Chapter 21 - Chapter 21

Chapter 21

I took a sip of cool lemonade and glanced sideways at Ruwellin beside me.

We were currently taking a walk in the villaundefineds rose garden. The roses were in such full, glorious bloom that the scenery was fantastical, like something out of a dream.

Walking slowly through this beautiful landscape, Ruwellin looked even more radiant. His jade-white, smooth skin, his straight forehead, his high nose bridge, his pale lips slightly curved in a smile...

undefined...Heundefineds handsome.undefined

But the pinnacle of that beauty had to be his emerald-green eyes. Extremely clear and transparent eyes. Those eyes, revealing no hint of ulterior motive, gave him a fresh impression.

Had I been staring at him too intently? Ruwellin glanced my way and smiled softly.

Seeing his smile made my insides feel hot for some reason. When I pretended to drink my lemonade to hide my reaction, Ruwellin asked in a kind voice.

"Do you like the lemonade?"

"Huh? Ah, yes. I like it."

Still unable to meet his eyes because of the heat inside, I answered. Ruwellin smiled, looking pleased.

This lemonade was made by Ruwellin himself. Ruwellin kept making me things. Dessert after meals, snacks to eat after bathing, lemonade to drink while walking in the garden.

At this point, I wondered if cooking was his hobby. The Duke of Rashiane and cooking – it was a truly mismatched combination, but Ruwellin looked quite handsome when he cooked.

How many people in the world had seen him cook? Surely very few. Thinking I was one of them made me feel strangely good.

"Donundefinedt you plant any other flowers in this garden?"

"Uh... Well, Iundefinedm not sure? This place was decorated according to my motherundefineds taste."

Yes. The reason this garden was full of roses was because of my motherundefineds preference.

My mother, who gave birth to me and Adrian, was a bit eccentric but kind. She suddenly disappeared when I was five years old.

Since then, my father has been searching for her like crazy, but no news of my mother has been heard anywhere.

Thinking about my mother made me feel gloomy for no reason, so I fiddled with the surface of the glass, beaded with water droplets. Cool moisture clung to my fingertips.

"If you mean Rozniaundefineds mother... Lady Ilunia, I believe."

"Uh... Ah, you know her?"

"Of course I do. Wasnundefinedt she one of the empireundefineds foremost knights even before becoming a magic swordsman?"

It was unexpected that Ruwellin knew so much about my mother, so my eyes widened.

Well, my mother was indeed an outstanding knight, but that was a long time ago, so few people remembered now.

Moreover, after my mother married my father, learned magic, and converted to a magic swordsman, it was said she became as notorious as my father.

From my memory, my mother wasnundefinedt the type to do things that would make her notorious... It seemed the things she had done had been distorted and spread.

undefinedShe was a bit rough, though...undefined

Still, she was always a kind mother to me and Adrian. Even if she sometimes played mischievous pranks?

undefinedLike dressing Adrian up as a girl and taking him around.undefined

Come to think of it, my motherundefineds pranks seemed mostly directed at Adrian. My role was to sit in her arms, giggling as I watched Adrianundefineds funny appearance.

undefinedI kind of miss Mother.undefined

Was she alive? If she was alive, what would she be doing now, where?

undefinedRoznia, my pretty daughter. Did Adrian bully you again today?undefined

As I was getting lost in budding memories, Ruwellinundefineds low voice reached me.

"...Actually, my master is Lady Iluniaundefineds own sibling."

"...Huh?"

At the completely unexpected story, I stared at Ruwellin with wide eyes.

My mother was a nobleundefineds illegitimate child. But because she never revealed which family she came from, people could only guess.

And my father and the mages of the Magic Tower didnundefinedt care at all about my motherundefineds origins. So things like my motherundefineds family or family relations were just vague matters.

But, Ruwellinundefineds master is my motherundefineds own sibling!

undefinedOh my god... How can such a coincidence happen?undefined

Anyway, Ruwellin Rashiane was the man I had spent my wedding night with, and his master being my motherundefineds sibling was an enormous coincidence!

I stammered, then carefully asked.

"Wh-what is his name? Your masterundefineds name."

"My masterundefineds name is... Enrique Robitz."

"Huk, Robitz?!"

"...Yes. The younger sibling of the Margrave of Robitz."

Oh my god.

