Chapter 7 - Chapter 7

Chapter 7

"His Grace? Still no word from him?"

A blonde boy looked up from grooming his sword and asked.

The boy, who looked about sixteen, was pretty and refined, like an angel statue from a temple.

But everyone in the Bilkier Knights, who served the Rashiane Duchy, knew.

That none among them had lived a life as harsh as this boy, and that his mouth was as rough as if a demon from hell had taken up residence within it.

"He said heundefinedd be back in about a month, so wait patiently."

The commander of the Bilkier Knights, standing beside the boy and supervising the knightsundefined training, answered.

His black hair, like raven feathers, gleamed white under the natural light, and his blue eyes sharply scanned every movement of the knights.

The young knight stood up, holding his well-groomed sword, sighed, and said.

"The others are boring. I need His Grace there."

"Sparring with the others will just break about ten of your bones, so restrain yourself."

"Thatundefineds why His Grace breaks my bones. I like that."

Looking truly like a madman, the knight commander shook his head with an indifferent face. The young knight skillfully moved his body to loosen his muscles as he spoke.

"Itundefineds certain that His Grace will bring back the weakness of those Magic Tower bastards this time, right? Can I look forward to it?"

"...The justification is that, for now."

"undefinedFor nowundefined?"

"Go do your training."

The knight commander didnundefinedt answer further and pushed the young knightundefineds back.

The boy, who was relatively docile only toward the knight commander, said nothing more and ran toward the knights. His tied-back blonde hair sparkled and fluttered behind him.

As he approached, the knights stopped moving and flinched. Their faces were filled with fear.

The blonde young knight smiled prettily and asked.

"Who wants to spar with me?"

* * *

My breathing grew rougher. It felt like all the strength was draining from my body, and I couldnundefinedt even stand properly. As my wobbling legs gave way and I started to collapse, the man grabbed my waist tightly and pulled me into his arms.

I had no idea how much time had passed. By my estimation, he should have let me go by now, but he still held me captive.

"Ha, Roz..."

"Duke..."

"Roz, Roz..."

I was a little scared because the man seemed to be losing his reason more and more. Like a madman, he called my name and sucked on my lips.

As if born for this very purpose, he was utterly absorbed in devouring my lips, devouring me.

The feeling of being eaten alive made my body tremble continuously. Whether from excitement or fear, I couldnundefinedt tell.

The biggest problem was that I couldnundefinedt push him away either. The words undefinedstopundefined kept circling in my mouth, but my heart felt the opposite. I enjoyed kissing him so much that I couldnundefinedt even make a small gesture of refusal.

I must have finally gone crazy. Even though I was so worried about the political issues between our families and about Adrian, and even though I felt sorry for the heroine, I couldnundefinedt stop.

A devil inside my heart whispered that a brief deviation wouldnundefinedt matter. Maybe that was true. It was just a very brief deviation at this summer villa... After all, once I returned to the Magic Tower, I probably wouldnundefinedt see him for over a year, or even longer...

"Ha..."

The man briefly parted his lips and looked at me with hazy, unfocused eyes. His emerald eyes were filled with ecstasy.

Whether from the kissing or something else, he was highly aroused.

Stroking my cheek as if handling a precious treasure, he breathed heavily. The way he intermittently curved his lips into a smile made him look joyfully overwhelmed.

"Roz, you..."

"......"

"You kissed me first."

He murmured in a voice laced with laughter and pulled me into a tight embrace.

My body had gone completely limp from the devouring kisses, and I ended up leaning heavily against him.

His large hand continuously stroked the back of my head. Feeling myself calming under his touch, I slowly caught my breath.

Then, as my mind gradually cleared, I suddenly realized. What had I just done?

undefinedIundefinedm crazy...!undefined

Cradled in his arms, I stared wide-eyed, trembling.

Waves of immense regret and shame washed over me. What on earth had I done? I kissed the male lead—the man I should be avoiding—first!

Smack!

I pushed him away with all my might. Or rather, I tried to. His chest was so solid that even pushing with all my strength didnundefinedt budge him an inch. Instead, my own body was pushed back!

Dumbfounded, I gaped and staggered precariously. Ruwellin gently caught my shoulder.

"Roz..."

