Chapter 23 - Chapter 23

Chapter 23

Ruwellin woke up feeling the emptiness beside him.

The moment he came to, he sat up abruptly and looked beside him. Roznia was not there.

"Roz?"

Calling that name, he searched the room like a madman, but there was no answer.

Ruwellin quickly got out of bed, threw on a robe roughly, and went outside.

Almost running, he searched the villa thoroughly, chasing Rozniaundefineds traces. Then, as he was about to enter the entrance hall, his eyes met hers as she was just coming in.

A strange silence hung between them for a moment.

It was Ruwellinundefineds sigh of relief that broke the silence first. Walking towards Roznia with a relaxed posture, he said.

"Roz, did you go for a walk? When I woke up, you werenundefinedt beside me, so..."

He swallowed the words that he had been searching for her like crazy. Strangely, the closer he got to her, the more afraid he became of revealing how crazy he was about her.

"......"

"Roz?"

When Roznia just stared at him without any answer, Ruwellin asked, puzzled.

A strange unease touched his heart. Soon after, Roznia smiled softly.

"Youundefinedre awake? I was just about to go to the kitchen to prepare breakfast."

Her voice as she spoke was completely calm. But Ruwellin saw her tightly clenched hands trembling.

Something had clearly happened, but it seemed she wouldnundefinedt tell him even if he asked now. So Ruwellin silently smiled and answered, pretending not to have noticed anything.

"Iundefinedll prepare breakfast, so you go rest in the living room."

But Roznia firmly shook her head and refused.

"No, Iundefinedll cook today. You cook every time, Duke."

"But..."

"Itundefineds fine, so rest."

Smiling as if drawing a line, Roznia passed by Ruwellin. Keeping a distance, as if to avoid even the slightest contact with him.

That seemed strange to Ruwellin, and he was flustered. Just yesterday, Rozniaundefineds attitude towards him had been quite friendly.

But, what on earth could have happened to her overnight? The wall he suddenly felt made Ruwellin feel like he was going mad.

He had thought he was becoming a familiar presence to her, like being slowly soaked by a drizzle. If he took a little more time, then perhaps, he might finally capture her heart...

He had been harboring such hope.

"......"

Ruwellin stared blankly at Rozniaundefineds retreating back, then, as if resolved, chased after her with a determined expression.

He couldnundefinedt let her slip through his fingers like this. If he never won her heart, he would die.

To suppress the Mana Rampage, he needed to share body heat and have deep physical contact with another person. But Ruwellin couldnundefinedt even imagine mingling his body with anyone other than Roznia.

For him, there was only her. He would rather die than give himself to another to live. But still, he didnundefinedt want to die. If he died, he would forever lose the time he could spend with Roznia.

And if Roznia forgot about the dead him and met another man, falling into that bastardundefineds arms...

Thinking about that made his blood boil and drove him mad. The impulse to smash and destroy anything in sight, no matter what, arose violently.

He had never once in his life thought of himself as such a violent person, but when it came to matters involving Roznia, if he imagined another bastard taking her away, he felt he would lose his reason and go on a rampage.

Trying to calmly suppress his violent feelings, Ruwellin stood at the kitchen entrance, quietly watching Roznia.

Seeming unaware of his presence, she was fully revealing the expression she had hidden from him. An expression that looked complicated and somehow hurt.

The moment he saw that expression, Ruwellin unconsciously clenched his fist. An immeasurably large anxiety and the craving to reach her immediately mixed dizzyingly.

But he couldnundefinedt pour out everything right away. Time and distance were needed between her and him. Ruwellin didnundefinedt want to ruin this hard-won opportunity, his relationship with her.

"Roznia."

Ruwellin called her and cautiously took a step. Afraid of startling her, his attitude was very careful, like handling a small bird.

Nevertheless, Roznia, startled as if she might faint, dropped the tomato she was holding and turned to look at him. Ruwellin smiled bitterly.

He never thought it would be easy. To gain someoneundefineds favor, to make them like you. It was a task more difficult than anything else in the world.

But, at least, he had hoped she would feel comfortable around him.

Ruwellin bent down and picked up the tomato that had rolled to his feet. Even though it had rolled on the floor, it had no blemishes, but he felt uncomfortable eating it.

