At Alia's words, a sudden silence fell amidst the heated tension of the room. Placing her hand on Viktor's broad chest, she gently pushed him away. Though exhaustion was visible in her eyes, she firmly stated her physical condition.
Alia: (In a steady voice) "Viktor, stop. I can't do this now. It will be a problem for my health... and my Menstruation has started today. I need rest."
In an instant, the "psycho" crimson haze in Viktor's eyes shifted. Though he had been consumed by intense desire, hearing about Alia's condition transformed the formidable Commander into a deeply caring and empathetic partner. He knew that forcing anything at this time would not only be wrong but harmful to her health.
Without a word, Viktor stood up. He pulled his massive fur coat back over his shoulders and pressed a long, tender kiss onto Alia's forehead.
Viktor: (In a low, gentle rasp) "I'm sorry, Alia... I didn't realize. I would never do anything to cause you pain. Just stay here, I'll be right back."
Viktor left the room and returned shortly with a few essentials:
A Hot Water Bag: He brought it personally to help soothe her cramps.
Dark Chocolate and Juice: Knowing these would help her mood and energy.
Tucking Her In: He adjusted her pillows and carefully covered her with the silk sheets.
Tonight, Viktor wasn't the "psycho" lover; he sat by her side as her protector. Stroking her hair, he spoke softly
Viktor: "There will be no games tonight. Tonight, you just sleep against my chest. I'll stay awake by your side all night to make sure your pain fades."
Alia was touched by this shift in him. She realized that Viktor didn't just hold her with lust, but with genuine respect and protection. Behind those red lenses, his eyes were now filled only with tenderness. While Moscow remained frozen outside, inside the room, Viktor held his Queen with the utmost care.As Viktor held Alia with such tenderness, a sense of curiosity arose within him. Although he understood the complexities of the battlefield and politics, this particular biological process of a woman's body was somewhat mysterious to him. He looked into Alia's eyes and asked in a very calm voice.
Viktor: "Tell me, Alia, what exactly is this condition? Why does it happen? Explain it to me I don't want my ignorance to cause you any discomfort."
Alia smiled at Viktor's honest admission. She knew he was a hardened warrior, so these matters might be new to him. She began to explain the subject beautifully.
Alia's Explanation:
Natural Cycle: Alia explained that this is a normal monthly cycle for every healthy woman. It is not a disease, but rather a part of the body preparing for potential motherhood.
Hormonal Changes: She mentioned that hormones fluctuate significantly during this time, which can lead to stomach cramps, backaches, and mood swings.
Importance of Rest: Alia clearly stated that the body becomes very weak during these few days, and due to blood loss, it requires a lot of energy. Engaging in heavy work or physical intimacy during this time increases the risk of infection and can make the pain unbearable.
Why does Alia know so much?
Alia is a conscious and educated woman. She knows how to take care of her own body. She told Viktor that she relies not only on her own experience but also on medical facts to keep herself healthy. She believes it is essential for a partner to have a clear understanding of this so they can provide the right care at the right time.
Viktor listened to Alia's words with deep attention. A sense of profound respect appeared in his red-lensed eyes.
Viktor: "I understand now. Knowing about this sacrifice only increases my respect for you. From today, during these days, you will only receive my service, not my commands."Viktor froze for a moment at Alia's words. A strange confusion flickered across his sharp, intelligent face. He widened his red-lensed eyes, looking at Alia as if he were trying to solve a complex mathematical equation in his head.
Viktor: (Slightly flustered) "A baby? You mean this cycle means you're having another baby? I thought..."
Alia couldn't hold back her laughter at Viktor's naive question. She burst into giggles right there on the bed. She was both surprised and amused to see such a lack of basic knowledge in a seasoned Commander like Viktor.
Alia: (Stopping her laughter, in a playful tone) "Oh no, Viktor! It seems you don't understand anything outside the battlefield. This happening just means the body is renewing itself, creating the possibility. And you're talking about more babies? Have you forgotten that you're already the father of five children?"
Alia held Viktor's hand, reminding him of their large family.
