Chapter 42 - Chapter 42

Chapter 42

Even though Ruwellinundefineds oath had secured Adrian Hyllundefineds permission for the engagement, I wasnundefinedt the least bit happy. It had only left a scar on my heart. Did Adrian Hyll really have to do that? Knowing full well how important Ruwellin was to the Rashiane Ducal family.

undefinedAnd heundefineds the person I love…….undefined

Did he really have to force the person I love to make an oath that would make him die following me?

undefined……Adrian Hyll, you bastard.undefined

He said it was all for me, but in the end, he didnundefinedt listen to a single word of my opinion.

I hated Adrian Hyll so much, but the fact that he was my only brother remained unchanged, so my heart felt stuffy and depressed. What on earth was I supposed to do? Why was Adrian Hyll always like that? I really…….

"Rosnia?"

"……!"

At Ruwellinundefineds voice calling me, I snapped out of it and escaped my thoughts.

When I forced a smile and turned to him, Ruwellin was staring at me intently with a questioning expression. His eyes were full of concern for me.

Perhaps that was why? I suddenly felt emotional. He worried about me like this, yet casually did the very things I told him not to do.

undefinedAdrian Hyll and Ruwellin are both selfish.undefined

I pushed him away as he tried to hug me and pulled the blanket over my head. Through the fluffy comforter, I sensed Ruwellin floundering in confusion.

"Rosnia?"

"……."

"Rose……."

"……."

"Are you not going to look at my face anymore?"

"……."

"……I was wrong. Please donundefinedt turn away from me……."

Ruwellin pleaded, gently touching the blanket covering me.

I closed my eyes tightly and swallowed a sigh. I was angry at him for doing what I told him not to, but hearing his anxious and desperate voice, I found myself pathetic for weakening.

When had this feeling grown so big? At first, it was just an awkward relationship.

I sighed and lifted the blanket. Then I met Ruwellinundefineds eyes, who was looking at me with a pitiful expression.

……Honestly, he knew very well that I would inevitably give in when he looked at me like that. What a demanding man.

"Do you think that will make my anger go away?"

But unexpectedly, what came out of my mouth was a grumpy remark.

I was inwardly flustered, but since I had already said it and couldnundefinedt take it back, I decided to act brazenly. I also felt like teasing Ruwellin a bit.

"What must I do…… for your anger to subside? Iundefinedll do anything, so please……."

Ruwellin asked in an earnest voice. I pretended to glare at him, then sighed deeply.

I really was pathetic for weakening so easily.

"I wasnundefinedt really that angry. I was just a bit irritated……."

"……."

"Because neither you nor Adrian Hyll listen to me and just do things. So……."

As I spoke, my voice grew quieter. I didnundefinedt know if Ruwellin would understand my feelings. He was the person I loved, but still a stranger I couldnundefinedt fully merge with.

The same went for my family. I cared deeply for Adrian Hyll, but I couldnundefinedt fully understand his way of thinking or his values.

undefinedBesides, to explain why I was angry…….undefined

I would have to confess my true feelings of liking Ruwellin.

undefined……No matter how much I think about it, I donundefinedt know. How should I bring it up? Iundefinedm too embarrassed and shy to say anything!undefined

undefinedShould I write a letter……? At least with writing, it might be less embarrassing.undefined

Feeling my face heat up, I squeezed my eyes shut, and Ruwellinundefineds calm voice came.

"Iundefinedm sorry. For making such an oath on my own."

"……."

"Saying it was for you probably sounds selfish. Yes, actually…… it was something I did out of my own selfishness."

"……."

"If I had considered your feelings, I shouldnundefinedt have made that choice."

Reaching out slowly, Ruwellin lifted me up and placed me on top of his body.

I was suddenly lying on top of him, looking down at him.

"Rosnia…… I was anxious. If your brother didnundefinedt approve of our engagement, we might be separated and never see each other again."

"……."

"Not being able to see you is, to me, no different from dying."

"……."

"So, even if that oath was unreasonable, I had to do it. ……Do you understand?"

……No, to be honest, itundefineds hard to understand.

He had casually thrown away everything he had, his very life. Simply because he didnundefinedt want to be separated from me.

