Chapter 507: A Husband, Not a Patriarch
Nikolai rushed to leave his father’s mansion, although he wanted to meet with his mother and talk. But she was busy with his aunt. He returned to the main mansion where his wives awaited him instead.
Or at least he thought.
He stepped inside only to find everyone gone. Most servants and maids from earlier no longer drank in the main dining room. It seemed the celebration moved to the smaller mansion where all the maids slept and lived.
A sexy middle-aged maid with a beauty spot stood as if awaiting his return. She gave a polite bow before her raspy voice filled the air.
"Patriarch, Lady Selene requested your presence."
Nikolai raised a brow. "Requested? Not demanded?"
The maid’s lips curved faintly as she shook her head. "The Lady said that if you looked too tired, I should ignore her request and let you sleep. However, because she seemed troubled I thought to let you know anyway."
"Haha, that sounds like her." He brushed past her as she took his coat before walking deeper into the dark halls. "Where is she?"
"In the east wing garden, Patriarch."
"I see, good work."
Nikolai changed his direction and headed to the eastern garden, a beautiful place with multiple fountains created in the image of the past three Lunas of the Volkov family.
"One of them must be my grandmother... maybe I’ll have them make one for my mother."
Although his father didn’t become patriarch, he wanted to honour his mother even more so because her revival was so close. Nikolai planned to ensure that everyone looked up to his mother.
***
The east garden had been transformed.
Dozens of glowing lanterns floated above the winter flowers, filling the chilly night with warm, golden light. A narrow path of white petals led toward the central pavilion, where she laid a table with wine, fruit, and delicate dishes that still steamed in the cold air.
And standing there, framed by the moon and the garden’s glow, was Selene.
Her long silver gown clung to every curve, her crimson eyes glittering like rubies beneath the lantern light. One hand rested gently on the swell of her stomach, and the other brushed back her golden hair as she smiled at the man approaching.
"You’re so damn late." She snapped.
"Well~ blame my father he talked too much." Nikolai’s lips twitched, but he smiled at the sense of nostalgia with each step closer. "What’s all this?"
"Just a meal together, is it too much?"
"No. Rather, I’m glad its’ you waiting here for me Selene."
"Eh?"
Selene’s scarlet eyes shone in the darkness. Her mouth opened wide in shock from his sudden words.
He took her hand without hesitation, the warmth of her skin seeping into his palm as he allowed her to guide him into the pavilion. The soft rustle of fabric, the distant chirp of night insects, and the faint crackle of the lantern flames wrapped around them like a cocoon.
Unlike his fast and hectic time in Britannia, the world felt calm and still.
Selene poured wine into two crystal cups, then hesitated, remembering. "Ah... I suppose only one of us will drink tonight."
"Well, if it’s too much I can drink the same as you." Nikolai smiled at his pregnant wife, who chose the natural orange juice over the blood wine.
She laughed softly and set the cup aside, then reached for his hand again, this time not letting go. "You’ve carried so much on your shoulders, Nikolai. Tonight you don’t have to serve me. Let’s just relax and let me take care of you, okay?"
Her lips brushed his knuckles, kissing him several times. "I just want it to be about us."
And as he stared into those familiar and unwavering crimson eyes. Nikolai felt the heavy, constant weight in his chest loosen just a little. Tomorrow, he would perform something dangerous, the one chance to revive his mother with a new body.
But tonight, beneath this moonlight, surrounded by beautiful flowers and the cool breeze, he could simply be a husband.
"Yeah, you’re right."
Nikolai enjoyed the feeling of her lips pressing against his skin. She kissed him more softly than usual. It wasn’t the fierce, possessive Selene who shouted or bit him in anger.
This was the woman beneath the cold exterior everyone else saw. The one who had waited for him every night while he was gone, who whispered his name in her sleep even when he wasn’t there.
"You’re staring too much," Selene huffed, her cheeks faintly flushed. "Stop it. It’s embarrassing."
"Can’t help it," he said, voice low. "I missed you."
