❖ 宮殿 情人 ❖

※ 備註：文章公開至4月底 ※

 

 Premium Ending (1/5) 

Nico "The truth is, I hated it."

It felt good to finally say the words aloud, and Nico hugged Bella tighter.

Nico "But I was worried it would only cause you more problems if I said that."

Nico :So... I kept it to myself and tried to pretend everything was fine."

Bella "Nico—"

Nico "I'm sorry for making you doubt me, Bella."

He could feel her suddenly relaxing into his embrace, as if all the tension had drained out of her.

Nico "And all this time you were loving me and thinking only of me, and yet—"

Nico "I was feeling jealous, like a stupid idiot who can't keep his cool."

He knew he was blushing, but he forced himself to say the words anyway.

Bella lifted her head, looking him probably in the eye at last.

A slow smiled blossomed across her face, relief sparkling in her eyes.

Bella "I can't keep my cool either, when it comes to you."

Bella "Nico— I'm so happy. Thank you."

(Bella—)

It had been so long since he'd seen her smile probably that it filled him with joy.

They gazed into each other's eyes, both of them leaning forwards until their lips met in a kiss.

(You still taste sweeter than candy, Bella.)

(Or maybe it's just that nothing in the world is as sweet to me as you are.)

When at last their lips parted again, he pulled back, just slightly, to gaze into her eyes.

She smiled at him again, her cheeks flushing with happiness as she said.

Bella "You taste so good, Nico."

Bella "You make me want to kiss you forever."

Nico "Bella—"

(Gosh, you're just too adorable sometimes.)

Nico warpped his arms even tighter around her as he kissed her again.

As their kisses grew deeper, he reached out, finding her hands with his, and twined their fingers together.

Suddenly the sound of fireworks going off echoed through the room.

 

 Premium Ending (2/5) 

Bella "Oh!"

Bella turned her head towards the window in surprise, watching the faint flicker of light from outside.

(If they're setting off the fireworks, then—)

(That means the ball is almost over.)

Bella turned back to looked at him again, and he wondered if she'd realized the same thing.

She smiled up at him, but it was a regretful smile now.

Bella "It's been ages since we left the ball."

Bella "I should probably go back before it ends."

She slipped out of his embrace and sat up slowly.

But Nico sat up as well, reaching out to hug her from behind.

Nico "You don't have to go back to the ball."

Nico "Stay here with me."

He spoke the words in her ears, and she trembled a little.

Bella "I'd love to stay, but—"

Bella "If I don't go back—"

Nico "Don't worry about it. I'll sort things out with Giles later. You're injured, remember?"

Nico "I was never planning to let you go back, anyway, not with that baron there."

Bella "Nico—"

She turned her head to meet his gaze, her eyes wide with surprise.

He hugged her tighter still, leaning closer until their faces were only a handspan apart.

(I don't mind if I took like a jealous idiot sometimes.)

(What matters is that I don't want to hurt you ever again.)

Nico "I'm serious, Bella."

Nico "Please, will you stay with me?"

He spoke softly, his voice earnst, and after a moment she smiled at him.

Bella "Okay."

She reached out, warpping her arms around him, her body pressing against his.

He could feek her warmth, could hear the sound of her heartbeat, as fast and wild as his.

Nico "Bella..."

Nico "I love you so much. So very, very much."

He reached out, sliding his fingers under his chin and tilting her face towards him.

He kissed her forehead, her eyelids, her nose, and then at last her lips.

She kissed him back, their lips moving urgently, even as he reached of the starps of her dress.

 

 Premium Ending (3/5) 

Nico reached for the straps of Bella's dress, sliding them off her shoulders.

Suddenly one of the candles in the candelabra went out.

(Oh, it must have run out.)

(But the others are still fine, so we can see each other.)

He glanced over at the candelabra then turned back towards Bella.

But she suddenly reached out and clutched hold of his hands.

Bella "Nico—"

Bella "What if— what if that was the ghost?"

(Oops.)

Her eyes trembled with fear as she stared up at him, and he caught his breath.

(This is all my fault, too.)

(I lied to you about the ghost, and I never stopped lying.)

Nico "I'm so sorry, Bella."

Nico "There's something else I have to apologize to you for."

