Chapter 14 Part 2

Knock, knock.

“Your Highness, it’s Rose Knight.”

“Come in.”

A clear voice granted permission, and I opened the door to the drawing room without hesitation, stepping inside quickly. The sunlight streaming in bathed the sofa in warmth, tea and refreshments were already prepared on the table, and… Ten, sitting with his back to me.

Without bothering to gather my thoughts from what I’d heard from Carnerba, I hurriedly walked over and sat directly across from him. Formalities and etiquette didn’t matter; I was ready to let out a barrage of scolding about his condition…

“It’s been a while, my lady.”

“…You…”

The ‘miserable appearance’ Carnerba described of Ten was not as bad as I’d feared. He was indeed thinner than before, his jawline more pronounced, but not to the point where he looked like the ‘skeleton’ I had imagined. It was clear he’d missed a few meals, but it wasn’t as dire as I’d dreaded.

“You… honestly…”

“I’m so glad to hear you speak so comfortably. It feels like we’ve gone back to the old days.”

Ten tilted his head slightly with a faint smile, and his golden hair fell in soft waves, catching the sunlight and glowing even brighter, as if molten gold had been poured over him. My gaze instinctively locked on the brilliant sight, as if bewitched, and his eyes curved deeper into a smile.

“My lady.”

“…Why?”

Ten let out a bitter smile for a moment before standing up. Until he walked around the table and knelt in front of me, I couldn’t take my eyes off his, frozen in place. As he knelt on one knee before me, he looked so sacred in that moment that it felt as if my breath had stopped.

“You’ve finally decided to see me, my lady.”

“…….”

I couldn’t completely grasp the full meaning behind his words, but I understood enough to realize how much my previous behavior had hurt him. The undeniable joy on his face as he said those words made it clear. There was no other reason he would be this happy simply because I was speaking informally to him and looking at him the way I used to.

“I feel like I’ve finally returned to the place I’ve always longed to come back to. This moment, where you’re seeing me as “Ten,” I’ve waited so long for it.”

As he softly murmured with his gaze lowered, I reached out and gently brushed his eye. His expression was so sorrowful that I couldn’t help but wonder if he was crying.

But surprisingly, he wasn’t. Instead, he was smiling brighter than anyone else, his face filled with nothing but pure joy. That smile held no trace of resentment toward me, and realizing this, all I could do was clench my trembling hand tightly into a fist.”

“When I heard that you had been poisoned, I couldn’t see anything in front of me. All I could do was pray for your safety as I rushed to the mansion. The thought of ‘what if’ kept creeping into my mind, and if I let my guard down for even a moment, it felt like I was being consumed by a nightmare worse than hell. It was then I understood what it meant to lose a place to stand in this world. I’ve never realized more clearly than at that moment what your existence means to me.”

“…Ten, I…”

“But when I arrived at the mansion, I heard that it wasn’t poison but sleeping medicine you had taken, and it was all part of your plan to take revenge on Daisy Queenie. That’s when I realized that while I was living my life unaware of anything, you were fighting so fiercely.”

No, not just me—you were also fighting so desperately… You must have been in pain, too, and it must have been a difficult time for you. So why are you only worried about me?

“I couldn’t help but agree when I heard I might be a danger to you. I’m still unstable, still under threat from others. Things might improve once I secure the position of crown prince, but even that is not an easy road…”

“No, no, Ten. Don’t think like that. Don’t think you’re putting me in danger.”

The pain in my chest spilled out into my words. My voice trembled as though I were on the verge of tears, and Ten frowned as if my words were causing him pain.

“I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to take the position of crown prince. No, the truth is… I don’t know which path will keep you safest. I’m terrified that any choice I make will end up putting you in harm’s way…”

“…I’ll help you. Whatever path you choose, I’ll be there to help. Don’t worry about me; I’ll be fine.”

When I placed my hand on his cheek, he leaned into it. Feeling the serenity on his face as he closed his eyes and rested against my hand, I swallowed the lump of emotions that threatened to rise. You were the one who supported me when I was lost and adrift, yet I couldn’t even provide you with a place of solace.

“Whatever you wish for, I’ll make it come true. I promise.”

Hearing my words, Ten opened his eyes and smiled brightly, as if overwhelmed with joy. The affection swirling in his gaze was tangible as he pressed a deep kiss to the hand that cradled his cheek.

