I Was Free

Louise's mind was preoccupied with the weight of recent revelations, and as she gazed at the full moon from the open window, her thoughts delved into deep contemplation. Meanwhile, time had passed since Liam's coronation, yet the celebratory atmosphere had yet to fully manifest due to Liam's reluctance to assume the role of king.

Feeling her emotional state, I approached Louise and enveloped her in a gentle embrace from behind. Sensing her acceptance, I held her closer, offering comfort and reassurance in my arms.

"Take some rest now," I whispered softly, mindful of the training awaiting her the next morning. My intention was to provide solace and alleviate the sadness and fear that weighed on my wife's heart. 

It was difficult to witness Louise in such a state of sadness, especially since she had always been resilient and optimistic despite the challenges she faced after entering our world. Her strength had been a source of admiration, and seeing her like this broke my heart.

Lady Haven's words about the danger posed by the Aetherius had ignited a fire within me. I was determined to protect my wife and our kingdom at all costs. The thought of anyone trying to take her away from me was unbearable, and I knew I had to prepare my army for any potential threats.

As Louise lay down on the bed, I couldn't bring myself to join her immediately. The weight of everything I had learned and the realization of my own actions weighed heavily on me. How could I have been so blind to the potential dangers surrounding her innocence, especially considering the pressures I had placed on her through our marriage?

I stood by the window, my mind consumed with thoughts of protecting Louise and ensuring her safety. The night stretched on, filled with a mixture of determination, regret, and a growing sense of responsibility.

I controlled myself, forcing restraint from rushing to her, but when I sensed her worry and fear, my heart ached, prompting me to hasten to her side as swiftly as I could.

"Please, Louise, stop worrying. I will handle this. I will protect you," I assured her, punctuating my words with kisses on her trembling hands. "I promise you that."

Although not eloquent with words, I sought to comfort her in the best way I knew how. I tenderly embraced her and placed a soft kiss upon her forehead.

I was prepared to do anything to ensure my wife's safety. If they sought blood, I would willingly offer it. I would confront them individually, fighting until my last breath, until they were all eradicated from this world.

Louise tightened her grip on my arms, her eyes filled with fear yet tinged with a lingering delight. I hadn't realized that my thoughts were so audible that she could hear them.

"I trust you completely to protect me, Ludwig. There's no doubt in my mind," she said, her smile stealing my breath away. "I'll stay," she added in a whisper that quickened my heart and left me breathless.

"And I'll protect you," I replied with a smile, my voice barely above a whisper. She had the innate ability to make me happy without any effort. Just her presence alone filled me with joy, contentment, and vitality.

As I hugged her, feeling her body press against mine, I swallowed hard. Her gesture was innocent, yet it instantly awakened a response in my body. Slowly, I eased away from her, though I kept my embrace intact. I longed for her to sleep peacefully in my arms.

She was exhausted from everything we had encountered. Despite the numerous challenges looming ahead, I was confident that we could overcome them all. With her in my arms and her love fortifying me, I was determined to protect her.

As I distanced myself slightly, I couldn't help but groan when she shifted and pressed closer to me. Maintaining control was imperative. I needed to remain focused.

Attempting to divert my attention from her softness, I focused on my plans while waiting for her to drift off to sleep. Suddenly, I felt her lips on my neck, causing my entire body to tense. My resolve wavered when her lips moved closer to mine, igniting a fiery desire within me.

Her lips were irresistibly soft and alluring. My mind screamed at me to pull away, knowing she wasn't ready, yet my body seemed paralyzed, unable to move.

She kissed me gently, and I responded in kind, refraining from dominating the kiss to avoid pressuring her. I wanted her to feel entirely comfortable.

Deepening the kiss, my wife climbed atop me. "Louise, what..." I gasped between kisses, overwhelmed by the sensation. "What are you doing..." I groaned as her tongue met mine.

Pleasurable tingles surged through my body, leaving me dizzy with happiness.

She nibbled on my lower lip and gently sucked it, causing an immediate reaction in me. I sat up abruptly, bringing her along as she straddled me, quickly wrapping my hands around her waist to steady her and adjusting her position so she wouldn't feel my arousal. I didn't want to unsettle her again.

