TGDHC Chapter 136

Chapter 136 – Without Excuses

The icy wall that had long been forged and sharpened inside him, stabbing his heart again and again, slowly melted away into nothing.

‘Why do you always say the words I never even knew I needed to hear—but wanted the most?’

“Loic is…”

Annette spoke softly.

“You’re one of the most sincere and responsible people I know. The knights said the same thing—there’s no one in the North who doesn’t respect the Grand Duke. And to me, you’re always kind and gentle… I feel so lucky that the man I married was you.”

‘If you truly feel lucky… could you make me your husband for life?’

The urge to confess everything rose within Loic, but he lowered his head.

The warmth flooding his chest reached his throat, but he swallowed it back down.

‘I don’t want to burden Annette.’

He had promised himself not to say anything until the curse was completely lifted.

“…Thank you,” he said in a restrained voice.

“For saying that.”

“I mean it,” she replied.

Her red lips, slightly parted like flower petals, shimmered faintly with moisture.

‘I want to kiss those lips right now.’

Heat spread quickly from his chest. Loic swallowed dryly.

If he kissed her now, he wasn’t sure he’d be able to stop.

“Loic?”

Her sweet voice made the veins on his neck stand out.

He couldn’t suppress the impulse any longer—he was just about to reach for her when—

“Your Grace! Are you there?”

The maid’s voice echoed from inside the temple.

Loic clenched his hand tightly, forcing his self-control.

“Cecilia?”

“I came to help you get ready for bed!”

“I’ll be right there!”

Annette jumped up.

The towel clung to her wet body, tracing every soft curve.

She quickly pulled it up higher, but that only revealed more of her pale thighs.

“I’ll go ahead first!”

Loic’s clenched fists trembled, and he forced an awkward smile.

“I’ll come out later.”

“See you soon!”

Annette hurried inside the temple.

“You could’ve gone to bed already,” he murmured.

“She said I have to take care of you properly!” Annette’s cheerful voice faded as she spoke with her maid.

“She kept nagging me—‘Make sure you look after Her Grace in my place!’”

Annette’s giggles echoed faintly, then disappeared completely.

‘Damn it.’

Loic scooped up a handful of snow and rubbed it roughly over his face.

The snow melted instantly against his heated skin, dripping down in cold streaks.

Every spot that had touched Annette still burned as if seared by fire.

‘Even this cold isn’t enough.’

Lately, his body heated up more and more often—especially whenever he suppressed his desire to touch her.

It wasn’t exactly a power surge like his magic outbursts, but a heat that felt closer to excitement than pain.

When he finally stepped out of the hot spring to cool down, he saw his knights standing barefoot in the snow, wearing nothing but towels around their waists, shivering miserably.

Ah, right. Them.

“C-Commander…!”

“C-can we go back in now?” Teor chattered through his teeth.

“Perfect. Since you’re all here.”

Loic cracked his neck and picked up his sword.

“Let’s have a sparring match.”

“…What?”

“In groups of three.”

“R-right now?”

“But we came here for a team hot spring, not training—!”

“We’re half-naked, Commander!”

Their complaints soon turned into the sounds of heavy breathing and pained grunts.

Cecilia personally helped me change into my nightgown before heading off to the guest quarters.

The room I was given was the temple’s guest chamber—Miel explained it had once belonged to High Priest Benemus before he passed away.

There were a few old books on the shelf in the corner.

It felt a little early to sleep, so I pulled out one with a red cover that looked fancy.

‘What is this? A notebook?’

The pages were filled with random scribbles—notes on studies, diary entries, and verses from sacred texts. The handwriting was terrible.

I was about to give up when something caught my eye in one corner.

“The Dragon’s Mark.”

Curious, I read on.

“A dragon has only one mate in its lifetime.

When its destined partner appears, the dragon’s mating season begins, and only through marking does its body return to stability.
Once marked, the partner shares the dragon’s life force, magic, and even thoughts and emotions.
…
Until the mark is completed, uncontrollable physical reactions occur regardless of the dragon’s will—such as a sudden rise in body temperature or glowing eyes.”