Nico "The story about the ghost— well, it was a lie. I mean, someone just mistook a shadow or something."

Nico "I told you because... I wanted you to rely on me. It felt good to have you need me."

Nico "It made it easier for me to deal with my jealousy, knowing that, and—"

Nico trailed off as he realized that Bella had remained silent through his whole story.

Her eyes were lowered, as he couldn't read her expression.

(Are you angry at me? Well, you have every right to be.)

(Ahh, I'm an idiot. And we just finally sorted things out between us, too.)

He was suddenly desperately wishing that he'd never lied about it in the first place.

Nico "I really am so sorry, Bella."

Nico "I promise I won't ever lie to you again."

The words tumbled out, desperate and hopeful, a he stared down at her.

The short silence seemed to stretch out for an eternity.

But suddenly she threw herself into his arms.

 

 Premium Ending (4/5) 

(What the—)

Bella threw herself into Nico's arms, burying her face in his chest, and he blinked down at her.

Nico "Bella?"

Bella "I totally believed you, all this time."

Bella "I feel like such an idiot. But—"

Nico "But?"

Bella sighed softly, and lifted her head at last, looking up at him.

He caught his breath at the bright smile on her face.

Bella "But it's okay to feel jealousy. In fact— I think I'm glad you were jealous."

Nico "Bella..."

Relief flooded through him, making him feel warm and weak and silly.

He smiled happily back at Bella, hugging her tighter still, and her smiled turned mischievous.

Bella "Can I ask you something, though?"

Nico "Sure. Anything."

Bella paused for a moment, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

Bella "I'm not scared of the ghost anymorem but—"

Bella "Will you still kiss me all over, like you did when I was?"

Nico stared down at her, captivated not just by her words but by the look on her face.

Desire abd love for her surged through him, making him want to gasp.

(You really are amazing.)

(You're the perfect woman for me.)

He grinned down at her, leaning in to kiss her softly on the lips.

Nico "I'll kiss you so much you might regret asking."

Bella "Never."

She laughed softly, and he kissed her again, wanting to hold onto that sound and make it his own.

As their lips parted and came together again, they fell back against the soft bed.

 

 Premiun Ending (5/5) 

Nico reached out, gently caressing her body through the thin fabricof her dress.

He began to unlace the ribbons tying her dress shut, and she smiled up at him.

(You're so beautiful, Bella.)

He smiled as he kissed her again, his fingers deftly parting the fabric at the front of her dress.

Her breasts were bared before him, and he leaned close to kiss them.

Bella "Nico—"

She arched her back towards him, and hw smiled, lapping at first one nipple and then the other with his tongue.

She writhed beneath his as he nibbled and licked  and toyed with her soft, tender skin.

Then he sat back, quickly stripping out of his jacket and shirt and letting them fall to the floor.

Nico "I love you, Bella. I want to be here for you always."

Nico "I'll rain kisses down on you everyday if you want them."

(So please— stay with me, and trust in me, and love me the way I love you.)

Bella smiled up at him, her eyes bright with joy, and she reached up, slipping her hand behind his head.

She pulled hin closer, her lips pressing against his, and he closed his eyes, reveling in the taste of her.

He pressed his body down against her, letting them both get lost in their passion...

............

Bright sunshine peeped in through the window the next moring.

Nico woke up first, and he climbed slowly out of bed, being careful not to wake Bella.

He went about preparing tea for her, trying to be as quiet as possible.

Bella "Nnnnn—"

He turned to see the sheets moving as she rolled over slowly in bed, stretching.

(Oh, you're awake.)

Nico carried the tray laden with tea things over to where Bella lay.

Nico "Good moring, Bella."

Bella "Good morning."

She blinked slowly up at him, still looking half-asleep.

(You're so adorable first thing in the morning.)

Nico gazed down at her gentle expression and mussed her hair, his heart filled with love.

He set the tea tray down at her bedside tablem and sat down next to her, warpping his arms around her.

Bella "Nico?"

She stared up at him in confusion, reaching up to rub sleepily at her eyes.

Nico grinned to himself, reaching up to brush her hair back from her face.

At last she finally smiled for him, her expression brightening.

Nico "I told you I'd rain kisses down on you every day if you want them."

Nico "That includes today."

