RVMPT Chapter 46

Chapter 46

Andrew headed to the drawing room, where Marquis Mayer was waiting with a servant. The marquis stood up and bowed to the prince.
“Have you been well, Your Highness?”
“I’ve been great! You look healthy too. How is the Marchioness doing?”
“She is well, Your Highness.”
“Good to hear that she’s doing fine!”

They exchanged greetings as if meeting after a long time. Andrew, smiling brightly, gestured to his attendants.
“Leave us so I can properly catch up with the marquis. As for the servant he brought…”
Andrew glanced at the large, muscular servant with thick glasses standing behind the marquis.
“…It’s probably best to have at least one person stay to assist, wouldn’t you agree, Marquis?”
“I agree, Your Highness.”

Once all the attendants left and the door was firmly shut, Andrew’s shadow knight stood guard outside the room. At the knight’s signal, Andrew dropped his act.
“I never expected you to show up here.”
“…”
The marquis didn’t respond. Instead, the servant behind him sat down on the sofa. Neither the marquis nor the prince stopped him.

A moment later, the servant removed a wig, revealing shiny black hair beneath the messy brown disguise. He set his thick glasses down next to a teacup.
“Thank you for welcoming me, Your Highness.”
The servant—no, Duke Harold—smiled with his dark blue eyes.
“You seem to think my surprise as a sign of happiness.”
“Yes, I do.”

Andrew let out a dry chuckle. Harold’s easy confidence reminded him of how the duke had once wielded a blade ruthlessly during a festival, only to switch his demeanor as easily as flipping a coin. Though Andrew had used that event to capture spies of the Emperor, Harold’s behavior still surprised him.

“What brings you here in disguise, Duke?”
“You must have heard about the witch that was captured recently. And you likely know the Emperor intends to bury the matter rather than investigate further.”
“I’m aware of both.”
“Do you plan to leave it as it is, Your Highness?”

Andrew narrowed his eyes, trying to read Harold’s intentions.
‘What’s his motive for asking me this?’

Unable to figure it out, Andrew decided to be honest.
“You know my situation. If I act like I’m aware of this incident, it could put me in danger.”
“…”
“I’d like to at least ensure the safety of the people, but the Emperor would never listen to my requests.”
“…”
“Trying to do something about this now would only make things worse for me.”

Andrew’s voice was calm but heavy with resignation, and the scent of the tea seemed to grow bitter. His clenched fists turned white from the pressure. Harold glanced at his hands, then looked back up.
“If there were a way to ensure the people’s safety while minimizing risk, would you do it?”
“What?”

Andrew’s eyes widened. Harold wouldn’t have said such a thing lightly—he must have a plan.
“Tell me. I’ll decide after I hear it.”

Andrew couldn’t afford to act recklessly with so many lives depending on his decisions. Harold explained his plan. When he finished, Andrew rubbed his face with his hands.
“…Ha, ha! How did I not think of this before? This could actually work.”

If it succeeded, all Andrew needed to do was keep up his act of being clumsy and naive, and he’d be safe. They discussed the plan in more detail, and once they were done, Harold disguised himself as a servant again.

Andrew watched him quietly, his fingers still tingling with excitement. Harold’s brilliance impressed him, though it saddened him to think the duke was terminally ill. But Andrew couldn’t shake one question.
“Duke, may I ask you something?”

Harold wasn’t the type to get involved in something unrelated to himself unless there was something to gain. Based on what Andrew knew, Harold wasn’t one who could act out of pure goodwill.
“What’s your real reason for doing this?”
“I simply wish to help the future sun of this empire.”
“…Is that so? It’s good to know you’re on my side, Duke.”

Andrew extended his hand for a handshake, and Harold left after their agreement. Even as the attendants cleaned up the drawing room, Andrew remained seated on the sofa.
“I simply wish to help the future sun of this empire.”

Andrew scoffed, his shoulders shaking with quiet laughter.
‘That’s such an obvious lie.’

While it made sense for them to form a mutually beneficial alliance, Harold had no clear reason to go to such lengths. Besides, there had been a brief moment when Harold’s expression softened with something akin to spring sunlight.

Andrew realized there was only one person who could make Harold to act like a human, and it was his wife, Diana.
‘If it’s for the duchess, then it makes sense.’

Andrew was glad Harold couldn’t read minds; otherwise, the duke might have tried to silence him by now. Shaking his head, Andrew left the drawing room. By then, the sun had set, and the sky was growing dark.