I sighed deeply and asked.

"Do you really want to die on the same day and time as me?"

"Yes, I do."

The answer came quickly. His voice held not a trace of hesitation. His expression was serious, and his eyes looked straight at me.

I let out a hollow laugh and shook my head. No matter how much I talked to him, Ruwellinundefineds conclusion seemed constant.

But still, to want to die on the same day and time as me. What kind of feeling was that? Honestly, I donundefinedt really know.

undefinedProbably, more than I like this person…… this person likes me.undefined

Of course, he said it was an exaggeration to call his feelings love, but…….

undefinedIf thatundefineds not love, what is?undefined

Love comes in many forms. Perhaps his love is a bit different from the common meaning. Maybe thatundefineds why heundefineds been deliberately denying calling his feelings undefinedlove.undefined

undefinedShould I help him realize that?undefined

Or should I leave him to realize it on his own…….

undefinedAnd, I…….undefined

I gently stroked Ruwellinundefineds cheek and fell into thought for a moment.

What should I do? Should I just say it right here, what my feelings for Ruwellin are?

As I hesitated, my lips parting, Ruwellin gazed at me silently.

My mouth felt dry. After much hesitation, I finally spoke. But,

"Iundefinedm sleepy. I should sleep now."

I ended up saying something completely different without meaning to.

undefinedDamn it, why am I like this.undefined

I guess I wasnundefinedt ready yet. Just like Ruwellin was misunderstanding his own feelings.

undefined……We have a lot of problems. Both of us.undefined

As I sighed deeply, Ruwellin laid me down properly on the bed.

He had been acting like he would torment me again at night, but it seemed he was just going to let me sleep.

"Good night, Rosnia."

Ruwellin whispered as he carefully covered me with the blanket. His regular patting made me feel drowsy.

But…… wasnundefinedt this man going to his own room?

undefinedThis is my room…….undefined

Surely he wasnundefinedt planning to sleep here…….

* * *

Ruwellin had fallen asleep in my room as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"……."

I looked down at him with a dumbfounded expression. No matter how much we had already seen everything there was to see, we hadnundefinedt even had the engagement ceremony yet!

undefinedWe should sleep in separate rooms! I understand when his magic is rampage, but…….undefined

If a young, unmarried man and woman spent every night together in the same room, what would people say?

But it seemed I was the only one who felt such worries, such shame. Damn it, why was shame always my share? No matter how I thought about it, this manundefineds threshold for feeling shame was too low.

"Ruu……."

I tried to wake him by calling his name, but I hesitated for a moment.

Because Ruwellinundefineds face, sleeping soundly in the morning sunlight, was too beautiful.

If there was someone who could save the world with their looks, wouldnundefinedt that be Ruwellin Rashiane? Really, what did he eat to be so handsome? It was almost scary. I wanted to lock him up and have him all to myself.

undefinedWhy are his eyelashes so long? What am I supposed to do if heundefineds prettier than me?undefined

As I gently stroked his long eyelashes and was glaring at him sulkily, Ruwellin slowly opened his eyes.

"……!"

I was so startled that I quickly raised my upper body, only to fall backward.

Fortunately, I didnundefinedt roll off the bed. As I felt the soft mattress cushioning my back and the back of my head and laughed helplessly, I heard Ruwellinundefineds low laughter. He must have seen my foolish state.

"Did you sleep well? Rosnia?"

Ruwellin laughed happily and sat me up. More precisely, he sat me on his lap and hugged me tight.

His warm body temperature seeped through the thin fabric. Feeling incredibly cozy, I closed my eyes and squirmed in his arms.

"Rose, youundefinedre like a kitten."

"……."

I opened my eyes at Ruwellinundefineds words and raised my head. When I glared at him in disbelief, he laughed softly. Whatundefineds so funny? Do you enjoy teasing me? I pinched his cheek hard.

Ruwellin took my hand that was pinching his cheek, kissed it, and smiled. ……No matter how much I thought about it, this man was playing with me. Always, constantly.

"What were you thinking as you watched me sleep? Rosnia."

"……."

I hesitated for a moment, then answered honestly. Because I was curious what his reaction would be.

"I thought you were so beautiful that I wanted to lock you up and have you all to myself."

