Chapter 33 - Chapter 33

Chapter 33

Vision blacking out was a kind of side effect that occurred when crossing through space.

It wasnundefinedt dangerous, so I soon regained my sight. Blinking, I checked the scenery that came into view. A clear blue sky and a green field, moderately picturesque drooping trees and plants. And between them, the sight of a beautiful castle standing tall like a pointed mountain.

It was the Rashiane Ducal castle.

undefinedIundefinedve finally done it…….undefined

The serene castle I had only briefly seen from a distance before was now within armundefineds reach.

I was staring blankly at the scenery, overcome with strange emotions, when I heard someoneundefineds pained groan right next to me.

"Hngh……."

"……?"

Widening my eyes and looking to the side, a handsome face that was clearly in pain came into view. Ruwellin was crouched down, sweat streaming down his face.

undefinedOh no, seriously? Now? In this situation?!undefined

Was it because he had used too much divine power fighting Adrian Hyll? It seemed the magic clashing with his divine power inside him was starting to rampage again.

Flustered and unsure what to do, I approached Ruwellin. The others also seemed to have noticed something was wrong with him, their faces pale.

Especially the black-haired man, who looked so worried he seemed unable to contain himself, his lips twitching. It was surprising since he seemed the least likely to show expression.

Thump.

Then, Ruwellin leaned his head on my shoulder. I, who had been holding his shoulders with both hands, flinched slightly at that moment.

The questioning glances flying from nearby made me feel various kinds of embarrassed. But to leave this place and head to the ducal castle, I had to calm Ruwellin down first, so I hugged him tightly and patted his back.

"Your Grace……."

"Rose……."

"Does it hurt a lot?"

At my worried question, Ruwellin let out a hollow laugh. Then he answered softly, "No," but I knew that couldnundefinedt be true. It must hurt a lot.

[Pain as if his body was burning…….]

In the original work, it was definitely described that way. First, pain as if his body was burning, then as it got worse, pain as if his whole body was being torn apart.

undefined……He came to see me even knowing it would hurt this much.undefined

Even risking his life. Feeling anew how pitiful and dear he was, I hugged him tighter and let out a deep sigh. I could feel his wild magic flowing into me.

undefinedIf he has to continue hurting like this in the future…… wouldnundefinedt it be better for him to meet Sierra and become a complete divine user with her ability?undefined

Thinking that made my heart ache. I knew it was the best thing for Ruwellin, but it pained me to have to give him up to the heroine.

But if Ruwellin wants Sierraundefineds help, if it ends up that way…….

"Rose……."

"……."

"What are you thinking so hard about?"

At some point, Ruwellin had raised his head and was looking at me from a distance close enough for our lips to touch.

I wiped the sweat streaming down his cheek with the back of my hand and shook my head. When I gave a faint smile, he raised an eyebrow slightly.

"……I wish I could know exactly what youundefinedre thinking."

"Are you feeling a little better now?"

"No, Iundefinedm not."

Ruwellin answered firmly to my question, which I had asked to change the subject. I slightly avoided his gaze and tried to absorb more mana.

Then Ruwellin, who had wrapped one arm around my waist, used his other hand to grab my chin, making me look at him, and said.

"I think a kiss would help."

"……Here?"

"Theyundefinedll all discreetly turn their backs."

I glanced around to see if that was true, and sure enough, everyone was facing away, looking at the distant mountains.

It was a relief they hadnundefinedt been watching, but it was still embarrassing. Blushing, I said quietly, "Then just a peck."

Ruwellin seemed somewhat dissatisfied but didnundefinedt force what he wanted on me. He simply nodded obediently and immediately pressed his lips to mine.

I was surprised because his lips were very hot. Carefully reaching out, I caressed his cheek and closed my eyes. Ruwellin pulled me tighter with both arms and pressed his body close.

How much time passed as we held each other tightly, just pressing our lips together?

I could feel the wild magic raging inside Ruwellin gradually calm down. And when I finally felt a calm flow like a lake, I slowly opened my eyes.

"……."

Emerald eyes were quietly gazing at me. The moment our eyes met, I blushed and pulled my lips away. Then Ruwellin, approaching as if regretful, cupped my face in both hands and kissed me again.

Peck.

He pulled his lips away with a soft sound and smiled. Feeling my face heat up, I ran away, rising from my spot.

But soon, Ruwellin, who had gotten up, hugged me tightly, preventing me from leaving him. Flustered, I squirmed.

"Where are you going?"

"No, just…… stay away for a bit. Okay?"

"No."

Really, this man……!

As Ruwellin and I were playfully arguing, a sullen voice came from Alex, who was still turned away.

"Donundefinedt you think youundefinedve had enough? Arenundefinedt we going to the ducal castle?"

At that moment, I was so embarrassed I wanted to crawl into a hole.

But Ruwellin, seemingly devoid of any shame, picked me up in his arms as if to show off and strode toward the ducal castle. As if his magic rampage had been a dream, he looked perfectly fine.

As he walked ahead, the other three followed slowly. Held in Ruwellinundefineds arms like a princess, I hung my head low. As I grabbed his collar tightly and trembled, Ruwellin said happily.

"Youundefinedre so cute even when youundefinedre embarrassed."

"Shut up……."

"You use harsh language too."

"How do I get you to shut that mouth?!"

"Hmm, how about a kiss?"

I was dumbfounded and speechless. After shuddering momentarily at his demanding attitude, I impulsively stretched out my neck and bumped my lips against his.

"……!"

