Chapter 34

References (2) 『The Infamous Degenerate D, Has He Gotten Addicted to Disappearing?』

It’s said the infamous Degenerate D has secretly returned to the Kingdom. D went missing in the Kingdom half a year ago, and last month went to a neighboring country with news of an engagement, but after breaking everyone’s expectations of joining the Imperial Family, he returned to the Kingdom after surviving a poisoning incident in the Empire, drawing attention once again.

According to testimony from P, who returned from the neighboring country with D, D visited the palace immediately after returning and said, “National marriage? Never even thought about it. Screw that. I don’t care about Prince duties.” According to testimony from A, a researcher from H Laboratory, D had someone in mind before that, and his trip abroad was also because of that person…

(skipped)

…Finally, this time it’s said D has the upper hand, so we’re curious about what method he’ll use.

Kingdom Year 2841, June 7th

ⓒ Dustane Weekly Whatever, 『The Infamous Degenerate D, Has He Gotten Addicted to Disappearing?』

Amber was once again reminded why she didn’t subscribe to Dustane Weekly. Such sensational articles. That’s why its image never escapes being just another gossip rag. Reading academic papers was a hundred times more useful.

But instead of closing the magazine, Amber read it again, fact-checking one thing after another. She had nothing else to do on the way to Napolia.

Her first impression was…

‘Why is this so accurate?’

She thought it would be all nonsense. But… if P who returned with D means Petricks, who else could it be? And the line “National marriage? Never even thought about it. Screw that. I don’t care about Prince duties,” sounded exactly like Dieldo—she could hear his voice saying it.

And who was this A researcher from H Laboratory?

H must be Hesington Laboratory, but there were no researchers whose names started with A. That part seemed to be properly anonymized. Amber thought she’d have something to say to A if she ever found out who it was.

‘If they say he had someone in mind and went abroad because of that person, wouldn’t people be desperate to find out who it was? And with the timing, it wouldn’t take long to figure it out.’

‘Well… some other incident will cover it up.’

Amber put down the magazine and looked out the window. She was headed to Napolia for the first time in months, but the sky was the same as ever—high, blue, and clear… Someone knocked on the compartment door. It was the first new sound she’d heard in the rattling train.

After passing through several stops, there were so few people heading to Napolia that Amber was the only one in the compartment. She couldn’t help but be curious.

“Who is it?”

There were plenty of empty seats, so why choose one with someone in it?

But instead of an answer, the knocking continued.

“……”

There’s such a thing as intuition. That sudden feeling that comes at certain moments. When Amber hurriedly opened the compartment door, a familiar face stood beyond it.

“Is there a seat available?”

Under the pouring sunlight, the man’s blond hair shone. Blue eyes, a gentle smile, a playful tone.

“There is…”

Amber’s hand gripped the compartment door. She felt his gaze follow her fingers. The moment their eyes met, her heart throbbed. Amber, as if enchanted, slowly let go and stepped aside.

He bowed lightly and entered the compartment, taking the seat opposite her as if he truly meant to sit down. Amber closed the door and returned to her seat, feeling dazed. A slight confusion… And when the man’s long legs brushed her toes, her heart began to beat pleasantly.

“Where are you headed?”

Dieldo suddenly spoke.

“Napolia. …And you?”

Amber couldn’t guess his intentions. She had realized Dieldo was heading to Napolia, but she’d expected him to be waiting, not to show up like this. All she could surmise from his mischievous expression was how much he seemed to enjoy pretending to be a stranger.

Amber’s eyes widened at his next reply.

“I bought a house. I’m going to see it.”

“A house?”

“Yes, it’s supposed to be on a hill. I heard the only neighbor with a carriage is an old man.”

Amber’s throat tightened.

“I know… that house.”

“Really?”

“Yes…”

It was the house her grandmother had lived in, where they had stayed. Just then, a salty breeze drifted in through the slightly open window. The smell that always came when you opened the window in that house. Amber’s gaze unconsciously turned outside. The endlessly stretching sea along the winding train tracks, the shards of light scattering in the daytime, and the low-flying seagulls pointed the way they were headed.

