Return of the Female Knight

Elena woke up to the sound of birdsong. The rain had stopped, and water dripped steadily from the cave entrance. As sunshine poured into the dark cave, Elena found that she was in Carlisle’s arms. She turned carefully to look at him, and realized that one of his arms was tucked beneath her head, and the other was wrapped around her waist.

‘Ah…’

The memory of last night came to her head, and she turned bright red. She had never seen Carlisle’s face this close before. She had shared a bedroom with him, but he had always slept on the couch, and he was usually the first one to wake up and wait for her.

‘…He looks so handsome.’

She let out a small chuckle. Carlisle’s vulnerability in his sleeping form was so different from his towering charisma. His fierce eyes, tall nose, tightly sealed lips, and jawline were the same as before, but softer somehow. Perhaps Elena was the only one who had seen him that way.

“It’s fortunate that you’re alive.”

She had almost given up several times in her last life. Nevertheless, she had endured because of her fighting abilities, which became even more helpful after returning to the past. After seeing Carlisle after their first time together, she suddenly felt rewarded for her effort and hardships. Love, a feeling that was once only a word, now overflowed in Elena’s mind. She was happy to have lived again and met Carlisle.

It was then.

Carlisle’s hand, which had been gently resting on Elena’s waist, suddenly tugged her closer.

“Ah!”

Her face ended up buried against Carlisle’s solid chest. He tilted his body to close any space between them, and Elena spoke in a startled voice.

“Were you awake?”

“No, I just woke up. Though I had my eyes closed for a moment because I felt you looking at me.”

“Why…?”

“I thought you would be embarrassed if I got up. I didn’t know you’d make such a cute sound.”

Elena had been absorbed in Carlisle’s sleeping face, but she suddenly became self-aware that she was naked beneath him. She couldn’t ignore the burning heat of his skin against her own.

“It’s not late yet, so close your eyes.”

“What was that you said? It’s fortunate that I’m alive? Where in the world did that cute idea come from? Hmm?”

Carlisle gave a mischievous grin, and Elena flushed red again.

“Nothing. I was just muttering to myself…”

“It’s unfair if you make such cute noises when I’m still sleeping, my wife.”

He leaned over and kissed the top of her head. She wanted to get up in embarrassment, but he was unwilling to let her go.

“…I want to stay with you and do nothing for a week.”

Elena didn’t say it, but her lower back was aching from the activities they did last night. Carlisle had refused to let her go, and if they spent a week like last night, she did not know how to be able to handle it.

“For me, I’ll refrain.”

A teasing smile flirted on Carlisle’s lips.

“That’s worse than giving candy to a child and then taking it away.”

“It’s—ah.”

She had tried to move, then gave a small cry as pain shot through her back. Carlisle wrapped his jacket around her pale body.

“Very well. I’ll take care of you today. Lie down and rest.”

Carlisle gently kissed Elena’s eyes to soothe her. Afterwards, he stood up, and Elena could clearly see nail and bite marks patterned on his back. Her eyes widened at the vire.

“Caril…”

She could not bring herself to finish her sentence, her voice heavy with regret, but he simply looked back at her and smiled.

“Oh, this? These are my medals.”

Elena closed her mouth and didn’t say anything. As she saw traces of her eagerness on his skin, she blushed to her neck in embarrassment.