My Ruin to You - Chapter 149

“You’re cr—!”

…azy.

The harsh word flew out without a moment to filter it. The only small mercy was that she barely managed to swallow the last syllable.

“Mind your words, Young Lady.”

However, it was enough to go against the sensibilities of Merrick, who revered his master like the heavens. His expression was the coldest she had ever seen. But no matter how Merrick felt, he couldn’t possibly be as disgusted and repulsed as Roseline. Roseline turned her gaze from Merrick and spoke with an extremely sour expression.

“Must I give an answer?”

“Young Lady.”

It was Merrick again.

“Yes.”

She looked up at him as if to say, ‘What are you going to do about it?’ and Merrick’s gaze sharpened.

“The person before you is His Imperial Highness the Grand Duke.”
“Ah-ha. I see.”
“Observe proper decorum.”
“Then, could you, Sir, please step back so I may observe decorum and deliver my answer? You keep interrupting, making it impossible for me to respond to His Highness the Grand Duke.”

“Mademoiselle Célodienne.”

Merrick seemed thoroughly displeased with Roseline’s consistently disrespectful attitude. It seemed if she added one more word, he would draw his sword under the pretext of her rudeness. Such remarkable loyalty. If you like him so much, why don’t the two of you live together forever? Why involve me?

His having memories is a problem, and not having them is an even bigger problem. For the first time since entering the VIP room, Roseline studied Valen closely. Unlike Merrick, who was emitting a murderous aura as if he himself had been insulted, Valen was merely watching with interest.

“Leave it. I find her impertinence appealing as well.”

As Valen stepped in, dismissive as if her manner of speech was inconsequential, Merrick’s fiercely sharp gaze wavered intensely. He even tilted his head as if doubting his own ears, shooting a glance at the back of Valen’s head. However, the loyal attendant, instead of questioning his master’s uncharacteristic mercy, silently took a step back.

“Now, give me your answer.”

He looked at Roseline and raised an eyebrow, as if inviting her to speak her fill. His straight and elegant posture, the scent of a cold forest that pressed down and constricted her breath, and even his handsome features—all were just as she remembered. Yet the look in his eyes, devoid of even a speck of affection, was unfamiliar in some way. How to put it. It was like a wolf on the hunt watching a lamb thrashing about noisily. That was the extent of his interest.

Among all the days I was so thoroughly deceived, was there ever a moment he was this indifferent?

No. Even in moments he pretended indifference, there was always affection. It was the emotion Roseline had mistaken for ‘love-hate.’ But the Valen before her now was different.

In other words, he is unaware of their long, arduous past.

The man who had been the bane of her existence, controlling her life, wouldn’t have neglected her for nearly a year. Thinking back to her final moments in the prison made it even more unbelievable. Could he be this indifferent upon finding me, whom he thought was dead, alive? Yes, this man doesn’t know.

Then, without any memories, what on earth is he seeing in me to propose? Has he lost his mind?

“My apologies, Your Highness. Though it is an immensely honorable offer, I have a promised partner for my future and cannot accept Your Highness’s proposal.”

Since he said he liked her impertinence, she lied with polite decorum. Roseline bowed her head with a noticeably demure attitude, and Valen touched the corner of his mouth as if hiding a smile.

“Ah, you have a lover.”
“Yes, that is correct.”
“What if your lover disappears?”
“Then I suppose I would have to find a new one.”
“And that wouldn’t be me.”

He’s stating the obvious so annoyingly.

Her silence was affirmation. Roseline let her eyebrows droop enough to show sufficient remorse and put just a slight force on the corners of her mouth. The respectful expression vanished completely the moment she averted her gaze. It was then that Valen’s posture changed. He crossed his long legs and leaned an arm sideways on the armrest.

“What a pity. But what can I do if you already have a lover.”

A strange laughter tinged his voice. Contrary to his words suggesting reluctant acceptance, his expression seemed utterly amused. It was as if he had proposed knowing she would refuse, just to provoke a reaction. The feeling of being toyed with wasn’t pleasant, but even then, not a single thought of ‘I should have accepted’ crossed her mind. She just wanted to leave this place quickly.

“If you have said all you wished to say, may I take my leave now?”
“It seems you haven’t said all you need to, so I’m afraid not.”