CHAPTER 188: NAUGHTIER..

Lilia paused, turning to Zethan in surprise.

"What does that mean?" she asked, looking at him questioningly.

Zethan ran his hands through his hair as he stared at her. Their eyes locked as he spoke quietly.

"I decided to turn you into an immortal because of the forbidden rule. If I had brought you to the Land of the Living as a human... once you d-die, you would fall into extinction—completely. You wouldn’t have any chance to live there again since you broke the rule. So this... this was simply the safest way," he explained.

Everything finally began to click in Lilia’s mind. No wonder things were starting to make more and more sense. She pressed her lips together.

"I want you to promise me something, Zethan..." she whispered as she moved closer to him.

Zethan nodded and leaned in, waiting for her to say what was on her mind.

"Go on, sweetheart. Your husband is listening," he urged gently, his lips curling into a warm smile.

Lilia smiled back and nodded before she spoke.

"Promise me that no matter what happens, you won’t hide anything from me. We’re in this together. We fight together, we smile together, we cry together."

Zethan’s smile widened as he replied softly, "I promise, sweetheart. But for the crying part... I don’t think I will. So that part will be all you."

Lilia smiled at his words and rolled her eyes softly.

’This proud man and his words again.’

"Oh, please. There’s nothing wrong with crying. In fact, crying is a great way to relieve yourself and your emotion," she said as she tiptoed. Zethan held her waist for support while she reached up and pinched his nose lightly.

"In fact, if you were to cry, you wouldn’t stop for days and days—because you’ve been bottling it up for a long, long, loooong time," she teased, raising her hand higher with each "long."

Zethan grinned. "Wrong, wife. Not crying is one of my vampiric powers."

Lilia’s eyes widened. "Really?" she asked in awe.

Zethan nodded and turned his head slightly to the side.

"You... lied to me," Lilia laughed, lightly punching his shoulder. She had actually believed him.

Zethan chuckled, then suddenly carried her in his arms—one hand under her butt, the other wrapped around her waist. She instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck.

Their faces now close, she whispered, "Honey... are you sure you can carry me? You just woke up..."

Her words were cut off as Zethan gave her a quick peck on the lips. Lilia’s eyes widened, completely caught off guard, her heart racing.

"You underestimate me a lot," Zethan whispered with a grin.

Lilia shook her head. "No, I don’t. I’m just—"

Her words were cut off again as Zethan pecked her lips once more.

Her lips opened and closed in disbelief, and Zethan’s lips curled up as he drank in her reaction.

"You..." Lilia tried to speak but Zethan leaned in again and planted another kiss on her lips.

Lilia stared at him, disbelief written all over her face. She didn’t even know what to say anymore. Why was her husband being so cute? His adorable behavior was leaving her speechless—but in a completely different way. Who would have thought the day would come when Zethan acted so sweetly?

"Next time you speak again, I will—"

His words were cut off as Lilia suddenly pecked his lips. Zethan fell silent, stunned. He hadn’t expected that—not after thinking he had finally left her speechless. But it seemed he spoke too soon. Now she was the one leaving him speechless with exactly what he did to her.

Lilia giggled.

Still holding her in his arms, Zethan moved again. Lilia’s eyes widened as she whispered,

"Z-Zethan, you can put me down now..."

But Zethan simply shook his head.

"Shhh, Loris... let me spoil you."

Lilia couldn’t believe him. If someone else were told that this man had been in a coma for weeks, they’d never believe it. He looked like he had just woken up from a nap—fresh and full of energy.

"But—"

Smack!

A soft slap echoed as Zethan walked down the stairs with her still in his arms. Lilia froze.

"Did... did you just slap my butt?" she gasped, pointing at him accusingly.

Zethan shrugged innocently. "What? You said ’butt.’"

Lilia’s eyes widened. "Bad man! I meant but, not butt!"

To her surprise, his hand moved again, giving her butt a light squeeze.

Her heart thumped hard in her chest. The look on Zethan’s face told her he was enjoying this far too much.

"Oh sweetheart, your butt is so soft. Like... so soft. I can’t wait to—"

"Zethan! You’re getting so naughty!" Lilia cut in, glaring at him—but it looked more like a flustered pout than a real glare.

Zethan shrugged with a mischievous grin. "Oh sweetheart, I’ve always been naughty. But with you? I get naughtier."

He finally reached the bottom of the stairs and gently set her down. His hands rested on her shoulders, steadying her—as if he knew she might struggle to walk.

