31

“What I’ve told you is the honest truth.”

Said Llewellyn, brushing her hair.

While they were talking, Rosenia could feel his body heating up again. From the hand that touched her, to their bodies being close to one another.

Rosenia tried to absorb his mana by having her body against his. It was necessary to do it little by little to prevent any accident. Nonetheless, she didn’t think it was a good idea to talk about the situation again when her mind was a mess.

Like a cicada, Llewellyn held her tightly in his arms while looking down at her. A satisfied smile emerged from his lips. He seemed to like holding her like this.

“The way you struggle is really cute, Rosenia.”

“…”

“But I don’t think that’s going to work.”

‘Those wicked lips again!’

Glaring at him, Rosenia spoke in a reprimanding tone.

“Let’s get this straight. So, you’ve been in love with me for more than eight years…”

It sounded even more strange when Rosenia said it out loud. She had simply thought of Llewellyn Rasiane as the male lead who will one day give her the death ending. She couldn’t believe he liked her. It was an unfamiliar territory, and one she didn’t expect.

…It was inevitable that Rosenia felt goosebumps thinking about it. The man she fell in love with turned out to be in love with her. As genuine as it seemed, it was impossible for her to feel happy. No matter how hard she thought about it…it felt closer to an obsession.

“…And to meet me, you came all the way here. You…had no intention of using me?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Llewellyn answered without a moment’s hesitation. His emerald eyes that looked straight at her seemed quite honest. Although what was hidden beneath those eyes were still as wicked as ever…

Rosenia couldn’t believe such a genuine look can have a hint of madness. It was truly amazing and terrifying. Even now, the eyes that stare at her contained a heart-shaking determination and desire that made her heart tremble.

‘How long is he going to keep looking at me like this?’

“I met someone in the garden this morning.”

“Yes.”

“It was a boy with pretty blond hair. His hair was tied together, and he had a sword around his waist. And my magic didn’t work against him.”

“…”

“The boy said that I was Adrian’s weakness, so someone was going to capture me. That’s roughly what he said. I mistook that someone as being you. No matter how hard I thought about it, you’re the only one who can take me from this villa.”

Llewellyn slightly opened his eyes and slowly sighed. Then, with a complicated look on his face, he spoke with slight difficulty.

“That boy is Alex.”

“I knew it! He’s one of your retainers, isn’t he?”

“Don’t misunderstand. Alex is one of my retainers, but I didn’t call him here. What he told you isn’t true. Is the lie detection magic still working?”

The question Llewellyn attached at the end made her unknowingly flinched. It was justifiable for her to use the lie detection magic on him, so why was it her who felt so flustered?

Like seeing a ghost, Rosenia was frightened of this man who had seen through her secret magic. More so, not knowing what he was thinking, she couldn’t even begin to guess what his dark thoughts were. Maybe that’s why she felt happy, but time and time again she felt like running away.

Like a herbivore instinctively running away when it sees a beast.

This man was clearly a predator. And Rosenia had a strange premonition that no matter how much she tried to run away, she would end up in his palm.

“…I’ve turned off the lie detection magic now. I have confirmed that you were telling the truth….”

“I see. It’s a very useful magic spell.”

“Anyway, that boy Alex misunderstood your purpose for coming here? Am I understanding this right?”

“Yes, that’s right. Alex misunderstood me. From the beginning, I only had one purpose. I wanted to reach you. I wanted to be in your heart.”

Whispered Llewellyn, lowering his head towards her. Thinking that he was going to kiss her again, she pulled back her upper body. There was a look of bewilderment on his face.

“You’re very tense.”

“I can’t help it. I unconsciously want to run away…”

“Why would you want to run away?”

Rosenia couldn’t bring herself to say that she was a little scared. If she said that, she was afraid that she would cross a river of no return.

“Anyway, the misunderstanding has been cleared. Now that I know your situation, tell me what you’re going to do. Adrian is coming back here soon.”

