My Ruin to You - Chapter 151

Valen, who had been watching Roseline’s retreating back, took something out of his inner pocket and lightly shook it. The long string was the ribbon he had taken from her at the previous banquet.

“Take it.”

Valen wiggled a finger, gesturing for her to come closer. She felt troubled. It’s not like I care about the ribbon—I could just throw it away or burn it. But when the Grand Duke himself is offering to return your property, you can’t just tell him to keep it.

This is really annoying.

Having not even a speck of desire to waste time on a pointless struggle, Roseline gritted her teeth and moved her feet.

“Closer.”

She approached near the sofa, but he gestured to his side as if that wasn’t enough. It was right next to the sofa where he was sitting. Roseline, after gripping her skirt tightly once and then letting go, took a step to stand right beside the sofa. The moment she registered the suddenly close distance, her magical power began to ripple. Valen, who couldn’t possibly miss this change, had a subtly shifting expression before letting out a disbelieving scoff.

“My apologies. I am still unskilled in controlling my magical energy.”
She had tried to preempt any further questioning that might detain her, but…

“Did I ask?”

His reply was so cold. Roseline tried to soothe her own emotions and moved a little closer to him.

“Too far.”
“……”
“More.”

How much closer does he want me to get?

If she took just one more step, the toe of her shoe would touch the side of the sofa he was sitting on. She stared at her own toes, swallowing a sigh, but only for a moment. Roseline took exactly half a step closer. Fortunately, this distance seemed to satisfy His Highness.

He turned to sit sideways towards Roseline and slightly extended his wrist, offering the ribbon. Just as Roseline respectfully reached out with both hands to receive it, the moment her fingertips touched the ribbon, Valen suddenly pulled his hand back.

Damn it. Roseline, who had been staring at her own toes with her head bowed, lifted her gaze to Valen. When their eyes met, a strange light flickered in his grey-blue eyes. Looking down upon a member of the imperial family from above was improper, so Roseline quickly averted her gaze. She stretched out both hands again, this time with the clear intention of pleading for him to just return that wretched ribbon.

“You didn’t even pretend to listen when I told you to come find me.”
“My apologies, Your Highness.”
“Should I be the one waiting for you, Young Lady?”
“Of course not. My apologies.”

Despite her meekly uttered apologies, her sour expression showed not a hint of actual remorse. He spun the ribbon around his finger, watching her intently. Just as she was about to boil over with frustration from enduring his piercing gaze and the uncomfortable silence, Valen rose from his seat and stepped closer to Roseline.

“……”

The man, who had already dominated the atmosphere even while sitting elegantly, changed the density of the air the moment he rose to his feet. Roseline unconsciously swallowed dryly and took a step back, but unfortunately, Valen closed the distance in just two strides. A deep shadow fell over Roseline’s head.

“Stay still.”

His low, commanding voice rooted her feet to the spot. When Roseline froze in place, he gave a faint smile as if pleased. Then, he reached out and undid Roseline’s messy, disheveled ribbon.

“It was bothering me.”
“I can… I can do it myself.”

Roseline jumped back, taking a step backward. Or at least, she tried to, but the moment she moved back, he gave the ribbon a sharp tug, causing her to lose her balance and stumble forward. Toward Valen.

“You seem to have trouble understanding what you’re told.”
“…Are you speaking to me?”
“It would have been better if you had just stayed still.”

Thanks to bracing her legs and holding her ground, she avoided the misfortune of falling into his arms, but her mood was utterly foul. Her gaze turned fierce on its own. Though he couldn’t possibly miss her resentful stare, he paid no attention, focusing solely on tying the knot.

Rustle, rustle. The sound of fabric rubbing grated on her ears. Whenever his fingers occasionally brushed against her collar, Roseline had to furrow her brow as if forcibly enduring something unpleasant.

“Célodienne.”

Around the time the knot was neatly tightened, he spoke again.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“You need to work on managing your expression first. Acting like you despise it only draws more attention, don’t you think?”

Roseline’s eyes widened. His grey-blue eyes, hidden behind thick, lush lashes, finally turned fully toward her.

“It makes me want to provoke you.”

As he adjusted the ribbon, pulling it taut, he suddenly tapped her neckline with the back of his hand. She flinched as if scalded, jumping slightly. Roseline, who had stepped back a pace, rubbed her flushed skin roughly, for some reason.

“I will gratefully take your advice to heart, Your Highness.”