Episode 28
As Yurian laid her on the bed, saying he was thirsty, Yvonne realized that he didn’t mean he wanted water, but rather he wanted to drink her. The restraint around his neck was gleaming red.
Perhaps he was suppressing the urge to see blood in this way.
With that thought, Yvonne calmed herself as she saw Yurian gazing down at her. Thinking of him as a predator aiming for her neck, her tension dissipated.
“Aren’t you going to bite?”
Yurian’s expression was odd. He seemed embarrassed, his face flushing red, and even the tips of his black hair sticking out were turning red.
“Yurian, is this your first time in this kind of situation?”
Yvonne recalled the original work as she spoke. He was an esper obsessed with madness and murder, but his relationship with Heldebrandt was his first experience.
“Are you disappointed?”
“No. I’m just embarrassed.”
“…I’m sorry.”
Unexpectedly hearing those words from him, Yvonne lightly smiled and tried to push his shoulder gently. However, his shoulders were so firm that they didn’t budge, firmly pressing her down.
“If you’re going to do it, do it quickly. I’m tired.”
Yurian narrowed his eyes at Yvonne’s indifferent words. Then, perhaps out of frustration, he returned to his indifferent expression. Yurian reverted to the familiar smiling face Yvonne had seen before, then reached behind her back with his hand.
“Why there?”
“Don’t I need to loosen your clothes a bit?”
“My neck is already exposed enough.”
She brushed aside her hair and removed his hand from her. The spot he had previously indicated was visible again, but Yurian wanted to bite the opposite side.
“How do you know I want to bite here?”
“You were originally going to bite here. It’s troublesome to leave marks elsewhere.”
Yvonne didn’t want to provoke Emperor Hildebrandt’s temper. He had been relentless with just those marks last time.
In her opinion, the reason Emperor Hildebrandt treated her this way was obvious. She was a princess who only followed him, without any ambition for power. She didn’t need to compete with the empress or ask for a share of power. All that foolish princess desired was the emperor’s love.
So she thought that’s why she had survived until now. Maybe if he awakened, the emperor wouldn’t kill Yvonne. But she would have to live forever like a puppet.
“I want to bite here.”
Yurian swept his fingertips across the opposite side of the neck he had bitten. Despite her refusal, Yvonne spoke coldly, dismissing his persistence.
“If you don’t like it, stop. I said it’s really inconvenient.”
Contrary to his usual indecisive demeanor, Yurian was taken aback when Yvonne coldly refused. He wondered if she couldn’t see properly. Despite the fact that it was actually him who couldn’t see properly because of the restraint, she seemed serene as if she couldn’t see ahead.
“No.”
Yurian approached her neck. Feeling his breath on her neck made Yvonne squirm. Yurian looked into her eyes, wondering if she felt embarrassed like him. But she didn’t look at him, instead staring at the ceiling.
“I don’t want to.”
“Okay.”
Yurian, who lost his enthusiasm upon seeing Yvonne’s reaction, replied gloomily. As Yvonne lightly pushed him away, Yurian retreated easily. He looked at her pitifully, perhaps because of this gaze, Yvonne felt a slight sense of guilt.
“Now, is it my turn?”
“Ugh…”
Yvonne grabbed Yurian, who was trying to move away from her, and flipped their positions. Yurian, now beneath her, felt puzzled about the situation, but his breath grew heavier with anticipation.
Yvonne unbuttoned the top button of his wet shirt. He seemed tense, gripping the bedsheet tightly. Seeing him like that, Yvonne brushed her hair to one side again and spoke.
“You might regret it. Dad might hit you again.”
“I’m sure my words are right, don’t worry.”
In fact, Yurian couldn’t think straight. He couldn’t even remember what he had been mumbling about earlier.
“Stop struggling. There’s only one time left.”
“…Okay.”
