If he ever seized the position of imperial father-in-law, no one could guess how far he’d try to expand his power. Julius didn’t want politics dictating the choice of his life partner. He was, before a Crown Prince, a young man who believed in love and eternity.

“Your Highness, are you awake?”

A soft knock and Ian’s voice broke his thoughts. Julius sat up and replied,

“No. Come in.”

Ian entered and handed him a sealed letter.

“News just arrived. It’s not urgent, but I thought you should know.”

Julius opened it and read slowly. His expression hardened slightly.

The letter said that Emperor Liam Jin Cherott was embarking on an inspection, and the destination was a territory alarmingly close to the border where Julius currently stayed.

“Is this something he’s done before?”

“No, sire. This is unprecedented. That region has been struggling with bandits lately, so it might be related… but Emperor Liam is notoriously difficult to read.”

“I see. We’ll keep an eye on it for now. Alert the knights as well.”

Julius gave the order with a short nod.

Liam Jin Cherott. The name alone was enough to freeze the air of that drowsy, peaceful outpost in an instant.