My Ruin to You - Chapter 258

“I’m not fond of your maid either, Roseline.”

“……”

“That’s because I want your time and heart given entirely to me alone. But I suppose that’s difficult for you.”

“……”

“So, I don’t mean I’ll do anything about it, so you needn’t worry. I just want you to know.”

After calmly stating his thoughts, Valen lowered his hand after lightly tapping her white cheek. Roseline quickly grabbed his retreating hand. It wasn’t a grand gesture—she had merely grabbed his hand—yet a disturbance rippled through his previously calm eyes.

“The one I’m worried about is you, Your Highness.”

Only after saying it did Roseline realize her own feelings. Even if he saw the people around her as thorns in his side, what could he really do? Of course, if he set his mind to it, he could do as he pleased, but after enduring such a painful past, he likely couldn’t bring himself to do anything. Unless, perhaps, he was anxiously fretting and suffering alone.

That was the part that worried her.

“Will you really be alright if I go to the capital?”

Roseline asked, gripping his hand tightly. A few days ago, he had told her not to go and to stay here, and had talked about hurrying the marriage. Though she pretended to dismiss them as empty words, she knew they were his true feelings. Despite his improved complexion, he had barely slept over the past five days.

Whenever Roseline, exhausted from their long activities, fell asleep as if fainting and then woke up, she would meet his gaze—eyes devoid of sleepiness. It was the same as the day they reunited in Runzak.

As if afraid that if he looked away, Roseline and all this time would disappear, he stayed awake through the night with open eyes. On the third day, when Roseline, worn out by fatigue, didn’t wake and just kept sleeping, Valen also closed his eyes beside her. Roseline woke up not long after he had fallen asleep.

The moment she carefully tried to roll away to the edge of the bed to escape his firm embrace without disturbing his sleep, he woke up. Feeling around the space beside him like a madman, Valen threw back the covers and shot upright.

It was only after Roseline, who had been lying on her side at the edge of the bed, sat up and said, ‘I’m right here,’ that he let out a long, relieved sigh. The memory of his heaving chest and the vividly shining eyes, stark even in the darkness, was still fresh.

“Now there’s about a year left, right?”

It was the number of days left until her Academy graduation. Though it was about a year and a couple of months, Roseline nodded. He looked down at her worried expression and pressed his lips to the back of her hand.

“A year is short, Roseline.”

Roseline felt sad again. It seemed he meant that compared to his long wait, that much time was easy.

Her nose stung inexplicably. Roseline winced and then wrapped her arms around his waist. Then, just as Valen had done for her when she cried, she patted his broad, hard back. Valen, who had stiffened as if pretending to be surprised, pulled Roseline into an embrace and pressed his lips to her hair.

“You’ll be coming to the capital soon too, Your Highness.”

“That’s right.”

“I’ll come to see you every day. Buy me a carriage, Your Highness.”

A soft laugh scattered through her hair.

“Alright. What else should I buy you?”

Her endearing words were simply so lovely that Valen hugged Roseline with all his might. Only after her small hand tapped his back, saying she couldn’t breathe, did he loosen his hold just enough to give her space to breathe.

“Hmm? Tell me what you need.”

He gently stroked the back of her head, urging an answer. Roseline, with her face buried in his shoulder, felt awkward. Her request for a carriage had been an offhand remark, and she thought he surely understood that. Even if he bought her a carriage, she wouldn’t be driving it herself—where would she keep it, and how would she manage a coachman?

“……I’ll think about it gradually.”

But since Valen seemed so pleased, she decided to save her words. Fine, if he really buys me a carriage, I’ll just carry it on my head or something.

“But, Your Highness.”

“Hmm.”

“You are also a precious and cherished person to me. So, if a truly difficult moment comes, please tell me. I am prepared.”

“Prepared for what?”

“Prepared to spend all my time with you, Your Highness.”

Valen’s chest swelled greatly. For a long while, a loud, thumping heartbeat transmitted through their pressed chests. Valen set Roseline slightly away from his embrace and cupped her cheeks with his large hands. Applying slight pressure, he gently kissed her protruding lips.