Episode 42. Monopoly Desire (5)
I retorted with a slightly petulant tone. Actually, I felt a bit embarrassed.
“Could you not twist my words? I literally meant ‘pretty good,’ you know?”
“Even if you make a cat-like expression under the sun and speak like that, it lacks credibility.”
“…”
Was it that obvious? I blushed slightly and pursed my lips.
“Oh, but it does feel really good. What’s with this guy? He’s even good at massages?”
Good-looking and well-mannered, and even meticulous.
With so much tension throughout the day, it felt relaxing. Surrendering completely and entrusting my head to Percy’s hands, his slow voice echoed in my ears.
“This isn’t too bad.”
“What do you mean?”
“You can only see yourself, can’t you?”
The lukewarm water soaked my hair. Unlike the gentle strokes on my hair, his voice wasn’t so light.
“It’s enjoyable to take care of you so others don’t touch you.”
“Isn’t that a bit dangerous?”
He might end up keeping me like a hamster in a cage at this rate.
No, isn’t it kind of the same situation right now? Except that the cage is the vast space of Duke Stuart’s mansion.
“Oh well, I don’t know.”
As long as it feels good. I closed my eyes again and hummed softly. Eventually, I drifted off to sleep.
* * *
Sienna had a pretty face. Her forehead, covered with jagged bangs, was round. Despite her temperament, she had neat eyelashes, so when her eyes were closed, she looked like a quiet lady.
Her hair, wet from the water, was much more tangled and darker than usual. As Percy played with her hair, he realized that Sienna’s chest rose and fell evenly.
“Sienna, are you awake?”
“…”
There was no response at all. She was deeply asleep. Percy furrowed his brow.
Whether to call it a relief or to say it feels comfortable inside.
‘I hope you are not this defenseless in front of other people.’
Being in the bathroom with a half-naked man, falling asleep without a second thought. It was comforting to think that she trusted and felt safe enough to do so, but imagining being this vulnerable to others made her blood boil.
Confirming Sienna was completely asleep, Percy slowly entered the bathtub. In the meantime, the lukewarm water gently caressed his legs.
‘It might make you dizzy if you stay in hot water for too long.’
Percy knelt down lightly and sat beside her, intending to embrace her. But he couldn’t bring himself to. She was oblivious to the world, deep in slumber.
‘This is a bit too trusting.’
Even if she trusted him, wasn’t she being too lax in her guard?
Percy pressed Sienna’s eyelids with his fingers. Sienna furrowed her brow as if annoyed but soon drifted off again. At some point, Percy found amusement in this prank and lightly pinched Sienna’s cheek. Despite being awake enough to react, Sienna continued to sleep.
Percy sighed as he rested his chin on his hand. Even in this moment, his gaze remained fixed on Sienna’s face.
‘She must be exhausted.’
There had been a lot going on at today’s hunting party. The Emperor revealed his plans, but some seemed to slip past him, like the Empress.
‘I knew they were crazy, but I didn’t know they were that crazy.’
Percy’s red eyes darkened. The Empress had blindly accused Sienna. It was as if there couldn’t be any other culprit besides Sienna.
Perhaps she acted out of spite towards Sienna, but Percy leaned towards another explanation. The Emperor must have ordered it, and seeing Sienna and Prince Julius’s confrontation, she must have drawn her own conclusions. When Sienna resisted Julius’s attack, she must have stabbed him in self-defense.
Even though he hadn’t witnessed the incident, it was an accurate deduction.
Only Prince Julius was unexpected to Percy. He must have the courage and loyalty to protect Sienna to such an extent.
“I should say something to Prince Julius. It’s better to talk face to face.”
Percy concluded that to negotiate with him and stand on a favorable ground, he needed to defend Sienna. Later, he would ask Julius what he wanted.
Despite Percy’s complicated thoughts, Sienna slept peacefully. Percy chuckled as he lightly pinched her cheek.
“Do you even know what happened to you today?”
She was like a serene doll with her eyes closed.
