Episode 36
“You really resemble Dad.”
Yvonne hugged the wolf, Hill, tightly. When Hill slightly opened his eyes, Yvonne’s wet face and clear purple eyes were beautiful. Hill continued to stare at her, finding solace in her arms, as if he had found his prey.
It was fortunate that she was nestled so closely that only her face was visible. It was better than having nowhere to look but at her body.
The wolf remained quiet in Yvonne’s embrace. It didn’t accidentally extend its claws to cause harm, nor was it uncomfortable with its sharp teeth brushing against her.
However, Evony thought that perhaps the wolf was smelling a scent similar to hers as Evony massaged shampoo into Yvonne’s hair. Evony was also an esper. Although her abilities were inferior to Yurian’s, she was a maid with the same body enhancement ability. Despite her advanced age, she had a sturdy body and considerable magic power.
So it was inevitable that Evony would notice the sweet scent emanating from Yvonne. However, it didn’t manifest as a desire to monopolize her like it might with other Yurians or Marquis; it merely appeared as a form of nurturing.
As Yvonne’s body melted under Evony’s touch, she affectionately petted the wolf. For some reason, the wolf seemed to enjoy being held by her and didn’t move.
Thus, the wolf had to remain in the bath with Yvonne.
When she finished bathing and came out, Evony deliberately delayed the wolf’s exit. She was afraid that the water splashing from his distinctive body structure might hit Yvonne.
“Your Highness.”
“Yes.”
“I will dry your body.”
“Yes.”
Yawning as if sleepy, Yvonne accepted the attention of the maids drying her body with towels and slowly returned to her room.
Sitting at the vanity, with Evony absent, two other maids stood on either side of Yvonne, combing her still damp hair.
The brilliant silver hair, which had appeared gray when wet, gradually brightened as it dried.
Once her hair was completely dry, Yvonne, feeling mentally and physically exhausted, lay down on the bed.
“As you wish.”
The wolf, as if understanding her words, quietly climbed onto the bed. However, his weight caused the bed to sway momentarily as he got on. Of course, since Yvonne’s bed was so large, the wolf’s presence didn’t make it feel cramped.
She closed her eyes as she nestled into the wolf’s embrace and said, “We must sleep quietly.”
With that, she fell asleep.
* * *
At that moment,
Crash!
Hildebrandt dropped the bottle he was holding. As a result, the floor became messy with the remaining liquor.
The servants, who were watching the Emperor’s mood, quickly used their abilities to clear them from his path. Even though they didn’t come close, there was a servant who could use telekinesis.
However, Hildebrandt remained frozen in surprise, and the servants found it terrifying.
“Why are you like this?”
Marquis Rohan asked. He had called him to tease him, but it was annoying that the Emperor seemed more embarrassed, having dropped the bottle.
Of all times.
Because of the wolf’s memories reaching me on their own.
While generally I had to retrieve memories directly, this time was different. Sometimes, when the emotions the wolf felt were vivid, they would be transmitted to me like this.
“Who told you to talk to me?”
“The one who summoned me here is Your Majesty.”
“Right.”
Marquis Rohan spoke to Hildebrandt impolitely, but Hildebrandt had no opportunity to point out his rudeness.
“Your Majesty.”
“What?”
“Why is your face so red?”
“Maybe I’m getting drunk.”
He said so, then angrily pulled down the curtain of the window, illuminating his face. Marquis Rohan looked again at the uncomfortable Emperor’s face and thought he had returned to his usual self.
“Do you really plan to postpone the visit until next week?”
“Yes.”
“Understood.”
Marques thought it was better this way with Hildebrandt’s caprice. Although they had hurriedly prepared, it was better to leave as soon as possible since the King of Apentyna was someone who coveted his abilities.
Moreover, since Yvonne had never acknowledged or relied on him like she did now, he was looking forward to showing his body to her.
If Hildebrandt hurried the visit, erased the memories of the Yurian, and left together, showing off the well-built body he had longed for would surely be a matter of time.
Marques had worked out so hard for that day. Now, his body was quite muscular, like a knight’s. Of course, he had received help from drugs, exercise, and espers who trained his stamina.
“Why are you laughing?”
“Your Majesty was holding the glass strangely.”
“Ah.”
Hildebrandt realized that he was tilting the wine glass. As a result, there were many red spots on the floor. He, as if feeling uncomfortable, simply dropped the glass to the ground.
“Yvonne doesn’t want to marry you.”
Hildebrandt said, hoping Marques would feel as bad as he did. Then Marques’s face darkened as he wished.
“Yvonne only likes people who resemble me.”
“…Yes.”
“You might be inferior to a raised wolf. But does Yvonne still prefer you?”
“Yes.”
Despite the Emperor’s mockery, Marquis Rohan thought so and answered. Anyway, if he avoided answering, he would surely have to listen by using his ability.
It was wiser to speak the desired words and suffer humiliation.
“You might be worse than a dog.”
“I understand that I might be worse than a dog.”
“You grasp the situation well.”
“…Yes.”
Hildebrandt’s insults were always like this. It was because he knew that he loved Yvonne.
However, while such insults used to feel like being pricked by thorns, now they didn’t hurt as much. Yvonne had decided to run away from him, and she was relying on me.
With such a firm conviction between us, what difference did the Emperor’s insult make?
Marquis Rohan had to try harder to keep from laughing.
* * *
“What’s this?”
Yvonne looked at the bouquet of lilacs that had been sent to her. The purple bouquet was dazzling, and the dew on it made it even more beautiful.
“Lord Rohan’s attendant brought it while making a visit.”
“Ah.”
Yvonne accepted what Evonne handed her, briefly smelling the fragrance before casually placing it on the desk.
“Was there nothing sent by Dad?”
“Yes.”
“I see.”
Yvonne was becoming increasingly tired of pretending to be the daughter eagerly yearning for Hildebrandt’s love. As the day of her escape approached, she felt more impatient.
“I’ll be going to meet ‘that’ later. I’d like to be alone until I’m called.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Evonne replied and then examined Yvonne’s complexion before leaving the room.
Yvonne picked up the lilac bouquet that she had casually placed on the desk again. A small note hidden inside was painted in the same color as the stem. She gently untied what was wrapped around the stem and opened it.
“Preparations complete.”
Marquis Rohan had been an attendant awakened long before her. So, he would know better than her what was needed to escape.
Yvonne had money stashed away through brokers to make drugs and establish a second identity. It was money she had set aside to leave at any time. Therefore, even if she were to flee with Marquis Rohan from here, there would be no worries about money or drugs.
She thought that day would come soon. Thinking so, she smelled the strong scent of lilacs again.
The meaning of lilacs was unchanged love.
She felt like she knew his intentions of sending the same flowers every day, but she didn’t want to pretend to know. Saving her own life was more urgent for Yvonne.
She made sure the note couldn’t be read, tore it into tiny pieces, and hid it in the rubble of the fireplace before leaving the room.
The destination Yvonne headed for was the underground where Yurian was.
She brought along the items she had prepared for today. Without knocking, she opened the door, and Yurian, with closed eyes, turned his head towards her as she entered.
“It’s okay to look at me now.”
“What do you mean?”
“Dad released you from the hypnosis, saying you’re boring.”
“Ah.”
Yurian, unintentionally, opened his eyes slightly at her cold words. But the feared event did not happen.
Whether it was still fear of death or not, he realized that his heart was pounding loudly when he saw Yvonne’s face, as if seeing her for the first time in a long while.
“Yvonne.”
“Yes.”
“My heart feels strange.”
“It’s because of Yvonne.”
