I Abandoned the Male Lead Who Cheated with the Villainess - Chapter 131

Ivonne really hated relationships built on lies.

‘Is there… another reason behind this?’

Though it was absurd to hope for it, could it be that there were feelings toward Herix? It didn’t have to be the same kind of feelings he had for her; even a faint affection would suffice.

However, as long as she could hear the clanking of the chains around her ankles, it was clear that such a thing wouldn’t happen. Knowing this all too well, Herix felt a twinge of

disappointment. Meanwhile, Ivonne, oblivious to this, could only express her amazement.

“By the way, I was really surprised by the fugitive story.”

“Ah… yes. But at that time, I thought it was the best course of action… I was so worried since there had been no contact… Wherever Ivonne goes, there will be reports, but no one can attack Ivonne…”

“Come to think of it, I remember studying about this when I was preparing for the maid exam. A fugitive is classified as a first-degree criminal, so only royalty can exercise the authority to act against them.”

The mention of ‘authority’ made Herix flinch visibly.

“I’m, I’m a royal… after all. I wanted to protect you.”

“But what if the Emperor had intended to execute me?”

“That won’t happen. Absolutely not. I can protect Ivonne now.”

Herix declared confidently, seemingly suggesting that he already held power over the Emperor. Ivonne, who was trying to downplay the situation, suddenly asked,

“Then why did you put this on me? No matter how I look at it, this doesn’t seem like it’s meant to protect me.”

Ivonne moved her foot, causing the shackles to clank. Since he had just been thinking about the shackles around her ankles a few seconds ago, Herix jumped in surprise.

At the same time, he realized that the shackles he had placed on her didn’t just bind Ivonne; he was also bound by them, fighting against his own self-loathing, which made him want to die at every moment unless he freed himself.

Herix swallowed back the self-destructive words ‘just kill me already’ that rose within him and managed to speak.

“That… Ivonne probably already knows, even without me saying it.”

The reason he had shackled Ivonne was so straightforward that she could easily predict it. However, it seemed Ivonne needed to hear it directly from him to feel satisfied. As he spoke indirectly, she narrowed her green eyes and pressed him.

“Herix? You’re not thinking of hiding it from me now, are you? We agreed that you would tell me everything earlier.”

“Oh, no. Nothing like that, absolutely not. I will tell you everything. Now, now there’s no reason to hide… and no need to.”

Herix quickly jumped and denied it, but by that point, Ivonne’s expression had already grown suspicious. Herix realized that he had to elaborate before Ivonne could doubt his words any further.

“Actually… I didn’t expect Ivonne to be so, um, willingly… no, cooperatively… um… to come back like this.”

Struggling to choose his words, Herix looked into Ivonne’s narrow eyes. In those green eyes, still holding the vibrancy of early summer despite the chilling autumn air, a hint of suspicion was beginning to surface. Herix felt a rush of urgency.

“I swear, truly… right now, sitting in this carriage with Ivonne feels like a dream. I was really, really prepared to have a big fight with you.”

Herix selected his words carefully, aiming to appear vulnerable. He recalled how Ivonne had just called him cute.

And this was a pure truth. Herix was determined to restrain Ivonne this time, even if it meant fainting her and pulling her into his arms, or kissing the wounds caused by the shackles that bound him.

“But, right now, Ivonne is angry with me, but…”

Glancing at Ivonne’s face, Herix continued,

“Thank you for agreeing to return with me… and for trying to talk first…”

Even though Herix hid his identity and acted as Rix, addressing Ivonne with the utmost respect felt a little awkward. However, Herix seemed unfazed by it all. It appeared he would do anything as long as he didn’t upset Ivonne.

“I’m really happy that we can maintain the close bond we’ve built, that we don’t have to be apart…”

Herix smiled brightly. His smile was without any falsehood or shadow. Ivonne finally blinked her wide eyes, regaining her composure.

To summarize Herix’s lengthy musings,

“In short, you’re saying you’ve put these shackles on me because you were afraid I would run away again?”

As Ivonne wiggled her ankle, the sound of clanking chains filled the air. Herix found himself at a loss for words, having been struck directly by the truth.

‘As expected.’

Ivonne openly revealed her feelings. Before Herix’s gaze could shift away, she quickly asked,

“Then why haven’t you taken them off yet? As you just said, I’ve agreed to return with you. Moreover, I specifically mentioned going to ‘our home,’ meaning the Tens Mansion.”