Episode 130

“That’s not allowed.”

“Why?”

“Because we’re not married.”

“I see.”

Hildebrandt stood up and climbed over her. Then, caging Yvonne beneath his thick arms, he stared down at her. She didn’t avert her gaze. Because if she did, she knew—he was the kind of beast who would take it as a sign of weakness and bite down on her throat.

“Is that really the only reason?”

“Yes.”

Hildebrandt hated that the hypnosis he’d placed on himself—his vow to trust her—was starting to waver again.

“Say you love me.”

“I love you, Hilde.”

“Say it again.”

“Ugh…”

Hildebrandt spotted a man’s bite mark on Yvonne’s neck—and reached out to grab her throat.

“L-Lov—ugh…!”

He could guess who had left that mark.

“Was it Yurian Leonhardt or Marquess Rohan?”

“What…!”

“I’m asking which one you slept with.”

Yvonne had worn a thick dress that covered her neck and body on purpose. But he must have seen the faintest glimpse through a small gap.

“H-Hilde…!”

His grip tightened around her neck, making her dizzy. She could barely speak.

“Your Majesty.”

“Ah, right. I shouldn’t be doing this.”

“Khh—!”

Suddenly, his hand released, and Yvonne gasped for breath. The one who stopped him was Francis, still blindfolded, unable to see, but moving precisely. He had to constantly remind himself the Emperor hadn’t lifted the hypnosis yet.

“Ugh…”

“Sorry. I got angry.”

“…Ah.”

Yvonne was truly sick of this. This entire situation.

“Still, you owe me an answer.”

“Hilde—ugh…”

“You shared a bed, but didn’t form a bond? Why not?”

She couldn’t answer. Even so, she didn’t regret spending the night with Yurian. What she regretted was underestimating the danger—that Hildebrandt would find out and Yurian could be in danger because of it.

“If you don’t answer, I’ll kill both of you.”

“Because he reminded me of you.”

“…What does that mean?”

“He acted like you. That’s why.”

Yvonne tried to think as fast as she could, but that was the best she could come up with.

“Then why don’t you want to do it with me?”

“Because I want to be family with you, Hilde.”

“…Ah.”

Only then did he seem to understand. But she grew uneasy again when she saw his eyes shift—she didn’t know it was because he was hypnotizing himself once more.

“Why do you want to be family with me?”

“Because I care about you, Hilde.”

“I see…”

As his body slumped over hers, Yvonne tensed again. She lifted her arms and gently embraced his large frame.

“I can hear your heartbeat.”

“That’s because I’m with you, Hilde.”

The anxious pounding of her heart meant something entirely different to him. He thought it matched his own—fluttering with love.

“Bring it in.”

“Yes, sir.”

Francis sighed and left the room. After he left, Yvonne stroked Hildebrandt’s hair, trying to lull him to sleep. He blinked slowly, as if drowsy, relaxing as he listened to the sound of her heartbeat.

“Hilde… why haven’t you taken off the earrings?”

“How could I?”

Yvonne felt a moment of relief at Hildebrandt’s pleased tone, hoping whatever he had ordered regarding Yurian wasn’t anything serious.

“Hilde, when did you start loving me?”

“From the first moment I saw you.”

“What was I like back then?”

“You looked like a sugar doll. Like a fairy.”

Yvonne sensed he was talking about a time she herself couldn’t even remember. She considered changing the subject, but instead decided to keep the conversation going—careful not to provoke him now that Francis wasn’t there to intervene.

“When did you realize it was love?”

“When I killed your rabbits.”

She gave a bitter, helpless laugh—of course, she couldn’t expect a normal answer from him.

“When their blood stained me, and then stained you, I felt like my feelings were transferred to you.”

“I see.”

“Yeah.”

“And is that why you killed my dogs too?”

“Yeah. You reacted the same way.”

Hildebrandt stood from the bed with a pleased smile. The mattress creaked beneath him, and Yvonne felt a strange sense of relief now that he was no longer hovering over her.

“Where are you going?”

“To get dressed.”

