A Snake’s Life Ch 59

Chapter 59

 

Darkness had settled into the room, but the golden eyes gleamed sharply in the pitch-black. Zerpell fixed his gaze on Shuiren, who was nestled closely in his arms, fast asleep. The night was already deep, and Shuiren had fallen into a sound slumber, but Zerpell found it difficult to fall asleep. His heart still pounded violently, though its rhythm had slowed.

It was the warmth he had always dreamed of.

Zerpell buried his nose in Shuiren’s hair and breathed in his scent. His mind wandered back to the events of earlier that day. He knew—it was a misunderstanding. When he left his office, he had simply gone to pick up Shuiren, prompted by Ian’s suggestion.

But… even thinking about it again made his fury surge. Shuiren had been with an unfamiliar man. And both of them had been stark naked. The sheer rage had nearly driven him mad.

He had never liked the idea of killing someone, but in that moment, he had felt the overwhelming urge to cut the man’s throat. Shuiren would never know. Zerpell had suppressed his anger for Shuiren’s sake, unwilling to show him bloodshed. He had tried to calm himself with the knowledge that the man was Kir. Yet, even so, the burning rage refused to dissipate.

Zerpell had always thought of himself as a patient man. He had believed he could wait, no matter how long it took. But that was arrogance. He could no longer suppress the possessiveness that roiled in his mind. His instincts whispered to him—to make Shuiren his now, to ensure he could go nowhere. Zerpell had to work to restrain the boiling desire.

Ian’s words returned to him—”Push forward.”

Swept up in a whirlpool of emotion, Zerpell had acted rashly.

“You truly can’t control your emotions when it comes to him.”

Ian’s warning had been right. Shuiren hadn’t refused. When Zerpell leaned in, Shuiren had gently closed his eyes. He had accepted his tongue, and trembled with pleasure in his arms. That trembling had been transmitted directly to Zerpell. He had pulled Shuiren’s waist tightly to him and explored the fruit within his lips without restraint—there was no way he could not be satisfied.

Beneath the beautiful crimson eyes, Shuiren’s lids had turned red. His cheeks flushed with a rosy hue as he panted breathlessly. And then, in reply, Shuiren had kissed him first.

“Only me… Only look at me.”

Zerpell couldn’t hold back the laugh that slipped between his teeth. His lips curled into a slow smile.

Zerpell woke feeling refreshed. He had confirmed Shuiren’s heart and gotten rid of the bothersome Kir. It had been a satisfying day.

Though Shuiren hadn’t known it, Kir had always interfered whenever he had the chance. He had routinely wedged his large frame between Zerpell and Shuiren and stared holes into Zerpell’s face. Zerpell had, of course, ignored him.

Still, having someone else intrude into a space that had belonged to just the two of them was infuriating enough, let alone such behavior.

“Good riddance.”

There was no more tail of Kir to block his hand when he reached for Shuiren. He gently stroked Shuiren’s hair. At his word, a servant had promptly sent Kir away. According to the servant, Aiden had been a little flustered but pleased. The servant also relayed that Aiden had said he would visit Zerpell the next day.

Ever since the incident with the murdered maid, Aiden had avoided meeting Zerpell’s eyes, always hiding behind someone else. But now, he had told a servant himself that he would come see him.

“…He’s coming to see me.”

Perhaps hearing Zerpell mutter to himself, Shuiren began to stir in bed.

“What…”

“Awake already?”

“Mhm… Good morning…”

Rubbing his eyes, Shuiren sat up. He stretched widely and then slumped. His still-sleepy head bobbed left and right.

Zerpell caught his head and leaned it onto his shoulder. Shuiren grumbled, rubbing his face against his shoulder. Zerpell looked at him tenderly. He caught Shuiren’s chin in his hand. Blurred crimson eyes came into view.

Zerpell pressed his lips to Shuiren’s. Half-asleep, Shuiren blinked slowly, then, seemingly coming to, fidgeted slightly. He tried to push Zerpell’s chest away, but lacked strength. Still, Zerpell pulled away without resistance.

“What’s that about, first thing in the morning…”

“Lovers are supposed to share a morning kiss, aren’t they?”

“And you managed to hold back until now, huh…”

Despite Shuiren’s grumbling tone, Zerpell chuckled.

“So I’ve decided—I won’t hold back anymore.”