"See? You want me—you’re just too proud to admit it."

Lilia rolled her eyes. "Oh please, you’re the proud one here, Mr. Zethan Lyall."

Zethan’s body stilled as his lips curved into a sly smile.

"Oh really, Mrs. Zethan? How about we check that right here?"

Lilia’s eyes widened as she looked around. Some maids were in the distance, dusting corners and cleaning silently.

Her face flushed bright red.

"Oh, don’t worry. I could simply send them away. That’s not a problem," Zethan teased, his voice low and smooth.

Lilia quickly shook her head. "Behave," she warned, trying to sound firm.

Zethan only grinned wider as he turned and began to walk toward the dining area.

Lilia frowned, trying to keep a straight face—but it was impossible. Her lips were already tingling with the urge to smile. She was trying to show him how serious she was... but it just wasn’t working. Not with Zethan.

She sighed, her lips curling into a soft smile as she walked over to meet him. They finally sat together in silence, and Lilia began to eat.

Zethan ate quietly for a moment before speaking in a gentle tone.

"Your appetite—any changes?"

Lilia nodded. "Yes. I don’t feel as hungry as usual. Maybe because I’m half now. It’s like my body provides the nutrients I need."

Zethan nodded slowly, then added, "That doesn’t mean you won’t eat the way I want you to, okay?"

Lilia nodded again, her cheeks flushing slightly.

"How do you feel?" he asked next.

"I feel good, though I’m still trying to adjust." She smiled and winked at him softly. "But my husband is here to guide me."

Zethan chuckled as he picked a strawberry from her plate and placed it gently in front of her. Lilia immediately pressed her fork into it and ate it silently, her eyes locked onto his.

Zethan’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed.

"Loris..." he muttered, turning his head slightly and scratching the back of his neck.

Lilia’s lips curled into a playful smile. She noticed the pink tint rising on the tips of his ears.

"Oh, my husband is so adorable today," she whispered.

Zethan glanced at her, his eyes briefly shimmering before he blinked it away, his expression returning to normal. He moved his fork toward the meat and brought it to his lips.

"You’ve been such an adorable and good boy."

Clank.

The fork fell to the plate.

Zethan instantly reached for his glass and gulped down water in one go. Without a word, he stood and pulled Lilia up to her feet. Her eyes widened slightly at how quickly he moved.

Did she say something wrong?

Before she could ask, Zethan scooped her into his arms again. Lilia’s eyes stretched further in surprise as she looked up at him.

He climbed the stairs with long, determined strides.

"F*ck, Lilia," he said under his breath, his voice strained, almost pained.

Lilia felt the heat radiating from him—the way his body was tightly wound and tense. Zethan looked at her, and it was like something inside him had snapped. Her bright, curious eyes only made it worse.

This wife of his...

She could bring him to the brink of madness without even knowing it.

He finally reached the room, and as they entered, Lilia’s breath caught in her throat. The warm scent of the space enveloped them both—calming, yet intense. Her eyes landed on the wall—and there it was.

A large photo hung in the center of the room. Their wedding photo.

"Y-You... did this?" Lilia asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Zethan stilled for a moment, then turned toward the photo. It was the one taken at their wedding—right at the moment they kissed. It had been so magical, so emotional... and she hadn’t even realized the picture had been taken.

She refused to sleep in their room, knowing it would only make her feel sadder. Now that she was here, she couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed with emotion.

He nodded slowly.

"I missed you so much that I kept that, sweetheart. I made lots of them... because I wanted to see you—us—everywhere. We’ll be together forever. I could barely breathe when I heard..."

He paused, unable to finish the sentence, and gently set her down on her feet.

Lilia’s lips trembled. Why was this man so perfect? He was warming her heart more than she could handle. It made her want to cry.

Zethan walked over to the wardrobe and pulled out a blue sundress with soft floral patterns. Lilia’s eyes widened slightly.

"Here, put this on, sweetheart."

She looked at him, still processing.

"Should I dress you?" he asked softly, his voice sincere and gentle.

Lilia didn’t answer—she just stared at him silently, her heart too full to speak.

"Are... are we going somewhere?" she asked quietly.

Zethan nodded in response and leaned down to kiss her forehead softly.

"Yes, my love. We’re going to the beach—as I promised."

The moment those words left his lips, Lilia’s heart stuttered, overflowing with warmth and love.

"Y-You remembered..."