Chapter 103 How Much Can You Trust?
With a snap, a sticky, then a refreshing drop, the stimulus switched on Veronia, who had no idea where it was.
“I hope it’s something bigger.”
Perhaps it was the wine she’d drunk in haste. Or maybe it was the scent of the night, the kind of scent that makes one’s mind go haywire.
No, it was neither. It was this man in front of her, Veronia thought, who was making her so impulsive.
‘He’s handsome, but what if he’s also sweet? What if he’s gentle, but his eyes are so fiery… that you can’t resist?’
Veronia tugged on Killion’s hand. He dropped to one knee and rose to his feet, still drawn by her hand.
Veronia cupped his cheeks in her hands and pressed her lips to his. For a moment, she heard him giggle against her lips, and then his breath was deep inside her.
Killion’s lips were like his eyes. One moment they were soft, the next they were hard. Just when she thought they were rough, they were soft again.
It was as if all their other senses had died and gone to sleep, and only the sensation of touching each other remained alive, dominating their entire bodies.
Their tangled breaths grew hotter and thicker, and she heard Killion chuckle softly in between. Veronia pulled her lips away and looked up at him.
“Why do you keep laughing?”
“Because it’s …so good, that’s why I keep smiling.”
This time, Veronia gulped and laughed. Killion spoke up, his expression becoming more serious.
“If you don’t want me to laugh, I won’t laugh, so please let me keep kissing you.”
At the pleading look in Killion’s eyes, another laugh burst from Veronia’s mouth, and she grinned broadly and cupped his cheeks in her hands.
“You never fail to make me laugh.”
Soon their lips were locked together again, and they held each other in their arms, kissing sweetly and passionately. Their silhouettes merged together in the reflection of the window.
***
A week after the funeral, Tate came to visit Sandra.
“I stopped by to see you, and I’m glad to see you looking well, mother.”
Tate was right, Sandra’s blood color looked much better than it had a week earlier. She seemed to be back to normal.
“The living should live.”
“That’s right, you’re right, mother.”
One corner of Sandra’s mouth quivered at the sight of Tate’s good son’s face. It was an abomination, she thought, and she wanted to punch him right in the cheek, but she had to hold back. Any more outbursts would only isolate her.
“I was thinking of leaving the palace for a short retreat,” she said, “but the Emperor said it would be best to wait until after the saint’s return, so I could show my face, if only for a moment.”
“Oh, by the way, the homecoming celebration is the day after tomorrow, and you’re right. You are the funniest woman in the imperial family, so your presence would be most welcome.”
“…”
Sandra sipped her black tea in silence as she listened to Tate. She was tired of listening to him. No, actually, she was tired of the world in general. There wasn’t a single thing she liked about it.
The Crown Prince of the Empire is dead, and they’re celebrating the return of a holy woman, and the Empress has to put her retreat on hold so she can attend? The world is a strange place, Sandra thought.
“How far can we trust the Drea?”
Tate’s mind raced as he couldn’t quite make sense of Sandra’s sudden insistence on bringing up Killion. After a moment’s pause, Sandra spoke again.
“Tate, you have to be careful. It’s going to be your turn next.”
“What do you mean, my turn?”
“Don’t you think it was the Duke of Drea who started the attack on Caspian?”
“…”
Tate disagreed with Sandra’s thinking, but he wasn’t about to argue with her right now, either, because disagreeing with her was exhausting in more ways than one.
“When the Duke of Drea turned his back on Caspian, the whole world turned against him.”
“…”
Caspian was punished for the violence he committed. Nothing more, nothing less, but Tate still preferred to keep his mouth shut.
“Who do you think will be next? You, Tate.”
“Umm…”
“So be careful, Tate. You’re going to have to take care of yourself.”
“Yeah, I’ll keep that in mind.”
Tate’s breath caught in his throat as he met Sandra’s eyes, sparkling with conviction. Tate nodded reluctantly.
“I… intend to give him back what I’ve been given.”
“…”
“Are you still keeping tabs on Killion and the Duke, your information has always been invaluable. Can you share it with me straight away?”
It sounded like a request, but Tate realized at once that it was a command. He couldn’t help but nod this time.
“Of course, mother. I’ll keep you posted via daily correspondence.”