When he threw it straight into the trash, Roznia flinched. Not so much because she regretted the tomato, but because she seemed overly conscious of his every action and gesture.

If only that was due to some feeling bordering on excitement. The emotions reflected in her pinkish-red irises were confusion and fear.

Ruwellin wanted to sweep away those emotions and look inside her head.

What was she thinking? Had she met someone? Someone other than me who would come to this villa...

undefined...Ah.undefined

A certain possibility crossed Ruwellinundefineds mind.

It was unlikely, but not impossible. The knight commander was tight-lipped, but there were plenty of ways to find out without going through him.

So, the question of where the Duke of Rashiane had gone, why he had been away for so many days.

Ruwellin had quite a few clever vassals who could easily find the answer to that question.

The problem was who Roznia had met and what she had heard.

undefinedCould it be Alex?undefined

If Ruwellin had gone to the Hill familyundefineds property, the one who would show more interest than anyone else was him. Alexundefineds hatred for mages was beyond even Ruwellinundefineds control.

Ruwellin unconsciously got close to the answer, but soon Rozniaundefineds voice reached him and his thoughts scattered.

"I was thinking of making a stew with tomatoes and chicken..."

"Ah..."

In Ruwellinundefineds view, Roznia was deliberately making everyday conversation. As if doing so could hide her confused heart.

But, Iundefinedve already noticed that your heart is unsettled.

A bitter taste lingered in his mouth. Ruwellin smiled as if nothing was wrong, approached the sink, washed his hands, and smiled at Roznia. With an infinitely polite and gentlemanly attitude.

"Let me help. Then we can make it faster."

"...Yes, then..."

Roznia nodded with an awkward smile. Because of that, Ruwellin had to feel as if his heart was falling off a cliff.

He suddenly realized how precious her bright smiles, which she had been giving him, were.

Seeing Roznia find his presence difficult, avoiding eye contact, and trying not to let their bodies touch was very hard.

What if. Ruwellin silently prepared the tomatoes and made a guess. What if tonight, the Mana Rampage happened again, and he was on the verge of death. What would you do?

Would you leave me to die?

Or would you save me again this time?

The answer to that question would only come after the sun set and night fell.

* * *

When night came, Ruwellin was inevitably tormented by a high fever.

It was never his intention, but the timing was uncanny.

Ruwellin stared blankly at the ceiling and laughed bitterly. Should he crawl to Rozniaundefineds room and beg her to save him? Or should he wait and see if she would come to him, worried about him?

Honestly, he thought the latter was hopeless. Although it seemed she had some liking for him, it didnundefinedt seem enough for her to come check on him before sleeping.

With his mind hazy from fever, Ruwellin murmured inwardly.

I wish you would like me. As much as I am crazy about you.

He himself knew best how vain that wish was. It was a one-sided love he had persisted in for a long time. But the problem was, he wasnundefinedt tired of it.

No matter how much time passed, instead of fading, his obsession with her only grew, driving him mad.

Roznia. He called out quietly. Roznia... Hoping that his calling voice would reach her like a miracle.

undefinedFoolish.undefined

He self-mocked. Because it was a wish that would never come true.

But the third time he called her name, truly unexpectedly, a miracle happened.

Click—.

With a low scraping sound, the door opened, and small, slippered feet cautiously stepped inside.

Time passed very slowly. No, more precisely, Ruwellin felt that way.

All surrounding noise faded, and even the starlight streaming through the window fell silent. His heart seemed to stop for an instant, then began to beat like crazy.

Ruwellin opened his eyes wide and looked at her, the miracle approaching him. The impossible had happened. Had he died and come to heaven? He was so out of it that such a foolish thought occurred to him.

"Duke."

She stood by the bed and whispered quietly. Ruwellin couldnundefinedt answer anything, only his mouth opening and closing. He wanted to say something, but his mind was blank, like white paper.

"As expected... I knew it."

After checking his condition, she sighed deeply. The worry, the concern, and the somehow affectionate look that appeared on her face at that moment.

Taking all of it into his view, Ruwellinundefineds eyes unconsciously welled up with tears. His heart swelled with an emotion hard to name.

"Why, why are you crying?"

Roznia blinked, flustered, and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief. Then she wiped away his tears, her small hands cupping his cheeks.

