My Ruin to You - Chapter 24

“I know postponing would be the proper thing to do, but if I leave like this, I won’t be able to sleep at all. Still, I don’t want to cause trouble for you. So just—just give me a little of your time. A moment is enough.”

The more anxious I felt, the faster my words tumbled out. Valen, who had been staring down at me, let out a silent laugh.

“Of course. You’ve always had to get to the bottom of things, haven’t you?”

My overflowing curiosity and standing here, desperately seeking Valen’s answer, were two entirely different matters. But I didn’t bother pointing that out. I just soothed my frayed nerves and waited for him to continue.

“If I don’t give you an answer today, will you keep thinking about me until we meet again? I wouldn’t mind that.”

“Your Highness.”

“It’s a joke. You just look too cute when you beg.”

I was the only one taking this seriously—he was as unbothered as ever. When I scrunched up my face in frustration, he even smoothed out the creases with his fingers, telling me not to frown. How much self-control did it take not to swat away those noble hands of his?

However, she couldn’t hide the dissatisfaction etched in her eyes. Valen, as if he already knew everything, gave a leisurely smile and draped his cloak over Roseline’s shoulders. The scent deeply embedded in the fabric enveloped her entire body.

“I understood that you wanted to confirm something with me. But what kind of tantrum is this, saying you’ll leave right after hearing my answer? That won’t do.”

“……”

“Let’s head inside. You must be cold.”

Despite his gentle suggestion, the hand gripping hers and leading her forward carried an undeniable finality—there was no refusing.

Stop this. I’d rather come back another time. The hypocrisy swirling in her mouth was swallowed back down. At this point, putting on a show of courtesy felt even more distasteful.

“Did you really walk here? Your hands are freezing.”

“…Of course not. I took a carriage.”

“From where?”

“The Fountain Square.”

“My, that’s quite a distance.”

Valen slowed his steps to match Roseline’s, continuously rubbing her hands as if to thaw them. Was it because he was being so unnervingly composed? For a moment, she even began to delude herself into thinking that rushing here in such a frenzy might not have been such a big deal after all.

Then, suddenly, a wave of dread washed over her.

Blindly assuming that a man who’s protected even my battered pride wouldn’t stab me in the back—what if the opposite were true? What would I even do then? No, would there even be anything I could do?

Slapping him across the face like a madwoman might bring momentary satisfaction. But the consequences would be horrifying. At worst, she could end up imprisoned—or worse, lose her head for daring to raise a hand against royalty.

Surely Valen wouldn’t be that cruel to me… But who knew?

Just yesterday, the only rumors she’d been wary of were about him pulling strings for her appointment. Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined whispers of betrayal like this.

“……”

Roseline stole a glance at the man walking beside her. I don’t know. His expression and actions made it impossible to guess what he was really thinking.

◇◇◇

Only after entering the parlor did he finally release her hand. A servant added logs to the fireplace, while a maid brought over steaming herbal tea and desserts. Roseline, seated near the center of the long sofa, fidgeted with her hands resting on her knees, waiting for her turn to speak.

Click. The parlor door closed, and all listening ears disappeared. Valen, seated at the head of the table, pushed a teacup toward her and said, “Well, go on. Speak.”

“Today… I happened to hear something.”

Roseline kept her eyes fixed on the edge of the table as she continued.

“…That Your Highness interfered in the selection process for the Court Healers. Even though it was supposed to be confidential.”

“Confidential?”

He paused with the teacup halfway to his lips and raised his head. Then, slowly studying Roseline’s now-calm expression, he took a sip. The faintest trace of arsenic lingered at the corner of his eyes, untouched by the cup’s rim.

“Fine, let’s say it was confidential. Anything else?”

“No. Nothing.”

As Roseline shook her head, Valen quietly set the teacup down. The porcelain met the saucer with a sound so delicate it was barely audible—a movement refined and elegant. His lowered lashes lifted, and in those ash-gray pupils, Roseline’s reflection surfaced. Leaning languidly against the armchair’s back, he spoke.

“‘Interference,’ ‘confidential’—honestly, none of that even matters. Though I will say, word travels fast. Ah, was it Ruav’s niece who couldn’t keep her mouth shut?”