Roo was willingly prepared to be caught in all kinds of restraints. Being tied at the wrists and ankles, even if chains were placed around her neck, it was natural. She intended to do that.

“If you said you would be with me, why do you think about leaving me? Did you accept my proposal just to leave me? We agreed to be together for a lifetime, so you should listen to me!”

However, Hayden grabbed her, shouting irrational words. It was not at all like an Emperor. He tilted his head horizontally, seeing Roo’s mouth open.

“No. It doesn’t matter. Roo, I really don’t mind. You didn’t bring me here to be a strength for me, you know. Why…!”

Before she could speak, Hayden’s eyes, which had turned red, cut her off.

“Is it because I can’t be next to you, who is not the genius knight Rustica Genesis? Can’t I wait a little longer? Can’t I…!”

She lost her words this time.

“Can’t you wait a little longer for me, even if I’m not hurt and won’t get hurt? Roo, please don’t leave me. You said you love me.”

“I…!”

“I’m not hurt. I won’t get hurt, and it doesn’t matter. Trust me, as I asked you to.”

Yes, Hayden had told her to trust him every time he talked about the curse. And Roo, who had faithfully answered those words, lowered her gaze without even realizing it.

But Hayden even blocked that. Roo had no choice but to look at him again, thanks to his hand, which still had control over her body.

Without intending to wipe her face with his large hand, he swept her wet cheek.

“It’s hard to believe, I’ll try harder. Or I’ll show you. Can’t you wait for that too?”
Roo, attempting to say something, shook her head vigorously in Hayden’s hands, not knowing what to say or how to say it. She was afraid that any words she spoke might hurt him.

“If you don’t want to believe me, believe your own eyes. You already know to what extent I am capable.”

Isn’t Hayden’s pure strength, as evaluated objectively by the knight Rustica Genesis, trustworthy? Despite his pitch-black interior, he held her with red eyes shedding tears. He held her with his hands, his gaze, and his words.

“I’m sorry it’s taking so long.”

Roo shook her head more vigorously at those words. She didn’t want to hear such an apology from Hayden. However, she ended up making him say it.

Roo couldn’t stand herself feeling frustrated, irritated, and disgusted. What should she do and how should she do it to ensure he wouldn’t be hurt and would be safe here? She had no idea.

Anger surged at the fact that she couldn’t know. Helplessness makes one’s head spin. How long would she keep both hands down like this and only live as a burden to Hayden?

“You can’t finish everything at once, Roo. You came this far by putting in a lot of effort, and you’re much better than when you were in momentum. It’s okay.”

Even without saying anything, Hayden, who could see what she was thinking just by looking at her eyes, comforted her tightly. Roo covered her face with trembling hands.

“I don’t know what you might do to me. That’s what scares me the most.”

“Of course. I’m looking forward to it.”

“I’m not joking. Empress Caletta is targeting your life.”

And the weapon that bastard wields will, unfortunately, be Roo. She knew this fact better than anyone.

Hayden cuddled her. As if to say he would never let her go, he still didn’t release her from his embrace.

“That guy normally ties his hair like that. But if Roo tries to hurt me, well…”

Hayden looked down at his smooth body. Roo followed his gaze.

“Roo should try harder.”

“That’s not the problem. No, Hayden, don’t.”

As she shook her head in agony, Hayden’s veins bulged on his biceps as she immediately crossed her arms.

“Where is the Empress attacking the Emperor? Do you want to embarrass yourself and become a burden? I don’t want to.”

“Was I a burden to you in front of the barrier? Was I annoying and wanted to be thrown away? Was it troublesome?”

Hayden asked very quietly and softly.

“Do you know? At that time, you had the ability to bear with me alone. Roo. Now I’m the one who has that ability, you know. Right?”

Roo hesitantly nodded her head.

“If you want to embarrass yourself, you can, and if you want to be a burden, you can do that too. It’s okay. The Emperor’s dignity is something I, as the Emperor, will take care of. Do you understand what I mean?”

Before she could answer, he kissed her forehead.

“I love you.”

Although it was very painful and agonizing, he kept kissing her as if he couldn’t stop. His lips were hot and trembling.

“So please don’t tell me to let you go. I’d rather die.”
“Just, just let me live, Roo. Even now, you’re enough. You came with me this far. Don’t forget that. Don’t abandon me here. We’re almost there.”

The one to be cursed was Roo. She thought so. She tried to attack him twice, and one of them was an actual attack. That was a sin.

Roo had no face to beg. Once she was isolated, she thought it would be fortunate to convey her apologies. However, instead, when he was begging, apologies erupted spasmodically.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I hurt you… I’m truly sorry…!”

Amidst intense sobbing and crying, Hayden comforted her, shaking his head.

“I didn’t feel any pain. I know it wasn’t on purpose. Even if you intentionally hurt me, Roo, it’s okay because you can hurt me as much as you want. I, Roo.”

Wiping Roo’s face, drenched in tears, Hayden muttered quietly.

“If you’re happy, I can even break my leg. I just don’t do it because you don’t like it.”

“You seem a bit crazy.”

Roo said that but continued to cry like a child, letting out sobs. It was just like when Bella fell off the fence and cried like this.

“Well, now that I know that, it’s a shame. But what can we do? Just look at my handsome and fit body. Stop crying now. You’ve just woken up, and crying like this will only hurt your body.”

She tried hard to stop, but it didn’t work. Hayden sighed and comforted her.

“It’s darkest before dawn, Roo. By the way, you taught me that. We’re almost there. Since that guy is making his final move, don’t break here and endure it like Rustica Genesis. If it doesn’t work, tell me.”

Because I can endure it instead. Hayden whispered quietly.

“Whatever happens, I’ll handle it. Don’t think about doing it yourself. Got it?”

“I, I’ll do what I can…”

“A patient under a curse, what, ah, forget it. If you do that again, you might lose even my sympathy. Am I not sympathetic enough?”

Muttering complaints, he looked into Roo’s face. Then he smiled.

“Stop crying. Look at me. Nothing you’re worried about happened.”

“But still, wouldn’t it be better to postpone the engagement announcement a bit?”

Roo tried to say what a normal servant should say. However, Hayden strangely smiled.

“I don’t want to.”

“Just a little, just a little, let’s postpone it, okay?”

“I knew you would say that. It’s already announced. I can’t take it back.”

Roo’s face twisted. What kind of nonsense was that?

“I collapsed the day before yesterday, and I was unconscious all day yesterday. Today is the last day of the hunting competition, Roo. The day of the engagement announcement.”

The news that the Emperor had already engaged with Countess Plachet spread across the front gate of the Shalea Palace.

“I said I would take responsibility, right?”

Roo shouted at Hayden, who was shamelessly laughing. But Hayden sighed.

“Yes. I love you too. Now, drink some water.”