That scent and scenery brought back memories.

It unearthed emotions she’d barely managed to bury.

A moment later, the man who emerged from her memory and unraveled her feelings asked,

“And you?”

Her answer was clear in the way her body leaned. It wasn’t because the train shook or by accident.

Amber was the one who kissed him first. Her body moved on its own. She missed this shameless man so much, no matter how much she tried to push him away, he kept coming back…

“If you do this, I might get the wrong idea.”

Dieldo paused, then curled his lips and asked,

“May I?”

Before she could nod, his smiling lips swallowed her. His hands wrapped around her waist, and somehow the touch was oddly gentle.

At some point, Amber was sitting on his lap. She forgot she was on a train. Dieldo was the same. His big, warm hands slid along her waist, pulling her close. Even though they were pressed together with no space between, it still felt like it wasn’t enough.

“Mm. Hng…”

Amber wrapped her arms around his neck, and he pulled her hips closer.

“I missed you.”

“M-me too…”

“As much as I did? I thought I’d go crazy.”

“Mm.”

Their conversation drifted between light French kisses and more heated, lingering ones… Just from kissing, Amber felt her whole body melting. By the time she realized how heavy he’d become, she’d already been wet for a long time.

If only this wasn’t a train, they might have gone further right away.

“I missed you.”

He noticed Amber’s breath quicken and, in the brief pause, she rested her forehead on his chest and whispered. His broad chest rose and fell with a gentle laugh.

“George? Or the Prince?”

“Are they different?”

“Who knows.”

She lifted her head slightly to ask, and he found her so lovely that he quickly cupped her cheek. Their breathing mingled again.

“If you choose one, I’ll be that for you.”

“……”

Dieldo held her close, breathing in deeply again and again. His hand wandered, and before he knew it, he was gripping her hips. But Amber spoke first.

“…I want to… do it.”

Logic screamed that this wasn’t the place, but surprisingly, she found herself giving in to instinct. Maybe because he hadn’t made the first move, she let herself lose control.

Dieldo echoed her words right back.

“You’re trying to make me shameless.”

“…Is this revenge?”

“It’s risky.”

“How so?”

Amber knew exactly what was risky, but once she wanted him, her mind went blank.

Maybe when one part breaks, another gets sharper—Dieldo sounded clever.

“Hygiene… the surroundings…”

“For someone worried about hygiene, you didn’t mind in the garden…”

“Are you doing this on purpose?”

“What?”

“Don’t remind me.”

Dieldo’s nose crinkled.

“Why?”

“It turns me on.”

That was exactly her intention… and she’d hit the mark.

Amber reached for his collar, undoing a button. Dieldo raised his eyebrows at her. Then another button.

“If you’re turned on, do it. You’re good at teasing with words.”

“…D*mn.”

He closed his eyes and his arms tightened and loosened against her skin. Amber stoked the fire.

“I don’t care about the surroundings…”

“Amber.”

“Mm?”

“I gave you a chance.”

A chance? Before she could ask, he quickly changed positions, laying Amber back on the seat and lifting her dress. Her legs draped over his shoulder, and she blushed at the embarrassing posture.

Looking down at her, he lowered his head to her most sensitive spot.

“Hng. I-I didn’t wash… ah…!”

His lips brushed teasingly over her thin underwear, then started to s*ck in earnest. Her soaked underwear became even wetter, almost ruined.

Amber was desperate. More, deeper—please.

The stimulation made her hips twitch. If someone saw from below, it would look shameless… like she was craving it.

“It’s fine.”

He spoke calmly and slid her underwear aside with long fingers.

“Even better.”

He added, “I get to smell you,” and ran his tongue over her bare skin. The way he explored her sensitive spot was skillful. Embarrassing and worrying… but it felt too good.

Unable to stand it, she covered her face with her hands. He looked up and teased her.