The Villainess Lives Twice: Butterfly's Dream (IF Story) - Chapter 102

Artizea ran over and threw her arms around his neck, holding him tightly. Cedric swept her up in his arms, lifting her feet off the ground. 

Alice smiled and quietly closed the door behind them, though neither of them seemed to notice.

Cedric’s lips brushed lightly against Artizea’s, then lingered, teasing her lower lip. She squeezed her eyes shut, then opened them again. Cedric laughed softly, his breath warm against her mouth.

“Why?” 

“I want to see your face, Lord Ced.” 

“That’s not what you’re supposed to say right now.”

Artizea blinked, not quite understanding what she’d said wrong, then remembered, just a beat too late.

“Ced.” 

Cedric smiled when she called him that. They had promised to speak to each other more casually now, but out of habit, Artizea still slipped into her old, formal way of talking.

“You can’t forget something that important.” 

“It’s not that important.” 

Artizea grumbled awkwardly. Cedric pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead and cheeks.

“So how did you end up here?” 

“You said you missed me.”

Her cheeks turned pink. She’d written that in nearly every letter, and hearing it out loud was both gratifying and a little embarrassing.

“You told me your schedule, so I figured you’d be at Rosan Castle around this time. It’s not so far for me. By carriage, it’d take over ten days, but riding alone I can make it in two.”

Of course, his guards probably had a different opinion about that.

“But you must have had work to do.”

“I made time.” 

“Then…” 

Artizea hesitated, gripping his shoulders as she asked.

“How long will you stay?”.

“I think your business here is almost finished, isn’t it?”

She nodded, hope lighting up her face. Cedric smiled.

“Then I’ll wait until you’re done, and we can go back together. Marquisate Rosan vassals won’t throw me out, will they?”

“Of course not!” 

Artizea was so happy she threw her arms around his neck again.

Cedric kissed her once more, and she looped one arm around his neck, tugging at his sleeve with her other hand. 

His cloak smelled faintly of dust, but she didn’t care. She went up on tiptoe, pressing closer, pulling him in.

His tongue slid into her mouth, just brushing hers. Artizea’s breath quickened at the contact, her chest rising and falling. 

Cedric pulled away slightly so she could catch her breath, but didn’t quite break the kiss. Just brushed her upper lip with his tongue as if to remind her to breathe.

Artizea had always been a diligent student, and she was just as obedient with Cedric. She took a deep breath, then let it out, only to be drawn into another deep kiss.

Human bodies don’t melt just from contact, but at that moment, it felt like their lips and tongues were melting together. Heat flushed all the way to her eyelids and spreading down her body.

Cedric gently disentangled her hand from his sleeve and laced their fingers together. It wasn’t as though they’d never held hands before, but somehow every time felt new, as if she were learning everything for the first time.

Her heart fluttered so wildly it felt like her whole chest was buzzing, the sensation spreading through her like a ticklish warmth. The heat started in her head and then drifted downward, warming her all the way to her throat.

“Uh, ung…”

A soft whimper escaped Artizea’s lips. Somehow, the heat had traveled all the way to her feet, making her feel as if she was melting from head to toe. She staggered, a little unsteady.

Just a little more…

Driven by a growing desperation, she threaded her fingers through Cedric’s hair, pulling him even closer. She wasn’t consciously thinking about what to do next. She just knew this wasn’t enough. She didn’t want to stop at the melting point, she wanted to reach the boiling point.

But as she slipped her hands free from his and gripped his shoulders, starting to undo the clasp of his cloak, Cedric suddenly hesitated. Their lips didn’t immediately part, but his intent was clear.

He gently pulled his lips away, wiped the moisture from her lower lip, and put a little distance between them.

“I should wash up and change clothes. I’ve been riding since morning.”

For a moment, Artizea wondered if ‘wash up’ meant something else, and she blushed, looking shyly at the floor. But Cedric just tapped her forehead lightly with his finger.

“We’re not married yet. Don’t forget.”

“And whose fault is that…” 

She grumbled. Cedric just smiled and kissed her cheek. 

“There’s no need to rush. We have our whole lives ahead of us.”

“You say that…. but I care about now.”

“That’s exactly why we shouldn’t rush.” 

Looking at her unconvinced expression, Cedric gave her a broad smile before turning away.

Just then, Cedric opened the door and came a clatter. Artizea looked out in surprise to see Sophie had tripped and was now grinning sheepishly from the floor.

“Um… I came to say the bath is ready, Master.”

“Thank you. Which way is it?” 

Cedric asked calmly, and Sophie pointed him in the right direction.

Artizea, her face still burning red, watched him go, unable to shake her frustration. Sophie asked hesitantly.

“Um, Miss. Did I interrupt something…”

“No, it was Lord Ced who opened the door.” 

Artizea sighed. 

“Isn’t this a little much? Can’t he just pretend not to know what’s going on? The wedding’s months away.”

Does he really expect her to wait that long? Why should she? It’s not like they have strict parents standing in their way or a lack of feelings for each other. If there was ever a time to burn bright, it’s now! And he’s satisfied with just a kiss? She stamped her foot in exasperation.

Relieved she wasn’t the cause, Sophie got a serious look and began to scheme with her.

“How about this, Miss?”

“What is it?”

She whispered in Artizea’s ear. Artizea blushed but nodded, determined.

Meanwhile, Cedric enjoyed a long bath alone. He was tempted to splash himself with cold water. He was tired, and dust clung to him from the road, so he chose to soak and relax instead.

After drying off and changing into more comfortable clothes, he sat in an armchair in the hastily prepared guest room.

That was close.

‘Hmm…Should he lock the door?’

Cedric considered it seriously. He prided himself on his self-control, but he knew it wasn’t unbreakable.

No matter what, nothing could happen before the wedding. If anything, he thought it’d be better to delay it for Artizea’s sake.

Knock, knock.

Just then there was a knock on the door.

“Who is it?” 

“Dinner is ready.” 

A servant announced, and soon a trolley loaded with a hearty meal was rolled in.

Cedric frowned slightly. 

“Am I dining alone?”

“The Miss already ate earlier. She’s in the bath now.” 

“I see.” 

Cedric picked up his fork, feeling a little disappointed.