Her face, illuminated by candlelight, was excessively beautiful, and his black eyes sparkled as if they were treasures that didn’t exist in this world.
“I came close because you didn’t look back even after being called several times. Are you surprised?”
“…Your Majesty.”
A flustered Mercedes barely managed to exhale. Only then did she notice the dizzying musk fragrance.
Somehow, it seemed to have a hint of blood scent.
“Your hands are covered in ink stains. It seems you’ve been like this for quite some time… How about giving the quill pen a rest?”
He suggested gently.
Mercedes unknowingly put down the quill pen at the hot sensation that touched the back of her hand.
It wasn’t that she put it down thinking rationally that it was natural to do so at the Emperor’s request.
The heat that touched her and the seductive voice that seemed to soothe her made her hand lose strength.
‘Strange person.’
She thought that way again.
It was like this during dinner five days ago, and it was the same now.
When she came into contact with this person’s heat, it gave her a strange feeling. His kind voice was unfamiliarly chilling. She couldn’t tell if she disliked it or liked it.
Carlos, after confirming that she had put down the pen, finally stepped back with a slight smile.
Then his face was buried in darkness, just a little.
Standing tall like a huge mountain, he was dressed in a shirt and trousers but didn’t look simple at all.
He was a man who seemed to have been born with the demeanor of a ruler, giving off a more noble impression than anything else in the world.
“You’ve… come.”
“It took a bit longer. I’m sorry for making you eat alone.”
“I heard it would take ten days.”
Only five days had passed yet. No, since she couldn’t tell the time now… Had six days passed?
“Ten days? It seems the palace people have underestimated me. I couldn’t leave you alone for such a long time. It wasn’t a difficult matter to handle.”
He spoke to her kindly.
“So, Mercedes, won’t you have a meal or go to bed? Your maids are quite anxious.”
Mercedes finally came to her senses. Thinking of the worried maids, she felt sorry.
“Those girls did their best for me, so please don’t punish them.”
“…That’s your first concern. Alright. I won’t punish them. I had no intention to do so anyway.”
That was a relief. Mercedes, letting out a sigh of relief, asked a few questions that came to mind again.
“By the way… What time is it?”
“Surprisingly, it’s just before sunrise.”
“I see.”
She wasn’t surprised.
Time flies when you’re deep in thought.
With so many things piercing her heart, it took more time than others to remove them one by one.
Of course it’s morning.
“Did Your Majesty sleep before coming here? You look tired.”
“Actually, I arrived at dawn, washed up, and came straight here after receiving reports from your maids.”
“I’m sorry. You must be tired because of me…”
“Being tired is nothing. You are the most important.”
Carlos extended his hand to her.
“I’d like to see you fall asleep before I go.”
“No, Your Majesty. How could I-”
“I hear you have a hobby of harming your body, so I can’t help but worry.”
Carlos said, pretending to be cheerful.
Mercedes slowly rose from her desk.
“…I apologize, Your Majesty.”
“It seems you forgot quickly since I left right after asking you not to apologize. This is my fault, so let me ask again.”
At his words, Mercedes let out an “Ah” sound.
“Habits… might take a little time. I’ll try.”
“Yes. Mercedes. Hmm. I understand you’re still drawing a line between the people here and me, but.”
Carlos bent his waist as if to match her eye level.
“I hope you’ll take care of your health. Anyone would collapse soon if they stay like this with the door locked.”
“Yes… Ah. The door.”
Come to think of it, how did this person come in?
“I locked it and even propped a chair against it, how-”
Mercedes looked at the door where she had even placed a chair.
One side of the door had been torn off.
The chair was lying on the floor.
How focused must she have been to not notice this commotion? She was amazed at herself and at Carlos who had reduced the door to that state.
Seeing Mercedes with her eyes wide open, Carlos looked embarrassed.
“Well… I just applied a little force when it wouldn’t open even after unlocking it… Hmm. The door seems too weak. I’ll have it replaced with a sturdier one. Sleep warmly in another room today. It’s been prepared.”
Mercedes, looking at Carlos with a face like a scolded child, unknowingly smiled. Because she thought he was a strange yet interesting person.
“Ah.”
The moment the smile escaped, Mercedes was startled and covered her mouth. It seemed like the most surprised moment in her life.
Smiling?
She had never smiled before.
Except for when she was very young and lived with her mother, other than the painted-like smiles she put on when she was displayed like a doll in front of people…
She was dumbfounded by the fact that she had smiled. It was absurd that she was led to smile by the actions and words of this man in front of her when she should be whipping herself.
“That’s the first time you’ve smiled for me.”
Carlos, watching her, deliberately gave her a compliment.
“You look good when you smile. Beautiful, Mercedes.”
Carlos whispered seductively like a devil.
Mercedes was enveloped in a strange feeling at the low voice touching her ear.
“…That can’t be.”
However, the negative emotions dominating her heart were even more persistent, and soon restored her expressionless face.
Carlos’s eyes noticed her sinking.
That wasn’t a reaction to a compliment. There wasn’t no reaction at all, but it seemed like she kept cutting off her own emotions.
‘Difficult.’
Carlos observed her closely as usual.
“Is that so? To me, it was a smile more precious than anything else… I wish you would smile for me often.”
As he said this, he tucked Mercedes’s soft hair behind her ear. With a perfect smile.
“…”
Mercedes lowered her gaze without answering.
‘As expected…’
It seemed she wouldn’t open her heart easily.
As Carlos, the owner of such great beauty that made women’s hearts flutter with just one step, it was both interesting and troublesome.