---

The sound of an owl hooting came from outside the hallway window.
I swallowed nervously as I stood outside the master bedroom.

It was that time again—time to help Harold by “treating” him.
“…It’s just treatment. That’s all it is.”

I muttered to myself repeatedly, trying to convince myself, as I opened the door.

Harold was sitting on the bed, and I approached him. As the distance between us closed, my chest tightened, and my palms grew sweaty. I wiped them on my nightclothes several times.

“Let’s get started for today.”

“Y-Yes…”

I took a deep breath and threw my arms around Harold’s back with all my might. Skin against skin, without even a thread of fabric between us, his warmth was vivid and unfiltered. The sharp contours of his back muscles were starkly tangible under my fingers.

‘Eep!’

At that moment, Harold wrapped his arms around me as if to crush me and curled his body slightly.

The sharp ridge of his nose brushed against the back of my neck, making me flinch.

“…Haah.”

Harold exhaled a hot breath, seemingly relaxed and soothed by the divine energy. The warm breath pooling near my collarbone made my fist tighten instinctively.

‘This is just a form of treatment.’

I reminded myself again, desperately trying to stay focused.

But it was as if Harold was deliberately testing my resolve. He began to rub his cheek against my shoulder, the soft tickle of his dark hair brushing against my skin. I bit down hard on the tender inside of my cheek.

The heartbeat in my chest had now grown to resemble a stormy sea. I felt as if I was about to be swept away into some deep, uncharted abyss with no way back.

‘I can’t do this anymore.’

I pulled back from Harold like a frightened rabbit and scrambled a few steps away.

“How about we go back to just holding hands starting tomorrow?” I suggested nervously.

Holding hands was slower, yes, but it still worked to heal him…

Harold tilted his head slightly, his gaze thoughtful.

“Didn’t you say the more physical contact, the better the quality of the healing?”

“Y-Yes, but…”

I opened and closed my mouth repeatedly, fumbling for a proper excuse.

“Anyway, let’s just go back to holding hands! And please wear proper clothes next time!”

“No.”

“Why not?!”

“I want to recover as quickly as possible, Diana.”

His firm arms pulled me closer to him, throwing my balance off. Instinctively, I braced my hands against his chest.

My heart, which had been on the edge of panic, now plunged headlong into chaos. It was racing so wildly that it felt like it might burst.

“In that case, starting tomorrow, let’s make our… physical contact even more intimate.”

His heated, dark blue eyes lowered, lingering meaningfully on my lips.

“How does that sound?”

I bit my lip, my cheeks burning. I shook my head frantically, like a fish trying to wriggle free from a net.

“T-That’s impossible! I can’t do that! I’m already struggling with this much!”

“Alright.”

“…What?”

Wait. Just like that?

I thought Harold would push for more, wanting to get something else from me since he wanted to recover quickly…

I looked at Harold carefully, feeling a bit confused.

“I told you before, didn’t I? I’ll only take things as far as you allow.”

Harold whispered kindly, reassuring me that he wouldn’t force it.

His words about honoring the contract felt sincere, and my body relaxed.

The feeling of sinking into the deep sea now felt like a misunderstanding.

“Alright then, we’ll just hold hands again tomorrow…”

“Except for what you’ve already agreed to.”

“…Hng.”

I let out a small groan of frustration but ultimately conceded.

We had signed a contract, and my role was to help him recover. If I suddenly tried to back out of things we’d already agreed upon, I couldn’t blame him for being upset.

‘If I was in his place, I’d probably feel the same way.’

In the end, I realized I just had to find a way to adapt. Either adapt or endure this awkwardness for the next several years…

The thought was daunting, and I squeezed my eyes shut tightly as if that might help block it out.

Suddenly, Harold pulled me into his arms and lay down on the bed.

For a moment, the bed rocked like a wave.

“Diana, would you like some help?”

I blinked in confusion and turned to look at him. Harold, lying on his side, studied me with an expression that seemed strangely serious.

“Help with what?”

Harold propped himself up slightly, his hand resting on the sheets near my side, his head tilting slightly. His jet-black hair fell over his forehead, and his deep navy-blue eyes held mine with an unwavering intensity.

“If it’s hard for you to adjust to me, I can help you with that.”

My breath hitched as his gaze stayed locked on mine, unwavering and full of intent. His words hung in the air, and for a moment, I forgot how to respond.