My Ruin to You - Chapter 172

As if anyone hasn’t tried that. Now, her pent-up emotions had pushed her liver outside her stomach, but in her past life, she had been quite compliant. Anyone would inevitably become deferential in front of that man, and Roseline was no exception. While his stunning looks and the intimidating air that came from looking down on everyone from a great height certainly existed, the sensation evoked by the man’s voice and aura was far more primal. Like an animal instinctively sensing a predator.

Roseline had been the same around the time they reunited after exchanging letters.

Not wanting to bother such a busy person, she had held onto the letters she usually sent every other day for nearly ten days. Then, on exactly the tenth day, a messenger bird flew in. He asked after her well and briefly relayed news of his return to the capital.

That day, she was so excited she tossed and turned all night without sleep. In the morning, she changed into a new school uniform to replace the one she’d worn out, and spent the entire afternoon in front of the mirror, worried her ribbon might be crooked or her brooch might be askew. As the appointed time drew nearer, her heart pounded as if it would burst, and her hands turned ice cold.

‘I am honored to see you, Your Highness the Grand Duke. May the light of glory follow you.’

It was a phrase she had practiced countless times in front of the mirror. She repeated it over and over until Lina, who was watching worriedly that she might make a mistake from nerves, finally scolded her to stop. Fortunately, she didn’t make a mistake. But she was so embarrassed she couldn’t bring herself to look at him, just staring uselessly at the floor.

It was strange. In the countless letters she’d sent, she felt she’d written all sorts of things, but actually facing the Grand Duke, she even regretted the contents of those letters. It had been like that a lot lately. She did write answers to his questions, but they seemed filled with overly familiar words.

Moreover, her counterpart was an Imperial Royal and a Grand Duke. She had recently grumbled that the dormitory was too expensive for its facilities—surely he wouldn’t mention that to the Headmaster, would she?

Over Roseline, who was hopelessly staring at the floor, a laugh brushed past.

‘Young Lady.’

‘Yes, Your Highness.’

‘Am I making you uncomfortable?’

‘No.’

‘Then I don’t know why you’re greeting some random spot.’

‘…….’

‘You should lift your head. I came to see you, Young Lady. If you don’t even show me your face, I’ll be disappointed.’

His voice, coaxing and affectionate, held a laugh but was imbued with something undeniable. Hesitating, Roseline very slowly lifted her head. As if he had been waiting for the moment their eyes would meet, he was looking down at her with his head tilted. A smile played in his beautifully creased eyes.

‘Your Highness, if you permit me, there is something I must tell you.’

‘Go on.’

‘I am very satisfied with the dormitory facilities. Truly.’

He slowly looked over Roseline’s determined expression, her darting eyes, and the hand tightly clutching her skirt, then laughed out loud.
‘What, are you afraid I’ll tell the Headmaster?’

‘No. Of course not. I don’t believe Your Highness would do something so cruel.’

‘Hmm. I might.’

How could she possibly stop the Grand Duke from doing anything he wished? Roseline’s expression visibly soured, and her shoulders slumped.
‘I’m joking. It seems I can’t say anything.’

Roseline’s eyes sparkled. As if her defeated spirit had never existed, vitality returned to her expression and complexion. It was when he moved to board his carriage that he added one more thing. He said he’d actually been annoyed because her letters had stopped.

It wasn’t some grand confession, yet her barely calmed heart began racing wildly again. The tips of her ears turned bright red.
There had been such a time. Those immature days when she was busy reacting to Valen’s every word.

“Isn’t that right? Even if I were His Highness, my eyes would be drawn to you. Young Lady, sniff, you just stand out too much on your own.”

And here was another immature woman. Snapping out of her futile reverie, Roseline sighed, running a hand through the hair Lina had so carefully styled.

“Then why don’t you try acting sulky with His Highness too, Young Lady?”

“Who are you teasing? How could I? His Highness is, sob, so terrifying.”

She didn’t know what Malsen wanted. After watching her for a while, seeing no sign the tears would stop, Roseline moved to leave.

“Where are you going?”

“I don’t seem to have a talent for consolation. Stay here for a bit. I’ll fetch Lady Ruav for you.”

“Just stay here, it’s fine!”

Malsen, determined to keep Roseline there, launched into the story of her own arduous one-sided love without even being asked. The tale that began on the stone path ended on a garden bench. In summary, her logic was that since there was no groom in the Empire as magnificent as Valen, it was only natural her heart went out to him. Roseline mostly let it wash over her, but occasionally nodded and offered some soulless words of encouragement.

But when she heard that Malsen had even prayed at the temple, something flashed in Roseline’s mind. Wait a moment. The temple?