Then Ruwellinundefineds eyes widened. He froze like that for a while, then opened his mouth with an expression of disbelief.

"Really? You want to…… me……."

"Yes, so stop being so beautiful."

I escaped from Ruwellinundefineds arms while he was off guard, grabbed a pillow, threw it at his face, and ran off to the bathroom.

But Ruwellin chased after me with terrifying speed and pulled me into his arms from behind. So tightly I could barely breathe.

Feeling like I might suffocate, I slapped his arm and scolded him.

"Ah, I canundefinedt breathe!"

"……!"

Startled, Ruwellin quickly released me and apologized several times, saying he was sorry. But his face was smiling. Seeing him so happy he didnundefinedt know what to do, I couldnundefinedt help but laugh helplessly. I slapped his solid chest and asked.

"Are you that happy that I want to lock you up?"

"Of course, Rosnia. That you want to lock me up means, in other words……."

Ruwellin closed the distance and gently enveloped me in his arms, as if creating a prison. With our chests touching, I looked up at him. His emerald eyes sparkled with happiness.

"It means you are obsessed with me."

"……."

Struck home, I just blinked for a moment, then pushed him away and feigned indifference.

"No, itundefineds not! Wh, why would I?"

"Why are you stuttering, then?"

"Iundefinedm not stuttering."

"Rosnia, pretending itundefineds not……."

No matter how much I tried to push him away, Ruwellin didnundefinedt budge. Instead, he drew even closer, until our noses touched as if to kiss.

"May I kiss you?"

"……."

I was dumbfounded that he asked permission for every little thing. "As you please," I answered primly and closed my eyes, and I heard Ruwellin laugh softly. His lips touched mine right after.

Carefully pressed lips slowly parted. A tongue, gently sweeping the inside of my lips, leisurely entered. When I didnundefinedt try to run away but accepted it, Ruwellin seemed to smile faintly.

Our tongues intertwined, and continued to intertwine, mixing our breaths and saliva. Heat filled my short breaths. My body grew hot, and every part touching him felt like it was melting.

After kissing incessantly, when he tried to pull away, it was I who held him back. I was surprised, and he also opened his eyes wide in surprise. I blinked rapidly and stammered out an excuse.

"Th, this is, well……."

"……."

Ruwellinundefineds gaze as he looked at me somehow became strange. Sensing something ominous, I tried to step back. But Ruwellinundefineds arms tightened around me, preventing my escape.

"You canundefinedt, Rosnia."

"What……."

"If you provoke me like this and then try to run away……."

As our bodies pressed together, I felt something hard and flinched in surprise. I looked at Ruwellin, my mouth agape. No, why so energetic!

"Ruwellin, this is the bathroom, and itundefineds morning……."

"Itundefineds fine. Itundefineds my house."

Thatundefineds not the point!

I tried to refuse, saying absolutely not, but his soothing voice and beautiful face eventually won me over. ……Honestly, Iundefinedm too weak to seduction. Thatundefineds a real problem.

* * *

When we came out after spending over two hours in the bathroom, the expressions of the maids bringing breakfast were unusual. I was so embarrassed I wanted to crawl into a mouse hole.

"Rosnia? Here, have breakfast."

"Yes, but……."

The table was well set with breakfast, cool breeze and golden sunlight came through the open window, and birds chirped pleasantly. At first glance, everything was perfect. But.

"Why am I sitting on Ruwellinundefineds lap?"

When I came to my senses, this was the situation!

When on earth had he sat me on his lap?

"Because I want to serve you your meal, Rose."

"I donundefinedt need that……."

"Donundefinedt say that. Here……."

Ruwellin popped a piece of Caprese made with thinly sliced tomato and mozzarella cheese into my mouth.

I chewed reflexively while glaring at Ruwellin, then was completely captivated by the fresh and savory taste of the Caprese.

undefinedItundefineds delicious! The cheese is the most savory Iundefinedve ever tasted…….undefined

"Is it good?"

At Ruwellinundefineds question, I unconsciously nodded, and this time he put a green grape into my mouth.

The sweet and sour green grape perfectly cleansed the savory aftertaste of the Caprese, creating a truly perfect harmony.

