Episode 93
Hildebrandt still felt the lingering pressure where her teeth had grazed his finger, leaving him with an odd sensation.
“What do you mean by that?”
“What do you think I mean?”
Yvonne mimicked his tone, throwing the question back at him.
“Not before marriage.”
“I’m only saying this because I’m worried. Other lords and ladies all have lovers, enjoying their freedom.”
“You want to enjoy that kind of thing with me? If you want that so badly, go buy yourself a bed slave or something.”
“I don’t want anyone but you.”
Yvonne cupped his cheeks with both hands as she spoke. With her face so close that their noses almost touched and her body practically pinning him down, Hildebrandt found it harder and harder to think clearly.
“What if you end up with a child?”
“Wouldn’t that be great? Then we’d have to hurry and get married!”
“You’re insane, truly.”
“I’m insanely in love with you, Hilde. I really love you.”
It was the first time Yvonne had ever confessed her love for him, and Hildebrandt was left speechless. Meeting her gaze suddenly felt unbearably difficult.
“Hilde, are you embarrassed?”
“Shut up.”
“If you’re too embarrassed, I can learn everything for us. I’ll read about it in a book or something.”
“What would you even read? Do you have no shame?”
“What’s there to be ashamed of? It’s something people do when they love each other. And Hilde, you’re already reacting to me.”
She pointed out the unmistakable tension in the front of his trousers, something he had foolishly thought her heavy dress would conceal. Realizing this, his face burned with embarrassment.
“Should we just do it now?”
“Get lost.”
“Are you scared?”
“…I said get lost.”
“Fine, I’ll give you time to prepare yourself.”
Yvonne brushed her nose against his, her lips grazing his skin in a way that made it impossible for him to stay composed.
“For now, let’s just do this.”
“Do what?”
Even as she spoke, her lips remained tantalizingly close to his, brushing against him with every word. Hildebrandt knew he should push her away, but the soft touch of her lips every time she moved kept him frozen in place.
“This is my first kiss.”
“I know.”
“Everything of mine is yours, Hilde.”
“…I know.”
With those words, she leaned in and kissed him fully.
* * *
It was Yvonne’s birthday, and a banquet was being held at the Marchioness Le Meredin’s estate.
As her fiancé, even if only nominally, Hildebrandt was naturally expected to remain by her side.
“Lady Iris, this is my fiancé, Prince Hildebrandt. Hilde, this is my friend, Lady Iris.”
“Yes, pleased to meet you.”
“Oh my, Your Highness, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Yes.”
Hildebrandt stood beside Yvonne, acting as if everything bored him. In truth, though, he didn’t mind her dragging him around, introducing him as hers. It was almost as if she were announcing to everyone that they would soon be married.
“Hilde, I’m getting tired.”
“Fine, let’s go.”
“You have to escort me! You’re my partner.”
“We’re in the same house; there’s no need for me to escort you.”
“Of course, there is!”
He had expected this from her, so he sighed and prepared to follow when—
“His Majesty, the Emperor, has arrived!”
“Behold the strongest sword of the Bricesys Empire!”
Yvonne and Hildebrandt, who had been about to leave the banquet hall, stopped in their tracks. The emperor himself had come to what was only a marquess’s daughter’s birthday celebration.
“Ah, leaving already?”
“Your Majesty…!”
“Your Majesty.”
“Hilde.”
The emperor bore an uncanny resemblance to Hildebrandt, so much so that standing side by side, they could have been mistaken for twins. The only distinction was the tear-shaped mole beneath the emperor’s eye.
Their similarity made Hildebrandt all the more wary of him. The same silvery white hair, sky-blue eyes, fox-like features, and robust physique. They were so alike that only their attire could differentiate them. Their height, build, and even their voices were identical.
The sole difference was that Hildebrandt’s voice was ever so slightly deeper than Emperor Hildegard’s.
“Why not stay a little longer?”
“…Yes.”
Hildebrandt, conscious of Yvonne clinging to his arm, shook off her hand.
“Ah…”
Yvonne, understanding why he did so, didn’t try to take his hand again. The emperor, seemingly pleased by Hildebrandt’s reaction, commented,
“You’ll be married soon, yet you two seem so distant.”