She kissed me again, this time more fervently, leaving me breathless with her urgency.

"Louise..." I called out, completely under her spell.

"Hmm?" She moaned in response, sending me into a state of delirium.

"Baby, please stop. You're making me lose control," I pleaded as I heard her panting.

Her hands slid under my shirt, igniting my own desires, and in that moment, I surrendered to the intense yearning of my body.

With the last ounce of strength I could muster, I swiftly moved across the room and leaned against the wall, trying to catch my breath. My body was aflame with desire. If I hadn't distanced myself from her, I would have succumbed to my urges and ravished her.

Forcing her was out of the question. I couldn't bear the thought of causing her pain or regret. I needed to exercise self-discipline and rein in my desires if I wanted to ensure her happiness.

"Ludwig?" I heard Louise calling for me, but in the darkness, she couldn't locate me nearby.

My eyes widened as I sensed her pain and heard her soft sobs. Guilt and sorrow flooded my heart. I had made her cry again. Hurriedly, I moved to her side and cradled her on the bed. "Louise, I'm so sorry. I apologize for losing control once more. I should have stopped myself. Please, don't cry, baby," I pleaded, unsure of what to do next. I longed to embrace her, yet fear held me back, afraid she might push me away.

She darkened her gaze when I touched her shoulders, prompting me to quickly withdraw my hand. Clearly, she was angry.

"It's been seven days since you last slept beside me. And now..." She began, wiping away her tears. "What's the matter, Ludwig? Talk to me. Have you had enough of me already? You're acting so distant, and it hasn't even been a month since we got married..."

Furrowing my brow, I tried to meet her eyes, but she averted her gaze. "What are you saying, Louise?" I searched for her eyes again, but she continued avoiding my gaze. "You know I could never grow accustomed to you."

There was a moment of silence before she spoke again. "Then why does it feel like you're avoiding me? You're not kissing me like before. Something has changed." She unconsciously pouted, her forehead still creased with concern, and it took all my self-control not to kiss her right then and there.

I embraced her, relieved when she didn't push me away, and smiled as I understood what she meant. "I'm sorry my distance has been troubling you, but I couldn't think of any other way. I can't be close to you and not..." I paused, clearing my throat and trying to steady my breathing. "I always lose control when you're near, so I have to stay away," I explained, exhaling heavily.

Continuing, I said, "Now that I understand why you've been hesitant with my kisses, I respect your fears. I don't want to force or pressure you, Louise. I'll wait until you're ready. We have a lifetime ahead of us."

I held her tighter, gently laying her down as I debated whether it was wise to lie beside her, considering how thin her nightdress was. Her skin was even visible through it.

I groaned softly as I pulled the blanket over her, whispering, "Rest, Louise," before kissing her forehead. I turned to leave for the nearby sofa when she grabbed my wrist, rising quickly to her feet and surprising me with another kiss.

Her lips were soft against mine, her body pressing into mine, and I could feel her warmth, causing me to lose control. Without hesitation, I lifted her while our kisses continued passionately. I deepened the kiss, taking control as I gently laid her back on the bed.

"Ludwig..." she arched her back, panting my name as I caressed her stomach.

"Tell me to stop," I hissed, kissing her neck. "Please, Louise, tell me to stop."

She kissed me with increasing fervor, her arms wrapped around my neck, pulling me closer. I reciprocated, kissing her jawline and gripping her waist. With what little rationality remained, I pulled back slightly, but she seized my shirt and drew me back to her.

Louise kissed me again, her urgency and desire palpable. "Ludwig..." she moaned, rendering me utterly weak.

"Louise, baby, I'm losing control..." I whispered as I kissed her throat.

"Damn," she cursed as I trailed my lips down to her collarbone. "Damn it, Ludwig, don't you dare stop."

"Louise..." I growled in warning, my jaw clenched. I was already losing myself in the moment.

She opened her eyes and met mine directly. "I'm ready," she stated firmly.

My body still, as if time had frozen, while desire and intense passion ignited within me. Did I hear her correctly?

