My Ruin to You - Chapter 223

“Ah.”

Valen opened his mouth as if asking to be fed.

Cough! Giorno, who had been kneeling, let out a dry cough, and the Vice Captain promptly struck his thigh with a solid fist. Giorno’s face flushed bright red as he barely suppressed a yelp. Roseline’s pupils darted around nervously.

“Ah.”

Valen, who had been staring intently at her reaction, urged her on. It seemed now that his intent wasn’t just to hear her opinion, but to use the pretext of leniency to satisfy his own desires as well.

Fine, let’s just do it. This man was, after all, a patient who fainted just yesterday. If a single piece of meat could save three people, it was a bargain.

“Here. You. Go.”

Pushing her chair back and standing up, Roseline brought the piece of meat to his lips. For something as simple as a piece of meat, a lavish, smiling gaze bloomed in his eyes.

It was a strange feeling. How does one truly forgive? How does one reconcile? Would her heart truly follow through on her words promising to stop hating him? She wasn’t sure about any of it, yet the sight of this man being so delighted over a mere piece of meat stirred up old, worn-out emotions anew.

“It was delicious, My Lady.”

Valen caught Roseline’s retreating hand and gently pressed his lips to the soft skin. A kiss on the hand was a common greeting, but now was not the time for greetings. This was the man’s personal sentiment. Roseline, collecting her momentarily softened emotions, rubbed the back of her hand vigorously and sat down.

“It seems you gentlemen are lucky. You chose your day well.”

“……”

“Rise.”

Starting with the Vice Captain, Edan and Giorno rose to their feet. Just as Roseline, seeing the situation nearing its end, was secretly sighing in relief…

“You should express your gratitude. My Lady went to such lengths to plead for your lives,”

Upon his words, the standing men bowed their heads toward Roseline. The Vice Captain, in a deeply moved voice, even became choked up, vowing to protect her with his life and that he would never forget her grace. When he started to say something about ‘the mistress of the Grand Duke’s household,’ Merrick subtly jabbed the Vice Captain’s side, cutting him off.

“No, please, no. Don’t do this.”

Roseline, who had also sprung to her feet, flustered, waved her hands dismissively. Then, she met Valen’s eyes. Seated upright and properly even on the backless chair, he winked one eye at her. It was an expression she had seen countless times back at the encampment. It was like he was sending a signal.

Why is he doing this again?

‘Don’t ever make me feel wretched again.’

It seemed to be because of what she said last night, but this wasn’t the kind of treatment she had meant. Roseline glared at him, meaning he should fix this immediately.

“You know you’re pretty even without me looking at you like that.”

Valen let out a short sigh. His voice was so sickly-sweet, as if merely looking at her made him crazy with affection, that it sent ripples through the knights’ eyes. Roseline was no different. She was now genuinely concerned about his condition.

He couldn’t be like this unless he’d hit his head when he fainted.

While he was never one to hold back affectionate expressions, he usually considered the time and place. But now, it seemed even that thin boundary had completely collapsed.

“Sit down and watch. Don’t strain yourself standing.”

As if standing for a bit would break their legs, his following concern was also dripping with affection.

“Yes.”

Roseline promptly sat down. If she remained standing any longer, she couldn’t even guess what kind of reaction the man, who seemed to have lost all self-control, might show. In response, a compliment followed, something along the lines of, “How come you’re so obedient?” He had definitely hit his head. Or perhaps a demon had possessed him.

“It seems you can’t eat any more.”

Valen gestured toward the food with his eyes, and after a moment’s thought, Roseline simply nodded. Though more than half of the steak remained, his primary objective of getting her to eat some meat had been achieved, so he didn’t press further and had the dishes cleared.

While the orderlies busied themselves clearing the table, Valen, concerned the backless chair might be uncomfortable, suggested moving to the sofa. It was more the situation itself than her posture that was uncomfortable, so she asked if she could leave first, but her request was denied.

“If you leave, I’ll become anxious.”

“……”

“And if I become anxious, I get angry. And an angry me shouldn’t take it out on them, right?”