Llewellyn stared at her as she looked around and avoided his gaze. It was too much pressure, so her heart shrank and she stared into the air. Staring into his eyes made her skin hot. She couldn’t believe looking into someone’s eye could do that. It was her first time experiencing it.

“Rosenia, there’s something I’d like to ask before we discuss the matter with your brother.”

“…What is it?”

Asked Rosenia politely, peeping up at Llewellyn. He suddenly smiled when their eyes met. What was worse, he pulled her closer and kissed her here and there on her face!

Rosenia was simply stuck stiff and in a daze at his unpredictable behavior.

‘Why does he always kiss me like this out of the blue?’

“Rose, why did you cry earlier?”

“Ah…”

‘Is that what he wanted to ask me?’

Unable to answer immediately, Rosenia slipped away from his gaze. Then, he gently held up her chin and faced her.

Rosenia tried to roll her eyes so as to not look straight at him, but in a surprise move, he bit her lips.

“Ack!”

“Are you not going to answer?”

“Oh…”

Rosenia was about to say ‘oh my god,’ but kept silent. It wasn’t enough to hurt, but her lips were tingling from the bite. Judging by the many nights and the time she spent with him, she thought he had a slightly sadistic deposition…

“Do I have to answer that? Why I cried.”

“Then, should we continue kissing?”

“What?”

Llewellyn closed his lips and grinned. His green eyes glistened with mischief. Thinking that he might really kiss her again, she shoved his face away and spoke.

“I’ll tell you. Why I cried.”

“Okay.”

“The reason why I cried, I mean, um…”

…Amazingly, this time, it was her turn to confess.

‘Is this what they call you reap what you sow?’

With a slight regret, Rosenia quietly began talking.

“I thought you were trying to take advantage of me…I was sad.”

“You were sad because you thought I was taking advantage of you?”

“Isn’t that obvious?”

“Why is it obvious?”

When Rosenia got emotional again at his reply, he gently soothed her in an unrequited manner. Although the age difference between the two of them wasn’t much, he was still older than her. Or perhaps it was because he is the Duke.

“I was confused because you kept being sweet to me.”

“You were?”

“…I was angry and disappointed at the thought that you were being sweet to me for other reasons…”

“Hmm…”

With a yearning tone, Llewellyn brushed her hair with his hand. He seemed to like touching her hair. No, when she thought about it, it seemed like he just liked touching her. Even when she was tired and wanted to fall asleep, she knew his hands would not stop touching her.

“I can’t help but be sweet to you all the time, Rosenia.”

“…”

“You’re the only one for me.”

“…Me…”

Rosenia kept her mouth shut for a moment before she asked.

“Do you love me?”

“…”

Llewellyn didn’t answer and just smiled quietly. He seemed neither surprised nor embarrassed. It was as if he had imagined this situation for a long time.

After a while, Llewellyn answered.

“Yes.”

“…”

‘Is that all?’

When Rosenia looked at him with an indescribable mood, Llewellyn added.

“The word love can’t describe how I feel.”

“…”

“It’s as much as you want, if you want it to be love.”

“…”

‘What the hell is he saying…? So it’s not love, but if I want it to be love, he’ll act like it’s love? That, what?’

Feeling a little lost, Rosenia looked at him and blinked. His face was full of confidence even though what he said was vague to her. She felt even more confused and could only frown.

‘Is it okay to like this guy?’

“You don’t like me?”

“What? No, rather than that…”

“Now that I’ve confessed my feelings, if you don’t like me, can I go crazy for you in earnest?”

“…What?”

The fear from such a request was almost instinctive. In fact, so far his infatuation has overwhelmed her, but that wasn’t his full strength…? So how much more is it if he was earnest?

Feeling goosebumps for some reason, Rosenia wavered without realizing it. As she wiggled in his arms, he stroked her shoulder and whispered.

“Actually, I’m still scared. Revealing how crazy I am about you.”

