RVMPT Chapter 56

Chapter 56

Kaiden stood near the entrance of the banquet hall, silently watching. Behind him, nobles were chatting.

“Wasn’t the Duchess of Diana quite surprising today?”

“Yes, yes! I heard rumors that she had changed, but today she really seemed like a different person. I heard she even saved that apprentice knight.”

“When the apprentice knight was sad, thinking he had caused the Duchess to lose, I almost cried along with him.”

“At first, I was doubtful about the apprentice knight’s story. I thought it might have been staged. But when even Baroness Handley, who used to be afraid of the Duchess, stepped in, I felt ashamed for doubting her.”

“I felt the same way. I can’t believe someone can change so positively in such a short time… It’s truly admirable.”

The nobles, who had been skeptical of Diana’s transformation, were now viewing her more favorably.

Kaiden, however, didn’t want to hear any more talk about how she had changed, so he moved to another spot.

But no matter where he went, conversations about Diana continued.

“Duke Harold must be happy. His wife used her wish to form a connection with the prince.”

“Well, it seems they both ended up being summoned by His Majesty because of it.”

Even though the nobles were wary of the Emperor, they still wanted to establish ties with Prince Andrew.

Of course, the Baisen Duchy didn’t need to form alliances with the prince, but having connections would still be beneficial.

…Diana.

Kaiden had compared her to Ella and decided she was worthless, so he abandoned her.

Then why…

“Kaiden, why did you leave me behind?”

Ella approached him with a playful smile, her eyes twinkling.

But she no longer looked lovely to him.

He was comparing her again. Diana and Ella, side by side.

…I couldn’t have made the wrong choice.

Kaiden spoke to Ella in his usual gentle tone.

“Sorry, Ella. I was lost in thought for a moment.”

“I see. Kaiden, can I ask you two things?”

“What is it?”

“Why did you give the Duchess a flower during the hunting competition? And why did you ask her to dance?”

Kaiden felt uncomfortable with her questions.

“Are you upset with me?”

“Of course not! I’m just curious. You wouldn’t have done it without a reason.”

Ella gently placed her hand on his arm and leaned in slightly, looking up at him.

“How could I ever be upset with you?”

Her golden eyes shimmered as if even imagining scolding him made her sad.

At that, Kaiden’s voice softened as he answered.

“I asked her to dance because I needed to confirm something. I thought this would be my only chance.”

He hadn’t expected her to refuse. The Diana he knew wouldn’t have let an opportunity slip away.

But she had rejected him. And then, she had gone to Harold.

That moment had felt like an unspoken answer to what he was trying to confirm. His fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

…No. Thinking back, she probably only rejected me because Harold was watching.

“And about the flower at the hunting competition…”

Kaiden recalled the warmth in Diana’s blue eyes when she looked at Harold. His hand curled into a fist again.

“Even if I hadn’t given it to her, she would have been the star of the event.”

That’s not what I asked, Ella wanted to say, but the words caught in her throat.

Even if Diana was bound to receive attention, Kaiden should have given the flower to her.

Did he not hear the whispers around them?

“Did you hear that Lord Kaiden asked the Duchess to dance? And he even gave her a flower earlier.”

“Could it be that he’s interested in the Duchess? Then what about Lady Ella?”

“Well… that would be unfortunate for her.”

They were already predicting Ella’s downfall and mocking her.

Does Kaiden really not hear them?

Ella bit the inside of her cheek. She wanted to question him, but she held back.

She was trying her best to be the kind, understanding woman he wanted.

“What were you trying to confirm with the Duchess?”

“…I can’t tell you.”

Kaiden avoided her gaze, turning his head toward the banquet hall entrance.

“I see. Kaiden.”

Ella released his arm and stepped in front of him. Then, as he looked at her in confusion, she whispered sweetly.

“Go and confirm it with the Duchess.”

“…Are you serious?”

“Yes, I am. If you’re curious, you should get your answer. I can take my father’s carriage home. But before you go…”

Ella hesitated, her lips slightly parted. A soft blush bloomed on her fair skin.

