“So, you’re asking me to pardon your treason entirely just because you’re begging for it?”

“…….”

At Vicente’s mocking words, Delilah bit down hard on her lip. After hesitating for a long moment, her knees slowly bent toward the floor. Watching her every move, Vicente tilted his head slightly.

He looked down, puzzled, as Delilah sank between his legs, and then suddenly burst into laughter.

The damp air spread through the room. In that dim, oppressive space, moonlight brushed over the woman’s bowed shoulders, gliding down strands of disheveled hair. Even as it fell into her face, she didn’t have the strength to brush it back.

Was it the overwhelming emotion of their reunion? 

The fear of death?

Or both?

Delilah couldn’t define the storm inside her. She could only keep sinking lower, avoiding the gaze of the man who looked down on her endlessly.

“Do you really think your begging is worth anything?”

His sneering words sent a tremor through her body, starting from her fingertips. Yes, perhaps it was fear. There was no way she could still feel any thrill toward a man who had changed this much.

Delilah bit her lip again at Vicente’s scorn. After another moment’s hesitation, her knees sank completely to the ground. Vicente’s head tilted as he watched her every move.

And then, unable to help himself, he laughed.

“Not like that.”

“You know I have nothing left, Your Highness. Even the necklace you once gave me… I had to give it away just to survive…”

Delilah abandoned even the last of her pride. If it meant protecting her brother and her family, she would do anything to please the Crown Prince. She could kneel a hundred times if needed.

But… anything beyond this…

Her tear-filled eyes lifted toward Vicente in desperation. The pale hue of her irises wavered, betraying her inner turmoil. She knew what he wanted, yet her gaze begged to avoid that truth.

Vicente let out a faint, hollow laugh at the sight. Leaning in close, so that only she could hear, he whispered in a voice as soft and intimate as if he were sharing a secret:

“You know what it is only you can give me. You know what I want.”

When his breath brushed against hers, Delilah’s face twisted in anguish. The man stepped closer still, his voice curling like silk around her ears.

“Beg me for help, Delilah.”

“This time, make sure I’m satisfied.”

Letting out a hollow breath, Delilah drifted between past and present. Vicente, relentless as ever, had once again dragged her into the mire.