Hearing the name undefinedRobitzundefined, I fully understood why my mother had kept her origins hidden.

If Hill was the greatest mage family renown in the empire, no, on the entire continent of Ados, then Robitz was a prestigious family of swordsmanship that produced only the finest knights.

The big difference between the two families was that Robitz received titles and was loyal to the imperial family, while Hill did not.

The heads of Hill had refused titles for generations. Because receiving a title would mean shouldering responsibilities and obligations. And they would have to be loyal to the imperial family that granted the title.

But Hill is not loyal to anyone. So they are often said to be arrogant, or strictly speaking, not even nobles.

However, since the founder of the Hill family was a member of the imperial family, their lineage is indeed noble. Those who dislike the Hill family are busy ignoring that fact.

undefinedAnyway, Robitz... So thatundefineds why Mother hid her origins.undefined

The family precepts of Robitz were completely opposite to Hillundefineds. Always walk the righteous path, cultivate oneself like a hermit, and are very obsessed with noble dignity – that was Robitz.

And an illegitimate child in such a Robitz family. It couldnundefinedt be anything less than a huge scandal. So they hid it. Both Robitz and my mother.

undefinedIundefinedve never heard anything about it. What kind of life did Mother live?undefined

Unless something extremely extraordinary happened, it would be impossible for the upright head of the Robitz family to have an illegitimate child. How was my mother even born? She must have spent her childhood in Robitz, but how was it...?

I had more than one or two questions. But my mother, who could give me answers, was not by my side.

"......"

"...Roz, are you alright?"

"Huh? Ah... I-Iundefinedm fine!"

I had unconsciously made a gloomy expression, so Ruwellin asked in a worried voice. Answering as if nothing was wrong, I smiled at him.

We werenundefinedt close enough to share each otherundefineds sad stories. I thought that would be a bother. Of course, I wouldnundefinedt mind, but Ruwellin might feel uncomfortable.

"Iundefinedm really fine. I was just thinking about my mother for a moment."

"...Itundefineds already been over 15 years since Lady Ilunia disappeared."

"Thatundefineds right. Father is still searching, but... I donundefinedt know. I wonder if heundefinedll ever really find her."

I wanted to change the subject here. So I pretended not to notice Ruwellin and looked around.

Then, the white bench nestled among the abundant rose bushes came into view.

It was a bench I often visited whenever I came to this villa. Ruwellin tried to say something, but I pretended not to hear and ran to the bench.

"Roznia?"

"Come this way, Duke!"

I quickly sat on the bench and waved my hand. I placed the lemonade glass on the nearby tea table and made room for Ruwellin to sit.

Then I looked up to find Ruwellin already in front of me. I was so surprised I flinched. Wh-what, so fast?

"Yo-you came really fast?"

"Because it seemed like you were running away, I felt like chasing you."

"......?"

It felt like I had heard something a bit scary, but for now, I patted the seat next to me and urged him.

"Sit here, Duke."

Ruwellin smiled softly and carefully sat down beside me. His platinum hair fluttered like feathers in the breeze.

I stared at him blankly, then unconsciously reached out and lightly touched his hair. A silky soft texture touched my fingertips. As soft as it looked.

I had pulled his hair before, but this was the first time I had touched it so gently. The reason I had pulled it was because on the bed he was so...

undefinedAaaah.undefined

The memories of last night resurfaced, and I buried my face in my hands and screamed internally. The burning body heat, the solid arms hugging my upper body tight, the excited breaths I couldnundefinedt tell whose, the numbing sensation all over my body.

Just thinking about it made all those memories suddenly vivid, and my face kept flushing. When I sighed and looked up, Ruwellin was looking at me with a pleased expression.

"What were you thinking about?"

"Ah, nothing."

"Then why is your face red?"

"Because itundefineds hot! Ah, itundefineds only May, why is the weather so hot."

Averting his gaze, I fanned myself vigorously. But no matter how much I moved my hand, the heat wouldnundefinedt go down.

undefinedIundefinedm going crazy.undefined

Thinking I should drink some lemonade, I reached for the table. Suddenly, cool hands touched both my cheeks.

Ruwellin was holding my cheeks with his large hands and smiling softly.

"This should cool you down quickly, right?"

"Your hands are cool. How did you do that?"

I asked, surprised. Ruwellin hesitated slightly before answering.