Ruwellin looked at Roznia blankly and covered her small hands with his large ones.

"Roznia."

He called her in a voice moist with tears.

"Roznia..."

Roznia did not remain silent.

"Yes, Duke."

Her expression was still complicated, but she faithfully answered his call. She didnundefinedt pull her hands away either.

That fact was so moving that Ruwellin felt he could die without regret. Of course, he didnundefinedt actually intend to die.

Since Roznia had come to him, he couldnundefinedt die stupidly like this. Ruwellin held Rozniaundefineds hand tightly and pleaded.

"Save me..."

"......"

"Please save me, Roz..."

Actually, Ruwellin had noticed.

That Roznia, regardless of anything else, liked his face.

Ah, come to think of it, his body too.

Ruwellin had never been as grateful as today for being blessed with good looks. At this moment, he felt he could sincerely thank his parents. For passing on the beauty that Roznia liked.

If only he could seduce Roznia with that beauty. He was willing to use his body and heart as much as needed. If only he could capture Rozniaundefineds heart that way...

"Roznia, please..."

Ruwellin looked at Roznia with the most pitiful expression he could muster and pleaded. Perhaps because of his faintly trembling voice, he looked even more pitiful.

Maybe that was why. Rozniaundefineds gaze looking at him wavered. Her eyes seemed quite softened. Seeing that look, Ruwellin gained a strange certainty that he would eventually live.

undefined...Sheundefineds kind.undefined Ruwellin murmured inwardly and swallowed a bitter smile. His Roznia was truly kind. Sometimes, in the face of that kindness, he felt as if his soul was laid bare.

She was so good and innocent, yet he was a shameless bastard trying to seduce her with a honey trap. It would be a lie to say he felt no guilt.

But even if he fell that way, Ruwellin wanted to capture Roznia. He could do anything to completely obtain her. Even if it meant facing the worldundefineds criticism, he would gladly do it.

After all, itundefineds you who saves me and you who kills me.

Letting out a small sigh, Roznia sat down cautiously on the edge of the bed. She hesitated for a moment, then slowly lowered her head towards Ruwellin.

Her rose-colored hair fell softly, tickling Ruwellinundefineds cheek. Brushing her left side hair behind her ear, Roznia placed her right hand beside Ruwellinundefineds head to support her weight.

In the darkness, her pale ruby-like eyes sparkled as if holding back tears. She looked like she might cry at any moment, and Ruwellinundefineds heart sank.

As he held his breath, she carefully pressed her lips to his. In that instant, Ruwellinundefineds pain and ecstasy mixed. He was tormented by the pain, but at the same time, he trembled with the momentary joy of sharing breath with Roznia.

"Hueuk..."

Letting out a thin moan, Roznia quickly pulled away from him. Ruwellin, who had been about to wrap his arms around her tightly, grasped at the air with his lost hands.

Ruwellin looked at Roznia with a desperate, maddening feeling. She was standing against the wall, far from the bed, her head bowed deeply. Her delicate shoulders trembling were clearly visible even in the darkness.

When he called her name, Roznia, in a voice heated to the point of distraction, she flinched like a small bird and slowly raised her head. Her face, previously hidden by her long hair, was flushed like rose petals.

"Roznia."

Ruwellin reached out his hand towards her and pleaded.

"Come here, Roznia. You promised to help me, didnundefinedt you?"

Thatundefineds right, she had definitely made such a promise. Holding her small, shaking body trapped in his arms, kissing her, thoroughly dizzying her mind,

undefinedPromise me. That whenever Iundefinedm sick, youundefinedll help me.undefined

undefinedWell...undefined

undefinedYou can promise, canundefinedt you? Hmm? Roz...undefined

undefinedAh, okay... Ugh.undefined

undefinedThank you.undefined

Roznia, nodding tearfully, probably didnundefinedt even know what she had promised. She just wanted to escape the ecstasy that enveloped her.

Knowing all that. No, because I know, Iundefinedm a damn bastard for coaxing her into a promise like that. Ruwellin thought self-deprecatingly and sneered.

Roznia was glancing at him, full of hesitation. Then, as if gathering courage, she took a step closer, then stopped again.

