episode_0185

[Episode 181] – Please drink moderately

Even in the midst of the winter chill blowing in from the balcony, Vivian and Titania lightly kissed each other’s lips, gazed deeply into each other’s eyes, and gently caressed each other’s cheeks.

These were not the desperate kisses Titania had been pleading with her mother for so long, but rather tender and youthful kisses. Despite being just a touch of lips, they were sweeter than any kiss they had shared before.

Just meeting each other’s eyes made their hearts race, and Titania felt happy every time she brushed her mother’s skin. The warm breath that touched her skin when their lips met was intoxicating, and she was delighted by her mother’s smiling face.

In truth, she wondered if giving the ring too early was a mistake. She wanted to be more careful, create a good atmosphere, think about the lines she had prepared, and then slide the ring onto her mother’s ring finger.

“I might have been too hasty…”

Titania looked at the gold ring on her mother’s ring finger, rolling only her eyes. It was the same shape as the one on her left hand. Seeing the ring, she thought it didn’t matter anymore.

What was there to deeply contemplate? Right now, she was simply overwhelmed with joy and happiness that her mother accepted the ring she had given and shared the same feelings as her.

Titania once again lightly kissed Vivian’s lips, smiled bashfully, and seemed truly happy. Responding with the same smile, her mother kissed her cheek.

Truly, how could she be so happy? Was it okay to be this happy? This moment with her mother was incredibly joyful, delightful, and she wished it would continue forever, but…

Amidst the continued light kisses and smiles, a small, very small desire began to sprout in Titania’s heart. Having a desire did not mean she was dissatisfied with the situation.

It was just a tiny desire, a feeling that perhaps it was time to move on to the next step… A feeling that since they had kissed, maybe it was okay to be a little bolder and move forward.

‘Well, since Mother accepted the wedding ring, does that mean in reality, Mother and I have become a “married couple”? So, wouldn’t it be okay to be a little greedy besides kissing…?’

Gulp, Titania swallowed dry saliva and lightly kissed Vivian’s cheek. Mother, seemingly unaware of her own feelings, simply smiled and returned the kiss to her lips.

However, unlike Vivian’s innocent smile, Titania’s inner thoughts were as dark as could be. But Titania felt she couldn’t help having these feelings.

Well, she had endured so much until now. In truth, she wanted to approach Mother a bit more directly. Because she liked her too much. Really, she liked her so much that it was hard to endure.

She always wanted to see Mother, know her, touch her, reach her, kiss her, and even do more than that. She had endured somehow because Mother seemed troubled.

But now, is there a need to endure?

“Now Mother is mine.”

Titania once again rolled her eyes and looked at the wedding ring on Vivian’s ring finger. Why did the wedding ring on that delicate finger seem like an absolution?

Even if she wanted Mother a little more and used that ring as an excuse, Mother seemed likely to reluctantly allow it. Like saying, “Now we are a couple,” or “It’s okay for a couple to do this.”

…So, wouldn’t it be a little okay?

After enduring so desperately until now.

A little, even if she wants Mother, she won’t receive punishment.

Really, she wanted to connect with Mother more deeply.

To calm down a bit, Titania gently stroked Vivian’s cheek and took a deep breath. The air escaping from her nose and mouth felt warm against her skin.

A slightly calmer Titania bit her lower lip and fell into thought for a moment. She had never done anything impulsively that turned out well. At least, it required a plan.

Titania met Vivian’s eyes and smiled, folding her pretty eyelids.

“…Shall we go back to the bedroom?”

“Bedroom? But the New Year’s ceremony…”

“We’ve already shown our faces, so it doesn’t matter, right? The New Year’s ceremony isn’t such an important event. Besides, I just want to be happy alone with my mother that we’re connected like this. Can’t I?”

Titania pouted her lips and spoke as if throwing a tantrum. While doing so, she carefully put on a ring on her overlapping hands, teasingly tickled Vivian’s hand, and smiled slyly.

“I’ll bring some good liquor and delicious food. I feel like having a drink alone with my mother after a long time.”

“Okay, let’s do that.”

As Vivian gave her permission, Titania cheered silently in her heart. Now, she would use the excuse of alcohol to make her mother slightly intoxicated and create a better atmosphere…

“Hehehe…”

“Is it really that nice?”

“Yes, I really like it.”

Titania nodded vigorously with a wide smile. In fact, wouldn’t tonight be the ‘first night’ with her mother? Her mother didn’t seem to be in a bad mood today, so if they got into the mood, things would eventually turn out well…

“Hehehehe…”

Wouldn’t today be the day of reckoning? Titania smoothed down her inflated expectations and tightly held Vivian’s hand as she headed for the bedroom. Surely, tonight would be very romantic…

*

…She knew.

It was a fact she knew.

“Hoo…”

Titania knew best that things in the world don’t flow so easily. No matter how excellent and wonderful her plans were, they always seemed to go strangely when it came to her mother.