Alia: "Get your head straight, Commander! We've already married off the eldest two. They are happy in their own homes now. And the other three are still here at home—it's enough of a task just managing them!"
Viktor slapped his forehead and let out a long sigh. He seemed suddenly embarrassed as he remembered his own children. He pulled Alia back into his chest.
Viktor: (With a slight smile) "Yes, you're right. Those five are enough to drive me mad; if a new guest arrived now, I'd have to leave the battlefield and just stay home. Honestly, I just got a bit panicked seeing you in pain."
Alia lay peacefully, resting her head on Viktor's chest. As Viktor stroked her hair, he realized though the world saw him as a ruthless ruler, as the father of five and Alia's husband, he was just a simple, devoted man. Dawn wasn't far off, and in that silent night, Viktor recommitted himself to his role as the protector of his large family and his Queen. A heavy silence filled the room, broken only by the sound of Alia's peaceful breathing. Though Viktor lay beside her, an inferno of desire was raging within him. The warmth of Alia's skin and her intoxicating scent were triggering his nerves relentlessly. He tried desperately to remain calm, but his primal instincts were pulling him toward her.
As Alia drifted into a deep sleep after her earlier pain, Viktor's patience neared its breaking point. His heart hammered against his ribs, and his hands instinctively reached toward her waist. But the moment he remembered her tired face and her condition, he jerked himself back.
Viktor: (Gritting his teeth, in a low rasp) "F#... No! Viktor, control yourself!"
Viktor stood up abruptly from the bed. He adjusted his pants and cinched his belt tightly, as if binding himself with invisible chains. His muscular frame trembled with suppressed urge, but his principles and respect for Alia held him back. Standing before the mirror, he looked at his red-lensed eyes—they reflected a violent, frustrated image of himself.
Viktor began to curse himself under his breath (Abusing himself). He was utterly disgusted by his own lack of restraint.
Viktor: "F#... Have you sunk so low that you'd forget her pain? You damn animal! She's sleeping peacefully, and you're thinking about your own hunger?"
He paced the room like a caged tiger. To cool his nerves, he downed a glass of ice-cold water in one gulp. He then returned to the bedside. Alia was still in a deep slumber, unaware of the massive internal battle the terrifying man beside her had just won.
Viktor sat down slowly beside her, but this time, without any lust. He kept his jacket on to ensure her touch wouldn't distract him again. Resting his hand near her forehead, he whispered
Viktor: "I am sorry, my Queen. I'd rather destroy myself than cause you pain."
For the rest of the night, Viktor didn't close his eyes for a second. He spent the hours scolding himself and disciplining his instincts, waiting for the first light of morning.As the night deepened, Viktor's inner turmoil grew more intense. To calm himself, he stood in a corner of the room. Outside the window lay the freezing darkness of Moscow, while the reddish glow of the fire inside created an ethereal atmosphere.
Alia was fast asleep. Viktor stood before the mirror and looked at his reflection. Those red lenses now felt like a mask he had created for himself. Slowly and deliberately, he removed the contact lenses from his eyes.
As the lenses came off, his true self emerged—his deep sapphire blue eyes. Hidden beneath that aggressive crimson was a gaze as cold as ice yet as deep as the ocean. These blue eyes were Viktor's true identity, where there was no performance, only a sincere and quiet love for Alia.
He rubbed his eyes and took a long breath. Without the red lenses, his "psycho" persona seemed to vanish instantly. In the mirror, he was no longer a ruthless Commander, but a weary father and a devoted husband.
Viktor returned to the bedside. Looking at Alia's peaceful face finally stilled his heart. He gently rested his hand on her hair. He watched her for a while with that calm, blue gaze, as if this color was the true clarity of their relationship.
Viktor: (In a whisper so low it was only for him to hear) "These blue eyes are only true for you, Alia. For the rest of the world, I will always be that blood-eyed curse."
Viktor didn't put the lenses back on tonight. He lay down beside Alia as his true self. The dark night outside and the depth of his blue eyes merged into one.