Ruwellin sighed deeply, his heart aching, and whispered again.

"Roz, come closer. So we can make contact."

At those words, Roznia hesitated, then asked in a small voice.

"This time, canundefinedt we just hold hands?"

Just hold hands. How can she say such a cute thing.

Ruwellin laughed, both because she was cute and because he was dumbfounded. Can you really just sleep holding my hand? You, who get nervous just from me approaching.

"You just want to hold my hand? Really?"

Ruwellin asked, raising one corner of his mouth in a smirk. Roznia paused for a moment, then bit her lip and shook her head.

As expected. Thereundefineds no way she just wants to hold hands. Unsure about her heart, but certain that she was physically attracted to him, Ruwellin decided to become a little more shameless. He smiled with relief and whispered in an utterly seductive voice.

"I see. Thatundefineds a relief. That itundefineds not just me who likes Roz."

"...Huh? What did you just say?"

At his words, Roznia asked back with wide, incredulous eyes. Ruwellin deliberately pretended to be aloof and asked in a sly tone.

"Surely you still donundefinedt know? How I feel?"

Honestly, he thought he had been quite obvious. If they had been in a natural relationship, Roznia would have noticed Ruwellinundefineds feelings long ago.

But there was a steep wall between them, and Roznia must have avoided facing his revealed feelings rather than confronting them. Unconsciously or consciously.

Roznia was staring at Ruwellin with a dazed face. Ruwellin stared back at her expression, colored with confusion, and sighed softly.

He felt he needed to make one thing clear.

"...I donundefinedt know what misunderstanding you have, but I donundefinedt casually say undefinedlikeundefined to someone I intend to have a one-night stand with."

That was a fact he could stake his life on, even with a knife to his throat. He had staked his very life to get close to Roznia. To say it was just a one-night stand? Thatundefineds nonsense.

Hearing his words, Roznia blinked blankly, then asked with a slightly hesitant air.

"So...?"

Ruwellin raised one eyebrow and asked back.

"So?"

Roznia, looking uncertain and anxious, asked.

"So, you mean... this isnundefinedt... a temporary relationship...?"

"...A temporary relationship?"

Ruwellinundefineds voice as he caught the word was cold. Suddenly, his atmosphere changed to that of a bitter winter, and Roznia backed away, flustered.

Seeing Roznia backing away as if to escape from him, a sigh naturally escaped Ruwellinundefineds lips. Again, like this. She was seemingly simple yet subtly sensitive, and it seemed she would run far away if he wasnundefinedt careful.

Ruwellin painfully forced his dying body up and put his feet out of bed. Then he slowly began to approach Roznia. She watched him with frightened eyes as he silently closed the distance.

Ruwellin spoke in a deliberately heavy voice.

"Our relationship, Roz."

"...Yes."

"Once started, it cannot be reversed."

"What do you mean...?"

Even while answering, faithfully looking at him, Roznia was slowly moving backwards. When she was blocked by the wall and could retreat no further, Ruwellin reached out and firmly grabbed her arm.

Then he pulled her towards him with force. Rozniaundefineds fragile body was pulled without any way to resist and buried itself deep in his broad chest.

Ruwellin wrapped his arms around her tightly, without a gap. Trapped in his arms, Roznia looked up at him with wide eyes. Her expression was so cute that Ruwellin nearly lost his reason for a moment.

Looking at Roznia, who was staring blankly at him, Ruwellin smiled softly. Now he knew the reason. The reason Roznia looked at him as if bewitched was because she was mesmerized by his beauty.

Carefully stroking Rozniaundefineds flushed cheeks, Ruwellin whispered.

"Roz, you will continue to hold me from now on."

"......"

"I will only give myself to you."

Those words were filled with high-purity sincerity. Undoubtedly and clearly, Ruwellin Rashiane belonged to Roznia Hill. Everything else besides her was meaningless. That was the meaning of staking oneundefineds life.

Slowly lowering his head, Ruwellin softly kissed Rozniaundefineds cheek. He tickled her soft, white skin with his lips as if drawing. Slowly moving his head, he reached her ear.

And whispered softly.

"So, you will continue to kiss only me..."

"Ah, excuse me, heut..."

"...touch me, as much as you want."