“Thank you. You’re the only one I can trust, Tate.”
Ho-ho, Sandra laughed softly and sipped her black tea. Seeing her face relax, Tate spoke with concern.
“But the Chancellor is no ordinary foe: he’s brilliant in so many ways, he never shows his emotions, he never makes mistakes, and he’s got a lot of connections. He has no weaknesses.”
“…”
“And if you make a mistake, you could end up upsetting him.”
“Don’t you remember, Tate, I’m not a common foe either, so you don’t have to worry.”
“…”
“And no one is without weaknesses, especially someone who has so much to hold dear. I thought we talked about that last time?”
Sandra said, her crimson lips twitching.
“And if I ever get angry, he’ll get twice as angry as I did. Because I’ll make him.”
Tate felt a chill run down his spine as he saw her eyes flicker as she glared into thin air.
‘You’re about to do something.’
He swallowed hard and held his breath. The last thing he needed was to be involved with her in any way.
***
‘You don’t have to go if you don’t want to. I can explain things to His Majesty.’
Having finished dressing with the help of her maids, Veronia checked her reflection in the mirror one last time and thought of Killion’s words from a few days ago.
The thought of seeing Jonathan made her stomach churn and her head spin, but she was determined to attend.
‘It’s an important event for a business I’m directly involved in, and it would arouse unnecessary suspicion if I skipped it without a good reason.’
She shouldn’t show her face in front of royalty and nobility often. But it was even more dangerous, Veronia thought, to remain hidden even when it was necessary. Killion’s thoughts were similar, and he nodded silently at her agreement to attend.
Her reflection in the mirror was flattering. The green velvet dress emphasized movement rather than glamor, and was appropriate for an outdoor event like today’s.
The veil that covered the scars on her face was embroidered with green and gold threads on a white background, which she liked because it wasn’t too bright, but not too bland either.
After a final check, Veronia turned to leave the bedroom, but the door opened with a knock. It was Killion.
“Are you ready?”
“Yep. Let’s go.”
Killion held out his arm politely towards her, and Veronia took it naturally, feeling very much at home with him now.
“I saw the finished product yesterday, and it was excellent. Your imagination is groundbreaking, after all.”
“Did it work, and is there anything I need to correct or add?”
“Yeah, nothing out of the ordinary, and that’s what the site manager said.”
“That’s good to hear.”
Veronia breathed a sigh of relief and smiled broadly.
Today was the day she would officially unveil to the world her initiative: the moving staircase in the Star Palace and the fire extinguishers in the nursery.
It was in Emperor Jonathan’s name, so interest was high. Jonathan himself would be in attendance, as well as royalty, nobility, and several newspaper reporters.
He sensed Veronia’s nervousness. Killion studied her face and laughed softly.
“Don’t be nervous, everything is perfectly prepared, and…”
“Because you’re by my side, too, aren’t you?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Killion’s lips touched her forehead for a moment, then fell away. Veronia was glad she was once again wearing her veil. She didn’t need to show her blushing face.
***
“Your Imperial Majesty. I am Nia Lampert.”
“Welcome, Lady Nia, it is a pleasure to finally meet you today.”
“Thank you for the invitation, Your Majesty.”
Jonathan greeted Veronia with a beaming smile. The royalty and nobles in attendance were surprised to see the Emperor smile, a rare sight.
After all, they thought, being the chancellor’s fiancée was what made her stand out. Little did they know how Veronia felt.
‘Now that you’re Emperor, Jonathan, you can even look so benevolent.’
It seems the position makes the man. Veronia bit her lip in disappointment.
Jonathan’s smile, as far as she could see, was an abomination. Her cheeks throbbed unnecessarily from the slaps she’d received from him for no particular reason during their time at the palace.
Tate stood guard by Jonathan’s side. Compared to Jonathan, Tate was more observant, suspicious, and clever. So he was the one to watch out for today.
‘I hope I don’t have to talk to him.’
Jonathan, not knowing her true feelings, said in a friendly tone.
“I am grateful for your invitation. I have high hopes for what you and your colleagues have produced today.”
“I can only fervently hope that we can live up to Your Majesty expectations.”
Veronia inclined her head in a somewhat unassuming manner.