He leaned in close, pressing a soft kiss against her lips.

When he pulled back again, she was grinning at him, and he grinned back at her.

Nico "So do you want them?"

Bella "Yes!"

She laughedand threw her arms around his neck, lifting her chin and kissing him.

The tea sat forgotten on its tray, gradually getting colder as their passionatekisses went on and on...

 

Sweet Ending (1/5) 

Nico "I—"

Nico wanted to tell Bella exactly what he was feeling, but the words wouldn't come.

(I don't know what to say.)

(Will I sound like an idiot if I say I was jealous the whole time?)

Nico frowned, trying to find a way to unravel the whole mess.

Nico "I thought I was doing it for your sake."

Bella "For me? You wanted me to be with that guy?"

(No—what—)

Bella "Were you that comfortable watching me have ti get cozy with another man?"

Bella's voice was tight with pain, and she turned her head away again.

(That's not what I said. That's not what I mean!)

(Gah, I'm just making the worse. I don't know what to say!)

He felt frozen, unable to find the right words, and then she was pushing him off and standing up from the bed.

Bella "I need to get back to the ball."

Bella "Thank you for bandading my ankle."

And with a brief, tight smile, she was gone, and he was alone in her room.

(What am I doing? How did I let it get this messed up?)

Nico buried his face in Bella's pillow, unable to get the image of her sorrowful eyes out of his head.

............

Late that night—

A fierce wind had blown up, and rain pelted against the window pane.

Nico lay in his bed, thinking about Bella as he listened to the thunder crashing outside.

(Bella...)

(I know you hate storms. I don't want to leave you alone on a night like this.)

His mind made up, Nico went dashing out of his room and headed straight for Bella's.

He knocked on the door, but then there was no answer, he pushed it open.

Nico "Bella!"

 

 Sweet Ending (2/5) 

Nico "Bella!"

Nico hurried into Bella's darkend room.

As lighting flashed outside the window, he heard her trembling voice speak from her bed.

Bella "Nico?"

She was sitting up, her arms wrapped tightly around herself.

(This is a really bad strom, and considering how much you hate stroms—)

Nico hurried over to the bed, and sat down next to Bella, warpping his arms around her.

Nico "You're okay. It's okay."

Nico "I'll stay with you the whole night long and keep you safe."

He spoke reassuringly in her ear, and she reached up, hugging him in return.

Bella "I'm sorry— I've been even more scared since you told me about the ghost, and—"

Bella "Then I thought you didn't care about me anymore, and—"

Nico "Bella..."

It was only then that Nico properly realized just how anxious and worried she'd been all this time.

Pain lanced through him, and he closed his eyes for a moment.

(This is all my fault. I was jealous and it made me do stupid things.)

(I have to tell you how I really feel about you, so that you stop doubting and hurting.)

Nico "Bella, listen to me."

Nico tightened his grip on her, pulling her right into his arms.

He buried his face in her hair, nuzzling against it for a moment, and then turned his head to the side.

Nico "I'll never stop caring about you, ever."

Nico "You're the woman I love more than anyone else in the world."

 

 Sweet Ending (3/5) 

Nico "I'll never stop caring about you, ever."

Nico "You're the woman I love more than anyone else in the world."

Bella "Nico—"

He could hear the surprise in her voice, and she pulled back, staring up at him.

Bella "I know you're not the type of person who would lie to me, sepecially about this.

Bella "Sp I believe you when you say that you love me, but—"

She hesitated, and then her gaze dropped away again, and he saw the worry in her eyes.

He suddenly had an idea of what she might be worried about.

(Here I'm telling you that I love you, but I never stopped that meeting from happening. I encouraged it.)

(No wonder you're confused.)

Nico frowned for a moment, thinking hard, and then finally he spoke.

Nico "I'm sorry, Bella. The reason I didn't try harder to stop that whole thing with the baron was—"

Nico "Well, it was because I knew that you loved me."

Bella "What?"

Nico reached down, taking her cold hand in his and warpping his warm fingers around it.

Nico "I trusted you. I believed in you."

Nico "I guess that's why I looked so calm about it. I'm sorry if that confused you."

Bella "Nico..."

Her eyes moved to meet his again, and he saw the wonder in them, saw the tension slowly fading away.

At last she squeezed his hand in return.

