(Yuuta's POV)
Her eyes narrowed playfully, and she tilted her head, sniffing the air like a cat deciding whether to pounce.
Then, with a smile curling at her lips, she whispered, "Do you want to… do something naughty?"
…Naughty things?
My brain short-circuited. The words rattled around in my skull like loose marbles, and all I could do was gape at her, frozen, mouth half-open. It felt like someone had just dumped a bucket of ice water over my head—and yet at the same time, my body burned from the inside out.
This couldn't be real. This wasn't the Erza I knew.
The Erza I knew was a queen of cold and steel—proud, sharp-tongued, quick to glare, quicker to swing her sword if someone dared cross her. This… this creature standing before me, teasing me with honeyed words and sultry eyes… she felt like something out of a dream. Or a nightmare. Or both.
Before I could even think, her hand pressed firmly against my chest, curling slightly, as though she were claiming me. The other slid up toward my neck. She leaned in—so close I felt her breath on my skin—then brushed her lips against me.
A shiver shot down my spine.
And then—her tongue traced lightly over my neck.
I flinched. My whole body went rigid. My face went crimson so fast it felt like my blood had boiled all at once. Normally, I was the one teasing her—prodding her temper, pushing her buttons, laughing when she scowled. But now… now she was in control. Bold. Playful. Dangerous.
And I—I was completely undone.
But even as I drowned in heat and confusion, I noticed something strange.
Her eyes.
Even half-lidded, even as she played the part of seductress, her gaze kept darting toward the side. Not at me. Not fully. Again and again, her pupils flicked toward the bedroom door.
And every time, her breath hitched. Just slightly. As if she wasn't thinking about me at all—but about what might happen if that door opened.
A cold knot tightened in my stomach.
"Erza…" I whispered. My hand rose almost on its own, settling gently on her shoulder.
Her eyes snapped back to me, wide and bright. "Yes, my honey?" she purred, voice dripping with sweetness—but her tone trembled ever so slightly, like a string pulled too tight.
I drew in a slow breath, steadying myself. "Please," I said softly, "stop this act."
For a moment, she looked as though I'd struck her. She blinked, lashes fluttering, her lips parting in faint surprise. "Act, my honey?" she echoed, smiling too brightly, too falsely.
I didn't let go. I squeezed her shoulder gently, not in anger but in reassurance. My eyes stayed locked on hers. "I know you're hiding something," I said, my voice calm, even. "And I know it's important. Whatever it is, whatever reason you have for keeping it from me—I trust you. I won't force you. I won't peek. I'll wait, so drop this act."
Her lips trembled. For a heartbeat she stood frozen, caught between fear and guilt. Her eyes widened, shimmering faintly, but no words came.
So I smiled for her. Gently, warmly. My hand slid from her shoulder to her cheek, brushing against the soft skin there. "You don't have to lie to me," I whispered. "You don't have to pretend. The Erza I love isn't some… temptress lewd trying to distract me."
I leaned closer, letting her forehead rest against mine. "The Erza I love is the proud, commanding queen who scolds me, nags me, and terrifies everyone else in the world."
The mask shattered.
Her body shivered, and before I could say anything, she suddenly wrapped her arms around me.
"I'm sorry…" she whispered, her voice thick with guilt. "I should have trusted you more… I just… I didn't know what else to do."
I stroked her hair gently, feeling the tension in her body slowly melt away. "It's alright," I murmured softly. "I don't need the truth right now. I just need you."
I smiled, trying to lighten the mood. "So don't act like this—it doesn't suit you, my dear wife. You can be normal again."
She gave a small, embarrassed tap to the side of her head with the heel of her palm, scolding herself silently. Her eyes clouded with regret, like rain streaking down glass.
"Why am I so stupid…" she whispered, barely audible. "Why can't I trust you? And you… you trust me like I'm everything… I'm sorry, Yuuta, for being so foolish…"
I reached up and tilted her chin gently, a stray strand of hair slipping from her face under my thumb. There was something in that touch—an offering, a plea written in the soft set of her mouth.
"It's okay," I said, keeping my voice low. "I know. These last few months have been confusing for both of us. I don't always know what's real either or what are you hiding. But one thing is certain—you're here with me, that's all I need."
So don't worry—I won't go near the bedroom, if you're hiding something."
A fragile smile touched her lips, that rare, private expression she gave only when she let her guard down. It was small, but it reached her eyes.
"I… I wish I could tell you everything," she whispered. "But… it would only bring trauma…"
"Trauma?" I echoed, frowning as the word hung between us.
Her gaze dropped, shame flushing her cheeks. "It would hurt you," she said, voice small.
In the quiet corners of my mind, the pieces already sat, waiting. I knew… I just knew it. Sister Mary, Grandpa, even Erza—all of them were hiding something from me. Something they didn't want me to find out. Something painful. Something… devastating.
