The Escort Knight Who Is Obsessed by the Villainess Wants to Escape - Chapter 186

“Sorry…”

Eliza muttered in a timid voice.

It had been about a week since their wedding night, and today was the first time the two woke up in a relatively human-like manner.

Until now, they had been rousing each other in rather vulgar yet affectionate ways.

And even after waking up, they hadn’t behaved much like humans.

Like beasts obedient to instinct, they had rolled around on the bed.

Thanks to their intense and earnest “conversations” over the past week, Eliza’s voice was completely hoarse.

And now, she was treating Judas’s back.

The back of the man sitting in front of her was covered in scratches from her nails.

She swore she hadn’t done it on purpose.

It just… kind of happened.

“It’s not like I mind or anything…”

Judas scratched his head awkwardly.

Ever since they began their week-long “deep conversations,” their speech had become much more casual.

Now, even calling her “Elly” felt natural.

That said, Eliza’s skin wasn’t entirely unscathed either.

Like the red marks from bites and suction on her nape and cleavage.

Or the lingering red palm print on her rear…

Eliza winced at the stinging pain and grumbled.

“It stings… And it’s all swollen down there.”

“It’s not like you’re completely blameless either…”

“Be quiet.”

“Yes, miss.”

Despite her complaints, she was in a good mood.

The past week had also been a period of learning about a whole new world.

They had studied many subjects, but this was the first time Eliza discovered that human sensation included such… dimensions.

Incidentally, Judas had also learned that Eliza had a mole on the back of her left thigh—a mark only he could see in their most intimate moments.

In any case, they were both in a blissful, satisfied mood.

“Done treating you.”

The scratches were only slightly swollen, so it didn’t take long.

After finishing, Eliza leaned her body against his broad back and wrapped her arms around his waist.

“Wha—hey, what’s this all of a sudden?”

“Just felt like it.”

A hug for no reason.

A feeling that didn’t need explaining.

A confession that could be said anytime, anywhere.

Theirs was that kind of relationship.

Judas simply smiled warmly and held Eliza’s hand.

The soft warmth of her body pressed against his back was comforting.

Eliza nuzzled against him before suddenly asking:

“…What are you thinking about right now?”

“Hmm. If I tell you, we’ll probably end up lying back down… You okay with that?”

“Mmm… That doesn’t sound bad, but…”

Eliza glanced around.

The scenery hadn’t changed much since they first arrived—except for the bed.

It was a complete mess.

Soaked with sweat and all kinds of other fluids.

“…Maybe we should try being civilized for at least a little while.”

“Yeah, fair point.”

They decided to wash up together.

The golden cage Eliza had prepared was equipped with all the facilities necessary for human living.

Of course, there was also a groundwater pump that could be used for drinking water or bathing.

The space was large, but it wasn’t divided into sections like a house.

Wherever there was a bed, that area was the bedroom, and where the table and cooking utensils were, that was the kitchen.

Similarly, the direction where the pump was located had been arbitrarily designated as the bathroom.

With a dazed mind, Judas drew water and marveled.

‘Damn. How did they manage this? Is there anything Elly can’t do? She’s good at night stuff too… Hm. Better control myself for now.’

Anyway, the two bathed together.

There was even a large bathtub, spacious enough for both of them.

The groundwater was cold, but Eliza warmed it with magic.

Once the temperature was comfortably warm, Judas stepped in first.

Eliza, who followed, leaned her back against his body.

The fatigue from a week’s worth of sweat and irregular sleep melted away bit by bit.

Watching the faint steam rise, Judas completely relaxed his body.

“This feels good…”

Eliza leaned comfortably against him.

“Mmm…”

After resting in a daze like that for a few minutes, they began washing each other.

And then, Judas learned the astonishing truth that certain female body parts float in water.

After finishing their bath, Judas stared intently at Eliza.

Eliza, who was shaking out her wet hair, asked,

“What?”

“……”

Right now, she was wearing only one of his shirts.

It was loose, barely covering her thighs.

The problem was, she hadn’t buttoned it up.