I turned a few more pages.

“The Elfberry is the only fruit that can intoxicate a dragon.

It was named after elves, mythical beings once believed to be dragons’ natural enemies.
There’s even a legend about a hero who fed a dragon elfberries, stole its jewels while it was drunk, and escaped.”

That was all it said about dragons.

‘There might be more information here that could help me.’

Considering the strange dragon’s words from before, my possession must be linked to dragons somehow.

I’d already planned to study them further.

Just recalling that moment—the blinding golden eyes—made me shiver.

The unfamiliar bed and the sacred air made it even harder to relax.

‘I wonder if Loic’s back yet.’

The memory of him in the hot spring flashed in my mind, and my cheeks warmed.

Seriously. How could a man look that perfect unclothed?

The definition of his muscles, the shadows between them—it was unfair.

‘Come to think of it, it’s been a while since we kissed.’

‘He’s been so careful lately, probably to avoid making me uncomfortable…’

But what if, because we’d been apart too long, he lost control again?

‘Maybe tonight… I could… just a little.’

This wasn’t lust—it was genuine concern for Loic’s condition. Really.

“…Right.”

Let’s just go with that.

Hiding my impure thoughts behind that excuse, I quietly checked his room.

It was empty.

‘It’s been a while—don’t tell me he’s still at the hot spring?’

Wandering down the corridor, I eventually stepped into the hallway outside the sanctuary.

Beyond the ceiling windows, I could see the moonlight glimmering across the snow-covered cloister.

Drawn by the sacred stillness, I walked into the corridor.

At its center stood a small fountain, its water bubbling gently.

In the middle of it rose an altar with a wide golden chalice resting atop it.

‘Wow, that looks like real gold. And those jewels—are they real too?’

Since there was a cup, maybe the spring water was drinkable.

My throat was dry after all that spicy tomato stew earlier.

I picked up the chalice.

It wobbled a bit on its base as I lifted it—clearly unused for a long time.

Under the moonlight, the gold gleamed faintly.

I rinsed the cup in the water and drank from the spring.

The water was cold and sweet.

A refreshing sensation ran through me, clearing my chest.

‘Maybe it tastes good because the place feels so pure.’

I was just setting the cup down when—

“Annette?”

Loic appeared from the other end of the corridor.

Crunch, crunch.

He walked across the snow, his steps graceful and sure, like the true master of the temple.

“You’re still awake?”

He brushed back his damp hair, speaking softly.

The moonlight fell perfectly over his handsome face.

“Were you in the hot spring all this time?”

“I was sparring with the knights.”

“At this hour?”

Loic avoided her curious eyes and changed the subject.

“And what about you? Why are you out here dressed so lightly?”

Scolding me gently, his large hand wrapped warmly around my arm.

“I was looking for you.”

He blinked in surprise.

“Looking for me? Did you need something?”

“No.”

The warmth of his hand contrasted with the cold air, making my shoulders tremble.

“I just wanted to see you.”

His hand, which had been gently rubbing my arm, froze.

Loic stared down at me, stunned.

“You… came to see me?”

“Yes.”

Was that so strange?

His dark eyes deepened with an unreadable emotion.

Before I could ask what he was thinking, Loic slowly pulled me into his arms.

“Loic?”

His warm face pressed against my neck, his breath hot against my skin.

His strong arms wrapped around me gently, spreading warmth through the cold air.

‘…It feels warm. So nice.’

Loic lifted his head, meeting my eyes.

His obsidian eyes seemed to shine brighter than ever tonight.

“Annette,” he whispered, his voice low and rough.

“May I… kiss you?”

Finally—after so long.

Before I knew it, I was clutching the edge of his sleeve tightly.

“Does it hurt today?” I asked, as I always did out of habit.

Loic brushed the hair from my cheek and tucked it behind my ear.

His hand slowly slid down to my lips.

“No.”

His calloused finger traced gently across my mouth.

“I just want to kiss you.”