"A simple magic I learned from my master. I do possess mana, after all."

"Ah, I see..."

Right, there was such magic, I nodded. When Iundefinedm with Ruwellin, I keep forgetting things.

undefinedBut, he learned magic from his master?undefined

I stared at Ruwellin, then subtly asked.

"Is your master a mage?"

"Hmm, we call him a sage. He is both a mage and a knight."

undefinedIsnundefinedt that just a magic swordsman?undefined I thought, but nodded, "Ah, I see." Well, since heundefineds from the Rashiane family, he probably dislikes titles like undefinedmageundefined or undefinedmagic swordsmanundefined.

undefinedAnyway, what a strange family. The Rashiane Duchy...undefined

Continuing that thought habitually, I paused when I saw Ruwellinundefineds fresh green eyes.

...I had forgotten. This man was also from the Rashiane family. Even the head of it!

Suddenly, I became curious. Did Ruwellin, like other Rashiane family members, hate the Hill family? Did he also hate mages?

At first, I thought he naturally would, but he was always kind to me, the daughter of the Hill family, so I was puzzled.

undefinedMaybe heundefineds just pretending not to hate me.undefined

That is, if he had some other ulterior motive.

But rather than guessing alone by racking my brain, I wanted to ask him once. So I gathered my courage and subtly opened my mouth.

"Um, Duke."

"Yes, speak."

"Iundefinedm also a member of the Hill family. Donundefinedt you dislike me?"

Hearing the question, Ruwellin paused.

He looked at me silently with an expressionless face, then suddenly let out a soft laugh.

Why, why is he laughing? It wasnundefinedt a question to laugh at, so his seemingly dumbfounded laugh made me flustered.

Wasnundefinedt it a perfectly reasonable question, since Iundefinedm the daughter of the Hill family and heundefineds the Duke of Rashiane? Wondering if my question was somehow wrong, I mulled it over. Ruwellin murmured in a slightly shaken voice.

"If I disliked you, Iundefinedd be crazy."

"......?"

Often, his answers like this were hard to understand and ambiguous. So while his kindness made my heart soften, I couldnundefinedt be sure. That this man was truly harmless to me.

undefinedHmm, no. The existence of this man itself is very harmful to me...undefined

Just looking at him makes my insides hot, my face flush, and my heart race. What a dangerous man.

I stammered and asked him.

"S-so, anyway, you donundefinedt dislike me?"

"Of course."

"I see. Thatundefineds a relief."

Saying that and smiling brightly, I paused and froze.

Relief. Whatundefineds a relief?

undefinedWhat... nonsense am I saying?undefined

Actually, whether he likes me or dislikes me, it shouldnundefinedt matter. Weundefinedll part ways soon anyway, and this relationship will just become a short memory of an early summer.

undefinedDid I unconsciously leave behind lingering feelings in my heart?undefined

Is it that I actually donundefinedt want to part with him, that Iundefinedm thinking that way?

undefinedNo. Letundefineds think realistically...undefined

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Trying to regain my reason, I did some deep breathing. When I felt my confused heart had calmed down a bit, I slowly opened my eyes.

But defying my efforts, the moment my eyes met the man who was staring blankly at me right in front of my nose, my heart started racing again.

Thump, thump—.

I couldnundefinedt have been more resentful of my heart, which raced regardless of my will. I desperately wanted to become detached in front of this man, but I couldnundefinedt, and it was driving me crazy.

undefinedItundefineds all because of this face... Why is it so handsome?undefined

At some point, I was unconsciously making a face. A strange smile appeared on Ruwellinundefineds lips.

He tilted his head slightly, as if to kiss me. But his lips hadnundefinedt touched mine yet. Just close enough to feel his breath, he held my gaze firmly.

My cheeks, which I had tried so hard to cool, heated up again, and a hot sensation spread to my ears and neck. My hands trembled. Unable to tear my eyes away from him, nor look elsewhere, I just closed my eyes.

"......!"

That was when our lips lightly touched.

At the ticklish, light contact, I snapped my eyes open. When our eyes met, his curved into crescents. His solid arm wrapped around my waist, our bodies pressed close. Ruwellin fiddled with my earlobe and whispered.

"Itundefineds hot here too."

"......!"

"With you this hot, how will you get through the summer?"