Bella "You trusted me, and yet—"

Bella "I didn't trust you. Now I feel a bit silly. I'm sorry."

Bella bit her lower lip, giving him a shy smile, but it only made him feel more guilty.

He leaned closer, pressing a featherlight kiss against her lips.

(I'm the one who lied to you, and made a mess of this whole thing.)

Nico "I'm the one who's sorry, Bella."

Nico "I love you, and from now on I'll make sure to do everything I can to prove it."

Her shy smile blossomed into a real smile, and his heart skipped a beat to see it.

 

 Sweet Ending (4/5) 

He leaned in and kissed her again, a deeper kiss than the last one.

She sighed softly into his mouth, leaned into his embrace.

As their kisses grew deeper still, he pushed her gently back down on the best.

(I'm sorry that I lied to you.)

(But my love for you is real, and it always will be.)

He leaned over her, kissing her again and again, until at last their lips parted.

Bella "Nico..."

She was panting softly, her eyes shining as she stared up at him.

Bella "You're more feisty than usual."

He reached up, tracing his fingers across her cheek and then under her chin.

Nico "Well, I'm still proving how much I love you."

Nico "Or don't you like it when I'm feisty?"

Bella "I like it a lot."

She grinned, relaxing back again the bed, her hair fanning out around her, and he couldn't help leaning in to kiss her again.

(You're so beautiful— so perfect.)

He reached up to stroke her hair, then trailed his fingers down to her shoulder, sliding under the straps of her nightgown.

He slowly slid her nightgown downwards, pressing soft kisses against her neck and shoulders as he did so.

As the fabric slid lower still, he began to rain kisses down on her bared breasts.

(I feel like such an idiot for ever feeling jealous.)

(I love you, and I know that you love me. Tonight I want us both to relearn what that means.)

He began to lick and suckle her nipple, nibbling lightly until she was gasping with delight.

Bella "Nico—"

Nico "Have I proven myself yet? Or should I keep going?"

Bella "Keep going..."

Her words ended on another gasp as he moved to lavish attention on her other nipple.

Her eyes were half-lidded with pleasure, and he gazed up at her as he kissed and nibbled her breast.

(Oh!)

Suddenly a bright flash of lightning from outside lit up the room.

A moment later there was a great booming crash of thunder, so loud it seemed to shake the whole palace.

 

 Sweet Ending (5/5) 

Bella "Waaaah!"

Bella shriek and threw her arms around Nico's neck.

He forgot about the kisses immediately, warpping his arms tightly around her in return.

Nico "That was really loud, huh?"

Nico "Are you okay, Bella?"

Bella nodded her head, but her face was still buried in his chest.

It was clear that she wasn't interested in letting go any time soon.

(You really are terrified of storms, aren't you?)

(Let's just stay like this for a while, until you feel better.)

Nico reached up, stroking her hair as gently as soothingly as he could.

(I'm more than happy to be here for you when you need me, though.)

(The most important thing is that we're together.)

He continued to stroke her hair, and he slowly felt the tension easing out of her body.

At last she turned her head to the side, still leaning against his chest as she said,

Bella "Nico—"

Bella "You're the only one I love, and the only one I rely on so completely."

(Wait— do you mean—)

Bella "Please don't send me off on dates with other men again."

There was a forlorn edge to her voice that made his heart tremble.

Nico "Bella..."

Warmth filled him up inside, and he smiled, leanind down to kiss the top of her head.

Nico "I promise. I'll never do that, ever again."

She lift her head as he spoke, and this time he kissed her on the lips.

The lightning flashed again, and the thunder pealed, but this time their kissed went on and on, uninterrupted.

Nico "I love you so much, Bella."

Bella "I love you too."

They whispered the words between kisses, their bodies pressed close together in the darkness.

(And since it encouraged you tell me how you really feel—)

(I guess I don't mind that I told a little wight lie about a ghost.)

He reached up, twining his fingers in her hair and pulling her closer.

Nico "There's nothing to be afraid of anymore."

Nico "Just focus on me and you'll be fine."

Bella nodded, smiling as she closed her eyes.

Nico ;eaned in to kiss her again, wrapping her in a tight, warm embrace.

 

 

- 2018.04.26 -

- A 姬 -