Though he still wore the emperor’s formal attire, his coat was missing—leaving him in just a tunic and trousers. He looked far from regal.

“You should put something on too.”

“Okay.”

She was still in her dress, but if he wanted her to change, she wasn’t going to resist—not over something so small.

“Wear this.”

“That doesn’t really go with a dress.”

“Then wear only this.”

She didn’t understand why he was giving her such a command.

What he offered was his uniform jacket. It would reach to mid-thigh if she wore it—leaving her legs completely exposed. And if she undressed completely underneath, the marks Yurian had left on her would be plainly visible.

She remembered, even in a quick glance in the mirror, how clearly the ones on her back still showed.

“I can’t. It’s too embarrassing.”

“Pfft…”

Hildebrandt let out a twisted laugh as he approached her.

“You’re embarrassed because it was with another man?”

“Yes.”

Her honest answer truly seemed to ease his rage.

“Then why did you do something so shameful?”

“I didn’t think you’d ever come for me. So I gave up… and did what I did.”

“And now you’re saying you won’t do it unless we’re married?”

“…Yes.”

“You’re shameless.”

Yvonne looked down to avoid his gaze and stood from the bed. Hildebrandt approached her, his voice close.

“Undress. Don’t make me say it again.”

Yvonne didn’t think resisting would help. He always did as he pleased. And if she defied him, it would only bring her more suffering—and maybe cost Yurian, too.

“Just stay still.”

She stared blankly at his pale hands as they touched her clothes. Surprisingly gentle, he began to undress her. The thick outer dress slipped off, revealing a layered negligee beneath. As her breath hitched, the corset she wore shivered faintly with each breath.

“Stand here.”

When she did, Hildebrandt moved behind her and began loosening the corset’s ties. She trembled at the feel of his fingers unfastening it. No matter what he said, she knew he’d lose his temper if he saw the marks Yurian had left.

“Breathe.”

“…Ah…”

As the corset came off and she finally caught her breath, he kissed the curve of her ear. She tensed even more.

“Hilde, let me do it.”

“No.”

He tossed the corset carelessly to the floor and began removing her negligee. She had worn a thick one on purpose, but now that didn’t matter.

She couldn’t bring herself to fully surrender—not with Yurian in her thoughts. So she turned and wrapped her arms around Hildebrandt’s neck.

“Yvonne.”

“I want to kiss you.”

“…What?”

“Please let me kiss you, Hilde.”

Her pleading tone somehow sobered Hildebrandt. She was clearly trying to atone for something. Seeing her sad, tearful eyes only reinforced the hypnosis he’d kept placing on himself.

There was no way she didn’t love him.

“I love you, Hilde.”

“Say you love me.”

“I love you, Hilde.”

“Lower your voice.”

“…I love you, Hilde.”

“Yeah, that’s it.”

He took her chin in his hand, trying to draw her close.

And just then—

Knock knock.

“…What now.”

“I’ve brought the one you asked for.”

“Ah, right.”

It was only then that Hildebrandt remembered—he couldn’t kiss her. If she was the one asking for it, then he shouldn’t grant it. It meant she felt guilty, anxious.

No—he needed to remind her of his place. Show her they were destined. That he was the only one.

“Come in.”

“Hilde… not yet—”

“Come in, Francis.”

Realizing she was still in her negligee, Yvonne quickly draped the emperor’s uniform jacket over her shoulders. Hildebrandt glanced at her briefly, then turned toward the door.

Yvonne buttoned it up quickly, careful not to let any of the marks on her skin show.

“…Ha.”

Hildebrandt found her desperate efforts amusing—and somehow charming, like nothing had changed.

“Ugh…”

“You brought him fast.”

“He refused to leave, even after we released him.”

“Why?”

Marquess Rohan hadn’t left the dungeon. He must have known he’d only been released because Princess Yvonne had returned.

“Yvonne.”

At the sound of that voice, Yvonne turned around in shock.

“…Yvonne.”

There stood Marquess Rohan—bloody and broken, utterly ruined.