My Ruin to You - Chapter 225

It was unprecedented. Even looking back through history, it was rare for high-ranking nobles to take to the battlefield. Moreover, wasn’t Valen a member of the imperial family, flowing with the most noble blood?

The symbolic significance was clear. Our allies’ morale would soar, while conversely, the enemy would be thrown into disarray and focus all their efforts on defending Runzak. There was no more perfect decoy than this.

However, risks also existed. In war, nothing is ever one hundred percent certain; victory or defeat can be overturned by the smallest variable. Yesterday’s skirmish was a prime example. If the Knight Commander hadn’t sent reinforcements, or if Roseline had chosen a shield instead of a mutation, the outcome would have been different.

“Your Highness, you must not!”

The Knight Commander and the knights knelt and pleaded. Merrick was the exception. Remaining seated in his spot, Merrick glanced indifferently at those kneeling under the table. If they keep this up, they’re going to get an earful.

“Please reconsider your decision!”

Just as expected. As the Knight Commander’s voice showed signs of rising, Valen clicked his tongue shortly.

“Commander.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Sit down.”

“…As you command.”

The Knight Commander promptly rose and returned to his seat. Giorno and Edan, who followed him back to the table, shot dirty looks at Merrick. Merrick simply shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly.

“Didn’t you yourself say, Commander, that the chieftains of the Carnoc are growing discontent?”

“That is correct.”

“Then their King must be desperate for a victory in this war. To restore the royal authority’s prestige and boost the army’s morale, he would need to achieve merit on the battlefield.”

Valen tapped the map with his fingertip. It was the Carnoc capital.

“We must also consider the possibility that the King might leave the capital.”

In other words, whether the Carnoc King stays in the capital or takes to the field, he faces ruin. It was a firm declaration of intent to capture the enemy king and end the war, and it was also retribution for yesterday’s ambush.

The Knight Commander and the knights offered no further opposition. While significant matters like supplies and routes remained, Valen postponed them to the afternoon meeting and dismissed everyone. Having all noticed Valen’s gaze drifting towards the sofa throughout the short meeting, no one raised any objections this time and they all quietly left the room.

“What should I do?”

Roseline asked. Valen, who had naturally taken a seat beside her, threw the question back, “What would you like to do?”

Distracted by the close proximity—close enough for their shoulders to touch—Roseline ended up missing what he said. She also found herself pondering the meaning of reconciliation. Does reconciliation imply a relationship? Well, one would only know if they had actually reconciled.

Apart from the awkwardness of the sudden shift in their relationship, it seemed he might be right. Just as reconciling with a severed friend restores the relationship, reconciling with an ex-lover would likely follow a similar pattern.

But there was nothing to be done about this uncomfortable atmosphere. If she had the talent to change her demeanor as she wished, she would have already been ruling the social scene.

“Hmm? What do you want to do?”

“Me? Well…”

Roseline subtly shifted her seat away. Staring intently at Roseline squirming away, the corners of his mouth curved into a gentle smile.

“Let’s become one.”

Perhaps because his patience, tested from finding her merely cute, had reached its limit, Valen lifted Roseline and sat her on his lap.

“Eep!”

In her attempt to create some distance, Roseline, who had suddenly ended up on his lap, was startled and grabbed his shoulders. Her feet, lifted into the air, dangled helplessly.

“Let me down.”

“I’m afraid that won’t do.”

He pulled the struggling Roseline even tighter against him. Despite her stiffly straightened back and the force in her arms as she braced herself, her balance crumbled in an instant. Roseline scanned him with an incredulous look. Her displeasure was evident on her face, her blush-tinted cheeks puffing up.

“If you’re going to go easy on me, don’t do it half-heartedly. Do it properly, Roseline.”

Valen poked her plump cheek and let out a short laugh. Roseline, who had been about to ask why he had become so shameless, pressed her lips tightly together and averted her gaze. The reason was that he had just thrown her own recent words right back at her.

‘If you’re thinking of going easy on me and letting me win, then do it properly. Why are you being so ambiguous like this?’

The process that led to her saying those words was important, but she always felt like she was being played in the palm of his hand. He was the kind of man who, despite saying otherwise, would flip the situation immediately if things didn’t suit his fancy or align with his plans, even if he seemed to be letting go. It was truly ambiguous control.

Of course, there were parts she acknowledged. The decision to ‘let go’ itself must have required immense patience for a man like Valen. So, Roseline tried to understand his ambiguous control. Just as she couldn’t fix her rebellious nature even if she died and came back to life, it would be difficult to expect complete laissez-faire from Valen.