My Ruin to You - Chapter 179

Valen gestured with his eyes to somewhere inside the room. It was in the direction of the bed. His intention was so transparent that Roseline frowned.

“If people see Your Highness and me alone together while everyone else is gathered, there will be talk. I don’t want that.”

“I don’t mind.”

“…….”

“But whatever talk comes out, wouldn’t it be better than me coming out of your room?”

It was ambiguous whether it was a threat or a persuasion. Only one thing was clear: if Roseline didn’t come out, he would come in.

“Your Highness, the Grand Duke of Audmere.”

She deliberately called him stiffly, trying to clearly mark the distance that had grown between them. Yet, his chest swelled greatly, tightening his shirt. His brows furrowed, and his Adam’s apple bobbed. As if the sound of his name from Roseline’s mouth was deeply moving. He stared down at her intently for a moment, then let out a hollow laugh and averted his gaze. He ran his tongue over his lips and scratched the space between his brows with his thumb, as if troubled.

“Young lady.”

Eyes that had been hidden behind lush eyelashes slowly revealed themselves.

“…….”

“Unless you want me to pounce on you like a dog in heat, I would really appreciate it if you came out.”

Please.

He added the word and stepped aside. It was highly unusual for him to use such vulgar and blatant language outside the bedroom. So, Roseline stared at him with wide eyes, like someone who had been struck on the back of the head. Contrary to the raw words he had just spoken, the man before her was nothing but refined. Neatly combed hair, a shirt without a single wrinkle, and a gaze that seemed even sharper in the dim light of the hallway.

She considered just closing the door, but it didn’t seem like a good plan. Valen was a man who wouldn’t hesitate to break it down.

“If you lay a hand on me, I’ll bite my tongue.”

At her words, spoken like a warning, he raised an eyebrow slightly.

“As if I’d dare touch you, I’m too afraid for that.”

With a self-deprecating laugh, Valen turned around. Roseline, having closed the door and come out, followed him. Thanks to everyone being summoned to the main residence, the annex was quiet, devoid of even shadows. He walked in front, and Roseline followed a couple of steps behind. Valen shortened his stride to match Roseline’s slow pace, occasionally glancing back as if to confirm she was following. Roseline walked with her eyes on his heels, so their gazes mostly missed each other, though sometimes they met.

“What are your plans for tomorrow?”

It was the same now. Under the night sky with a sliver of a crescent moon, he smiled faintly, capturing the sparkle in Roseline’s eyes. They had just entered the garden behind the annex. Roseline, glancing at his broad back, spoke.

“Why? Do I have to show my face tomorrow as well?”

“I, of course, would like to see it.”

“…….”

“Hence, your plans.”

As the journey had been long, tomorrow and the day after were for rest.

“What would I do? If Your Highness summons me, I suppose I must attend to you most diligently.”

“You say that as if you’ll come if I call.”

“How could I not? You said you’d pounce on me like a dog in heat.”

When she retorted in a sulky voice, Valen stopped walking. Roseline, who also stopped, pondered the words she had just spat out. Was the tone a bit too harsh? But it’s not like I said it first.

“You don’t have to be cautious. It’s true that I’m in heat, and calling me a dog isn’t exactly wrong either.”

He turned to face Roseline. It was fortunate, in an unfortunate way, that his self-assessment was so accurate. Roseline nodded in agreement.

Watching her small head bob up and down, Valen let out a short laugh.

“The order I have given remains the same as before.”

The words were incomprehensible. Roseline looked up at him as if asking for their meaning.

“It means that if you step out of the mansion, it will definitely reach my ears. Do you understand?”

It seemed like a threat, warning her not to even think about running away. It was baffling how much he worried, having not only strengthened the checkpoints but also posted surveillance. Perhaps the mere idea of her fleeing stirred an underlying anxiety within him.

However, Roseline, who had no intention of putting Valen’s mind at ease, just blinked with an expression of complete ignorance. Go on, try to figure me out.

“Thank you for the kind advice, Your Highness. I’ll keep it in mind.”

Roseline pulled up the corners of her mouth in a single, brief smile, then wiped it away as if it had never been there.

“Roseline.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“I just find you… precious, and it pains me to lose you.”

“…….”

“I want to treat you well.”

“…….”

“I want to look good in your eyes.”

His low, hushed voice was tangled with countless emotions. She couldn’t bring herself to criticize him, to ask why he hadn’t treated her well when he had the chance, or to question what he even wanted from her now. His eyes, darkened by the shadows, somehow looked desperate, so Roseline silently turned her head away.