TCCIO 42

Chapter 42: Let’s Make It Clearer

Through Delia’s golden hair, the moonlight from the night she had first captured her flickered faintly in Aaron’s memory. Foolishly, he had rejoiced at having captured an important prisoner. Now, it was time to awaken her to the truth. The one who had been captured that day wasn’t her—it was him.

“Take me. If you take me, everything that belongs to me will be yours.”

Delia blinked in disbelief. What did I just hear?
Surely this commander was using Iorenti as a pretext to mock her.

“Let me go. Do you think I’d fall for such cheap wordplay?”

“Everything I’ve gathered in Iorenti—I’ll give it all to you. The king, the crown, even the stones.”

Delia pushed against Aaron’s chest, uncertain whether he meant to trap her or protect her.

“Once was enough. I was fooled into making a bet with you, but I won’t be swayed again.”

“But you said you didn’t want to leave Iorenti. I’ll let you live here.”

As she tried to escape his grip, Aaron whispered softly. Even in her confusion, his voice wrapped around her like foam, sweet and persuasive.

“I won’t take you to the Empire. You won’t have to go to Boswell.”

He gently cupped her cheek, the softness and warmth of her skin striking him far more deeply than any stone or jewel ever could.

“Stay with me, here, and protect Iorenti.”

Delia muttered in disbelief.

“That’s absurd. How?”

Her fierce resistance began to fade. The strength in her hands, which had pushed against his chest, slowly weakened. That was who Delia was—someone who wouldn’t spare a glance to any enemy unless it involved Iorenti. She would only listen when Iorenti was at stake. Aaron looked at her calm, hesitant face.

“I’ll become the Regent of Iorenti.”

“Regent?”

A regent… someone who governs in the place of the king. Delia mulled over the meaning, listening to his calm voice.

“The Supreme Commander of the Stilleitz Empire, which has occupied Iorenti, will propose a peace treaty in exchange for regency.”

Aaron clearly laid out what he possessed. He had to show her what she could have if she chose him.

“With the treaty, I’ll inherit the king’s authority and rule Iorenti.”

Delia’s expression hardened again as he described the reality facing Iorenti. Aaron held her firmly when she tried to escape and softly stroked her cheek, whispering sensually to distract her from any other thoughts.

“Regent Aaron Bergen will marry the Princess of Iorenti to ensure stable governance.”

“Marriage?”

“The Regent, unfamiliar with the region’s affairs, will seek advice from his wife.”

Unknowingly, Delia leaned her cheek into his hand as he spoke.

“Each time, the Regent’s wife will offer wise counsel.”

Aaron’s hand caressed her cheek and gently touched her soft earlobe. His large hand, brushing over her small ear, grew more insistent. But still, Delia didn’t push him away, lost in the vision he painted.

“And the Regent will fully obey his wife. He’s already so blinded by love for her, he can’t think rationally.”

“…”

“So in reality, it’ll be the Regent’s wife who governs Iorenti.”

In other words, she’d govern in his place. Delia blinked, stunned by the audacity of his proposal. Her mind felt numb.

“Whoever marries me will have Iorenti.”

“And if I refuse to become your wife?”

Aaron’s hand gripped her cheek more firmly, like holding the wings of a butterfly trying to flee—tight enough not to let go, but gentle enough not to break her.

“Then I, Aaron Bergen, will relinquish everything tied to Iorenti and leave.”

Delia exhaled shallowly at the subtle pressure behind his words.

“Leave?”

“Without you, Iorenti is meaningless to me.”

“Maybe leaving is better…”

Her voice trembled as she tried to push him away.

“If I leave, the Empire will appoint a new commander. There are plenty eager to conquer Iorenti and claim glory.”

Even as he said he’d leave, his fingertips still traced her cheek, as if begging her to look at him.

“And under them, Iorenti will be absorbed into the Empire and vanish—just as it was always meant to.”

“…”

“So choose me. As long as I’m here, they can’t act recklessly.”

“…”

“Who would dare object if the Empire’s only Grand Duke governs this place himself?”

Delia looked at him, her gaze wavering. At last, she could see what he intended. He had Iorenti in his grasp—and was using it to sway her. She should’ve pushed him away immediately, but… while she hesitated, his soft, mist-like voice slipped into her ears again.