“…”

“Because you might end up hating me.”

The hand that touched her cheek was hot. Feeling him burning up, she shrank momentarily.

“But…I’ve made up my mind.”

“…?”

“There’s nothing I can do even if you hate me.”

“Hold on…”

“I can’t let you go anymore, Rosenia.”

The whisper that permeated her ears gave her goosebumps. There was a chill in his voice. Her body against his was warm, but she shivered like it was the middle of the winter.

“Nothing changes when your brother arrives at this villa.”

“Wait a minute…”

“I’ll steal you from him.”

“What are you saying…’

Before Rosenia could ask him, their lips overlapped. She couldn’t push him away this time. The moment their warm breath mixed and their tongues intertwined, her heart pounded and her mind went blank.

Gasping for breath, Rosenia could only accept this man who was devouring her like his soul depended on it.

And so, once again, time flew by, long enough for the stars to move again as the two melted into each other’s arms.

Early morning, what woke her up from the exhaustion was the familiar that went through the wall and into the room.

“Whimper, whimper…”

“You’re acting strange…”

Mumbling towards the anxious whimpers of the familiar, Rosenia sat up. Rubbing her eyes and looking next to her, Llewellyn was fast asleep.

Rosenia approached the familiar, careful not to wake Llewellyn up. The familiar, who had its tail lowered, looked at her and raised its ears as it made a distressed noise.

Only

Shh.

“You have to be quiet.”

When Rosenia warned it in a small voice, the familiar immediately understood and became calm. However, it still paced back and forth anxiously, then spun around as if it was trying to tell her something.

‘…Already?’

An ominous feeling crawled up her spine. She hastily picked up her clothes and sat in a chair, concentrating her mind. In a split second, she used a magic spell to look at the sky. A large ship could clearly be seen approaching the harbor and docking.

‘Damn it.’

Her magic soon dissipated. She hurried to the bed to wake up Llewellyn. There was no time.

Adrian was back.

“What I’ve told you is the honest truth.”

Said Llewellyn, brushing her hair.

While they were talking, Rosenia could feel his body heating up again. From the hand that touched her, to their bodies being close to one another.

Rosenia tried to absorb his mana by having her body against his. It was necessary to do it little by little to prevent any accident. Nonetheless, she didn’t think it was a good idea to talk about the situation again when her mind was a mess.

Like a cicada, Llewellyn held her tightly in his arms while looking down at her. A satisfied smile emerged from his lips. He seemed to like holding her like this.

“The way you struggle is really cute, Rosenia.”

“…”

“But I don’t think that’s going to work.”

‘Those wicked lips again!’

Glaring at him, Rosenia spoke in a reprimanding tone.

“Let’s get this straight. So, you’ve been in love with me for more than eight years…”

It sounded even more strange when Rosenia said it out loud. She had simply thought of Llewellyn Rasiane as the male lead who will one day give her the death ending. She couldn’t believe he liked her. It was an unfamiliar territory, and one she didn’t expect.

…It was inevitable that Rosenia felt goosebumps thinking about it. The man she fell in love with turned out to be in love with her. As genuine as it seemed, it was impossible for her to feel happy. No matter how hard she thought about it…it felt closer to an obsession.

“…And to meet me, you came all the way here. You…had no intention of using me?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Llewellyn answered without a moment’s hesitation. His emerald eyes that looked straight at her seemed quite honest. Although what was hidden beneath those eyes were still as wicked as ever…

Rosenia couldn’t believe such a genuine look can have a hint of madness. It was truly amazing and terrifying. Even now, the eyes that stare at her contained a heart-shaking determination and desire that made her heart tremble.

‘How long is he going to keep looking at me like this?’

“I met someone in the garden this morning.”

“Yes.”

“It was a boy with pretty blond hair. His hair was tied together, and he had a sword around his waist. And my magic didn’t work against him.”