But I also knew that the truth, once uncovered, wouldn't bring peace. It would tear things apart.
So, I had chosen not to press. I chose not to demand answers, not to question further. I let the silence stretch, like a fragile bridge I didn't want to cross.
In the end, all I wanted was simple: for my family to be with me. Whatever shadows of the past existed—I didn't need to know. Not if it threatened the present.
Erza is my only wife who cares for me, I thought with a calm certainty. I'm glad she's here. That's enough. I don't need to know any secrets if she stays by my side.
"You don't have to tell me anything, Erza," I murmured, easing my arms around her and pulling her close. Her head fit against my chest like it had always belonged there. "I accept you. All of you. The truth doesn't matter as long as you're with me."
She trembled against me for a moment, then relaxed, a sob she hadn't known was there easing away. "I'm sorry," she repeated, voice caught on the edge of tears. "I should've trusted you instead of making a fool of myself…"
I brushed a hand through her hair, feeling the warmth of her scalp against my palm. "It's fine," I said softly. "And besides—my wife being beautiful and lovely and ridiculous? That's not something I complain about."
Her face flamed crimson, and her hands fumbled at my shirt in a halfhearted attempt to swat me away. "Dummy… always flirting with me," she muttered, though the corners of her mouth betrayed her.
I grinned despite myself. "Why wouldn't I? You're my prevert wife."
She glared at me, her cheeks flushed deeper. "Stop calling me that! And forget what I did earlier!"
I smirked, enjoying how flustered she was. "No way," I said with a grin. "I'm definitely not going to forget it—my pervert wife!"
Before I could laugh again, her fist shot out and landed square on my face and I fell down on floor.
"You idiot mortal!" she snapped.
I winced but laughed, wrapping my arm around her. "Worth it," I whispered laying on floor.
Her eyes softened, and despite herself, she gave a tiny smile before pulling me tighter.
(Erza's POV)
Yuuta lay sprawled across the cold kitchen floor as though it were the most comfortable bed in the world. His lips curved into a faint smile, his eyes half-lidded, as if he'd already surrendered to gravity and had no plans to get up.
Even after I struck him, he didn't glare at me. He didn't raise his voice. He just… smiled.
My chest tightened. How mature he is.
He understood me in a way that twisted my heart. He hadn't dared glance toward the hallway—toward the bedroom door I was so desperate to guard. He trusted me enough to stop, to stay, to not press questions even when I acted like a fool.
I bit the inside of my cheek, staring at him as shame burned in my stomach. What kind of wife am I? I can't even trust the man who trusts me more than anyone else.
A flush crept up my face. I muttered under my breath, "Ugh… what kind of wife does that make me?"
Before my guilt could choke me, I forced words out. "Get up already," I snapped, though my hand betrayed me, reaching toward him. "Otherwise, you'll catch a cold lying there like an idiot."
His eyes flicked open fully at once. Without hesitation, he slipped his hand into mine, squeezing with that same quiet confidence. A gentle smile lifted his lips.
"Even if I catch a cold," he said calmly, "I know you'll kiss me to heal me."
I snorted, puffing my cheeks in mock annoyance. "Dream on. I'd rather let you die."
That made him shoot upright, face twisting into a pout. He clutched his side dramatically, groaning like a wounded hero. "Okay then! Let me die from the cold! Since my wife doesn't care for me at all!"
"Stop acting like a child already," I muttered, rolling my eyes.
"Fine!" he huffed. "Then at least kiss me, and I'll stop my act."
A laugh nearly escaped me, but I quickly narrowed my eyes, masking the warmth in my chest with a glare. "Enough!" I barked—and before he could blink, my foot jabbed forward, landing square between his legs.
"Oooouuuuchhhhhh!" His voice broke into a howl as his whole body curled in on itself, hands flying to cradle his precious jewels. His eyes squeezed shut, his face contorted in pure agony.
I crossed my arms, unimpressed. "Why are you screaming like that, idiot?"
"Why?!" he gasped, his voice cracking with pain. "You attacked our future children, you evil dragon! Do you have any idea how much this hurts?"
"Don't be dramatic," I said with a smirk. "I didn't even hit that hard."
"You idiot!" he groaned, teeth clenched. "Do you know men can die from a ball attack?!"
"Hmm… is that so?" I tilted my head as though considering. A sly smile crept across my lips. "Well, that's probably why my great-grandpa died in battle."
His eyes popped wide open. "W-what's the point of bringing up your great-grandpa when my balls are on the line right now?!"
I lifted a brow. "Zareth—one of the royal guardians—cut his ball off."
For a heartbeat, Yuuta went completely still. Horror spread across his face as though I'd just cursed him. Then, with exaggerated solemnity, he pressed his palms together.