"Tch. Liar," she scoffed, but the corners of her lips curved into a small, trembling smile. "You were probably too busy playing with other women to think of me."
"I thought of you every day." His hand slid up the length of her arm until it cupped her cheek. "Especially when things got rough. Your face kept me sane."
Selene’s eyes widened before rolling. "...and Kumiko, Nikita, Risa... Amphitrite and Lunaria. Don’t trick me... You always say ridiculous things like that. Idiot."
But her attempt at deflection faltered when Nikolai leaned closer, his breath ghosting over her ear. "I missed your voice. Your scent. The way you look at me like you’re angry, but still pull me close when you think I’m not paying attention."
Her pulse quickened beneath his touch. "I-I don’t—"
"Yes, you do." His thumb brushed across her lower lip. "And I love that part of you, Selene."
She shivered with a faint sound escaping her throat. "But my sisters..." Then, with a huff, she pushed herself up on her toes and kissed him.
It wasn’t a desperate kiss.
She just enjoyed his lips, slowly searching, her lips moving against his as if memorising the shape. The faint citrus on her tongue from the juice mingled with the sweet tang of the blood on his. Nikolai deepened the kiss without thinking, pulling her body against his.
"Mm..." Selene’s breath hitched as his hands slid down her back, over the wide curves of her hips. "Nikolai..."
Her body trembled from his touch, unable to hide the weeks of longing and the ache deep inside her. When they parted, her half-closed eyes were glassy and wet, cheeks painted red.
"You’re cruel," she whispered. "You disappear for weeks, come back with more women and that stupid smile. Yet you’re acting like you’ve never left."
"Maybe I’m trying to make up for lost time."
"Fool!" She slapped his arm before leaning close and kissing him again. "My fool, my lovable fool."
Her breathing became restless again when he trailed his mouth along the edge of her jaw, then down the smooth line of her neck. Selene’s hands, which so often held documents and pens and dictated the lives of hundreds, now clutched helplessly at his shirt.
"Idiot..." she murmured, but her voice lacked any venom. "You make me soft."
"And I love you that way too."
His voice, his words all of his actions made her knees weak.
She leaned against him fully, burying her face against his chest. "I hate how much I missed you."
"No, you don’t."
"...No," she admitted, barely audible. "I don’t."
They remained close, bodies pressed together and hearts beating in time as the world slowly vanished.
Somewhere in the distance, the wind rustled through the winter flowers and shook the lanterns, but beneath the glow of moonlight and their shared silence, time stood still.
Finally, Selene tilted her head back, a teasing glint sparking behind the warmth in her eyes. "If you’re going to stand there holding me all night, you might as well make yourself useful."
"Oh?" he smirked. "And how would I do that?"
"Kiss me again." She said her lips curving upward into a devious smile. "Properly this time."
Nikolai blinked twice before he kissed her as if claiming her mouth as his own. His tongue was greedy, hungry and sensual. The kiss grew hotter as both became breathless, their tongues curling until Selene finally broke away, gasping softly, her breath blowing against his lips.
"Nikolai, are you okay?"
"Hm?" He tilted his head, licking her taste from his lips.
"Tomorrow, you’ll be back to being the Patriarch... fighting, pushed to your limits with not moment of rest." Selene’s eyes stared at him, brimming with tears and filled with worry.
Then she shook her head and unfastened a string at the side of her dress, letting it slip apart, revealing her lower body.
Her hand guided his to the curve of her belly, where their child stirred faintly beneath his palm.
"But tonight," she whispered, leaning into his ear, "you’re just my man."
And with that, the cold and composed CEO was entirely replaced by the woman who adored Nikolai. She gave him her heart and offered everything to him.
Selene closed her eyes, with a sensual sigh, her sweet breath blowing against his face as she spread her legs, lifting them onto the edge of the seat.
"This time... can you kiss me here."
With two fingers on either side of her lips, she spread apart the soft, pink petals, which dribbled with a thin fluid.