“In that case… may I kiss you now, my lady?”

Instead of replying, I closed my eyes. Understanding my silent affirmation, he leaned in, and his shadow shielded my eyes from the sunlight that had been piercingly bright. As his tongue delved deep into my lips, the calmness in my breathing gave way to uneven gasps.

“Mm, ah… ha…”

“Don’t hold back. I’m worried you’ll hurt your lips if you keep biting them.”

His concerned tone was soft as he watched me bite my lips, trying to suppress my voice. But this was the reception room in the heart of Dorothea Palace, on a day so sunny that sunlight streamed through the windows. Just imagining the humiliation of a servant passing by and witnessing this scene made my cheeks burn with embarrassment.

“I’ve sent all the attendants away. Even the members of the envoy have been dismissed under various pretexts.”

“…What?”

His preparations felt as if he had anticipated this situation. As I gawked at him in disbelief, Ten flashed a mischievous smile and teasingly nipped at my sensitive skin.

“Ah… mmph, uh…”

The sound of lips smacking and licking was so explicit that embarrassing moans escaped me without pause.

“I figured there must be a lot of ears glued to you, my lady, so instead of picking them out one by one, I chose to drive everyone away. Looking at it now, I think it was the right choice.”

His face, smiling so sincerely at his own decision, showed complete satisfaction. Seeing the intentions behind that smile, I could do nothing but cover my blushing face in embarrassment.

“Don’t hide, my lady.”

“…It’s embarrassing.”

Ten, wearing a face as if he found my words surprising, removed my hands without hesitation. As I sat there accepting his kiss while he held my hands captive as though punishing me, I felt another of his hands touch beneath the hem of my loosened skirt.

“Ten…?”

“Come to think of it, my lady’s preference… is to be restrained like this, isn’t it?”

The mischievous smile on his face left no doubt he was teasing me. Hearing his provocative whisper, I couldn’t help but recall the day he first arrived at our estate.

“Th-that’s not my preference!”

“Well, even if it’s not, if you enjoyed it enough, it’s already beyond preference…”

“Shut up!”

Flustered and certain my face had gone completely red, I yelled, and Ten’s lips stretched into a long grin. When Ten made that kind of expression, it always meant he found me too endearing to bear, often leading to him biting my cheek. As expected, he left a stinging pain on my cheek and then pulled away, leaving me glaring at him.

“Ow, that hurts… Nothing’s changed, Ten.”

“If the lady won’t engage with me, why would I change?”

My harsh stare seemed only to amuse Ten, seemingly encouraging him. He began to ease my tension by caressing my thigh, his touch bold enough to press firmly through the thin fabric.

Startled, I tried to wriggle away from his hand, which only made him chuckle and become even more audacious. His fingers slid aside the fabric and lightly stroked the moist crevice.

“Ah…!”

Despite my embarrassment, my body responded earnestly to his touch. Perhaps it knew too well the pleasure his touch could bring. His fingers traced the wet crevice, and the cool air against my skin felt indecently thrilling. I found myself easily aroused by the familiarity of this intimacy.

As his skillful fingers reached the tender entrance, my wandering eyes met his and I saw a surge of passion in his depth. As easily as I reacted to him, he too responded instantly to my arousal.

“I’m glad to see you respond so honestly, my lady.”

While my reason still screamed with embarrassment, this was a moment to suppress such rational thoughts. My entire body was already open towards him.

“Feeling my reaction, he slowly pushed his finger deeper, which felt more distinct than ever as if he was exploring my inner walls thoroughly. Every now and then, he winced as if he was holding back something, biting his lip.

“Uh…”

With a short moan, he lowered his head and our lips met. Our tongues entwined sloppily, wetting the corners of our mouths. I gasped for air, unable to keep up with his fervor, and he momentarily pulled away, giving me a chance to breathe.

“Haah…!”

Suddenly, his finger withdrew from inside me and began to rub my cl*toris, igniting a new sensation. I felt an involuntary twitch in my hips. Noticing my arousal, he teased the cl*t between his fingers.

“Uh… Ah…”

This pleasure was more intense than the ticklish delight I had felt before; it was as if it directly pierced my brain. All my senses heightened, his touches became more explicit.”

“You’re beautiful, miss. More than anything else in this world.”