Yvonne pressed the button on the restraint in case of any unforeseen circumstances, to prevent him from feeling pain. Then she gently pulled the restraint. Yurian swallowed dryly as the restraint, warmed by the heat of his neck, was lifted by her hand. He felt tense and nervous, while she approached him as if nothing were wrong. Yvonne’s silver hair cascaded down, tickling his shoulders and collarbones.
Yurian began to tense up as her teeth, feeling ticklish, started to sink into his neck.
“Ugh…”
Yurian’s body was made of firm muscles, so there was no way she could do anything with just her strength. She bit his neck harder, irritated by the restraint touching her face.
“Is it done now?”
Yurian couldn’t answer. He had gripped the sheet so tightly that the wrinkles remained where he held it. He found himself breathing heavily, feeling strange as if the part Yvonne had bitten was burning.
“I’ve done what you asked, so I’ll leave now.”
“Ah…”
Yurian tried to grab Yvonne as she retreated, but she moved quickly and headed outside, ultimately eluding him.
“Ugh!”
As the iron chain of the restraint around his neck reached near the door, it pulled on his neck. He realized he couldn’t go any further.
The cold sound of footsteps seemed to have already climbed the stairs, no longer audible.
“Yvonne.”
Yurian gently touched the spot where she had bitten him with his fingers. His face was burning hot. Despite feeling embarrassed and flustered, he didn’t feel bad about it.
* * *
Yvonne returned to her room.
She realized that Yurian was clearly trying to endure the side effects of his actions when she saw his restraint glowing brightly red around his neck when he bit him.
“Yvonne.”
As Yvonne opened the door, she saw Marquis Rohan waiting anxiously inside.
“How did you get into my room without an invitation?”
As she spoke, Francis, who had been standing behind her, stepped forward and blocked the uninvited guest.
“I came to speak with you.”
“To someone else’s room?”
“His Majesty gave permission.”
“I see.”
Although it was absurd that the Emperor granted her the right to enter her own room, she was not in a position to question it. So, she sighed softly and looked at Francis.
“I’ll leave for a moment.”
“Yes, and if…”
“I understand.”
She knew that Francis’s words were a reminder to scream if anything happened.
Marquis Rohan did not say anything until Francis completely left and closed the door. Yvonne wondered if he had come because of her deliberately avoiding him to have tea time together.
But he looked too pale and had dark circles under his eyes for that to be the reason.
“What’s wrong?”
“Yvonne.”
She somehow knew that she didn’t want to engage in conversation, anticipating that whatever came out of his mouth wouldn’t be pleasant. After all, the palace was only her temporary residence for a month.
She also started to worry that she might be getting involved in something complicated.
“Do you want some tea? Why are you so pale?”
“Tea… Yes, please.”
When Yvonne pulled the bell, Evony knocked on the door. Without opening the door, Yvonne said, “Bring some tea, Evony.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
The footsteps beyond the door faded away.
“Shall we sit for now?”
“Yes.”
Yvonne led Marquis Rohan to the sofa. He had never seen the inside of her room before. He looked nervous, just chewing his lips as if he didn’t know what to say.
“Kes.”
“Yes.”
Despite his tension, being called by her nickname made him feel relieved.
Marquis Rohan hesitated for a few minutes, fiddling with his hands without saying anything. Yvonne waited patiently, silently urging him to speak.
“Yvonne. I…”
Knock, knock.
“Come in.”
As he nervously stopped speaking and the Emperor’s eyes came into the room, he looked at Evony, as if guarding against her. Marquis Rohan didn’t say anything until she brought the tea and finished all her actions. Yvonne was starting to get annoyed at what he might be trying to say.
“Kes, tell me now.”
He glanced at all the maids and servants leaving, then looked back at Yvonne.
When she stared back at him, he finally opened his mouth, looking uneasy. She picked up the teacup with red tea in front of her. As she took a sip, Marquis Rohan opened his mouth with great effort.
“Let’s run away together, Yvonne.”
At his words, she stiffened, holding the teacup in her hand.
