My Ruin to You - Chapter 187

His words felt as if he saw right through Roseline’s intentions for appearing in this state.

She had certainly wanted to provoke some reaction from him, knowing how unusually sensitive this man was to changes in her magic and her life, but his response far exceeded Roseline’s expectations. The reaction she had wanted was remorse or vigilance, but Valen’s emotion was an all-too-clear anger.

“A rampage is out of the question, and putting away the blades would suffice. I could tie you up anywhere and spread your legs whenever I feel like it.”

His expression and voice, cold and hardened, were calm, but the content was horrifying. A chilly sensation ran down her spine, and Roseline instinctively hunched her shoulders. Unpleasant imaginations flashed through her mind, making her heart race wildly.

“It would be dreadful, wouldn’t it? But how long would that last?”

“…….”

“You might act like you’d rather die now, but just try having a child. I guarantee it—you won’t be able to go anywhere. You’re already busy running around after that girl who doesn’t share a single drop of blood with you; how could you abandon a child born from your own body?”

As if seeking agreement, Valen raised an eyebrow. Roseline offered no reply, instead tracking him with the tense, wary eyes of a prey animal. She felt that if she retreated even a single step, she would be devoured; she couldn’t look away for even a moment.

He looked her over intently, as if gauging something, then suddenly laughed.

“You would be pretty, though.”

“…….”

“Just the thought of you waddling around carrying my seed is enough to get me hard.”

“……Are you in your right mind?”

Even at her words, which spilled out like an exclamation, he showed no displeasure, merely retorting, “Why, is that new?” Roseline barely held onto her scattering reason. Setting aside the horrifying imagination unfolding in his head, she couldn’t believe that merely picturing such a scene had quelled his previously vivid anger, and that he had genuinely become aroused. What kind of shameless man is this?

It was then that Valen, who had been standing with his back to the window, moved. One step, then another. As the distance between them narrowed, Roseline began stepping backward toward the door, poised to bolt if necessary. Her original purpose for coming to see Valen grew faint.

“Then think about it. Why don’t I do that?”

“…….”

“Wanting to treat you well and look good to you—that’s what it means, Roseline.”

Valen, watching her, smiled faintly and sat on the sofa, then gestured to the spot opposite him with his eyes. But Roseline, her heels pressed against the door, shook her head.

“What must I do? Should I be grateful that you’re refraining from such horrific acts?”

He looked up at Roseline, who stubbornly remained standing and sneering, for only a moment. Then, with a calmer gaze, he spoke.

“I’m just teaching you because it seems you’ve misidentified my weakness.”

“…….”

“But unlike you, I will do anything to protect my weakness. So don’t act for others in front of me. Don’t ever let me see that I’m not your priority. Understood?”

Understood. It seemed like a warning: if she wanted the safety of those she cherished, she should not give her heart to anyone and must never let him find out. However, Roseline realized far more than just Valen’s intention.

From the fact that his weakness was Roseline’s heart, to the realization that none of the things this man spat out would actually come to pass—she understood it all perfectly. Because this man, more than anyone, knew full well that the moment he made those things a reality, Roseline’s heart would close to him forever.

Yes, that’s right. Just look at what happened previously with Merrick. The one who was anxiously taking measures, worried that someone might get hurt because of her, was Roseline herself. He did nothing.

Let’s hypothesize. If I had persistently followed Merrick around, how would he have reacted?

He would undoubtedly have been desperate to remove him, but in the end, he wouldn’t have been able to do a thing. He would have just constantly unsettled me with the right mix of threats and persuasion, forcing me to cut ties with Merrick myself.

It was the same last time. Scared by his words that he was considering whether to kill Merrick, I not only stopped pouring out my confessions but also didn’t even clear up the rumor that I had a crush on him. Just as he intended.
I almost fell for it again.

She admitted it. Whether then or now, the one who ultimately decides is Valen. But no matter how much he possesses or how high his status, the weaker one in their relationship is Valen. If the one with the bigger heart is the weaker party, then this is a game Roseline must absolutely win.

“No. I don’t understand.”