My Ruin to You - Chapter 230

“You need to breathe through here.”

“Ah!”

Valen gently nipped her nose with his teeth, causing Roseline to scrunch her nose and hunch her shoulders.

“This is a problem. You still don’t know where to breathe.”

His words, spoken in a low, husky voice, weren’t meant to tease Roseline but were more like a vow to himself. Get a grip now, he seemed to be saying. Are you really going to devour this girl here, who’s so startled she can’t even breathe? Give her a moment to catch her breath so the distance we’ve barely closed doesn’t widen again.

“Breathe. I won’t do any more.”

Burying his face in the nape of Roseline’s neck, Valen left his own share of regret and reluctance behind. However, the distinct sensation of the hot, rigid pillar pressing against her made Roseline hesitate, and she pushed him away. Despite having held her tightly to keep her from moving, Valen yielded without resistance.

“…I should be going now,”

Roseline said, her gaze fixed on the edge of his shoulder. The path back to the tent had always been with Valen, but today, given his… condition, she intended to go alone. As she awkwardly tried to pass him, wiping her wet lips, Valen caught her hand.

“You can’t go alone.”

“…It seems I have to go alone.”

“If you’re not going to help, then don’t pay it any mind.”

It was impossible not to pay it any mind, but she nodded without argument. Unless it was some other circumstance, the likelihood of him agreeing was exceedingly low, given he had never left Roseline alone.

It was because of the spies. Just as there were enemy spies mixed in among the Carnoc, their own ranks were no exception. While knights of noble birth had more verifiable backgrounds, it wasn’t difficult for soldiers to forge their origins and status, even after going through verification.

Therefore, anticipating even the worst-case scenario where an unknown spy might harm Roseline, he had established near-obsessive countermeasures. He never left Roseline alone, and when he had to be absent, he always stationed Merrick with her. Furthermore, the security guarding the tents used by Roseline and Armenia was stringent.

It was an excessive worry. At least, that’s what Roseline thought. If I were the commander of the Carnoc and could give a spy just one order, I’d target Valen.

The pivotal figure who would decide the fate of the war was the Grand Duke; Roseline was merely a small piece on the board. Yet, understanding Valen’s anxiety born from loss, she quietly complied. It must be severe for him to be like this, she thought.

That was also the reason she didn’t push away the hand that interlaced its fingers with hers, filling the spaces between her own. She even pretended not to notice the man’s ulterior motive of walking excruciatingly slowly, as if regretting even the tiny distance where their noses might touch if they fell.

◇◇◇

The next day, the main army led by Valen reached its destination. Thanks to the forces that had departed earlier from the main camp arriving and establishing positions beforehand, they could join them without difficulty. On the plains where Runzak Castle was visible in the distance, tents stood in rows, and endless flags fluttered in the wind.

“Young Lady!”

After the round of greetings welcoming the Grand Duke had passed, those who had been waiting for Roseline endlessly called out to her in loud voices. It was her academy classmates: Schnitzel, Malsen, Ruav, and others.

“You’re… you’re really, ugh… you’re safe…”

“What did I tell you, hng…”

The moment they spotted the distinctive pink top of her head after scanning the procession until their necks were sore, they burst into tears. Just as Roseline, feeling her own throat constrict and choking up in sympathy, raised her hand brightly to greet them…

“Pfft.”

Merrick, standing beside her, suddenly covered his face and shook his head. It wasn’t just Merrick; most of the Crimson Claw knights surrounding Roseline had buried their faces and were shaking their shoulders. They seemed to be stifling laughter.

“Why?”

Roseline asked, scratching the back of her neck awkwardly, but no one answered. It seemed immensely difficult for them to hold back their laughter; even a vein bulged on Merrick’s forehead. Hoo. Finally suppressing his laughter with a long sigh and a fake cough, Merrick spoke with a perfectly straight face, as if nothing had happened.

“It’s nothing. Please go ahead.”

After scanning Merrick and the other knights in turn, Roseline smoothly leaped down from her horse. She then hurried her steps toward the welcoming party. She could see Valen standing in the distance. He was watching Roseline intently, his arms crossed. Since she inevitably had to pass in front of him, Roseline slowed her pace and gave a slight, discreet bow of her head.

“…….”

Unlike his usual habit of winking when their eyes met, Valen showed no reaction whatsoever. It’s only natural for his mood to change with a battle imminent, she thought, and was about to quicken her steps again when…