"Here, have this too."

Next was roasted pumpkin and bacon, which was also delicious. Then salad with lemon juice, avocado, egg…….

"Have some juice too."

There was fresh, tangy orange juice and apple juice with a clean aftertaste.

After eating absentmindedly like that, I finally came to my senses when I was full.

undefinedOh my god.undefined

I had been eagerly accepting everything Ruwellin gave me like a baby bird! I was dumbfounded. It was also absurd that Ruwellin, who had been happily feeding me without eating a single bite himself.

When I looked at him with a rather dumbfounded expression, Ruwellin smiled.

"Rose has a weakness for delicious food. Thatundefineds very cute."

"……."

This guy……! He had been deliberately feeding me!

As I trembled with the feeling of having been played, Ruwellin looked at me with great happiness.

* * *

Ruwellin was happy all day, pleased that he had teased me in the morning. I pondered how to get back at that sadist, watching for opportunities.

But Ruwellin Rashiane was terrifyingly without gaps, so there was no way to find a chink in his armor.

I was sitting on the sofa reading, writhing with intense annoyance. Ruwellin stealthily approached my side.

This was his study. I was sitting on the guest sofa, wasting time either reading a book or glancing at Ruwellin.

"What book are you reading?"

Ruwellin asked casually. His intention to sit next to me rather than in front of me was obvious, so I glared at him and answered.

"You donundefinedt need to know."

Then Ruwellin leaned down and unilaterally checked the title of the book I was holding!

"undefinedCaptured by the Dangerous Mastermind Dukeundefined……? What on earth is it about……?"

"……."

Donundefinedt ask…….

I closed the book and answered with an embarrassed expression.

"Itundefineds just a romance novel. The title says it all."

"I see. The titles of novels these days are quite unusual."

I was about to argue with him about what he knew about romance novels, but when I came to my senses, I was on his lap again.

Dumbfounded, I pinched Ruwellinundefineds cheek hard. When on earth had he sat me on his lap?

"Rose, do you know what day May 25th is?"

"Why are you asking that? Itundefineds your birthday, Ruwellin."

When I answered as if it were no big deal to his out-of-the-blue question, Ruwellinundefineds eyes widened in surprise. He stammered, then asked in a trembling voice.

"Ah, you knew?"

"Of course, since youundefinedre my……."

I almost said "since youundefinedre the male lead" and quickly changed my words. That was a close call.

"Since youundefinedre going to be my husband! I should know."

It felt a bit like I was pretending to be a meticulous and considerate person, but the effect seemed good. Ruwellin looked very touched.

"You knew…… my birthday."

"Yes, well……."

I didnundefinedt know why he was so moved by something as simple as remembering a birthday. As I brushed my hair back, feeling a bit sheepish, Ruwellin suddenly hugged me tightly.

……He must have been really touched. Seeing him so happy over such a trivial thing seemed a bit cute, and I smiled involuntarily.

Perhaps that was why? I decided to ask him about his birthday present as well.

"Ruwellin, what do you want for your birthday?"

Then he flinched and raised his head from my chest. His posture was just like a dog wagging its tail and perking up its ears, making me laugh.

"Do you like that so much?"

"Will you really give it to me?"

Ruwellin asked in an expectant voice. He seemed ready to cry all day if I said I wouldnundefinedt give him anything. I laughed heartily and answered.

"Of course I should give you something. Itundefineds your birthday……."

"……."

As I gently stroked his face, Ruwellinundefineds green eyes sparkled like stars. ……How can he be so cute? Heundefineds beautiful, cute, does it all.

"Anything you give me is fine, Rosnia. Even if you give me a piece of paper, Iundefinedll gladly accept it."

"Whatundefineds that supposed to mean?"

I laughed in disbelief, and Ruwellin blinked earnestly as if to say he was serious. I shook my head. If he didnundefinedt tell me what he wanted, I would have to choose something myself, but Ruwellinundefineds tastes…….

undefined……I know them very well.undefined

It was impossible not to know. When it came to him, the male lead, I had organized him from 1 to 100.

undefinedHmm, good. Letundefineds choose Ruwellinundefineds birthday present well.undefined

There was still a week left until May 25th, so I had plenty of time.