"Oh mighty God," he whispered gravely, "please, let my great-grandpa-in-law rest in heaven… and give him the highest seat there…For he Endurance Men greatest pain alone..amen."
"Idoit mortal."
The ridiculous sincerity of it broke me. A smile tugged at my lips before I could stop it. My heart softened, warmth spreading through my chest.
I smirked and tilted my head. "Great-grandpa-in-law, hmm?" I teased, enjoying how he squirmed at the mention.
Yuuta's eyes lit up, and without missing a beat, he replied, "Of course! Your great-grandpa is my great grandpa, my wife!"
I puffed out my cheeks and waved a hand dismissively. "Hmm… I know that. You don't have to tell me."
He grinned, emboldened by my playfulness. "But… he died in a very shameless way, you know."
I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms. "It was an honorable death, idiot."
He froze for a second, his mouth hanging open. "Honorable death?! Seriously?! Something you'd understand? I'd rather give up my life than achieve that so-called honorable death!"
I laughed softly, seeing how seriously he took it. "Take this opportunity," I said, leaning in slightly, "and remember my words, mortal. If you ever use your think, NO…My thing on another woman…" I let the words hang, letting my gaze sharpen, "…I'll give you an honorable death."
His eyes widened even further, and his lips quivered like a boy caught stealing sweets. "Y-yes, my Queen!" he stammered, his voice trembling with exaggerated fear. "I'll remember your words forever!"
I couldn't help it—I let out a soft laugh, brushing his panic aside. "Don't worry," I teased, tapping his chest lightly. "I trust you, my husband. You'd never dare to cheat on me."
His face relaxed, and he let out a breath, grinning sheepishly. "Of course!" he replied with confidence, puffing his chest out. "Why would I ever cheat on my beautiful… terrifying wife?"
I raised an eyebrow, arching a brow at his choice of words, but before I could respond, a mischievous smile played on my lips. "Correct," I said coolly, though I fought the urge to laugh at his honesty.
For a few quiet moments, the two of us sat in that teasing silence, the warmth between us beginning to settle again. I was just about to ask what he'd been preparing in the kitchen when—
A voice sliced through the stillness like a blade, turning our soft moment into disaster.
"Paaapppaaa!!"
Elena's scream tore through the hallway.
My stomach plummeted.
Yuuta's eyes flew wide, his body jolting upright as if someone had poured fire into his veins. He didn't even think. He simply moved. The pain from my earlier kick didn't matter—his legs carried him before thought could catch up, driven by pure instinct.
"I have to go!" he shouted, sprinting toward the hall.
I surged forward, throwing myself into his path. My feet slammed down, my arms outstretched like a barricade.
"Yuuta! Stop!" My voice cracked like a whip.
He skidded to a halt, panic blazing in his eyes. "Move, Erza! Something's wrong!" He tried to shove past me, frantic and unrelenting.
I pressed both palms against his chest, forcing him back. "You will not go in there!"
His jaw clenched, teeth grinding. "I don't care what you say! Elena called for me—she's crying for Papa! How can I not answer her?!"
His words cut me, sharp as any blade. But I swallowed the guilt, holding my ground. "Yuuta… please. Understand me. I'm asking this for your good."
He shook his head furiously, his voice rough, trembling. "No! You don't get it! She's my daughter—if she calls me, then I will go! Nothing you say will stop me!"
My heart screamed, begging me to let him through. But my face had to stay still, cold, unflinching.
"I'm sorry, Yuuta." My voice dropped into a dangerous calm, as I let my aura slip free—a warning. "But I will not allow you to enter that room. If you want to, you'll have to fight me."
His eyes widened, stunned. For a moment, he looked at me as if I'd just stabbed him. The hurt in his expression nearly shattered me. But I couldn't falter. If he stepped through that door, if he saw what lay beyond… it would destroy him.
He stared at me, chest rising and falling with ragged breaths. I could see it—the stubbornness, the fire in him. He would fight me. Even if it hurt him. Even if it tore us apart.
But I also knew this truth: I could never truly hurt him. Not in this life, not in any other. Because I loved him more than I loved myself.
Still… I couldn't let him walk into that nightmare.
I gritted my teeth, my aura flaring around me like a storm. My face remained cold, unyielding. My heart pounded against my ribs like a prisoner trying to escape.
Then—
A loud slam shattered the standstill.
The bedroom door flew open.
"Elena?!" Yuuta cried, his voice breaking with desperate hope.
"Elena?!" I echoed, my breath catching in my throat.
And there she was—standing in the doorway. My little girl. Her small body trembled, her tiny hands clutching something shine stone. Her wide eyes brimmed with something I couldn't name.
Her lips parted. Her voice came out thin, shaking.
"Papa… Sister Mary…"
To be continued…