She bit her lip, her gaze shyly drifting to my exposed torso. I hadn't even noticed that she had already undressed me.

"Are you sure?" My voice quivered with uncertainty. "I don't want you to do anything you're not ready for just because you think it's for my sake."

There was a long pause before she spoke again. "Why did you stop, Ludwig?" She questioned me instead. "Don't you want me?" Her eyes held a certainty that troubled me. How could she not see how much I desired her?

Before any negative thoughts could surface, I firmly gripped her waist and drew her lower body closer to mine. As she felt me, her eyes widened in realization.

"Don't," I growled softly. "Ever," I kissed her neck, "think," her jaw, "that I don't," her cheeks, "want you," her nose, "because that's plainly impossible," I finished with a passionate kiss on her lips, pouring out all my emotions, adoration, and love for her.

I stopped myself before I lost control once more. She followed my lips as I pulled away, and I couldn't help but feel more excited, knowing she also couldn't get enough of me.

"Why did you stop..." Louise couldn't contain herself any longer.

"Are you really sure about this?" I needed to ensure her decision. I didn't want to hurt her, nor did I want to have any regrets that would deeply wound me.

She looked at me with utmost seriousness. "I love you..." Her smile made me feel weightless.

"I love you best," I whispered in her ear as I kissed her again. This time, I didn't hold back. I let my passion and love for her take over completely. And I was free.

***

In the darkness of the forest, eyes glowed with a fiery red and golden hue. He hurried through the wilderness, sensing a presence trailing behind him. He knew it wasn't Amelia. She was preoccupied battling the Abyssal Wayfarer alongside the Ascendant.

It couldn't be Amelia's servant, Leaf, or the weak Blue Blood of the Water Kingdom, Princess Amethyst, as they wouldn't have been able to track him.

Nor was it Ksaver. He had memorized that individual's presence by now.

The forest was shrouded in darkness, but the burning castle ahead cast a colossal candle-like glow over the ruined forest.

His jaw clenched with anger as he recalled the loss of his Ghouls, all of them succumbing so swiftly.

Ghouls were notoriously resilient, but the Ascendant of the Fire Faes had turned most of them to ash effortlessly.

With one hand, he applied pressure to the wound on his stomach, gritting his teeth against the pain.

The Ravager was accustomed to shrugging off injuries, so he was taken aback when his second-in-command nearly perished in an encounter with the Elven woman, an Abyssal Wayfarer.

It was a Fire Fae named Commander Rivalz who had inflicted the injury. He wanted to scoff, as Faes were typically seen as weak compared to Ravagers like himself. However, his wounded state now mocked his earlier arrogance.

He had heard of Commander Leonel, but being young, he had underestimated the Fae's skills, leading to his current predicament.

He hadn't anticipated the Fae's hidden combat prowess. Leonel's movements were precise and deadly, and the Ravager was caught off guard by the poison coating the tip of his sword.

He grunted as waves of pain surged through his entire system once again.

The Ravagers were known for their resilience against poison, so the fact that he was feeling such intense pain indicated that it was a potent venom, the Ghostfire Venom.

Despite the excruciating pain coursing through his system, he made a desperate attempt to flee. Using his last reserves of strength, he concealed his presence and tracks, hoping to avoid being tracked down.

His priority now was to return to their headquarters and deliver the crucial information to the Aetherius about the Abyssal Wayfarer's presence in Quailsham, a quest they had pursued for over a decade.

They already possessed the artifact stolen by Adolf from Alpha Night, a formidable Werebeast known for his seriousness, strictness, and deadly combat skills. The Ravager had faced Alpha Night in a near-fatal encounter in the past.

With the Abyssal Wayfarer now in their midst, they needed to expedite their plans for victory before facing stronger opposition.

Forcing himself to move, he traveled towards the sea, away from Etherealis. His condition worsened as he realized the careful planning by the Faes. The Ghostfire Venom was chosen deliberately because its only antidote was the blood of the victim's relatives.

Having no parents or siblings, he faced a grim fate. However, a glimmer of hope emerged as he remembered something important—he wasn't alone. To survive, he needed to obtain the cure within two months before the venom consumed him. He had to find his son, the only hope for his survival.