My Ruin to You - Chapter 189

“Ah, so that’s what it was all along.”

“…….”

“You want me to release Schnitzel.”

His gaze was burning, but his voice was cold as ice. Roseline met his eyes unflinchingly, watching the magic flicker and vanish within them repeatedly. That this man, who held the world in the palm of his hand, would fall for such a childish provocation—it was enough to make her fall over in surprise.

“The young lady said she left behind an important item. The Knight came to return that item.”

“An item?”

“Yes.”

“That’s impossible.”

“……Pardon?”

“He came to see you.”

“What are you talking about? You said it yourself earlier, Your Grace. That Sir Schnitzel’s purpose was unclear, which is why you didn’t tell me.”
“I’ve just realized it now.”

Valen was being obstinate. This was the first time Roseline had seen Valen so devoid of reason, and in a way, it was disconcerting even for her. She couldn’t predict how he would react with his judgment so clouded.

“Choose. Will you send Sir Schnitzel away safely, or will you lose me as well?”

Wasn’t it always Valen who presented the choices? And wasn’t it Roseline herself who would get angry at the predetermined fork in the road, only to reluctantly choose one? That’s why, unlike before, Roseline was quite pleased with the current flow of events.

“Ha, haha…….”

Valen, who had been glaring at Roseline for a long while, suddenly burst into laughter. The magic that had been burning without end also gradually refined itself. Placing one hand on his hip and sweeping his hair back with the other, Valen faced Roseline with a much calmer expression.

“How cunning you are.”

Valen wet his parched lips with his tongue and took a step closer to Roseline. The tip of his black military boot lightly touched the hem of her dress. He glanced down at the pale blue fabric touching his toe for only a moment before his gaze, which had been slowly traveling up her disheveled appearance, locked onto Roseline’s face.

“Fine, it’s not difficult. I’ll send him away.”

“Thank you, Your Grace.”

“Then what can you give me in return?”

“Do I need to give you something, Your Grace?”

“Wasn’t it you who wanted to negotiate with me?”

Roseline’s mouth twisted as a hollow laugh escaped her. She was utterly exasperated by this man who wouldn’t let a single thing slide.
“You wouldn’t want material wealth from me, so the only thing I have to offer is my body……”

A crack appeared in Valen’s feigned composure.

“If you need it, I’ll give it to you. What’s so difficult about that?”

She threw his own words—that releasing Luan wasn’t difficult—right back at him. Roseline, the one actually offering her body, acted as if it were nothing, perfectly calm, while Valen crumbled wretchedly, as if he had received a horrific verdict.

Crash—!

The momentary peace was rendered meaningless as his previously subdued magic surged again, shattering every window in the office into pieces. As shards of glass rained down, even the frames on the wall swayed.

The selfish yet affectionate man completely shielded her small figure with his large body, as if wary of any fragments hitting Roseline. Only after the commotion had somewhat subsided did he let out a slow, deep breath and pull himself together.

“You really are determined to make me into a bastard.”

“You’ve never not been one. A bastard.”

Muscles tensed along his sharp jawline. His razor-sharp gaze scraped over Roseline’s skin as if to flay it. It was then that a large hand wrapped around the nape of her neck and pulled her in.

“Hk…!”

Their lips met. Roseline’s pupils dilated enormously. Valen didn’t close his eyes either. He persistently chased her flustered gaze and gently bit her soft lips.

“Ngh.”

A sharp pain spread, and without a second thought, her mouth fell open. The merciless invader explored every corner of her mouth, stealing even her gasping breaths. Valen swallowed her whole, shifting angles as if it would be disastrous to let her go, or as if he were frantic. He didn’t close his eyes once, staring intently as if to etch every part of her onto his retinas.

“Hk, hgh.”

“Open wider.”

He didn’t allow Roseline, who was growing short of breath, even a moment’s chance to turn her head away. He clung to her persistently, like a starved beast. Each time he thrust his tongue in as if forcing it down her throat, the door she was leaning against rattled and swayed precariously.

The suction pulling at her tongue was so intense it made the root of her tongue tingle painfully.