He called my name worriedly. Thinking that my trembling must have been fully conveyed to him, my face flushed even hotter. Here I was, shaking like a wet puppy after having kissed him first. I couldnundefinedt stand the shame. Pushing his shoulder with my trembling hands, I said.

"I-Iundefinedm fine, so please let go..."

"No."

"......?"

Completely caught off guard by his answer, I looked up at him with wide eyes. As our eyes met, his emerald ones narrowed. Ruwellin held me tighter.

"If I let go, youundefinedll collapse."

"N-no, I wonundefinedt."

"What do you mean, no? Trembling like this..."

He urged me in a soft voice, slowly stroking my back. His touch was so gentle, it was hard to believe he had been attacking me like a wild animal just moments before.

I debated pushing him away again, but eventually gave up and let my hands drop. As I obediently relaxed into him, Ruwellin stroked my cheek and kissed my forehead.

His affectionate actions, like a loverundefineds, made me feel overwhelmed again. Did he act like this with many other women? Ah, no, heundefineds not in his right mind right now... What was I doing with a madman? A wave of guilt washed over me.

undefinedLetundefineds get away now. Please, come to your senses...undefined

As I squirmed in his arms, Ruwellin let me go surprisingly easily. I pulled away from him and averted my eyes. Fortunately, my body had stopped trembling, and my legs no longer wobbled.

Still avoiding Ruwellinundefineds gaze, I mumbled.

"Iundefinedm sorry, I..."

"......"

"I was too impulsive. From now on, nothing like this will happen."

I expected an immediate answer, but the silence stretched on. I slowly raised my head to look at Ruwellin. He was watching me quietly with an unreadable expression.

Should I say we should go to sleep and run away from this place...? As I wavered anxiously, Ruwellin finally opened his mouth.

"To me..."

He spoke slowly, as if savoring each word.

"You felt impulsive toward me. Roz, you did."

Then he curved his handsome lips into a cool smile, looking pleased. He even laughed out loud.

"Haha."

...Why was he laughing? I blinked in confusion. Standing there awkwardly, not knowing how to react, Ruwellin wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and murmured as if to himself.

"Itundefineds truly rewarding."

"Huh?"

I reflexively asked back at his unexpected words, and Ruwellin smiled softly.

"Itundefineds nothing."

"......?"

"Anyway, I think itundefineds about time we went to sleep. Shall I carry you to your bedroom?"

At his completely unexpected offer, I was horrified and shouted "No!" loudly. As I waved my hands and backed away, Ruwellin laughed continuously, finding it amusing.

Unlike before, he didnundefinedt try to approach me forcefully. He just stood there leisurely, smiling at me. I felt that the air between us had loosened somewhat.

Ruwellin looked me straight in the eyes and took one step, just one step closer. He was close enough to reach out and touch, but not close enough to embrace.

He took a handful of my rose-colored hair and gently pressed his lips to it. Then, lifting only his gaze, he said.

"Good night, Roz."

"......"

Something like madness flickered briefly in his intense eyes as they looked at me, and I thought, he really is crazy.

Being kissed by a man as beautiful as to make God jealous might have made my heart flutter, but my heart was filled with confusion and concern.

What should I do to bring this man... the Duke of Rashiane, back to his right mind?

undefined...I donundefinedt know. Letundefineds sleep on it and think tomorrow.undefined

My body and mind were so exhausted that I wanted to retreat to my room as quickly as possible, to hide somewhere, anywhere, away from this manundefineds gaze.

As I slowly stepped back, my hair, which had been in his hand, scattered softly in the air. Avoiding his gaze, I mumbled.

"Well then, good night."

Then I quickly turned my back and hurried up to the second floor. Entering my favorite attic room in the villa, I firmly locked the door. Only then did my tension release.

I slid down against the door and sat. The low ceiling of the attic gave a strange sense of security unique to small spaces. But my unsettled heart did not calm easily.

"Ha..."

I sighed deeply and buried my face in my hands. At this rate, my heart would be torn to shreds. How much longer would I have to agonize over that man?

undefinedMaybe I shouldnundefinedt have come to the villa?undefined

It was the first time I regretted coming to this beautiful beachside villa.

My peaceful summer vacation was flowing in a chaotic direction due to an unexpected encounter.