Ricardo, with his collar grasped in my hand, slowly tilted his head in confusion. The fear in me intensified to the point of stiffening my neck, but I gripped my trembling hand more firmly.
“I can demand this much from you.”
His black pupils didn’t attempt to hide their sharp, distinct yellow hue. His gaze subtly urged me on.
“So, Rica. Say it now. Promise to save my family.”
His eyelashes, bathed in moonlight, cast long shadows over his face. If he decided to dismiss me with his cool, downward gaze, that would be the end. I wouldn’t be able to defy him any further. That was the reality.
Between Rochester and Fennel.
“Lienne.”
Suddenly, my name was called unexpectedly. A longing that seemed unbelievable in this situation overwhelmed me. My heart heated up as if it had been scorched by fire. My eyes grew hot.
“…Yes?”
“Don’t call me that way.”
Ah… Isn’t this unfair? Speaking to me just like in our childhood, as if the memory still lingered.
And at such a perilous distance.
He enveloped the hand that was clutching his robe like a lifeline with his own. My hand disappeared into his large one, white and hidden.
A warm sensation made my eyes involuntarily close.
Ricardo slowly detached my hand from him. As the faint smell of alcohol from him drifted away, my clear mind gradually returned.
His eyes shone intensely, making me feel as if I was being choked.
“I’m sorry, Your Highness.”
“…….”
“But I am desperate right now. So please forgive my impudence and save my and my family’s lives.”
“It’s the first time I’ve learned that someone who wants to live can dare to act like this in front of me.”
His voice was calm, like a still lake, but the words were cold enough to freeze that lake in an instant.
“Yes, I have clearly understood that your words are the evident truth. So, I must compensate for the value of my life, in one way or another.”
I suddenly raised my bowed head.
“Is that true?”
“Not today… I’m too tired right now.”
“But I’m in a hurry.”
“Well, I’m not.”
Fury surged, but I clenched my teeth and forced a smile. If I pushed him further, he might even retract his willingness to reconsider.
“Alright, it’s quite late anyway.”
“Yes, I’ll think about it in the morning. About how I will compensate.”
I took a deep breath, exhaling it in short bursts. Just his words of consideration made it seem like I could breathe again.
“Understood. I’ll come to see you early in the morning.”
“Again so abruptly?”
“No, this time I’ll follow the proper procedure.”
“Good, then leave.”
He really seemed tired, pressing his eyelids with his fingers. I hurriedly stood up and quickly walked towards the door I had entered.
Though my heart was racing, I couldn’t urge him any further.
Trying to console myself with various positive thoughts, I reached for the doorknob. That’s when Ricardo’s voice urgently called out from behind me.
“No, not that way!”
‘What?’
As I turned around, the door opened, and I saw Ricardo hurriedly walking, no, practically running towards me. When I turned my gaze back to the newly opened door, he had already closed it with a loud bang behind me.
But it was too late; I had already seen what was inside.
Realizing that I had again mistakenly opened the wrong door due to my terrible sense of direction, I simultaneously remembered what I had just seen.
Turning my head quickly to look at Ricardo, I read an emotion in him for the first time since our reunion.
Dismay. He was clearly flustered.
“Open this door.”
As I tilted my head and stared intently at him, Ricardo covered my eyes completely with his delicate and long fingers.
I pulled the doorknob I was holding tightly, but the door did not open due to Ricardo’s strength.
“Open it now. I’ve already seen what’s inside.”
“Heh.”
He sighed deeply, lowered his hand, and met my eyes.
“It’s nothing.”
“That’s why I want to check.”
After a standoff with me, Ricardo backed away instead of engaging in a physical struggle with a woman who was hardly a match for him in strength. Then, he turned his back.
I hesitated for a moment but then opened the door wide.
And I had to face the numerous versions of myself inside.
At that time, in the Duke and Duchess’ bedroom.
The Duchess, unable to sleep, finally got up from the bed, and the Duke, who had been reading, followed her with his eyes.
Pola de Serhen.
She was still as beautiful as when he first met her, even as time passed. The Duke removed the glasses he used for reading and gazed intently at his wife.
As the only daughter of the Count Serhen family, she was called the finest lady in the Dermaier social circles twenty years ago. And to this day, no one has been able to dethrone her.
“You shouldn’t drink that before bed.”
When his wife, unable to sleep, finally picked up a glass of liquor, the Duke gently dissuaded her and then pulled the bell cord to call a servant. After ordering the servant to bring warm tea, he sat down in front of his wife.
“Can’t you sleep?”
Pola nodded and then suddenly glanced at her husband.
Turns Out He’s Been Secretly in Love with Me
One-line summary: He acts like he doesn’t like her but is actually playing hard to get.
Synopsis:
Xu Muzhou like her. He has liked her for a very long time, and through repeated schemes, he finally closed the distance with her.
But this is still far from enough.
He wants to be the one who stands out among her many suitors, to fight for her attention, and to make her take the initiative to pursue him.
_____
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