When he gently bit her earlobe, Roznia trembled like a small bird fluttering its wings. Ruwellin responded to that adorable reaction by hugging her tighter.

He buried his face in her shoulder for a moment, then raised his head and met her eyes. Her transparent pink eyes sparkled, seemingly moist.

Captivated by a blissful feeling, Ruwellin looked at her. He could die in her arms like this and be happy. It hurt that much, though. He didnundefinedt actually want to die, but...

undefinedI canundefinedt die and let another bastard take you.undefined

Roznia, who had been staring at him with dazed eyes, finally gave her answer. "Yes..." in a voice so small it was barely audible.

Even as she answered, her expression looked complicated, but Ruwellin decided to enjoy the joy of this moment.

Smiling brightly, he kissed her again. And began to undress her, layer by layer, with very meticulous movements.

He kissed every exposed piece of skin, looking at her beautiful body gleaming white in the moonlight with ecstasy. His touch caressing her was now quite skilled.

Surprisingly, Roznia obediently relaxed and left everything to him. When he took her chin and lifted it to kiss her, her small hands, which had been resting on his chest, curled into fists.

With perfect timing, the mana rampaging inside Ruwellin began to surge even more violently. As he struggled and gasped in pain, Roznia hugged and supported his staggering body.

The two, leaning against the wall in an awkward standing position, supported each other and approached the bed. The moonlight, which felt particularly warm today, colored the white sheets.

The sound of insects could be heard faintly from beyond the slightly open window. Ruwellin trapped Roznia, now lying on the bed, in his arms and looked down at her silently. Blue darkness enveloped her silhouette.

As if drawing a picture, Ruwellin slowly traced from her face, down her neckline, and further down. The body, tense with nervousness, gradually relaxed under his affectionate touch.

"Look."

Ruwellin kissed the back of Rozniaundefineds hand. Then the inside of her wrist, where bluish veins showed through.

Smack. A red mark was left on the sucked skin. A pretty shape like a petal. Showing it, Ruwellin whispered.

"Itundefineds pretty."

Hearing that, Rozniaundefineds cheeks became as red as the mark on her hand.

A smile spread on Ruwellinundefineds lips as he watched Roznia blink, looking away as if embarrassed to meet his eyes.

He was so amazed at how a person could be this lovely. A feeling he hadnundefinedt known before meeting Roznia. That someone could look so pretty and lovely.

That sometimes felt like a miracle.

"My words about only giving myself to you contain not a shred of lie."

"......"

"Trust me, Roznia..."

"......"

"I will do nothing that harms you."

Ruwellin said that like an earnest confession of love. Although he dared not utter the word undefinedloveundefined, he hoped she would recognize his sincerity.

"Roznia."

Stroking her cheek, which gave no answer, he whispered from a distance as if to kiss.

As his high fever and pain made breathing difficult, he instinctively devoured Rozniaundefineds lips as if seeking a way to live. Inhaling her warm breath as if it were an oasis, without rest, he eagerly pushed himself in.

"Ueung..."

A moan escaped Rozniaundefineds throat. Ruwellin frantically explored her mouth while gently brushing aside her rose-colored hair.

"Haah, ha..."

Thoroughly tormented, Roznia gasped the moment Ruwellin parted his lips. Her upper body heaved rapidly.

Soothing Roznia, who was on the verge of tears from the still unfamiliar heat, Ruwellin slowly settled himself inside her.

Holding her trembling small body tight, he comforted her kindly, caressing and kissing her meticulously, as if carving with his eyes.

The sky was exceptionally clear today. Perhaps because it was a sunny day after the rain. Thanks to that, he could see the star-studded night sky through the window.

Roznia hugged Ruwellinundefineds solid body, which was pushing against her, and looked at the night sky. It looked as if the stars were falling from the sky.

How much time had passed? Ruwellinundefineds movements stopped abruptly, and their rough breaths mingled chaotically.

Ruwellin didnundefinedt let her go immediately but held her quietly in his arms. As always.

With his face buried in Rozniaundefineds shoulder, he caught his breath, then slowly raised his head and met her eyes.

And then he was surprised.

Ruwellin opened his eyes wide and looked down at Roznia with a trembling gaze.

She was crying.

Very sadly, as if the world had ended, so, so sorrowfully.