Chapter 42
“Helion Ziek hasn’t mastered the art of covering his tracks. Thankfully.”
‘Oh dear. Reynard warned me about hiding my whereabouts from Seikan and Helion. That’s where I slipped up.’
“Such a fascinating relationship. I can’t fathom how three men can be so devoted to one woman.”
Clovis’s laughter was pure mockery. His grip on my chin tightened, the pressure causing a sharp pain.
“Each of them looks at you like they’d kill to have you all to themselves.”
His breath, a ticklish caress on my skin, felt heavy. I took hold of his wrist, throwing courtesy to the wind. “Stop it.”
At my defiance, his sharp, golden eyes flashed. “You have no right to speak to me like that.”
I met his gaze unflinchingly, and Clovis released my chin. But it wasn’t a gesture of acquiescence. “I have no right?”
His long fingers jabbed unceremoniously into my lower abdomen. “You know that hiding the imperial heir is considered treason, don’t you? You’ve studied law extensively, haven’t you?”
“…There’s no imperial heir.”
“Why? Are you going to claim infertility again? The royal physician can vouch for the fact that’s a lie. Shall I add blasphemy against the imperial family to your charges, for blatantly lying to the Crown Prince?”
“Th-That’s not it! I took contraceptive herbs, so it’s impossible!”
‘While raw herbs are less effective than refined medicine, I took more than double the standard dose. It hasn’t even been a week since Clovis touched me, so they’ll definitely still be effective.’
“Oh, really? That’s even better.”
“What?”
“It eliminates any confusion. If you get pregnant now, it’ll definitely be my child.”
‘Oh no. This isn’t good.’
“I was worried about… restraining myself until I was sure whether you were pregnant or not. It’s been driving me mad trying to hold back.”
His words, dripping with unconcealed desire, sent a chill down my spine.
“Don’t look so terrified. I have no intention of doing it here.”
‘Whether it’s “here” or “there” is hardly the point.’
I had never shown raw emotion in front of Clovis. Not only because of his lofty position as Crown Prince, but because Clovis was different from Seikan, Reynard, Helion, even Hestia.
But I couldn’t tolerate his words any longer. “Who would agree to such a thing? Even with your status and power, Your Highness, you can’t force someone against their will! That’s clearly stated in the empire’s sacred laws… Ah!”
Clovis gripped my shoulders tightly. “And you so freely exercised that personal liberty, enshrined in the empire’s sacred laws, with your body?”
“…What?”
“I distinctly recall the healing priest visiting. And I doubt they only healed specific areas. So, these must be new marks, wouldn’t you say?”
I followed his gaze to my body, just below my collarbone.
I recoiled in horror at the sight of the mottled, inflamed skin, like that of someone with a fever. I hadn’t paid attention, but it was this bad. ‘That d4mn Reynard… There was a reason the innkeeper had no qualms about assuming Reynard and I were married.’
“If it’s this bad where it’s visible, I can only imagine what the hidden areas look like.”
“…Th-That’s also none of Your Highness’s concern… Ow!”
My body lost its balance and was lifted with a powerful force. I screamed as the world spun, and when I came to my senses, I was lying on a wooden table.
“You make me want to check. To see just how freely you’ve been enjoying your personal liberty.”
“Your Highness!”
Rip!
Clovis’s hand grabbed the front of my clothes and tore them open. ‘Why are they all so obsessed with ripping my clothes?’
My hands flew up to cover myself, only to be seized and pinned down by Clovis.
The cold night air grazed my bare skin.
Just beyond a single door, fifteen men stood outside. They were undoubtedly straining their ears, awaiting the Crown Prince’s command.
My whole body trembled.
Because of the horrific pain Clovis had inflicted on me. Because of the men on the other side of the door.
His eyes, intently fixed on my chest, narrowed. “Are you arovsed by this situation?”
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