Chapter 12
Iscarion knew that Rosen was diligent in her studies and that her academy grades were quite good. Could it be that her hard work was all in preparation to leave him as soon as possible? The thought left a bitter taste in his mouth, even though it was already a done deal.
He had been reluctant to send her to an academy full of young men, but he did so because Rosen had earnestly wanted it. When she said she wanted to study more, he agreed… never imagining she would use it to escape from him. If he had known this, he would not have taught her anything or sent her to the academy.
In truth, he didn’t care if Rosen knew nothing. Especially now that she wanted to leave him, he regretted not keeping her ignorant. Knowing only how to write her name on the marriage certificate would have been enough. He would have kept her completely dependent on him, making him her entire world.
He looked down at her sleeping form and slowly bent over. His warm lips covered her damp eyelashes, carefully wiping away the traces of her tears. Her tears, like everything about his Rosen, were unbearably sweet.
Tears… What a waste.
He licked his lips, tasting the slight saltiness, and clicked his tongue lightly. There was no reason for Rosen to cry and waste her precious tears. Whether it be an annulment or separation, he never intended to let her leave his side.
***
“Hey, do you guys know something?”
Some time ago, when Rosen’s friends visited the grand duchy, Iscarion happened to be passing by the corridor.
He could hear the girls chatting and laughing inside the reception room. Not wanting to disturb Rosen’s fun, he quietly moved towards his office. Just then, one of Rosen’s friends lowered her voice as if sharing a secret.
“Some people find pleasure in making others suffer or deliberately putting them in difficult situations.”
Though he was not free from the risk of assassination and had spent long periods on the battlefield, his keen senses made it sound as if they were speaking right next to him.
“Why would they do that?”
“It’s just a type of desire. I read it in a book.”
“That’s a lie! If you like someone, you should treat them kindly. Why would anyone do that…”
Unable to believe it, Rosen’s voice made Iscarion smile silently. He could picture her small face frowning.
He was about to leave when her next words made him pause.
“It’s really strange and disgusting.”
If you only knew…
I’ve got to keep it a secret then.
Though he didn’t want to hurt or cause her real pain, he often imagined her crying beneath him. Even during his private moments, thinking about her teary, Rosie eyes made his desire swell.
Perhaps it was because of the deep impression left by the child who used to reach out for him, crying to be held. Now grown, she cried far less.
The thought of roughing up the cheerful girl who was never afraid of him, making her cry and then comforting her, made him ache with desire.
“Rosen, what kind of man do you like?”
“Hmm, I like someone who is gentle and kind.”
A kind man… Something far from his reality, having killed many in the battlefield. Not just the battlefield, but politics and noble society were always bloody. It wasn’t easy to protect his position as grand duke from scheming relatives.
Although he was indifferent to the things he was born with, after meeting Rosen, he became ruthless to protect her. If she knew what he did outside, she would be scared.
He couldn’t let her be frightened or distanced because of it. It wasn’t difficult to be the man she wanted him to be in front of her. Even without acting, he had always been especially weak for her.
“If only you hadn’t thought of leaving… I would have remained a kind fiancé.”
Whispering like a low sigh, Iscarion pulled the ribbon at the center of Rosen’s dress. His touch was gentle as he undid the buttons beneath it, revealing her chest. The dress, adorned with layers of lace, was soon discarded to the side.
“No wonder you couldn’t eat properly, being tied up in this.”
Seeing her thin frame bound by numerous knots and corsets to emphasize her slenderness, he frowned.
The ballroom dress had looked stifling even when worn, but now, it was clear it was uncomfortable for even breathing, let alone sleeping. He recalled Rosen, who usually enjoyed delicious desserts, barely touching anything at the banquet except for some cherry preserves.
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