Even I, with my lack of perception, knew he was teasing me. With a sulky expression, I slapped his chest. A signal to stop here.

As always, Ruwellin obediently quieted down. Although he teased me a lot, when I told him to stop, he didnundefinedt overdo it. I liked that about him too. I...

undefinedLike...undefined

For a moment, I was dumbfounded and my thoughts cut off. I was exasperated with myself. What am I doing, I must really be crazy.

At this rate, I might take the villainess route, which wasnundefinedt even in the original story.

Falling in love with Ruwellin, and out of jealousy towards the heroine, committing all sorts of evil deeds!

undefinedUgh, crazy thought.undefined

I need to get a grip, I thought, trying to clear my mind. Suddenly, I felt a moist sensation on my lips.

Of all times, now!

"Du- ugh...!"

As I tried to call Ruwellin, he, after licking my lips, gently bit them this time.

This man definitely thought my lips were candy. Otherwise, he couldnundefinedt keep licking and biting them like this every day.

After nibbling on my lips, he slowly pulled his body away. Just as I was about to feel relieved, thinking he might step back, Ruwellin grabbed my waist and lifted me up.

"Huk!"

Suddenly lifted off the ground, I was startled. Coming to my senses, I found myself sitting on his thigh.

Beneath the thin summer dress, I could feel his firm thigh muscles, and something else. That made my mind feel hazy. Then his large hand cupped the back of my head.

Soon, our lips met.

When I reflexively tried to escape, he chased and trapped me. Wet flesh entwined, and he sucked so hard it felt numb at the root.

Our saliva mixed, our moist lips rubbed together, and wet sounds mixed with the sound of the wind. Whenever our lips parted briefly, hot breaths escaped intermittently.

I held onto his shoulders as if hanging, unable to steady myself, and swayed. Although he held me tight so I didnundefinedt fall, I felt somehow helplessly fallen in his arms, and my heart was troubled.

It seemed I would have no way to resist even if this man captured me like this.

Smack. He sucked my lips hard, then finally let me go. I held onto his clothes and gasped. If just a kiss was this overwhelming, how much more so in bed. Truly a damn bastard.

undefinedHow is his technique so good? He said he was a virgin, a virgin...!undefined

As I thought this while catching my rough breath, I realized. N-not a virgin anymore, right.

undefinedI took the male leadundefineds virginity.undefined

Although it couldnundefinedt be helped, thinking about it quietly, it was no small matter. After all, the male lead should be an undefinedone and onlyundefined pure-hearted man for the heroine, by the heroine, only for the heroine! But I had taken the male leadundefineds first time.

undefinedSorry, Sierra. I couldnundefinedt help it either.undefined

Thinking of the heroine who might resent me someday, I sighed.

Having had all sorts of thoughts alone, I felt somewhat calmed and raised my head. But as soon as I did, Ruwellin hugged me tight and showered kisses on my cheek.

Aaaah, calm down!

Sometimes, this man looked like a large dog desperately trying to lick its ownerundefineds face. I often dreamed of a large retriever running at me and licking my face, and this man was exactly like that dog.

Smack. After lightly kissing my lips one last time, he met my eyes and grinned.

His white face was slightly flushed, and whether because of that or not, he looked happy. He must really enjoy kissing me.

But heundefinedll enjoy it more with the heroine later.

Habitually building a wall, I subtly pushed him away. But instead of being pushed away, Ruwellin lifted me up and stood.

"Well, shall we go?"

"...Where?"

"Iundefinedm in a bit of a difficult state."

"......?"

Ruwellin subtly pointed downwards with his eyes. Only then did I understand what he meant.

I grabbed him by the collar and said in a trembling voice.

"Yo-youundefinedre too full of vigor."

"I am twenty-one. Soon to be twenty-two, though."

"That... I donundefinedt think itundefineds a matter of age."

"Ah, thatundefineds true."

Ruwellin said, as if realizing something.

"The problem is that Roznia is so lovable."

What kind of talk is that?

Looking at my dumbfounded expression, Ruwellin smirked and began to stride.

"I donundefinedt intend to make things hard for you."

"......"

Thatundefineds like the cat thinking about the mouse.

"You... just stay still. Iundefinedll handle it myself while looking at you."

"......?"

What that meant, I would find out exactly five minutes later.