The subtle exposure peeking through the gap in the fabric kept drawing his gaze.

Judas buttoned it up from the bottom and said,

“If you don’t want to end up in bed again, keep your clothes on properly.”

“Hmm…”

Eliza rubbed her hair with a towel and then grinned.

Then, she undid the top three buttons.

Enough to reveal her cleavage.

“…Elly. What’s the meaning of this?”

“Who knows? Maybe I just feel stuffy?”

Eliza flapped her shirt like someone who was too hot.

She didn’t look the least bit stuffy.

Judas laughed helplessly.

“Let’s eat first. If we starve any longer, we’ll get sick.”

“Mmh- kay. Got it.”

There was enough food stored here to last the two of them about thirty days.

There were just two small problems:

One, the food had to be cooked.

And two, Eliza was clueless about cooking.

So, meal prep fell entirely on Judas’s shoulders.

For some reason, Eliza felt guilty.

It felt like she was just making him do everything.

“…Sorry.”

Judas just smiled at the small creature clinging to his waist.

“What’s there to be sorry about? It’s fine.”

“Want me to help?”

“Hmm. I don’t really want Her Highness’s delicate hands to suffer.”

“…What kind of nonsense is that? Idiot.”

Embarrassed, Eliza bumped her forehead against his back repeatedly.

It was amusing to hear.

Judas found her unbearably cute.

Even words that should have been embarrassingly cheesy rolled easily off his tongue.

After a week of exchanging far harsher words, this level of banter was practically trivial.

“Still, I don’t want to just sit here doing nothing…”

The meal preparation was nothing more than simple sandwiches. Neither of them had the patience for anything more elaborate—they were both too hungry.

Even though it was a small task, Eliza seemed bothered by the idea of Judas working alone.

“Mmm.”

Judas found her endearing as he wondered what she could help with.

“Then, could you tidy the bed and blankets?”

“Yeah. I’ll do it.”

Eliza answered immediately.

But then she wrapped her arms around his waist from behind, pressing herself against his back without moving.

‘…What’s this about?’

She said she’d clean, so why wasn’t she doing anything?

Curious, Judas glanced back.

He saw Eliza’s profile stuck to him like a cicada, her round, plump cheeks adorable.

She was staring at the bed across the room—where the blanket was floating into the air.

A dry towel flew in from somewhere and wiped the bed down once.

A nearby shelf slid open on its own, and a fresh blanket fluttered out before settling neatly onto the bed.

“……”

Judas stopped washing the vegetables, watching as if witnessing a paranormal phenomenon.

Once the bed was magically made, Eliza turned her head.

Their eyes met.

“Hmm?”

She tilted her head as if asking why he was staring.

“What was that just now… Did you do that, Elly?”

“Mm.”

“With magic?”

“Mm. Wind magic.”

Judas was still amazed by her talents.

Was this even magic anymore? It felt like something beyond.

“Why?”

Her tone suggested it was no big deal—why was she making a fuss?

Judas just laughed.

Ever since she had reconstructed the fridge from memory using magic, she had already far surpassed his imagination.

“It’s just… I’m impressed, I guess.”

“This is nothing.”

“Well, even this place alone is…”

A sustained space beneath a mountain—and not a small one at that.

It had air circulation, groundwater—this had to be some kind of advanced technology.

In fact, the magical techniques Eliza used to create this cave were now being applied in the construction of the imperial palace.

“I’ve done many things with magic, but none have felt as rewarding as using it for you. Like this place.”

Eliza spoke proudly, and Judas found her so cute that he subtly lowered his head.

Still holding his waist, Eliza rose onto her tiptoes and met his lips.

Being kissed from behind by Eliza was a new experience.

Conversely, when he had held her from behind last night—

Anyway, Judas quickly finished making the sandwiches.

A simple combination of toasted bread, ham, cheese, greens, and tomatoes.

Eliza naturally settled onto his lap.

And Judas accepted it as the most natural thing in the world.

He wrapped one arm around her waist and ate the sandwich with his other hand.