“…”

“The boy said that I was Adrian’s weakness, so someone was going to capture me. That’s roughly what he said. I mistook that someone as being you. No matter how hard I thought about it, you’re the only one who can take me from this villa.”

Llewellyn slightly opened his eyes and slowly sighed. Then, with a complicated look on his face, he spoke with slight difficulty.

“That boy is Alex.”

“I knew it! He’s one of your retainers, isn’t he?”

“Don’t misunderstand. Alex is one of my retainers, but I didn’t call him here. What he told you isn’t true. Is the lie detection magic still working?”

The question Llewellyn attached at the end made her unknowingly flinched. It was justifiable for her to use the lie detection magic on him, so why was it her who felt so flustered?

Like seeing a ghost, Rosenia was frightened of this man who had seen through her secret magic. More so, not knowing what he was thinking, she couldn’t even begin to guess what his dark thoughts were. Maybe that’s why she felt happy, but time and time again she felt like running away.

Like a herbivore instinctively running away when it sees a beast.

This man was clearly a predator. And Rosenia had a strange premonition that no matter how much she tried to run away, she would end up in his palm.

“…I’ve turned off the lie detection magic now. I have confirmed that you were telling the truth….”

“I see. It’s a very useful magic spell.”

“Anyway, that boy Alex misunderstood your purpose for coming here? Am I understanding this right?”

“Yes, that’s right. Alex misunderstood me. From the beginning, I only had one purpose. I wanted to reach you. I wanted to be in your heart.”

Whispered Llewellyn, lowering his head towards her. Thinking that he was going to kiss her again, she pulled back her upper body. There was a look of bewilderment on his face.

“You’re very tense.”

“I can’t help it. I unconsciously want to run away…”

“Why would you want to run away?”

Rosenia couldn’t bring herself to say that she was a little scared. If she said that, she was afraid that she would cross a river of no return.

“Anyway, the misunderstanding has been cleared. Now that I know your situation, tell me what you’re going to do. Adrian is coming back here soon.”

Llewellyn stared at her as she looked around and avoided his gaze. It was too much pressure, so her heart shrank and she stared into the air. Staring into his eyes made her skin hot. She couldn’t believe looking into someone’s eye could do that. It was her first time experiencing it.

“Rosenia, there’s something I’d like to ask before we discuss the matter with your brother.”

“…What is it?”

Asked Rosenia politely, peeping up at Llewellyn. He suddenly smiled when their eyes met. What was worse, he pulled her closer and kissed her here and there on her face!

Rosenia was simply stuck stiff and in a daze at his unpredictable behavior.

‘Why does he always kiss me like this out of the blue?’

“Rose, why did you cry earlier?”

“Ah…”

‘Is that what he wanted to ask me?’

Unable to answer immediately, Rosenia slipped away from his gaze. Then, he gently held up her chin and faced her.

Rosenia tried to roll her eyes so as to not look straight at him, but in a surprise move, he bit her lips.

“Ack!”

“Are you not going to answer?”

“Oh…”

Rosenia was about to say ‘oh my god,’ but kept silent. It wasn’t enough to hurt, but her lips were tingling from the bite. Judging by the many nights and the time she spent with him, she thought he had a slightly sadistic deposition…

“Do I have to answer that? Why I cried.”

“Then, should we continue kissing?”

“What?”

Llewellyn closed his lips and grinned. His green eyes glistened with mischief. Thinking that he might really kiss her again, she shoved his face away and spoke.

“I’ll tell you. Why I cried.”

“Okay.”

“The reason why I cried, I mean, um…”

…Amazingly, this time, it was her turn to confess.

‘Is this what they call you reap what you sow?’

With a slight regret, Rosenia quietly began talking.

“I thought you were trying to take advantage of me…I was sad.”

“You were sad because you thought I was taking advantage of you?”

“Isn’t that obvious?”

“Why is it obvious?”