Before the flustered Ruwellin could even flinch, I bit his lower lip hard and quickly pulled away.

Still holding his collar, I glared at him, and Ruwellin blinked blankly. His lips, bitten by me, were noticeably redder.

Hmm, no blood. Good thing I bit without hurting him too much.

"Come to think of it, this is the third time."

Ruwellin muttered blankly.

"Rosnia has kissed me spontaneously."

……Why do you have to count something like that? As I looked at him with a dumbfounded expression, he laughed playfully. Then he kissed me again.

Peck.

As if it was nothing that I had bitten his lip, or rather, as if he was in a good mood, he reached the ducal castle with light steps.

The startled guards, surprised by the Dukeundefineds sudden appearance, hurriedly opened the castle gates.

I could feel questioning gazes fixed on me. Everyone was probably thinking, who is that woman in the Dukeundefineds arms?

I buried my face in Ruwellinundefineds chest and didnundefinedt move an inch. I wished he would put me down, but Ruwellin showed no sign of doing so.

"Rosnia?"

"……."

"Itundefineds okay, raise your head. No one will say anything."

No, itundefineds not okay!

How can I raise my head looking like this!

Gripping Ruwellinundefineds shoulders tightly, I muttered in a voice mixed with shame and anger.

"Please put me down."

"I like it like this……."

"If you donundefinedt put me down, Iundefinedll use teleportation magic and disappear from here."

When I spoke in an ominously warning tone, Ruwellinundefineds body stiffened.

I still had my face buried in his chest, so I couldnundefinedt see what expression Ruwellin was making.

But I could tell something was wrong.

Because Ruwellin suddenly stopped walking and became very quiet.

"……?"

Feeling uneasy, I cautiously raised my head to check Ruwellinundefineds complexion.

He was looking down at me and smiling, but only his mouth was smiling; his eyes held no mirth.

And somehow, his gaze seemed…….

undefined……Heundefineds gone crazy again!undefined

Realizing that, I flinched slightly, and Ruwellin smiled with his eyes this time. It was a smile that seemed both kind and dangerously threatening.

In a chilling voice, Ruwellin said.

"Disappear, you say……."

"Um, well……."

"I suppose I need to come up with a countermeasure."

"……A countermeasure?"

This is making me uneasy. I was just saying that, but did I touch on something I shouldnundefinedt have?

Did I just press the self-destruct button?

"Yes, a countermeasure. A countermeasure to firmly bind Rosnia and me together."

……What is that? Thatundefineds scary!

Smiling as if he were the mastermind, not the male lead, Ruwellin held me tighter.

I looked at him helplessly as he started walking leisurely again. I wanted to ask what he was plotting, but my lips wouldnundefinedt move.

A strong scent of lilac wafted on the breeze. I could also smell roses, but it took me a little longer to realize that was a familiar scent.

When I came to my senses after being dazed, we had already arrived at the entrance of the ducal castleundefineds main building.

Unconsciously turning my head to look ahead, I saw faces pale as if they had seen a ghost. They were the vassals of the Rashiane Duchy.

The oldest-looking white-haired old man stammered with a shocked expression.

"M, my lord…… what on earth is going on……?"

Ruwellinundefineds answer to the old manundefineds question was very absurd.

"Sheundefineds the person Iundefinedm going to marry."

"Excuse me?"

"Pardon?"

The old man and I asked back simultaneously. The old man looked at me in embarrassment, not expecting me to have the same reaction.

No, even if you look at me like that.

undefinedI donundefinedt know what this man is thinking either…….undefined

As I blinked at the old man, I heard Ruwellinundefineds calm voice from above.

"Weundefinedll have to get engaged first, I suppose. Ah, but first, I should propose properly."

"Your Grace……."

Are you serious?

As I looked at him with that question on my face, Ruwellin raised an eyebrow and asked.

"Well, Rosnia, you have no intention of marrying me?"

Flustered, I stammered out an answer.

"No, itundefineds just that our relationship is too…… to discuss something as serious as marriage."

Isnundefinedt our history too short? I added quietly, and Ruwellin looked at me silently before smiling.

What, what is it. Why are you smiling.

undefinedWhenever this man smiles like this, itundefineds scary…….undefined

I unconsciously tensed and glanced at Ruwellin, and he whispered in a very kind voice.

"You know, Rosnia."

"……?"

"How strong my obsession with you is."

He leaned his head toward me and looked at me from a distance close enough for our lips to touch. His eyes, holding the green of new leaves, flashed with an undeniable longing.

"Do you think I, feeling this way, could let you go?"

"……."

I was speechless and just blinked. How on earth was I supposed to answer a question like that?

undefinedThis man…… doesnundefinedt even know my feelings.undefined

Sighing, I shook my head. Interpreting my reaction somehow, Ruwellinundefineds arms around me tightened.

Flustered, I looked up at him with a hint of fear. Sure enough, a terrifying smile was playing on Ruwellinundefineds lips.

……Are you sure youundefinedre the male lead? Why do you seem so much like a mastermind?

"I see. So you think I can let you go, Rose."

……It seemed he had misunderstood my headshake. Just as I opened my mouth to correct him, I heard Alexundefineds annoyed voice from behind.

"Ah, how long are you going to keep this up?"

That kidundefineds timing is really…….

Robbed of the chance to speak, I had to watch as Ruwellin carried me into the ducal castleundefineds main building.

Well, there are many eyes watching…… itundefineds not a good time for a private conversation. Once weundefinedre alone, Iundefinedll clear up the misunderstanding.

Thinking that, I waited for the opportunity, but…….