“Take me—for the Iorenti you love so much. I’ll let you use me however you want.”

The searing desire in his cold silver-gray eyes reached her. The enemy’s supreme commander was yearning for her. Though he held all of Iorenti beneath him, he now wanted to belong under her. The temptation was scorching enough to slice her skin.

“And… tame me.”

His whisper sent shivers down her spine. Delia closed her eyes.

What should I do?

To hold onto reason, she bit her lip. If she chose him… if she married this man in front of her, Iorenti could survive. Even under a regency, the royal title would remain. If she married him, she wouldn’t have to leave Iorenti—better than marrying someone from an allied nation or requesting reinforcements from untrustworthy Boswell. His offer was far more appealing.

And besides… she wouldn’t have to pretend anymore.

The fresh scent of his body mixed with the mountain wind, his large hand that had once held her so firmly, the breath that had lingered near her wounds, the warmth that had surrounded her body, and those sharp silver-gray eyes… Memories too vivid, too strong. If she chose him, she wouldn’t have to erase them.

With that thought, Delia opened her eyes resolutely.

“Are you serious?”

“Yes.”

“Can I really take you?”

“Yes. The moment you escaped me in our bet, you won. You’ve always had that right.”

Delia slowly moved her hand, once resting on his chest, up to stroke his cheek. To think someone this beautiful and powerful was offering Iorenti as well… Not choosing him would be harder.

A brilliant shade of blue settled in her eyes.

“Then promise me. I’ll make all decisions about Iorenti.”

“Of course. Do as you wish, Princess.”

“Then you’re mine now, Commander.”

“Exactly. That’s what I want.”

Aaron answered without a hint of hesitation.

“And if you’re lying?”

Delia’s hand moved from his cheek to his hair, fingers tangling in his dazzling silver strands. Aaron didn’t try to stop her; he just kept whispering.

“If I ever break a promise, I’d rather be crushed beneath your feet. But I won’t lie to you. So choose me—”

Delia did just as he had shown her—grabbed his hair and pulled. She covered his seductive breath with her lips. Aaron’s lips were crushed beneath the sudden kiss, his words swallowed completely by her.

As the soft heat of her touch wrapped around him, Aaron’s eyes fluttered shut. His mind hazed over like a mirage rising from scorched earth. Finally. This wasn’t a fleeting illusion—this was real.

He moaned with longing and relief. But for all he had yearned, the reward was too brief. Delia pulled away before he could fully drink it in.

“Commander, you better not take your words back.”

Aaron opened his eyes, frowning at the distance. Delia’s eyes sparkled brightly as she gazed at him—clear and vivid. While he was dazed from just one touch, she only seemed more resolute.

His eyes darkened with unresolved desire.

“I won’t.”

“No backing out.”

“Got it. But that kind of seal can fade easily.”

“We’ll write up a proper agreement and stamp it—”

“No, we need a real seal. One that won’t disappear.”

Before she could react, Aaron pulled her tightly into his arms, wrapping one arm around her waist and the other around her nape. Their lips met again, more intensely than before. With his burning passion finally returning to him, Aaron couldn’t hold back any longer.

Startled, Delia stiffened and clamped her lips shut. Feeling the tension, Aaron pulled away slightly.

“Open up.”

His whisper brushed her lips, so close yet not quite touching.

“If you let me in, I’ll swear loyalty.”

He gently bit her lower lip, coaxing her to relax. A wet sound echoed through the air, like a tongue sipping sweet nectar.

“I’ll give you everything I have—and Iorenti.”

It was a temptation so intense, it could melt her very nerves. Without realizing, Delia parted her lips and let out a soft moan. Aaron took the opportunity and dove in.

Her breath, laced with the scent of flowers—he wanted none of it to escape. His kiss deepened, growing more fervent. Their bodies pressed together, slick with heat and tension.

Even Delia’s moans were swallowed by Aaron as he pulled her closer. When her knees buckled, Aaron swept her into his arms.

As she clung to his neck, she glimpsed a statue of an angel behind his broad shoulders. Bathed in radiant light, its face was cast in deep shadow.

Is this really okay?
A wave of anxiety passed through her, and she gently pushed Aaron away. But even that final thread of doubt melted away in his arms.

Unable to resist the overwhelming heat, Delia finally closed her eyes—almost as if to shut out the gaze of the angel above.