My Will Did Not Mean This

They finally arrived at the imperial palace. Vivian got off the carriage, escorted by Aslan.

 

“I haven’t said anything since a while ago. Are you unwell?”

 

“No, I’m just a little nervous.”

 

“There is nothing for you to worry about. The reason the emperor called us was because of the breakup of the engagement, but…”

 

Aslan carefully checked Vivian’s complexion. He gently ran his fingers down her bare cheek, and when she laughed and said that it was tickling, he seemed relieved and continued talking.

 

“I won’t let that happen. So just stay by my side. I’ll take care of the rest.”

 

“But will it be okay? The Margrave is a public servant of the country…”

 

“Don’t even worry about him. Sooner or later, he will be overthrown and fall.”

 

“How do you know?”

 

“I have a personal way.”

 

If you are greedy for what is mine, you will have to pay the price.

 

Aslan smiled meaningfully, but Vivian was so absorbed in her thoughts that he did not notice it.

 

‘I hope it goes as Aslan says, but even if it doesn’t, I’ll just kill him and run away.’

 

Due to the Duke’s sudden death, all major and minor affairs of the family came to a halt. However, since Alex had safely taken over the Duke’s throne and the family’s confusion had calmed down to some extent, it was time to resume the discussions that had been put off. In particular, she heard that the Margrave was strongly advocating for marriage to be carried out. Why was there so much greed?

 

‘Oh, my head hurts. ‘I’m not going to get married right away anyway, so let’s think about what’s right in front of us first.’

 

Vivian recalled the contents of the original story. Aslan was known to the outside world as the prince born to the Empress, but in reality, he was the child of a bedroom maid. Therefore, the Empress hated Aslan as if she would chew him to death, and the Emperor was also not very pleased with his presence. The original female lead, who was engaged to Aslan, was also a thorn in their eyes.

 

‘But I’m the one engaged to Aslan now, right? Ha ha ha…’

 

As Vivian was lamenting her situation, she saw the Crown Prince walking across the hallway from her. He was with his subjects who followed him. Johannes also seemed to recognize the two people and narrowed his eyes.

 

“Aslan, and the princess came too?”

 

“I offer my greetings to His Majesty the Crown Prince.”

 

Vivian bowed her head, and Aslan bowed silently. However, Crown Prince Johannes, who she thought would just pass by like this, stopped in front of the two. He, to be exact, stopped in front of Vivian.

 

“I felt bad after we broke up like that last time. I don’t know that the princess’s condition was so severe, and I think I was pushing her until she passed out.”

 

“No, don’t worry about it.”

 

It was Aslan’s muscles that knocked her out, not him.

 

‘That doesn’t mean I forgive you, you damn bastard.’

 

At that time, if she had fallen for the crown prince’s test and caused Aslan’s misunderstanding, he would not have been a human by now. Or she would be in a world worse than hell.

 

“So, after your audience with Your Majesty, will you come to my palace? This time, I want to have a proper conversation with the princess.”

 

“That…”

 

‘You don’t mean to get caught up in that shit again, do you?’

 

Vivian was unable to answer easily and hesitated, but her waist was grabbed with a strong force. Aslan, who wrapped his arms around her waist as if showing off, spoke.

 

“I refuse. Vivian is not feeling well, so I plan to let her rest early today.”

 

“I asked the princess?”

 

“Vivian is a considerate person, so she would agree even though she knew it was too much.”

 

“This is an overstep, Aslan.”

 

A cool spark flashed in the eyes of the two brothers. Vivian, caught in the middle, could do nothing but break out in a cold sweat. What could a small and precious citizen of the world do when the world’s most powerful man and his rival were fighting? All she could do was beg in her heart for the two of them to fight without her!

 

“Besides, you shouldn’t hug that delicate princess so roughly.”

 

“…”

 

“She is having a hard time.”

 

Johannes approached leisurely and stood to Aslan’s left. At first glance, it seemed like he was giving friendly advice, but Vivian soon realized the truth. He was crushing Aslan’s side with his elbow.

 

‘Left…?’

 

Injuries suffered by Aslan when he faced assassins while in a magical state. The wound was severe enough to expose internal organs. Johannes was touching that place on purpose. Vivian quickly looked up at Aslan. His expression was emotionless, but his breathing became a little rough.

 

“Your Highness, thank you for the invitation.”

 

Vivian quickly moved to the left, pretending to face the prince. Johannes, pushed by her momentum, naturally took a step back.

 

“The dogs I saw at Adrian’s Palace last time were really cute. Did you bring them to the capital too?”

 

“Of course. I thought the princess liked four-legged animals.”