“…But still, I had hoped for today.”

Titania looked down at her mother, who had fallen asleep drunk while hugging her waist. She had pleaded for her to drink moderately, but her mother ended up drinking the whole bottle and passed out.

Perhaps, she seemed to be experiencing a tension similar to the tension she had felt. The first night and alcohol. And seductive lingerie. In the bedroom, she burned aroma, and for the atmosphere, she even sprinkled dried rose petals on the blanket.

It felt like she was giving off the vibe of “I’m going to seduce Mother tonight,” but still, these were things that were ‘naturally’ necessary in novels. It was clearly stated that they were essential items for the atmosphere.

Titania tilted her head, pondering whether her knowledge was wrong, but she couldn’t tell. After all, Titania’s knowledge was limited to the 19+ romance novels sent by Viola.

Novels with female protagonists were only written by Viola and a few other authors. There was already a shortage of demand. Perhaps it was not the taste of romance novel readers in the kingdom…

“Should I ask Viola to send more new releases…”

Titania spun the wine glass in her hand and looked again at her mother, who was sleeping peacefully, using her chest as a pillow. She felt resentful of how peacefully she slept.

“Sigh… But it’s our first night…”

Certainly, her mother knew what kind of day today was. That’s why she was so tense that she might not have realized she was getting drunk and ended up causing this mess.

Every time she tried to continue the conversation, she drank, and when she got a little closer, her face turned bright red and she was busy drinking. The problem was that her appearance was so pretty and cute that she let it go.

“… Should I be satisfied just because she acknowledged it?”

She was glad that her mother was nervous about doing ‘this and that’ with her, but still, she was full of regret. If only her mother had drunk a little less…

“… Sigh. Alcohol is always the problem.”

Titania looked at her mother, who was breathing softly in her sleep, and sighed deeply, lowering her head. Yes, let’s not think anxiously. There probably isn’t much time left.

Tightening her smile in frustration, Titania gently put down the wine glass she held in her hand outside the bed and slowly closed her eyes while embracing her mother’s body in her arms.

Bending down to kiss her sleeping mother’s forehead, Titania pulled Vivian close and prepared to fall asleep. The faint scent of wine and her mother’s fragrance pleasantly tickled her nose.

“…Still, I’m a bit angry.”

With her eyes closed, Titania couldn’t sleep due to the boiling emotions inside her. She wouldn’t rush to think about it, but at least, could she tell her mother a “story”?

A story about the first night.

…

Did she drink too much? Although she remembered drinking with Titania last night, due to the throbbing hangover, she couldn’t recall how many bottles she had drunk. My head…!

Leaning her head against the headboard of the bed, feeling the pain of the hangover, Titania brought cold water and sent an irritated look. Why is she giving me that look…?

As she gulped down the cold water, Titania sighed softly and sat on the edge of the bed. As I sat and looked at Titania blankly, she sighed heavily once again and spoke.

“Mother, you knew what kind of night it was last night, didn’t you?”

Last night…? Amid the splitting headache, memories of last night began to surface. Clearly, I remembered entering the bedroom, and even remembered the change in Titania’s mood.

The memory of hastily drinking, fearing to be caught up in Titania’s slightly mischievous and lustful atmosphere, seemed to burst like soda in my mind.

“W-what are you talking about…?”

“You know…? How eagerly I waited for you wearing this lingerie. Are you going to keep pretending not to know?”

“……”

As if she already knew everything, Titania frowned at me. But even if we shared the engagement ring, isn’t this too soon? How could such a thing happen right after I confessed?

When I hesitated and couldn’t say anything, Titania let out a deep sigh and slowly approached me, meeting my gaze. Unconsciously, I averted my eyes from her provocative stare.

“…So, I’m planning to spend the first night together in the future. When would be a good time?”

“…? Uh, yeah…? What did you say?”

…? What did I just hear? I looked at Titania with wide eyes, and she gazed back at me as if sincerely. No, is she planning and doing this kind of thing…?

“Do we have to decide on that…?”

“I don’t want to do this either, but if we don’t decide, Mother will make various excuses and try to escape again.”

It wasn’t a wrong statement. Just last night, I tried to run away again. But no matter what, is it not too inconsiderate to do such a thing after opening up my heart?

As I was about to protest, Titania stared at me while caressing the ring on my left ring finger. At that moment, I remembered what Titania had said while putting the ring on my finger last night.

“I hate Mother who keeps running away. So, I’ll put a beautiful ring on you so that Mother can’t run away from me. Please always think of this ring.”

“Don’t forget what meaning I put into the ring on your hand.”

“It means that I love you.”

“If you understand, please don’t run away anymore.”

I felt suffocated by her words. Titania smiled, closing her eyes and lightly kissing my forehead while stroking my cheek. I know Titania’s feelings, but still…

“You, it’s too much of a burden…”