She gently grasped the tips of his fingers.

“Kiss me before you leave.”

Then I’ll let you go willingly.

Kaiden smiled faintly at her request. He cupped her flushed cheek with his large hand and pressed a soft kiss to her lips.

A quiet smack echoed as their lips parted.

“You are the best choice I’ve ever made, Ella.”

“I love you, Kaiden.”

“I love you too. I’ll visit your family’s estate tomorrow.”

Ella watched as Kaiden walked away from the banquet hall. Then, she turned to the noble ladies who had been whispering about her downfall.

She smiled at them sweetly.

For now, this is enough.

Kaiden would have conversations with Diana and no matter what emotional changes he went through because of her, the truth remained—Diana was infertile.

If that truth was revealed to everyone, Diana would lose everything, and Kaiden would finally give up on her.

So, there was no need to get emotional now.

‘I think I’ve found someone to expose it for me.’

Ella glanced at Countess Audrey Russell and smiled in satisfaction.

‘I won’t be unhappy.’

It didn’t matter what happened to others, as long as she was fine.

---

Harold cupped my face with his large hands and lifted my chin. As he gently sucked on my lower lip, his breath mixed with mine through the small gap.

His warm breath filled my mouth completely.

As expected, the divine power within me surged more intensely as our contact deepened, flowing rapidly into Harold.

I felt relieved, knowing he would recover quickly. The anxiety that had been building up throughout the audience with the emperor melted away, allowing me to finally breathe.

Only then did I become aware of the sensations overwhelming my body.

His kiss wasn’t particularly refined—there was a roughness to it.

It made me realize something.

Just as I had only read about kissing in novels, Harold had no real experience with such intimacy either.

‘Even Harold has moments like this,’ I thought, holding back a small laugh.

But my distraction didn’t last long.

There was one thing I had overlooked—Harold learned things very quickly.

“…!”

A shiver ran down my spine, making my eyes widen in shock.

I didn’t know when, but Harold had already opened his eyes and was staring right at me.

His deep navy-blue eyes darkened, half-lidded with a sleepy intensity.

For some reason, I felt trapped, like a butterfly caught in a spider’s web.

As if something I wasn’t supposed to reveal had been completely exposed.

Instinctively, I tried to pull away, but Harold was faster.

He grabbed the back of my head and held me in place.

“Ha-Harold—mmph.”

Before I could finish speaking, he tilted his head and stole my breath away.

Whenever I struggled to catch my breath, he would slow down, pressing soft, lingering kisses against my lips, allowing me to recover.

But then, just as quickly, he would become rough again, as if he had lost all self-control.

I kept losing my rhythm, only to regain it before losing it again.

My mind felt blank like I wasn’t getting enough oxygen.

My legs trembled, my lower abdomen ached, and every time I swallowed, my throat burned with heat.

No, my entire body felt like it was sinking into molten lava.

‘…This is strange.’

Unlike me, who was barely managing to keep up, Harold had long since closed his eyes, fully immersed in what he was doing.

Like a man deeply in love with the person he was kissing.

‘…No, this is really strange.’

I pressed firmly against his arm, and Harold’s eyelashes lifted.

Our eyes met again before he finally pulled back.

I covered my lips with my hand, trying to steady my breath, as I checked his condition.

“…Are you feeling better now?”

“No.”

“Huh?”

That couldn’t be right! He had absorbed far more divine power than before!

“It’s not enough, Diana.”

Harold took my hand and placed it on his chest.

“Feel that? My heart is still racing.”

Through my palm, I could feel his heartbeat—irregular and too fast.

“Diana.”

He called my name in a low voice.

Slowly, I nodded, and in response, Harold suddenly lifted me into his arms and pressed me against the wall.

The warmth of his body had transferred to the wall, making it feel just as warm instead of cold.

Just as he was about to lean in again—

Over his shoulder, I saw something that shouldn’t have been there.

‘Kaiden? Why is he here?’

Kaiden’s face twisted in fury as he grabbed Harold by the collar and yanked him away.