 

Sheesh, she was thinking of saying no and she would say no, saying it would be disappointing… Vivian hid her burning insides with a bright smile.

 

“But it’s almost time to see Your Majesty. If you invite me another day, I will be happy to do so.”

 

“Gee, I’ve been holding on to a busy person for too long. Then I’ll send you an official invitation later.”

 

“Thank you for your consideration.”

 

Johannes smiled with satisfaction and left, waving his hand. The subjects followed the prince, and only Aslan and Vivian remained in the hallway. But her relief didn’t last long. Aslan, his expression severely distorted, locked Vivian in the corner of her hallway. His breathing became rougher than before.

 

“Aslan?!”

 

“Why…”

 

“Yes?”

 

“Why didn’t you refuse? Do you like Johannes? Huh, Vivian?”

 

Of course, who didn’t like a face that looks like a prince from a fairy tale? But that wasn’t the problem now. She didn’t notice Aslan’s uniform was black, but his left side was strangely wet and shiny. Eventually, the wound burst.

 

“I endured it well.”

 

Vivian took off his outer clothes without saying a word. His life-filled eyes gradually became confused.

 

“I saw you the other day when you had a nightmare. There was a wound on his side.”

 

She couldn’t say they met while he was a demon beast, so she added it quickly, and it seemed to have worked. Aslan accepted Vivian’s hand without saying anything.

 

“How on earth did you get hurt?”

 

“…”

 

“Your Majesty the Crown Prince is so generous. Why are you doing such a cruel thing in front of all your subjects?”

 

“Are you worried about me?”

 

Aslan’s eyes looked at Vivian and were filled with a little hope. His eyes were fixed on Vivian’s small, dainty lips.

 

“Do I have the right to worry about you? You’re a much greater person than me.”

 

“Still.”

 

Aslan wondered why he was suddenly like this, but Vivian soon came up with a reason. For Aslan in the original work, the imperial palace was a place with terrible memories. He was abused by the Empress since childhood, and the Emperor turned a blind eye to this. As someone who had been cursed, the contempt and insults she received were an added bonus. But today he was persecuted for no reason again, so it was natural for his heart to become weak.

 

“Do not forget. I’m always on your side.”

 

“…”

 

“If anyone touches you, I will fight and defeat them all. Just trust me.”

 

“Vivian, you always exceed my expectations.”

 

Aslan bowed his head and rested his forehead on Vivian’s shoulder. Then he carefully hugged her thin and delicate body. It felt like he was caressing a glass doll that was about to break at any moment.

 

‘Was the answer comforting? Even though my fiancé will break up after a year, my heart is still heavy, perhaps because we have been in a relationship for some time.’

 

Vivian caught a passing servant and ordered him to fetch her new livery from the carriage. Since he had already thrown away the shirt he was originally wearing, he tore it up to stop the bleeding from his wound.

 

“Go a little deeper. It would be a bit like that if people noticed me.”

 

Aslan obediently followed Vivian’s lead. When she found an empty room, she went in and locked the door. If it had been a mansion, he would have called the attendants, but this was the imperial palace without Aslan’s allies. There was no benefit in showing weakness.

 

“Here are my new clothes. I’ll be behind you, so get changed.”

 

“You take it off.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“It’s hard to move because the wound is so badly opened. I wish you could help me.”

 

Aslan suddenly stumbled and fell against the window frame. She didn’t even blink when the crown prince crushed her wound, so she didn’t know she was in so much pain.

 

“It hurts a lot? This can’t go on. She seems to prefer to call the meaning…”

 

“Don’t do that, Vivian. I just like it when you help.”

 

“Is that really okay?”

 

Aslan, who had been clicking his tongue lowly as Vivian turned around, caught her eyes and began to breathe heavily as if he was struggling again.

 

“Just having you is enough. I don’t need anything else.”

 

Aslan also seemed to be wary, perhaps because this was the imperial palace. There was nothing she could do as the doctor refused, let alone the servant. Vivian began to unbutton his shirt, one by one. Aslan’s breathing became heavier than before. Eventually, his upper body was fully exposed without a single thread remaining. He had a frightening presence, his muscles trained to the limit, but Vivian tried to maintain her composure.

 

‘Aslan is a patient. If you want to suffocate me by trapping me between your muscles again, I will open my wounds and run away. I can do it…’

 

Aslan sometimes leaned on Vivian or hugged her shoulders, as if it was difficult for him to stand. She succeeded in changing his clothes by constantly measuring the angle of attack. When she was finished, she looked so neat that I wondered if she had actually been injured.

 

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Translator Note: