Villainous Lady, The Obsession Begins

Thank you, SuviLs Kon for the ko-fi! ♡

【Chapter 23】

 

The color of the hair, which was not completely dry after training, was slightly darker than usual. Without wearing a cravat and with a few buttons undone on the shirt, there was a glimpse of mature charm, which was quite delightful.

‘Ohh… Muscles after a long time…!’

I wanted to see more, but Esadien quickly buttoned up, giving a sharp look to the attendant who guided me. Did I seem too engrossed?

“Ah… That’s too much.”

“What are you talking about? I’ll come out dressed properly, so please sit down and wait here for a moment.”

As soon as the attendant received a stern look, he laughed and quickly left the room. Now, there were only two people left, and Esadien immediately turned around, seemingly intending to change clothes.

“Esadien.”

I called out to him in a small voice. Today, for some reason, I didn’t want to be separated from him. If he was by my side, I wouldn’t feel anxious.

“I’ll be right back.”

“I don’t want you to go.”

I extended my arm slightly towards Esadien, gesturing for him to turn around.

“I missed you.”

After hesitating for a moment, Esadien came over and embraced me as I continued to extend my arms.

‘In the past, I wouldn’t have even dreamed of something like this.’

Only when I wrapped my arms around Esadien’s waist, a smile finally escaped from my lips.

“Shall I help you change your clothes?”

“No, I refuse.”

However, the refusal felt like a sharp blow with a knife. I paced back and forth anxiously.

“You’re being too much. Then I’ll just stay like this.”

“That’s not proper etiquette…”

“Just for today. Otherwise, I won’t let go.”

As I interrupted his troubled words and made a threat, a short breath escaped from above of my head. I lifted my head, met Esadien’s gaze, and smiled mischievously.

“Yes? Esadien.”

“I can’t possibly win against you. Alright, I understand.”

Now, leaning against Esadien on the long sofa has become familiar. Both for him and me.

Resting my head on Esadien’s shoulder, I let out a long sigh, and he immediately asked.

“What’s the matter, Minuelle?”

“Why?”

“Just because you seem a little more anxious than usual.”

For a brief moment, surprise was replaced by a gentle wave of joy that spread through my chest.

‘Esadien was also looking at me.’

At some point, my one-sided feelings started pulling his gaze toward me.

“Please hold my hand.”

Carefully, a large hand unfolded and reached out to me. I inserted my fingers between Esadien’s fingers, firmly interlocking our knuckles.

“Today, Sister Juella received the blessing of the Emperor to get married.”

Esadien, who had been contemplating for a moment, asked cautiously.

“Perhaps it feels strange because it seems like your sister is leaving forever. Sisters are said to feel that way.”

“No, it’s not like that. We live in the same house anyway, so what does it matter?”

“Then…”

“Lady Celeste will become the Crown Princess’s maid. His Majesty wanted to keep young lady close to him, you see.”

Esadien must also know the reason. If the Emperor was surprised at first sight, there’s no way he didn’t feel it too.

“I…. see.”

Again, the answer flowed slowly.

‘Did you really care about Lafesch?’

Once again, anxiety swelled inside me, causing turmoil. It was a hunch as a person who liked Esadien. I hoped that, like the misconceptions I had today, this too was just a misconception. Growing impatient, I detached myself from Esadien and looked straight into his eyes.

“When will we get married, Esadien?”

“The Emperor and the Grand Duke would need to reach an agreement first.”

“I hope the Emperor wishes for it to happen soon. Of course, I feel the same way.”

“…..”

Esadien silently gazed at me, and I couldn’t tell if it was reproaching my impatience or indicating his indifference. 

This time, it was difficult to read Esadien’s expression from his eyes.

‘I don’t want to lose you.’

I didn’t want to lose Esadien, who had become familiar to me like clothes soaked from a drizzle. No, I didn’t want him to be taken away. 

His strong embrace that held me, his broad shoulders that leaned toward me when I rested my head on them. His occasional blushing when he looked at me, his calm and low voice when he called my name.

‘If I think that all of it is directed towards Lafesch, not me…’

Just imagining it, anger surged within me, compelling me to smash everything in sight.

“Esadien…”

Taking a deep breath, I suppressed all the negative thoughts. As a result, I held onto Esadien’s hand even tighter.

“I will make you happy.”

So, come to me.

“……”

I gathered all my heart and reached out to Esadien, who remained silent.

“I love you.”

In that moment, a distinct crack appeared on Esadien’s face, which was previously unreadable. It seemed as if he was grimacing, and at the same time, a hint of resistance was revealed in his expression. I stiffened, frozen in place. And finally, Esadien’s lips parted.

“How can you… be so sure?”

💧

Esadien has been absent-minded lately.

 

“Esadien”

 

It felt like a sweet and gentle voice calling, so when I turned around, the attendant was standing there with a surprised expression. The same was true when I plopped down in the corner of the long sofa.

 

“I love you.”

 

The eyes that gazed directly at Esadien, the firm and confident voice, even the weight that gently rested on his shoulders, all vividly came to mind. 

Even now, he was in doubt. How could Minuelle be so sure?

Surely, his mother and her lover whispered such words to each other as well. But that man had left, leaving behind only unpleasant things that couldn’t be put into words. 

Nevertheless, despite everything, Esadien regretted honestly questioning Minuelle. The wounded expression, the slightly widened eyes that trembled, and even the quivering lips that closed tightly—he could recall them all too clearly.

“Haaahh.”

Esadien let out a heavy sigh and straightened himself up, brushing off his seat. Memories of Minuelle lingered throughout the palace. If he stayed here, he felt like he would continue to be consumed by thoughts of her.

“Where are you going, Your Highness?”

“For a walk. There’s no need for you to follow.”

“But…”

“I have a lot in my mind. It’s fine, don’t follow me.”

Stopping the attendants who were about to follow, Esadien restlessly moved his footsteps.

 

“I’ll forgive you.”

 

However, the voice was heard once again.

‘I even went outside. Why this time?’

As he furrowed my eyebrows and blinked, only then did the surrounding noise pour into his ears.

“Where is this…”

It was a library. People were busy around Esadien, requesting materials and librarians were searching for them. The distinct scent of books in the library reached his nostrils, triggering a reflexive memory of the events that took place in the library of Karainen’s residence.

‘Oh, I see.’

His face suddenly felt flushed, and he could feel the heat rising. At the same time, Esadien quickly walked out of the library, as if escaping. In fact, until that moment, Esadien had never even considered having any kind of contact with Minuelle. 

The Crown Princess’s admonition not to engage in frivolous acts before the wedding ceremony was just a formality, but Esadien himself had never wanted to establish such a relationship before marriage. But now…

 

“Can I kiss you then?”

 

When was the last time she had provoked with her eyes like that? After considering countless thoughts in a short moment, he had reluctantly agreed, but now she wanted to cancel it. 

She didn’t like it when it seemed like some sort of compensation. Even Esadien, who rarely acted on impulse, lost control for a moment and ended up messing things up.

‘It’s probably fine. Even with Minuelle.’

It seems like it was just a passing thought, considering how close we were getting.

“You said you didn’t like it.”

Minuelle was still a difficult and somewhat resented figure to Esadien.

“I didn’t want to hurt you….”

It felt like being lost in a maze. Why did someone keep coming to mind? Why did the other person’s pain start to matter more than his own pain? Esadien didn’t know the reason. No, he was deliberately ignoring it. Those emotions were all locked away in a secluded tower in his heart, like a young child holding the key yet not knowing what to do. That was Esadien.

“Oh, Your Highness. It’s a surprise to see you here.”

That’s when it happened. A soft voice greeted Esadien, who was lost in his thoughts, causing him to glance back. In his fleeting gaze, he caught sight of a head of curly hair as red as a rose.

‘Speaking of which.’

He heard that Lafesch became the Crown Princess’s maid from Minuelle. And it seemed like she didn’t have a favorable impression of Lafesch. However, since Esadien rarely leaves the Imperial Palace, he thought there wouldn’t be a chance for them to meet.

“Ce…..”

As Esadien was about to pass by with a casual greeting, he unexpectedly flinched, forgetting his thoughts and even the act of greeting. With each step closer that Lafesch took, the presence of Minuelle, who had occupied Esadien’s mind, faded little by little.

“Your Highness?”

And finally, when Lafesch stood before Esadien and called him, everything disappeared completely. Even the voice that echoed in his ears. It was a long-awaited tranquility.

“Did you come back from the library? It seems you enjoy personally choosing books.”

However, the brief enjoyment of tranquility was soon interrupted. The sensations that unsettled Esadien when he encountered Lafesch last time came rushing back. The intrusive scent, the heartbeat that seemed to skip a beat.

“Ah, I heard that Lady Celeste entered under the care of Her Highness the Crown Princess.”

“Yes, that’s right. Right now, I was summoned by His Majesty the Emperor, and I obtained permission to leave work a bit early.”

With that one remark, Esadien could discern how Lafesch was being treated.

‘It seems you have not managed to impress His Majesty much.’

The Emperor, who had a dreadful experience with Esadien’s mother, tried to recall memories of his younger days when he looked at Lafesch. 

However, Lafesch lacked the education and experience to be appointed as a court lady in the Imperial Palace. Court ladies in the palace were usually selected from those who had accumulated at least three to four years of experience in the outer palace. 

At the same time, constantly summoning Lafesch at the Emperor’s request could also invite unnecessary gossip and speculation.

‘It is expected that the person who anticipated that would make an excuse and conveniently put her into the right place.’

“Your Highness, do you have any concerns?”

“No.”

“But earlier, you sighed.”

“Hmm.”

Before they knew it, they were walking together, engaged in a lively conversation.

“Is it because of Miss Minuelle?”

Esadien still didn’t answer or nod his head. However, Lafesch had a hunch for some reason. Unlike the thick wall she felt before, this time it seemed easier to break through.

“I’ll help you too. They say that even the most difficult problems can be solved easily when you put your heads together, right? And, you know, I’m close with Miss Minuelle.”

“Didn’t you say you were hated last time?”

“W-when did I say that? We’ve become close now.”

“Is that so.”

However, Esadien still seemed skeptical and uncertain.

💧

Thank you for reading!