When Rosenia got emotional again at his reply, he gently soothed her in an unrequited manner. Although the age difference between the two of them wasn’t much, he was still older than her. Or perhaps it was because he is the Duke.

“I was confused because you kept being sweet to me.”

“You were?”

“…I was angry and disappointed at the thought that you were being sweet to me for other reasons…”

“Hmm…”

With a yearning tone, Llewellyn brushed her hair with his hand. He seemed to like touching her hair. No, when she thought about it, it seemed like he just liked touching her. Even when she was tired and wanted to fall asleep, she knew his hands would not stop touching her.

“I can’t help but be sweet to you all the time, Rosenia.”

“…”

“You’re the only one for me.”

“…Me…”

Rosenia kept her mouth shut for a moment before she asked.

“Do you love me?”

“…”

Llewellyn didn’t answer and just smiled quietly. He seemed neither surprised nor embarrassed. It was as if he had imagined this situation for a long time.

After a while, Llewellyn answered.

“Yes.”

“…”

‘Is that all?’

When Rosenia looked at him with an indescribable mood, Llewellyn added.

“The word love can’t describe how I feel.”

“…”

“It’s as much as you want, if you want it to be love.”

“…”

‘What the hell is he saying…? So it’s not love, but if I want it to be love, he’ll act like it’s love? That, what?’

Feeling a little lost, Rosenia looked at him and blinked. His face was full of confidence even though what he said was vague to her. She felt even more confused and could only frown.

‘Is it okay to like this guy?’

“You don’t like me?”

“What? No, rather than that…”

“Now that I’ve confessed my feelings, if you don’t like me, can I go crazy for you in earnest?”

“…What?”

The fear from such a request was almost instinctive. In fact, so far his infatuation has overwhelmed her, but that wasn’t his full strength…? So how much more is it if he was earnest?

Feeling goosebumps for some reason, Rosenia wavered without realizing it. As she wiggled in his arms, he stroked her shoulder and whispered.

“Actually, I’m still scared. Revealing how crazy I am about you.”

“…”

“Because you might end up hating me.”

The hand that touched her cheek was hot. Feeling him burning up, she shrank momentarily.

“But…I’ve made up my mind.”

“…?”

“There’s nothing I can do even if you hate me.”

“Hold on…”

“I can’t let you go anymore, Rosenia.”

The whisper that permeated her ears gave her goosebumps. There was a chill in his voice. Her body against his was warm, but she shivered like it was the middle of the winter.

“Nothing changes when your brother arrives at this villa.”

“Wait a minute…”

“I’ll steal you from him.”

“What are you saying…’

Before Rosenia could ask him, their lips overlapped. She couldn’t push him away this time. The moment their warm breath mixed and their tongues intertwined, her heart pounded and her mind went blank.

Gasping for breath, Rosenia could only accept this man who was devouring her like his soul depended on it.

And so, once again, time flew by, long enough for the stars to move again as the two melted into each other’s arms.

Early morning, what woke her up from the exhaustion was the familiar that went through the wall and into the room.

“Whimper, whimper…”

“You’re acting strange…”

Mumbling towards the anxious whimpers of the familiar, Rosenia sat up. Rubbing her eyes and looking next to her, Llewellyn was fast asleep.

Rosenia approached the familiar, careful not to wake Llewellyn up. The familiar, who had its tail lowered, looked at her and raised its ears as it made a distressed noise.

Only

Shh.

“You have to be quiet.”

When Rosenia warned it in a small voice, the familiar immediately understood and became calm. However, it still paced back and forth anxiously, then spun around as if it was trying to tell her something.

‘…Already?’

An ominous feeling crawled up her spine. She hastily picked up her clothes and sat in a chair, concentrating her mind. In a split second, she used a magic spell to look at the sky. A large ship could clearly be seen approaching the harbor and docking.

‘Damn it.’

Her magic soon dissipated. She hurried to the bed to wake up Llewellyn. There was no time.

Adrian was back.