My Ruin to You - Chapter 163

“Young Lady, what in the world…!”

Merrick, even more flustered than Valen—if not more—cut in. His thoroughly crumpled expression was so agitated, it was as if he had been challenged to a duel rather than confessed to.

Does he really think I’m doing this because I actually like him? Roseline glanced at Merrick before observing Valen’s reaction. By then, Valen had composed his surprised expression and merely let out a light laugh, as if he had heard something unexpected. Not a trace of jealousy or anger could be seen in any of his handsome features. With this, Roseline felt completely at ease.

He has no memory. There’s no way the man who would jealousy over even the most trivial matters could react so calmly if he were hiding his memories.

“Merrick?”

“Yes, Your Highness. That is correct.”

“So it is. What do you think, Sir?”

Valen crossed his other leg as he asked. Though the question was directed at Merrick behind him, his gaze never left Roseline for even a moment. Roseline also felt the persistently clinging stare but dismissed it as the stubborn pride of a man used to getting his way.

“I don’t know what intention the Young Lady has in lying, but it is not me, Your Highness. I have never met her in private.”

Merrick occasionally glared at Roseline as he voiced his grievances. The tension in his jawline and furrowed brow vividly conveyed his emotions.

“Lies? How could you say that? It’s truly unfair. Though we have never met privately, my heart has been set on you ever since I first saw you at the banquet.”

“Young Lady.”

“If what happened in the guest room made you uncomfortable, I apologize. I was looking forward to when I might see you again, but everything that day happened so suddenly that I behaved unlike myself. I’m sorry, Sir.”

As Roseline bowed her head with a sullen expression, Merrick sighed as if exasperated and turned away.

“This is beyond absur—”

“Quiet.”

Valen raised his hand, cutting off Merrick. His voice dropped so low that even Roseline, who had been pretending to be pitiful, flinched. When she looked up at him, his expression was no different from before, as if her earlier impression had been entirely her own delusion. Meeting her eyes, he smiled faintly and spoke.

“Are you referring to the banquet where we welcomed the Belharn delegation?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“You saw Merrick that day?”

“Yes. Though it’s embarrassing, it was love at first sight.”

“Love at first sight, no less.”

He mulled over Roseline’s words without a hint of displeasure. The silence stretched on. Roseline sat demurely with her hands folded, Valen lost in thought while watching her, and Merrick standing behind him. No one spoke.

With nothing to do but wait out the time, Roseline subtly rolled her eyes. Just as she noticed that the tea in his cup hadn’t diminished at all and found it puzzling, the long silence finally broke.

“Well, do your best.”

The meaning was ambiguous—what exactly was he encouraging? But Roseline interpreted it as urging her to win Merrick over and smiled shyly.

“Thank you for the encouragement, Your Highness. And…”

Roseline glanced at Merrick and continued.

“I look forward to your kindness in the future, Sir Merrick.”

The moment she finished speaking, Merrick’s expression crumbled completely. If he had merely seemed uncomfortable or troubled, she might have felt sorry and quickly backtracked, but his utter disgust and aversion only fueled her stubbornness.

“If Your Highness permits, may I have Sir Merrick escort me back? Would that be alright?”

Merrick’s expression, which she thought couldn’t possibly crumple further, turned utterly devastated. Valen’s reaction wasn’t particularly favorable either. Like a predator observing a recklessly bold puppy, he watched Roseline as if pondering how much of this he should tolerate.

Did I go too far? Asking for an escort was a bit much, wasn’t it?

A flicker of shallow regret passed through her, but words once spoken couldn’t be taken back. Roseline blinked with an innocent expression, doing her best to resemble a lovestruck, foolish young lady. His eyes narrowed. As he often did when deep in thought, he tapped the armrest with his fingertips while studying Roseline for a long moment before finally nodding.

“Escort her.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Rising from her seat, Roseline bowed deeply as if in gratitude. Merrick, unable to hide his utter displeasure—much like Roseline had been when she first arrived—took heavy steps. Learning from Merrick’s reaction, Roseline turned to Valen one more time before the door closed and offered another farewell.

“Have a good day, Your Highness.”

Was showing goodwill the right move? Unlike usual, when he would typically detain her with a remark as she concluded her visit, Valen only responded with a light, amused smile. Relieved, Roseline turned away.

“Please step outside first.”

Once the door closed, Merrick gritted his teeth and whispered harshly.

“Yes, of course.”

Roseline beamed brightly, but Merrick roughly tousled his own hair. When Roseline took a step closer, he recoiled as if avoiding contagion, stepping backward hastily. As if I’d bite him.