Lewd Courtship - Chapter 78

Kyle furrowed his brow as he observed the Emperor. The hem of his clothes was covered in dust, and his breathing was rapid. His expression was also distorted, as if on the verge of breaking.

Only then did Kyle realize it. While he had failed, it seemed this man still had a chance.

He suddenly remembered the day he had stood in front of the Emperor, blocking his way. With that memory, Kyle sheathed his sword. And he quietly stepped aside. He bowed his head toward the Emperor, who was rushing toward the door as if to run through it.

Soon, Killian stood before the door. His earlier urgency seemed to have vanished; the hand gripping the doorknob hesitated.

He took a breath as if steeling himself. Applying force, he turned the knob.

As the door opened, the air from inside the room poured out all at once. The smell of alcohol and thick incense struck his nose, mingling together. The heavy air clung deep in his lungs.

Frowning, Killian scanned the room. The Rachel he had been searching for quickly came into view. Seated on the sofa, she wore a startled expression.

Their eyes met. Briefly, he registered the gazes of the other men mixed in, but Killian paid them no mind. The only thing that mattered to him now was Rachel.

He swallowed dryly and took a step forward. Rachel also slowly rose to her feet. Her widened eyes fixed on Killian as he drew closer.

His black hair was disheveled, his breathing was uneven, and his face was flushed red. To anyone, he looked like someone who had rushed here in a great hurry.

Above all, his damp, turquoise eyes held her gaze captive. Rachel, unsure of what to say, parted her lips slightly.

Killian strode decisively up to her, where she stood frozen. He wrapped an arm around her back and pulled her to him without hesitation.

Rachel staggered and was buried in his embrace. As the distance closed, his body heat vividly transferred to her.

Killian let out a ragged breath and spoke in a voice that seemed to scrape his throat.

“…You can’t.”

In that brief moment, Rachel felt as if the world had stopped. Only his voice echoed in her confused mind.

What… can’t I do?

Why did this man come all the way here? Why was he saying things that didn’t suit him, holding her while looking so disheveled?

Even though she couldn’t understand it at all, his embrace was so warm that the corners of Rachel’s eyes gradually grew hot.

The breath she had been holding burst forth, and a sob escaped.

“…Why? You don’t even like me. So why are you doing this?”

He gave no answer. Only the fingertips resting on her back trembled lightly. Rachel wanted to say more, but only weeping emerged.

In the silence filled only with the sound of her crying, Killian hesitated for a moment. But his hesitation didn’t last long. He leaned close to Rachel’s ear and whispered softly.

“I like you, Rachel.”

At the end of his words, Killian drew in a breath. Fancy letters or jewels weren’t important. Facing her like this, only this simple string of words came out.

He simply held Rachel tighter. He hoped the feelings piled up layer by layer within him would transfer to her through their shared body heat.

Her throat moved with a large swallow, and the teardrops gathered at the corners of her eyes traced paths down her cheeks.

“Why… Why are you only saying this now? Why now…?”

Rachel couldn’t finish her sentence and sniffled. The part of his chest touching her cheek slowly grew damp. Feeling the moisture, Killian pulled back slightly. He met her gaze and continued his whisper.

“…I should have said it sooner. I’m sorry.”

Though his voice was small, it reached Rachel’s ears clearly. She held back her sobs and looked at Killian. His breathing was still a little rapid, and his eyes were glistening. She worried if he, like her, was on the verge of tears.

Rachel cautiously raised her hand and brushed the area around his eyes. A warmth spread through his turquoise eyes. Facing that and trying to compose her emotions felt nearly impossible. She buried herself back into Killian’s embrace. With her face hidden, she began to cry softly.

“Rachel…”

Killian couldn’t offer comforting words like ‘don’t cry.’ Instead, he murmured her name and patted her back.

A sense of relief washed over him for finally conveying his true feelings, and gratitude surged for her, who had accepted him despite his lateness.

He let out a long breath and released his tension. Gently, he rested his chin on top of Rachel’s head. Just as he was turning his head against the curve of her crown, Killian’s movement froze. His eyes met directly with the man sitting on the right side of the sofa.

“…Oh.”

The man’s mouth was fixed in an ‘O’ shape, as if he had just witnessed a rare spectacle. Killian’s eyes narrowed sharply.