“…”
“My apologies, Your Majesty.”
“No need. Lady Le Meredin has nothing to apologize for.”
Hildebrandt found Emperor Hildegard’s feigned benevolence revolting. This was the same man who had once hypnotized him to try and kill his own fiancée. Even now, the emperor regarded Yvonne with the amused gaze one might reserve for a fascinating toy.
“By the way, Lady Yvonne, you grow more beautiful by the day.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“Such a fine lady seems wasted on an unworthy prince.”
“You flatter me, Your Majesty.”
Yvonne’s heart ached as she watched Hildebrandt bow his head, quietly enduring the emperor’s words.
“By the way, have you awakened your power yet, Lady Yvonne?”
“No, my magic is quite weak. Even if it manifests, it won’t be anything remarkable.”
“I see.”
The emperor subtly moved his own magic as if measuring hers, then turned to Hildebrandt.
“A distinguished house like Le Meredin wouldn’t produce a guide, would it?”
“…No, Your Majesty.”
Hildebrandt unwittingly responded as his eyes met the emperor’s. The red glow in the emperor’s gaze flickered briefly before vanishing.
“Your Majesty.”
“What is it?”
“I will take my leave. I’m not feeling well.”
“Is that so.”
“Ah… Hilde, I’ll come with you—”
“Lady Le Meredin, please stay. I have something to discuss with you.”
“Ah… Yes.”
Hildebrandt figured it was safer for Yvonne to stay with the emperor than with him. The banquet hall was crowded, and there were other capable individuals present. Since the emperor’s attention had shifted to him, leaving would surely divert it from Yvonne.
Hildebrandt had a vague understanding of why the emperor despised him—it stemmed from his father.
The current emperor had always been compared to his more accomplished older brother, Hildebrandt’s father. Forced to suppress his abilities as a child, he grew to hate his brother, who had treated Hildebrandt with warmth.
At first, the emperor tormented Hildebrandt for amusement, believing it would distress his father. Now, it was merely contempt for a lesser being.
The emperor had a pattern: torment those who caught his attention and forget those who didn’t.
Hildebrandt paused on his way to the palace. Today was Yvonne’s birthday. As her nominal fiancé, he should stay at the Marquess’s estate, at least for tonight.
Returning to the main house, Hildebrandt headed to the room across from Yvonne’s. When he opened the door, he stopped in his tracks.
“Sigh.”
He let out a hollow laugh before opening the door wider. Then, as if on impulse, he opened Yvonne’s door as well.
“Unbelievable.”
The two rooms were identical.
It was clearly intentional.
Realizing that Yvonne had designed the room to mirror hers lifted his spirits slightly. It felt as if her playful warmth lingered, even in her absence.
Instead of entering his room, Hildebrandt walked toward hers. He thought it might be amusing to see her flustered.
It wasn’t long before the sound of hurried footsteps reached him, followed by labored breathing outside the door.
“Hilde!”
The door burst open, the sound loud enough to be heard in the opposite room.
“Hilde? Where are you? Hilde!”
She scoured the room assigned to him, her frantic calls echoing. Hildebrandt found her panic so amusing that he stayed put, reclining on the sofa.
“Hilde!”
When her footsteps began to fade, however, he grew uneasy. Could she really not guess he might be in her room?
He stood from the sofa, walked to the door, and opened it without hesitation.
“Did you think you could hide from me?”
Yvonne stood outside, boldly pushing the door open. She shoved against his chest as she entered.
“You…”
“Today is my birthday.”
“I know.”
“I didn’t expect my present to be waiting in my room.”
“Sigh.”
Her words made him chuckle despite himself. But when she removed her bonnet and carelessly loosened the ties on her dress, stepping toward him, he tensed.
“Don’t take it off.”
“I’m not taking it off.”
“Because I’ll do it.”
With that, she let her dress fall haphazardly to the floor and reached for his clothes.
“Even the wrapping on my present is perfect.”
She said this as she pushed him onto the bed.
“You’re insane.”
“The madness is only beginning.”
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