He laced his fingers with Shuiren’s. Shuiren opened his mouth slightly, then cleared his throat. Though he seemed embarrassed, he didn’t pull away. His turned head revealed ears dyed red.

“To commemorate becoming lovers, is there anything you’d like? I’ll get you anything.”

Shuiren’s eyes thinned slightly, but he shook his head with a broad smile.

“No, I don’t really want anything. You always take care of me properly. I already have everything I want. Didn’t you already give me a tailored outfit? That’s enough.”

“That’s for the banquet. It’s not a gift meant just for you.”

Shuiren sighed softly and cuddled into Zerpell’s chest.

“It’s fine. I’ve already received plenty.”

Though he already knew this, Zerpell couldn’t shake the desire to give something to Shuiren, now that they were officially lovers.

“But still…”

“Hmm… Then, just stroke my hair.”

Zerpell, hiding his feelings, picked up the brush nearby and said,

“Very well. Let’s start by brushing your hair.”

Shuiren automatically turned around, and Zerpell began brushing from root to tip. At first, Shuiren seemed annoyed, but he eventually sat quietly and accepted the touch. Occasionally, soft humming escaped him, suggesting he was enjoying it.

“You seem to be in a good mood.”

“Huh? Ah… It’s our first morning since becoming lovers. It feels… special.”

Shuiren averted his gaze awkwardly, his cheeks tinged with red. Perhaps embarrassed by his own words, he quickly turned his head away. Still, the way he let the words trail off made him look adorably flustered, and Zerpell’s eyes curved with delight. From time to time, Zerpell kissed the ends of Shuiren’s hair lightly.

Shuiren glanced over his shoulder, but Zerpell met his gaze with a mischievous grin. Shuiren quickly looked away, grumbling, and then suddenly turned his head toward the window.

“Master, isn’t it getting late? Why isn’t Ian here? Do you have a light schedule today?”

His tone, laced with a hint of nervousness, implied he wanted to stay together longer. Zerpell gave a faint smile. He wished he could, but it wasn’t so easy. He had sternly told Ian off yesterday, which was likely why he hadn’t entered the room yet—but Zerpell could imagine him pacing anxiously outside.

He placed a hand on Shuiren’s head. Without needing words, Shuiren already understood his answer.

“Tch. I figured… But you waited until I woke up, right? Do your best at work.”

“Let’s eat together later.”

Before leaving, Zerpell brushed both hands through Shuiren’s hair as if savoring the texture. Then, with a brief kiss, he said,

“I’ll be back.”

He rose with that single sentence. As he did, Shuiren caught his hand and beckoned him closer with a finger. Zerpell leaned in, and Shuiren’s soft lips touched his cheek before pulling away quickly. When Zerpell turned, eyes widened, he saw Shuiren grinning mischievously.

“Master. Come back soon.”

“…I will.”

A clear smile lit up Zerpell’s face.

When Zerpell arrived at his office, he saw Ian standing there with furrowed brows, holding a mountain of paperwork. Since he hadn’t finished yesterday’s documents, the work had piled up. Without a word, Ian placed the stack on the desk as Zerpell sat down. The top sheet fluttered in the air before settling gently before him.

“You won’t be going anywhere today.”

It was a firm, resolute declaration. Zerpell nodded silently and began sorting through the papers. His hands moved faster than usual. The room filled only with the sound of rustling pages and scribbling pens. Then, Ian spoke.

“Yesterday, a servant relayed that Lord Aiden would be visiting. Will you receive him?”

Zerpell’s hand froze mid-motion. He spoke without expression and resumed writing.

“I intend to.”

“Understood. I’ll have refreshments prepared in the drawing room.”

Ian summoned a servant to ready the reception room. A little while later, the servant returned with perfectly timed news that Aiden had arrived.

“Your Highness.”

“I’ll go.”

Zerpell set down his pen and stood. When Ian opened the drawing room door, Aiden’s back came into view, sipping tea quietly. Zerpell scanned the area. Aiden was alone.

“Are you by yourself? Where is your attendant?”

Ian whispered quietly into his ear.

“According to the servant, he rushed to the palace as if fleeing from someone.”

Aiden seemed lost in thought, unaware that Zerpell had entered.

“Aiden.”

Startled, Aiden nearly dropped his tea as he stood up abruptly.

“H-Hello…”

He fidgeted awkwardly, greeting him nervously.