I Never Wanted His Child - Chapter 103

‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.

Emilia was reading books in the library, none of which were about the Duchy. Instead, there were numerous volumes about Valoh and the Kingdom of Bartsch.

“Why are so many books collected here?”

Among them was a Bartsch nobility genealogy.

Emilia opened the page marked with the Loren Ducal House.

“I didn’t expect it to be detailed so thoroughly…”

It included the servants of the house, the land area of the estates, the assets, and even an estimated amount of hidden funds of the territories.

Everything was written there.

“This is quite an interesting read.”

“Ah!”

Emilia was so startled that she nearly fell to the floor but instead collided with the bookshelf, causing books to fall over her head.

As she quickly covered her head with her hands, the thud of books hitting the ground echoed around her.

“Is it really that surprising?”

Hearing his calm voice, Emilia looked up and exclaimed.

“Why would you sneak up on someone like that…”

It was then she realized he had reached out and shielded her from the falling books.

When she suddenly raised her head, it brought her face very close to his. Emilia recoiled when she realized she was trapped between his arms.

“Wasn’t a former knight supposed to sense such presence?”

“….Or perhaps, Your Grace hides it too well.”

“That makes one a skilled knight. Unlike you.”

Emilia glared at him, leaning against the bookshelf.

“What brings you here?”

“I heard you were in the library. And I was curious about what you were reading…”

He bent down to pick up the book that had fallen on the floor. It was one she had been reading.

Emilia quietly watched as he held the book in his hand.

“I wouldn’t expect a book that belongs in a royal library to be here.”

“Since it’s I who placed Adrian in his position.”

Mikhail answered nonchalantly, slotting the book back into the shelf.

“What were you so curious about that you had to look it up here? You could have just asked me.”

“Would you have answered?”

“There’s no reason I couldn’t.”

He smiled and folded his arms across his chest.

Emilia nonchalantly adjusted her gaze from his muscular forearm that was revealed through the rolled up sleeves. There were thick tendons bulging out. Moving her gaze along the split muscles were the long fingers with protruding joints.

“So, what made you come all the way to the library?”

“Just killing time. Then I found this book. Is there something hidden here you’re concerned about?”

“There’s nothing worth hiding.”

“Why then does the royal family remain silent about the maid’s death?”

“I told you before. I’m the one who placed him in that position.”

Emilia found herself speechless at his bold attitude.

Claiming responsibility for Adrian’s placement, seemed as if he stood above even the king.

His golden hair looked slightly tousled even in the dark. It was different compared to his usual meticulous grooming.

His eyes that were lazily lowered, carried a subtle glint. Emilia stared wide-eyed into his irises.

‘It’s hard to see.’

She hadn’t expected to verify this so quickly.

It was unanticipated, but she felt it was a fortunate moment, and she met his gaze unwaveringly.

Through his thinly veiled eyelashes, his red irises were discernible, and she thought she saw a glimmer of gold flicker beyond them. Her eyes narrowed slightly.

“Would you say the same in front of the king?”

Emilia continued to provoke him. Just a little more, just a bit more. And she could confirm there truly was a golden wave within those red eyes!

Did he possess evidence of the Stein royal lineage? She needed to see for herself.

“Do I look like someone who couldn’t?”

“…Perhaps.”

His hair fell slightly, veiling his eyes where red and gold danced together.

“I don’t understand. If you’re so confident, why haven’t you considered becoming the king yourself?”

“…”

“Prince Adrian had only a half-blood lineage. What difference would it make if someone without royal blood became king, given that legitimacy is already collapsing?”

“You do have a point there.”

Mikhail chuckled briefly, then began to step back from her.

‘No!’

Emilia hadn’t managed to see his eyes clearly yet.

Unintentionally, she reached out and grasped his shirt collar, pulling him back to close the slight distance between them.

“…?”

His reddish eyes flickered with a hint of surprise as they busily attempted to gauge her intentions.

‘I need to say something.’

Emilia quickly racked her brain, but no appropriate words came to mind at the moment. It felt as though her mind had frozen solid just like her impulsive hand.

“Don’t you want to be king? Someone like Adrian shouldn’t be on the throne.”

Adrian lacked the qualities needed for a king. He showed no empathy for others or their situations, nor did he make any effort to care.

His focus was solely on his own comfort and the pleasures he could get from power.