Chapter 112: [Chapter 112] You can have me
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"Vincenzo, what are you saying? The real master?"
Neil was completely taken aback by Vincenzo's tears, a rare sight from a man who was usually so level-headed.
"Vincenzo Winston!"
Vincenzo Winston. He was the childhood friend of the deceased Bardenaldo and the grandson of Canuela Winston, the Countess who had inherited her title. In other words, he was a cousin to the Crown Prince brothers.
It was only natural for him to become a servant of Crown Prince Bardenaldo, following the will of Countess Winston, who wanted to protect her grandsons after the death of Queen Retinia.
"You've served His Highness the Second Prince longer and more closely than anyone else. I believe you were more loyal to His Highness than any other aide. The real master? Are you saying you were a spy for Crown Prince Bardenaldo?"
Neil bombarded Vincenzo with questions, completely dumbfounded.
Vincenzo could not answer.
He was a spy. A spy sent by the Crown Prince to watch Roardnes.
'Vincenzo, my old friend. You must have heard the legend that red eyes will lead the country to ruin. Go and make sure my brother always walks the right path.'
At that time, Vincenzo had looked into Bardenaldo's eyes, which so casually referred to that gruesome tale as a 'legend'.
The treasure of the flawless Queen Retinia. The saint of Ronta. The hope of the Winston family.
Having lost her children one after another, Canuela Winston, who was left with only the sons of Queen Retinia and herself, loved her grandsons dearly. She especially loved her grandsons whom she couldn't be with, as they had lost their mother at a young age. Crown Prince Bardenaldo, who was praised as a saint and made huge donations to the Great Temple every year, was Canuela's favorite grandson, as she was a devout believer.
While serving the Crown Prince, Vincenzo had always felt a sense of unease, but he couldn't bring himself to tell anyone about it. It would be like spitting on his own face to tell outsiders, and he was worried that if he told Countess Winston, she would faint from the shock, as she was quite frail.
"Answer me. Are you going to turn your back on His Highness like this? Vincenzo, are you going to leave His Highness like this?"
For the first time, the foggy illusion of Bardenaldo became crystal clear.
While investigating the underground of the Crown Prince's palace at Roardnes' order, he realized that Bardenaldo was far more twisted than he had imagined as a child.
"It didn't start well, but my master is no longer His Highness the Crown Prince."
It wasn't just because of Roardnes' declaration of separation today.
Although he had become an aide to Roardnes at the Crown Prince's behest, he had witnessed firsthand how much Roardnes had sacrificed for Bardenaldo and this country, both before Roardnes became an adult and until now.
Even Neil, who always grumbled, would admit, "His Highness the Second Prince has suffered a lot," when he thought about Roardnes' time on the battlefield.
For the image of Crown Prince Bardenaldo, who always solved problems, Roardnes had deliberately lived as his opposite, someone who caused problems.
But in reality, it was Roardnes who had always solved problems and protected this country.
"My master is His Highness the Second Prince. Even if His Highness the Crown Prince were alive, that wouldn't change."
"Explain, explain a bit. Vincenzo."
"I'll explain it properly to His Highness and accept my punishment. So don't worry."
Once he voiced his thoughts, his resolve hardened.
He had already decided a long time ago that Roardnes was his master.
It was time to reveal the story about the deceased Bardenaldo, as well as the secret he had buried in his heart.
With those thoughts in mind, Vincenzo turned his back on Neil, who was demanding an explanation, and ran.
****
Epéro and Victor went to the Empress's palace, while I headed to Roardnes' study.
There were many things to take care of after the funeral, and with the sudden death of the Crown Prince, Roardnes had been burdened with a lot of work. Even if he didn't want to, he would have to come to the study after the funeral.
I buried myself in the sofa and closed my eyes for a long time.
Just thinking about the time I had kissed him last night made my spine tingle.
It wasn't my first time kissing a man.
But it felt like everything was happening for the first time.
Click, click, click.
As I gently touched my slightly swollen lips, I heard footsteps approaching.
I had a hunch it wasn't Roardnes, so I hid behind the large cabinet in the back of the sofa.
There was no reason to hide, really.
Bang!
Through the cabinet's vent, I saw a very familiar face.
"She's not here."
It was Doris.
****
The woman who had just been shedding tears in front of Roardnes was nowhere to be seen.
I frowned at the strong scent that seeped through the vent hole.
Doris took off the cloak she was wearing and revealed a pure white dress, almost like a bride's wedding dress.
Bang.
The door to the study opened again.
At the door stood the room's owner, Roardnes.
Roardnes raised one eyebrow in surprise at the unexpected visitor.
I had been so surprised that my mouth had been hanging open, but he didn't seem as surprised to see Doris.
Thud.
Roardnes closed the door without saying a word and stood in front of Doris.
Doris's lips, painted a deep red, curved into a smile.
"Roan."
"If you have something to say, say it."
It was as if he had expected it. Yet, Doris seemed pleased that he didn't immediately order her to leave.
She slowly reached out and began to undo the buttons of Roardnes' dark uniform. Despite it being a mourning outfit worn for her husband's funeral, her touch was bold.