“Somehow you seem to dislike smiling. Is my guess correct?”
“I don’t… have the right or leisure to smile.”
“I’m not particularly adept at happiness either, but I’ve heard that smiling is proof of being happy. Mercedes.”
“Yes. That’s the problem.”
Mercedes clenched her fist.
“I mustn’t become complacent by being happy.”
“…”
Mercedes’ eyes flashed for a moment. Carlos knew that look. A look he had seen through a mirror before.
Instead, it felt as if Carlos’ heart was stirring.
‘To think that I would waver.’
It was ridiculous. He was supposed to shake her, but instead he was shaken?
He sighed softly, shaking off the thoughts that came to mind.
“Revenge and happiness cannot coexist, is that it?”
“You know well.”
“But you know, Mercedes.”
“Yes.”
“While the Count is living so well and healthily, isn’t it unfair for you to whip yourself like this?”
“Pardon?”
Mercedes opened her eyes wide at Carlos’ words.
“You could live comfortably enough and plan your revenge at leisure too. Pouring your heart out too much isn’t good for your health either. Hmm…”
He smiled, furrowing his brows as if he couldn’t help it.
“I’m, a little jealous. That you don’t look at me.”
Mercedes suddenly raised her head. Her eyes wavered a little.
“I can say it over and over again. I’ve fallen for you, Mercedes.”
Carlos was an excellent observer and a perfect politician who knew how to grip and shake others’ emotions.
Therefore, he easily read the emotions contained in her wavering eyes. Despite her expressionless face, it was an easy task for him.
The emotions were confusion, embarrassment, and disbelief.
One might think she would consider him a benefactor for saving her at the trial and giving her the goal of revenge while offering to help…
She doesn’t trust him at all.
Well, well.
Isn’t that similar to Carlos? He held back the laughter that was about to escape.
“I also said I’d help. The reason I left an informant in Shaim was solely because of you.”
Still, he had to keep reminding her of his affection for her so that she would remember Carlos’ usefulness.
If necessary, he could emphasize it hundreds of times and confess again.
“And it’s not for nothing that I’m telling you to take care of your health. Live as lavishly as Count Cromwell. That’s the only way you’ll be able to understand the Count’s mind a little. You and the Count are completely different people. They say you need to know your enemy to devise a strategy easily, don’t they?”
Carlos glanced at her desk and advised.
It seemed most effective to prioritize revenge for now.
“Ah…”
As she hadn’t thought about it that way, Mercedes nodded.
“That could be true.”
“Try to understand the greed of those who are comfortable in body and lax in mind. How selfish they can be. Don’t miss out on the desires that come to you as you go about your daily life, grasp them.”
“Yes. Thank you.”
“So, how about it? Do you think you can sleep now? May I ask you to go to the bedroom?”
“Would it be alright if I just finish this?”
“Sigh. You’re quite stubborn too. What were you writing?”
“A poor excuse for a secret letter.”
“A secret letter?”
“In Shaim… I roughly know the opposition structure among the nobles. If we spread how the current king is moving to those who stand against Cromwell. I thought it might cause confusion.”
Carlos looked at her and nodded.
“It’s the most convenient distraction strategy. You thought well. That country is really steeped in small peace.”
“It’s thanks to the news Lord Leopold delivered.”
“Using the information was your own strategy. You can be proud of it.”
He stroked her wheat-colored hair with his large hand. Although it had become softer with brushing, due to her recent poor nutritional state, it felt a bit rough.
As he stroked her hair for a while like that, somehow Mercedes seemed to be a little pleased.
Just a tiny, tiny bit.
Top Celebrity Younger Brother Bears Her Child (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: Forced to live stream romance with a top celebrity in a female-dominant world.
Yan Jin transmigrated into a brothel, with a fellow transmigrated junior beside her.
Hearing the obscene words coming from outside, the unfortunate junior covered his ears tightly, his cheeks flushed red, and whispered to comfort her, “Don’t worry, I will definitely help you escape.”
“Don’t worry, I will definitely defend your chastity.” Yan Jin looked at the flawless and delicate features of the unfortunate junior and gently comforted, “Because we have transmigrated into a female-dominant world.”
※※※
Top celebrity Yu Shu suddenly fell into a coma during a concert.
Research scientist Yan Jin fainted in the lab after working overtime.
Two people with no connection were rushed to the same hospital.
Three days later, neither of them had woken up.
Suddenly, the entire nation discovered that a live streaming app had been forcibly installed on their phones.
Upon opening it, they heard the two discussing how to escape from the brothel.
The entire internet was in an uproar.
After the two successfully escaped from the brothel, Yu Shu’s fan group rushed to make a banner and sent it to the hospital overnight.
“Big sister bravely took action to defend the chastity of our idol!”
※※※
When Yu Shu was diagnosed with pregnancy, Yan Jin stared at his belly for a long time.
Covering his stomach, he muttered gloomily, “If you don’t like it, I’ll go get an abortion.”
“It’s not that I don’t like it.” Yan Jin hugged Yu Shu and said softly, “I just feel like I’m not human.”
Yu Shu comforted Yan Jin, “I was already an adult when we got together.”
Yan Jin hesitated, “But you won’t be of legal marriageable age even after giving birth to the child.”
At the same time, a flood of bullet comments appeared in the live streaming room that the two couldn’t see.
[Although it’s inappropriate, I also want a young and handsome boyfriend to have my child.]
①Male pregnancy (highlighted)
The female lead is five years older than the male lead, and the male lead is already an adult when he appears.
