Chapter 131
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
Could it be that he, like her, was beginning to change? Perhaps he was growing tired of hatred and resentment.
“Did you speak with Duke Loren?”
“We talked briefly in the waiting room. But why is my father still around? He doesn’t even support the king. I really don’t understand it.”
“There’s no need to understand. He’s probably still useful.”
“…That makes sense, I suppose. As long as he’s alive, I can’t really act any differently.”
“You’re putting a noose around your own neck. Why not cut the rope?”
“Is that why Your Grace abandoned Miss?”
“…”
“Ah!”
Her remark clearly struck a nerve, as his hand pressed more firmly while disinfecting her wound.
“You pressed down like this the last time, too. Do you have sadistic tendencies?”
“…Sadistic?”
He chuckled, his lips curling slightly. He pressed on the wound again, and she couldn’t help but wince.
Out of stubbornness, Emilia bit her lip and kept silent.
“Is Miss okay?”
Despite everything, she had been glad when he came back.
“…”
Mikhail took out disinfectant and carefully cleaned the wound, the sting making her body tense.
“If you move too much, the wound will reopen. Just hold still.”
“I’m trying.”
“What were you thinking, getting in the way like that?”
“It wasn’t necessarily because it was Miss. I would have done the same for anyone.”
“That’s such a cliché response.”
“That’s the difference between Your Grace and me.”
“And that difference is why you’re in this position, and I’m in mine.”
A fierce aura rippled through. Harsh as it sounded, there was some truth to his words.
“If I have to crush others to climb higher, then I’d rather give up the climb.”
“Do you know something?”
She felt an odd discomfort at his words.
“Statements like that can only be made by people with the luxury of having other choices, Emilia von Heinrich.”
“….Your Grace still thinks you’re always right, don’t you? So arrogant.”
If her father had achieved power in the same way Mikhail had, she was prepared to cast him aside as well.
“Not everyone is living the life they chose. You know that better than anyone, don’t you?”
Her tone tinged with resignation. His hands paused mid-motion as he was treating her wound.
“Now, either pull your clothes down or take them off—whichever will make it easier to wrap this bandage.”
“….I can do it myself.”
“It’s bothering me.”
Why was he asking if he was going to do whatever he wanted anyway?
He tugged her clothing down a little more, and Emilia shivered as the cool air of the room brushed against her skin.
‘Why am I so cold?’
It made no sense; it was summer, yet a chill ran through her. His hands, though careful as they applied the bandage over the gauze, sent a strange sensation through her.
She let him tend to her wound.
‘This feels strange.’
He was being unusually gentle. Was it because his sister had caused her injury?
The warmth from his touch made her feel drowsy, her vision becoming a bit blurry.
“Though I doubt this will go unnoticed, there are bound to be reports in tomorrow’s papers—ah!”
Suddenly, something clicked in Emilia’s mind, her eyes widening as she recalled a recent memory.
“I remember now, I saw the newspaper that day at Epfora Park.”
“It was the newspaper that caught your attention then?”
She nodded.
“Do you know anything about the Princess of Eponsen? I haven’t met her, but judging from the papers, it seems like we look quite similar.”
“Reddish-brown hair and dark green eyes—yes, people could easily mistake her for you at a glance.”
“I never thought…..”
“It was probably all part of Lady Luther’s scheme. A gift for her son who lusts after you, no doubt.”
The thought made Emilia feel sick. Had they really brought the princess of Eponsen just to satisfy such desires?
“Could it be that…no.”
“Portraits are being sought after, but judging by how she hadn’t showed up at the banquet, she’s already returned to her home country. The upcoming council should clarify things.”
“…?”
“Anything else?”
“…What?”
“Is there nothing else you’re curious about?”
Emilia’s mind went blank. Was he really asking that? There was so much she wanted to know, so many things she wished to ask.
But she lacked the courage to voice any of it.
“No, nothing.”
“You’re not very honest with yourself.”
He said, finishing up the bandaging.
“You seem to have a lot of experience with this.”
“Do I?”
His response was indifferent. As his warm hands left her arm, a strange sense of loss washed over her.
Despite that, her body now felt feverishly hotter than before.
‘It’s strange…’
Her breath felt hotter than usual.
“You seem so unaware of your own body. But you get so sensitive in bed.”
“Stop talking so vulgarly.”
“Maybe I was just born vulgar.”
“…..”
Emilia pressed her lips together. Once again, his expression twisted with displeasure.
“I think I should rest now. Thank you for the treatment.”
“You’ve forgotten something.”
He swiftly grabbed her by the waist and pushed her down onto the bed.
Her body hit the mattress with a soft thud, and she blinked, utterly confused. The suddenness of it left her stunned.
“…..what are you doing?”
“What do you think?”
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