RVMPT Chapter 61

Chapter 61

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Why didn’t I think of this before?

As soon as the thought crossed her mind, Diana felt foolish for spending so much time worrying about it.

There was one thing Harold would want to have all to himself—her unique healing power.

If he’s putting in this much effort because he wants my divine power, then everything makes sense.

It wasn’t surprising that Harold wanted divine power.

He was the only person who had experienced it firsthand, and it was a power anyone would desire.

Her ability could heal wounds, cure diseases, and even cleanse poisons like a miracle—all as long as there was physical contact.

From the very start of their deal, she had been wary of this. That’s why she had been secretly saving money, planning to take the payment and escape the moment Harold was fully healed.

But lately… I haven’t even thought about running away.

She had completely forgotten about it. Diana felt like she had been struck on the head with a hammer.

The problem that had troubled her so much was now completely solved. Yet, instead of relief, there was a bitter taste in her mouth.

She didn’t even know why. She simply looked at the guildmaster’s assistant.

“Thanks to you, I finally understand why he’s treating me so well. Thank you.”

– If you ever want to talk about things like this, feel free to visit anytime. I don’t even need payment for something this simple.

“No, I should pay you.”

Diana pulled out her coin pouch to give him his fee.

Just as she placed the gold coins on the table and prepared to leave, he slid a piece of paper toward her.

– Then, may I ask for advice in return? Someone I know wants to confess their feelings, but since I’m a man, I have my limits when it comes to helping them.

A romance consultation…? Usually, when someone said it was about a “friend,” they were talking about themselves.

Is this really about him?

For a moment, she was suspicious. After all, she had just done the same thing—hiding her real concerns behind a hypothetical scenario.

But even if it was his own situation, pretending not to know was the polite thing to do.

Diana nodded in agreement.

“What kind of advice do you need?”

– I like to know in what way has the Duchess dreamed of being confessed to?

“I never had such dreams… If anything, I always thought I’d be the one confessing first.”

He was probably curious about what kind of confession most women liked. She could just give him a general answer.

After a brief moment of thought, Diana spoke confidently.

“You don’t need to overcomplicate things. If that woman likes your friend back, she’ll be happy no matter how the confession happens. But if they want to make it special, bringing a bouquet of flowers would be a nice touch.”

– Thank you. That was very helpful.

“You helped me too, after all. Make sure to pass it along to your friend. I’ll do the same.”

With that, Diana stood up, said her goodbyes, and left.

Instead of heading straight home to the duke’s estate, she stopped by a bookstore at the crossroads.

The shop was massive, filled with neatly organized books, and was known for having the rarest titles.

“It should be around here… Found it.”

She pulled a book from the shelf.

The title on the cover was ridiculously long: “Super Easy! Even Beginners Can Learn in a Month! Pro-Level Royal Language Guide!”

Languages take time, so I should start learning now.

Since her level of physical contact with Harold had increased, the time to escape had also moved up. Money could solve most problems quickly, but learning a new language wasn’t one of them.

Diana slowly ran her fingers over the book cover.

If I think about it positively, it wouldn’t be the worst thing if Harold wanted my power.

She had personally experienced how well Harold treated those he considered his people.

If she willingly stayed by his side, he would take care of her.

She would live a peaceful and comfortable life.

But if I think about it negatively…

She had only become the duchess to avoid suspicion while healing Harold.

Once she was done, there was no guarantee what her position would be.

Harold might meet someone he truly loved and want to marry them. Or he could choose a wife who would bring political benefits to his family.

…Throb.

Diana pressed a hand to her chest.

Just imagining Harold marrying another woman made her feel sick.

Was it because she hated the idea of having physical contact with someone else’s husband?

“…Sigh.”

The more she thought negatively, the worse it got.

Because of her rare healing ability, she needed to be careful with her choices.

The safest and most worry-free option is to disappear somewhere no one knows about my power.

It wasn’t that she didn’t trust Harold.

What she didn’t trust was her own power.

There was a reason she had called it a poisoned chalice from the start.

Diana stared at her gloved hands for a moment before heading to the counter to buy the book.

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Knock, knock.

The guildmaster entered Harold’s room.

“The Duchess has left, Your Grace.”

Only then did Harold rise from his seat and remove his mask.

The moment the mask left his face, the guildmaster’s expression twisted in horror.

What’s with his face?!

In all the time he had known Harold, he had never seen him make that expression before.

It was… gentle. Soft. Even warm.

Ugh—!

The guildmaster gagged silently.

And then—Harold’s gaze landed directly on him.

Immediately, the guildmaster forced his face into a stiff, cheerful grin and started rubbing his hands together like a loyal servant.

“You seem very satisfied with your conversation with the Duchess, Your Grace! Haha, I’m delighted for you!”

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“I’ll let you off just this once.”

Harold’s lips curved into a soft smile as he gazed at the chair Diana had been sitting in.

“Because right now… I feel really good.”

“Ugh.”

The guildmaster, dry heaving, turned to the wall because he could no longer contain it.

Harold ignored him and left the room. He headed to the guild’s private bathroom to wash off the scent he had used to cover his usual cologne.

Inside, as instructed, a bath had already been prepared. Since he didn’t need any attendants, the room was empty.

Harold removed his clothes and stepped into the steaming water. The hot water covered his broad chest.

“She said she likes me…”

He remembered her blue eyes rippling like water, her cheeks blushing pink, and the way she bit her plump lower lip with her neat front teeth.

She had told him she liked him.

Anyone could see that Diana had romantic feelings for him.

“Ha—”

Harold pulled up the corners of his mouth into a long smile.

It would have been easy to satisfy his hunger immediately by forcing things.

But he was greedy. He desired her entire being, from head to toe, body to soul; he could not be satisfied with just a portion of her.

So he endured his hunger and waited.

And now, finally, a small piece of her heart had fallen into his hands.

No possession had ever made him this happy before.

Harold let out a short laugh,

As he covered his face with a large hand, water dripped from his fingertips down to his chin.

The fruit of his patience was so sweet that his throat bobbed with satisfaction.

A mere piece of her heart felt this fulfilling.

Then, how satisfying would it be to have all of her?

His hunger grew. A fierce urge surged through him—to run to her immediately and claim her lips.

He wanted to confess his feelings and make her his completely.

From head to toe. And her heart as well.

He wanted to mark her, to confirm again and again that she belonged to him.

Between his fingers, his deep blue eyes burned with a strange heat.

It was the greedy, insatiable heat of a monster lurking in the deep sea, a creature that swallowed everything and still opened its jaws wide for more.

Harold’s heart pounded wildly, syncing with the beast’s hunger.

It was as if his instincts would break free from his body at any moment.

His muscular frame had already turned a shade of red from the heat.

Harold lowered his hand into the water, letting out a slow breath.

His navy-blue eyes flicked briefly toward the bathroom door before he shut them tightly.

He recalled what Diana had said earlier:

“If I ever like someone, I’ve always imagined confessing first.”

It would be her last confession.

He could at least give her that much.

“…But I wish she’d hurry up.”

Before his patience ran out.