No, that can’t be. I shook my head vigorously.
Could that be possible? It must just be my imagination. The words that everything will go as I wish—that is just one of those sweet lies Carl has been spouting all along.
Yeah, that money-crazed man wouldn’t do that. He wouldn’t proceed with this business if he knew it would fail. A man who would go as far as to kill his niece to seize her fortune wouldn’t engage in a losing venture.
I steeled my resolve. Don’t be fooled. That man’s kindness is all fake. Don’t be swayed or shaken. Right. Even worrying about this will make me be swayed.
Even if, though it’s impossible, Carl knew all my intentions, it wouldn’t affect my plans. Carl had already bought the Kaltusa territory, was preparing for large-scale development of the estate, and was getting ready to mine the Retillan mine. He had already poured not only his wealth but also the investments of many nobles into it. So, even if he realized it now, it’s already too late.
I fervently hoped for Carl Windsor to fall quickly, be expelled from the Windsor family, and disappear from my sight. So that he wouldn’t confuse me like now…
* * *
A week had passed since then. During that time, I received a letter from Raios.
[Where’s my thank you gift?]
Ridiculous.
A thank you gift, for what? Apparently, I heard that Raios gave significant support to the Windsor family during the trial, so why is he acting like he deserves credit?
He did it all for his own pride, but is he expecting a thank you now? If he truly desires gratitude, he should seek it from Viego Windsor—the head of the Windsor family. That’s why I didn’t even bother replying.
When the murder case involving Noah Windsor gradually began to fade from public attention,
“Milady, do you remember that girl?” Lethe brought some news.
“Which girl?”
“The girl you brought from the Kaltusa territory.”
Ah. I belatedly remembered the child meant to be offered as a human sacrifice.
Lethe handed over some documents. “Here are her recent medical results. She’s improving gradually and should soon be able to communicate with others at a normal level.”
“That’s good to hear.”
“Should I bring her here once she’s recovered?”
“Yes, please do that.”
Before leaving this world, ensuring she’s cared for by the Windsor’s charity foundation wouldn’t be a bad idea.
But the day’s news didn’t end there.
“Lady Danae, the crown prince has summoned you to the imperial palace.”
A messenger from Raios had arrived.
“So, please prepare to leave immediately.”
I was flabbergasted. Could it be that this was revenge for not sending him a thank you gift?
“I’m too sick to go. I even have been bedridden recently.”
“It’s an imperial decree. You must come to the palace, even if you’re sick.”
“….”
Annoying. Reluctantly getting up, I found myself thinking. Maybe it’s because of this that I wanted to leave.
Even if I hadn’t found out about Raios and Allice’s affair, the thought suddenly crossed my mind that maybe, just maybe, I would have left this world someday because of the need to unconditionally submit to these damned imperial decrees.
* * *
“What’s this all about?” I demanded as soon as I entered Raios’s room. “State your business.” I skipped the pleasantries. It was because I wanted to get on his bad side.
When I spoke bluntly, Raios, who was sitting on the sofa smoking a cigar, furrowed his brows. “It seems you’ve forgotten all the manners you learned in this world.”
“Unfortunately, it seems so.”
I provocatively initiated the confrontation. However, Raios, seemingly uninterested in fighting, simply pointed to the sofa next to him.
“Sit.”
“…”
A wave of humiliation swept over me. To come when called, to sit when told. Does he think I’m a pet?
“No.”
“What?”
“I don’t want to sit. I’ll stand here and listen, so speak.”
Raios looked at me with a scrutinizing gaze and then asked bluntly. “Are you throwing a tantrum right now?”
“…What?”
“Not only did you fail to give a thank you gift, but now you’re sulking.”
“…”
“For saving your cute little brother, this is the thanks I get?”
I didn’t respond. Though insults and retorts reached the tip of my tongue, I didn’t want to engage and swallowed them down.
“Sit,” Raios commanded again, looking displeased. “Come here. And sit.”
“No.”
“Seems you lack learning ability. I wasn’t asking for your opinion.”
“…”
“Sit.”
At this point, I genuinely didn’t want to sit. Absolutely not. The acting, lies, and fake compliance that I easily showed to others was impossible with Raios. I didn’t even pretend to submit to him.
“You’re very stubborn,” Raios commented with a smirk before tossing his cigar into the ashtray and standing up. He then strode over.
“Ah!”
Raios scooped me up. Startled, I instinctively grabbed his hair.
“Let go of me!”
Raios seemed momentarily taken aback by his hair being grabbed but soon looked at me as if amused by my reaction. “Why don’t you let go first? You realize you’re grabbing the crown prince’s hair, right?”
“Your Highness, let me down first. I’ll let it go if you put me down!”
“Ah, really? How about we both let go on the count of three?” Raios joked as he walked over and stopped in front of the sofa.
…What is this? Why isn’t he putting me down? Wasn’t he going to force me to sit on the sofa?
Raios remained motionless in front of the sofa. He just looked down at me with a peculiar gaze. And then…
“…!”
He sat down on the sofa, still holding me. I was startled as my bottom touched his thighs. He had sat down while holding me! Could it be because I wouldn’t let go of his hair?
I quickly released his black hair and tried to escape his embrace. “Let me go!”
Raios’s arms didn’t budge, firmly holding me in place. His firm grip made it clear that he had no intention of letting me go, leaving me flustered.
What is this man doing right now?
“What are you doing?”
“Indeed,” Raios muttered as if confused by his actions. “I didn’t particularly plan on this.”
“…”
“But somehow, it ended up like this.”
What the heck is he saying?!
Wanting to distance myself from his overly close, firm chest, I wedged my hands into the gap and pushed him with all my might. “Let me go, Your Highness. This is not proper.”
“You don’t act properly in front of me too, so why should I?
“I’ll scream if you don’t let go.”
“And who will come to help you if you scream?” Raios sneered as if he found my words amusing. This is the imperial palace, and this is my bedroom. Moreover, you’re my fiancée. Whatever happens here is not strange. And one can enter without my permission…”
With every word, a warmth crept into Raios’s voice. At first, it seemed like he was just joking, but gradually, it seemed to carry genuine intent.
I could actually feel something very hard rising. His black eyes burned brighter than ever. Could it be this man…!
“Think of Allice,” I said desperately.
Raios responded calmly. “Of course, I always think of her.”
“I’ll tell Allice everything!”
“Go ahead. Allice will understand everything.”
“Tell her. She will understand everything.”
“Raios Geranze, are you really insane?!”
Raios didn’t reply this time. Instead, he roughly grabbed my hair. His black eyes flamed like the abyss. It was the gaze that always sent chills down my spine.
The next moment, Raios pulled my head towards him. Our hot lips overlapped. Since I had anticipated this, I immediately bit down with all my strength.
“…!”
But Raios didn’t pull away. Even though his lips were torn and the metallic taste of blood filled our mouth. Instead, it seemed to act as a strange stimulant as he pulled me closer, pressing our chests together and delving deeper.
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