Percy recalled the moment when she had refused Daniel Bohan earlier.
“That was a very clever choice. There’s no way a dandy like Daniel could have saved you.”
For whatever reason, her rejection and her nonchalant demeanor even after pushing Daniel aside filled him with intense delight. He felt twisted watching her sit there calmly, leaving Daniel behind. Even if he were to push Daniel aside and hold her hand, nothing would change. She seemed indifferent.
“It’s strange. What is this woman thinking?”
Driven by a bizarre desire to see her distort her face because of him, Percy instinctively wrapped his arms around her waist. But to his surprise, instead of recoiling or disdainfully retreating, she blushed and hugged his neck.
She always defied his expectations. That was what Percy found most enjoyable.
“We’ll get along just fine.”
A small, innocent yet bold flower who believed she could set thorns. Percy’s thumb lightly brushed Sienna’s lips. A shallow breath tickled his skin and dispersed.
* * *
Another five days had passed just like that.
What was once 85 days left until D-day had suddenly become 80 days.
Sitting quietly while sipping tea, I grabbed my head and exclaimed, “Argh! What is this place! A room of mind and time!”
It feels like I haven’t been here for long, so why did time fly by so quickly?!
As I imagined the approaching dead-end day, I found myself lying on the table, crying loudly.
Although it might be surprising to suddenly have a seizure like this, the steward’s maids seemed to be completely accustomed to me now, as they cheerfully approached me.
“Why are you suddenly like this again, Your Highness?”
“Do you want more cake?”
I withdrew my head from my arms and just stared at them, shaking my head.
“I don’t need it. It’s not even tasty.”
The maids, who seemed to have a talent for interpreting my words in the opposite way, took the plates in front of me and said, “It looks like you enjoyed the strawberry fraisier. We’ve always been concerned because you have a short appetite, but we’re glad you liked it. Just wait a moment, I’ll bring another slice.”
“…”
Oh, so that cake was called a strawberry fraisier. It had a different flavor with strawberries dipped in custard cream instead of whipped cream.
It was delicious. Honestly, I thought I could have another slice if there was one.
But wait, didn’t I say the opposite? How could they understand my feelings so well?
“Am I that easy to read?”
I shook my head as I reflexively touched my face. My expression wasn’t the important thing right now.
“Five days have already passed! I haven’t done anything.”
My lifespan has already been shortened by five days!
In response to my sigh, a maid filled my cup with tea and positively replied, “Oh, why haven’t you done anything? It’s time for you to recover your health.”
“That means I haven’t done anything at all.”
Isn’t it natural for a villain to be somewhat unhealthy? Being healthy would actually be a minus for my identity, right?
“These days, even the system window is very quiet.”
I rubbed my chin and pursed my lips.
“It has to be quiet! Even if the system window doesn’t announce it, the maids take care of the villain’s health!”
Massage, nail art, and even hairstyles were taken care of automatically when it was time, and the makeup style always accentuated sharp eyes.
It felt like they knew what character I was and adjusted accordingly.
I sighed again and muttered as I lay back down.
“It’s all your fault. That’s why every day passes just by blinking.”
“Oh my, that’s a compliment.”
“If you think so, I’m glad.”
“Don’t be glad! I didn’t say be glad! Just leave already!!”
Why do they keep being so happy when I’m grumbling! I have a conscience too! The more you’re happy, the more uncomfortable I feel.
As I swept my hair aside while thinking like that, one of the maids who had been laughing all along spoke to me in a serious tone.
“We’re grateful to you, Your Highness. Since you came, the master has become much gentler, and the house has become more lively.”
“That’s right. Our stern and cold master became so affectionate. Love is truly great.”
“Nonsense.”
All I did was listen well to the maids’ words, like a well-tamed pet.
As I scratched my cheek with annoyance, another maid chimed in.
“Since Lord Stewart has always been quiet, if you bear five sons who resemble the master and five daughters who resemble you, Your Highness, then we’ll have no wishes left.”
I couldn’t help but frown at those words.
“You’re talking nonsense!”