What was even more astonishing was that Roardnes simply looked down at her hands, offering no resistance or rebuke.
It was already audacious enough for her to be waiting in her brother-in-law's study, dressed like a new bride, at her husband's funeral. But Doris's touch was quite blatant.
"Roan, you're the only one who can comfort me."
Roardnes' chin slowly lifted.
His eyes, which never blinked, seemed to invite her as he watched her actions.
Thud, thud, thud.
"I'll forgive you for the other day. So..."
As her hands worked faster, countless buttons were undone. Beneath the dark uniform, a crisp white shirt, starched to perfection, was revealed.
"Be my man."
Her lingering touch moved to the shirt, towards the gold buttons embroidered with the imperial crest.
"I'll make you emperor, Roan."
It was then that I realized I was trembling.
Roardnes' sunken eyes and strangely sensual gaze seemed to squeeze my heart.
Just a few hours ago, the lips that had searched for mine in the rain were now slowly curving into a gentle line. Doris's face was filled with joy, while mine was as pale as a corpse.
Doris's touch became bolder.
She unconsciously let out a muffled moan of admiration as she glanced at the part of Roardnes' body that was briefly revealed through his shirt, and her mischievous hand moved towards the tightly fastened belt buckle.
That was when-
Knock, knock, knock!
A hasty and forceful hand pounded on the study door.
Doris's face contorted in frustration.
Knock, knock, knock!!
"Your Highness! This is Vincenzo Winston!"
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"Go away."
Doris hissed through gritted teeth, giving an order. But Roardnes seemed to ignore her, and he let out a wry smile. Doris's gaze followed the corner of his lips, as if mesmerized.
"Your Highness!"
"Go away!"
Roardnes finally moved his body, which had seemed as if it would never move. He straightened his posture and slowly fastened the buttons that Doris had undone.
"Roan!"
"That's no fun at all. I suggest you be the one to leave."
Doris widened her eyes in disbelief and shook her head.
"You need to choose your side carefully now, Roan. Do you think you can remain in this palace, in Ronta, if my father arranges a match between Epéro and me?"
Roardnes simply turned his back and walked towards the door. Doris was seen biting her lower lip until it bled as she pulled her discarded cloak over her head.
"Remember, the only way you can become emperor without bloodshed is by being by my side!"
Without waiting for a reply, Roardnes opened the door, and Doris quickly left the study. In her haste, she roughly bumped into Roardnes, but he remained unmoved.
Vincenzo was the one who had knocked on the door.
Vincenzo's voice and Roardnes's voice overlapped. I finally took a deep breath and carefully opened the cabinet door.
I felt completely drained.
And because I knew better than anyone that Doris's proposal was an incredible opportunity for Roardnes, I felt my heart burning.
I couldn't imagine how Roardnes must feel, having received such a tempting offer.
Thud.
The study door closed after Roardnes's final words, and I felt an inexplicable sense of unease. I ran over and wrapped my arms around Roardnes's waist from behind.
Roardnes froze, the door still closed.
"...Roan."
I tried to steady my trembling voice. What had he been thinking during Bardenaldo's funeral?
Doris's confident assurance that she could make him emperor both intrigued and frightened me.
He seemed a little surprised that I was hiding, but turned around with a completely different expression, a languid one, and easily lifted me into his arms.
He soon sat me down on the sofa and knelt in front of me, taking my hand.
"This isn't so bad."
He raised an eyebrow and looked down at our joined hands, a small smile playing on his lips.
Even that expression made him seem distant, as if he had grown up suddenly.
"Doris..."
"I won't make you feel uneasy, Adriene."
As always, Roardnes seemed to know exactly what I was thinking, answering before I could finish.
He knelt on one knee and placed my foot on his lap. I must have kicked off my shoes when I climbed out of the cabinet, because I was barefoot.
"I'm not sure I believe you," I said, refusing to look away from his gaze. Our eyes locked once more.
"Do you not trust me?"
I clamped my lips shut and shook my head silently.
"It's just that... I'm just feeling insecure... because of Doris..."
"You're jealous?"
It wasn't simply jealousy.
I was as exhausted as he was, and I wondered if he might be seeking an easy way out. Did I have the right to be upset about that? These foolish thoughts filled my mind, causing my anxiety.
My heart was still raw from the fresh betrayal and the old wounds that had yet to heal.
But perhaps Roardnes felt differently.
"I have no intention of making you feel insecure, but if you're that anxious, there is one way to solve it."
"...What is it?"
I simply asked what that way was, but Roardnes' expression turned slightly stern.
"The easiest way is for you to have me."
"!"
Startled by his firm and heavy tone, I quickly pulled my bare foot back from his knee.
"Right now, if you want."
But he gently twisted my ankle.
"Here, now, it's fine."
The hot temperature of his hand gripping my ankle seeped into my skin.
Like a small animal caught in a trap, I trembled and suddenly found myself facing the intensely violent desire he was directing at me.
"Take me, Adriene."
Roardnes tilted his head slightly, just as he had done near my face that early morning.
His clean platinum hair fell in strands over his handsome forehead. It was a picture-perfect scene.
As if hypnotized, I could only watch as his lips touched my cold foot.
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