Chapter 4 (Part 9)

<Duke Rockbellion didn’t pester you into dating him, did he?>

<Would I date him just because he pestered me?>

<Don’t be too taken by that face. The reason poisonous mushrooms are dangerous is because they’re pretty. There’s no answer after you eat them!>

<I did fall for the Duke’s handsome face.>

<A man doesn’t need a face or body. He needs to be sincere.>

<There’s no one as sincere as the Duke. How much consistent training would it take to become a Sword Master?>

<Are you already taking your lover’s side?>

<It’s not taking sides. I’m just stating facts, Father.>

<Where did the Lia who cried saying she’d marry her dad when she was little go?>

<She’s right here in front of you.>

Matthias continued, patting the smiling Yuliana’s shoulder.

<I always thought you and Louis would stay little. The little feet that used to wriggle in my arms have grown to stand on the ground, and then walk and run around, showing a beautiful smile when you found me and Rosaline. Seeing that smile, I had no envy in the world. Now, hearing that you’ve grown up and found a lover… It’s a strange feeling.>

Matthias reminisced about Rosaline, who had passed away, and continued.

<After Rosaline died, and Rezeph forced you, only eleven years old, to be engaged to the son of the noble faction’s leader, I’ve been living in hell. You knew that and comforted me with your small hands, saying it was okay. Now that I think about it, I always felt so sorry whenever you said it was okay. Like I couldn’t protect you… What I hope for is for you to live loved and healthy, Lia… That’s enough for me.>

<Father, I’ll do my best.>

After various conversations, Yuliana asked Matthias,

<Was Duke Rockbellion originally my fiancé?>

<Rosaline and the Duchess were close friends, and you know how women friends say, ‘if you have a daughter and I have a son, let’s become in-laws’. Haha. It was like that. Oh, right! Lia, I have something to do now, so go rest. Do well at the investigation office tomorrow.>

Yuliana smiled and said to Anthus,

“Yan, did you know? My mother and the former Duchess were close friends. That’s why they decided to become in-laws.”

“If it weren’t for Emperor Rezeph…”

The truth was that Rezeph had staged a fake engagement with Marquis Fedeurus’s family to take Yuliana as a concubine. But Yuliana didn’t know that.

Sometimes, Anthus recalled Rezeph’s last words. He didn’t want to let the woman he loved know that terrible thing.

<That girl is mine! I can’t die like this… A spirit mage with the blood of a saint…>

Remembering Rezeph’s terrifying words, Anthus felt his mood sink.

He had definitely stabbed Rezeph’s heart and killed him. Now, no one could interfere between him and Yuliana.

“Then how about we have the wedding we couldn’t have nine years ago now?”

“Let’s have our wedding after Brother Louis and Selenia first.”

Anthus’s mind went blank at Yuliana’s bright reply. He remembered the conversation with Louis, who hadn’t even decided on a wedding venue yet.

“By any chance, have Young Lord Louis and Lady Selenia set a wedding date…?”

Anthus asked with a trembling heart.

“Brother hasn’t even proposed to Selenia yet.”

Feeling like he was hit on the head with a heavy blunt object, Anthus held his forehead. His original plans were completely derailed.

“We’ve just started dating, but Brother and Selenia have been together for over ten years. I think their wedding should come first.”

Anthus recalled his aide Houston’s advice to create a situation where they had no choice but to get married.

“We’ve just started dating.”

“I know what you are worried about, Lia. Nothing unmanageable will happen.”

“What I’m worried about is our pace, and what’s unmanageable is your… down there…”

Yuliana glanced at Anthus and blushed.

“But it was you who seduced me to an unmanageable degree, Lia.”

Yuliana turned her head to look at him again. She couldn’t take her eyes off Anthus, who was not only beautiful but also exuded elegance. The subtle rose scent from Anthus tickled her nose as he approached.

“If you don’t take responsibility for taking all of my firsts, it will be difficult.”

“It’s not that I won’t take responsibility.”

“I hope you take all my firsts from now on.”

“Alright. I’ll take them all.”

Anthus smiled brightly and kissed Yuliana’s cheek, holding her tightly.

“Please take care of me.”

Anthus approached the stammering Yuliana and began to tease her again.

“Stop looking at me with that handsome face.”

“Is my face handsome?”

“Yes.”

“I will groom myself even more beautifully to become a husband loved by you. Can I have a kiss… just one?”

“We need to work today.”

“Of course, we’ll work. But before that…”

Yuliana realized that it was extremely difficult to refuse when Anthus pleaded with his tear-filled red eyes.

Darkness began to descend through the window cracks. The two, holding each other dearly, were deeply saddened by the approaching darkness.

“I really think I have to go now, Yan.”

Anthus buried his face in Yuliana’s shoulder and sighed deeply, starting to feel distressed. His heart began to tear and rip apart in a thousand, ten thousand pieces again.

His insignificant heart felt like it was having a seizure and falling to the ground. Breathing became difficult, and his eyes filled with water.

Anthus’s paradise was about to be far away.

“Yan, are you okay? You don’t look well.”

“Thinking about you leaving… My heart hurts.”

Anthus pointed to his left chest and said,

“It hurts a lot here.”

Sweat-soaked blonde hair began to give off a subtle atmosphere. His hot arm wrapped around her waist. The rough breath felt sweet as it entered her ear.

“Can’t you stay a little longer?”

“We’ve already been saying a little longer for quite a while, and now it’s getting dark.”

Anthus flaunted his beauty and seduced her with his whole body to stay longer, but Yuliana barely resisted.

“I can’t make Father worry.”

“Alright. I’ll let you go now.”

Anthus slowly released his hand from her back, which had been holding her waist. Seeing Yuliana’s firm reaction despite his beauty tactics, Anthus decided to retreat.

After Yuliana left, Anthus complained of heart pain while catching up on his delayed work.

“Master, should I call a physician?”

“It’s fine.”

Even while deliberately keeping himself busy, his insignificant heart didn’t stop rolling on the ground. Feeling frustrated because he couldn’t control his heart, Anthus kept hitting his left chest.

“Master.”

Butler Ferrell approached Anthus, who was continuously hitting his chest in agony, feeling distressed.

Anthus took a deep breath and pressed his chest. Once he calmed down a bit, he got up roughly from the chair and walked to the window. Looking at the yellow stars and moon in the dark night sky, he missed Yuliana again.

Yuliana had said it would be good to have their wedding after Louis and Selenia’s wedding. So… 

Should I get rid of them quickly, or create a reason why she and I must get married first?

“Isn’t there a good way?”

Anthus’s agonizing night continued to deepen.