The reason Eliza didn’t ask to be fed was purely because they were both too hungry.

Filling their stomachs quickly was the top priority.

“Come to think of it, Judas, you seem to be pretty good at cooking.”

“Do I? I don’t think I’m at the level of being good at it.”

Having spent much of his childhood alone, he had learned to prepare simple meals for himself.

“Should I try cooking too?”

“Hmm? All of a sudden? Well, if Elly wants to, sure.”

“Judas, would you like it if I cooked for you?”

“Hmm…”

Judas fiddled with Eliza’s belly as he imagined it.

‘A meal prepared by Eliza herself…’

He had never really expected her to do something like that.

After all, she was raised as a noble—far removed from such tasks—and with her wealth, she could easily hire skilled chefs.

‘Does she want to cook for me? Or does she want to try playing the role of a wife?’

Either way, it was nothing short of adorable.

“I wouldn’t say I expect you to, but if you did, I’d definitely be happy about it.”

“Hmm, is that so…”

Eliza nodded knowingly, puffing her cheeks as she chewed on the sandwich.

“No need to feel pressured. Just do whatever you want, Elly.”

“Mm.”

After finishing their meal, they made their way to the mountaintop.

It took no time at all—thanks to Eliza’s teleportation.

“I can’t remember the last time I saw the sun.”

“Yeah…”

The early summer sun hanging in the midday sky was a welcome sight.

After living like savages in a cave, this was the first sunlight they had seen in a week.

The two stood in a sunny spot, taking in the view.

Eliza leaned her back against Judas, while he held her from behind.

“The mansion is over that way.”

Eliza pointed.

“…Oh, I see it. You said it was a nearby mountain, but it really is close.”

“Mm. But the palace is too far to see. Should I flatten another mountain?”

“Hmm… I don’t think that’s necessary… One is enough, don’t you think?”

“That’s true. I do like the idea of a completely closed-off space where no one can intrude, but the lack of sunlight is a bit of a downside. Maybe we should look into getting a villa somewhere we can visit together…”

Her runaway train of thought was still hard to keep up with, but he didn’t mind.

It was a kind of certainty.

The certainty that, no matter what, Eliza would never leave or harm him.

An absolute faith and trust in each other.

And he knew Eliza felt the same way.

The girl in his arms was warmer than the sun—and just as dazzling.

Judas pressed a brief kiss to the top of her head, breathing in her sweet scent.

“Heh.”

Eliza let out a pleased snort, then lifted his hand to press a kiss to his knuckles.

“Judas.”

“Yeah?”

“I love you.”

Judas smiled and gladly replied.

“I love you too.”

Still leaning against him, Eliza twisted her upper body slightly backward.

She puckered her lips and closed her eyes slightly.

And Judas, holding her tight, bent down to meet her.

Moist lips met with a refreshing touch.

At the mountain’s peak, the two shared a long, lingering kiss.

“…But, Judas.”

“……”

“What’s that touching me?”

“That’s… uh, a wondrous and mysterious marvel of nature tied to the miracle of life… something like that…”

At his absurd excuse, Eliza let out a clear laugh and used teleportation.

The scenery changed in an instant.

Before they knew it, they were back inside the aviary.

A cage that no one could enter or leave—except for Eliza.

But when she came with Judas, she didn’t mind being trapped in it too.

She had prepared the place for him, but it had become a place for both of them.

They kissed again, in the same position as when they’d been admiring the view, and held each other more tightly.

Before long, their breaths grew heated.

Soon, they ended up on the bed.

As Eliza’s legs parted naturally, Judas’s body came down over hers.

And the couple finally appeared before others about three weeks later.

That is, over a month after their wedding had taken place.

***

When the pair reemerged after a month, they still looked happy—but something was oddly different about them.

Judas looked slightly thinner, a bit worn out, while Eliza practically glowed with radiant, dewy skin.

Those who understood the reason behind this either blushed at the emperor and empress’s harmony, or simply chuckled and said nothing.

With such strong affection between the two pillars of the new empire, its future was sure to be bright.