My Ruin to You - Chapter 36

It should have hurt, yet the Emperor’s expression didn’t flicker. Instead, he deftly guided Roseline, now pale with mortification, as though nothing had happened. Perhaps wary of another misstep, he fell silent.

Only when the melody swelled and Roseline’s tension had eased slightly did the Emperor speak again.

“Just as Our brother is dear to Us, you too are Our precious subject—a star who brightens this Empire. If hardship ever weighs too heavily, come to Us.”

“…Your Majesty humbles me. But I fear that moment is already here.”

Roseline’s gaze was steady, unwavering in its sincerity. The Emperor, meeting her eyes, suddenly laughed aloud.

“You still do not know Valen well, it seems.”

“…Pardon?”

“To Our eyes, Our brother has been unusually… lenient with you.”

The Emperor’s playful wink coincided with the music’s final note. Stunned—unable to smile or frown, only blinking rapidly—Roseline felt the press of the Emperor’s lips against her knuckles.

“We wish you fortune.”

A farewell fit for knights riding to war. His gentle bearing and soft features shared nothing with Valen’s—yet that teasing glint in his eyes was unnervingly familiar.

Roseline stared blankly at the Emperor’s retreating figure until an unmistakable, searing gaze prickled against her skin. But she refused to turn.

What kind of glory did I expect to find here, enduring these glares?

“I wanted to bolt from the hall this instant, to hide anywhere—but the fear of him following kept me rooted.”

“So, how was dancing with His Majesty…?”

“Huh?”

“Never mind. I can guess without asking.”

Schnitzel clicked her tongue, raking her eyes over Roseline as she stumbled back.

“My lady.”

Someone approached from behind Schnitzel. As she turned toward the sound, Roseline stiffened, recognizing the unwelcome figure.

“His Highness is waiting.”

It was Merrick, Valen’s aide. Only then did Roseline glance back at the dais—the seat that had been burning with the weight of that searing gaze was now empty.

“Forgive me, my lady. I’ll return after speaking with him.”

“No need. I’ll be with my brother, so come find me when you’re done. And let me remind you—my brother is still un—”

“Go on ahead, my lady.”

Cutting off Schnitzel’s inevitable reminder about her brother’s marital status, Roseline hurriedly nudged her away. Grumbling, Schnitzel obeyed. Once she was out of earshot, Roseline turned to Merrick with a bright, hollow smile.

“Tell His Highness I won’t be groveling, so there’s no need for an audience.”

“My lady.”

“You work so hard. Well then, goodbye.”

The smile vanished as if it had never been there. Roseline turned away coldly.

“He said he would wait until the hour strikes.”

The words froze her mid-step. Roseline exhaled so deeply her shoulders slumped. When she turned back, irritation was plain on her face.

“And after the hour?”

“I trust you’ll make the wise choice, my lady.”

I don’t even trust myself—why would you?

Something simmered inside her. I shouldn’t have come. Banquets like this were never my place.

Pointless regrets. For a wild moment, she considered pretending she hadn’t heard and retreating to the dormitory—but that was just as futile. She had heard.

This wasn’t a dilemma. It was a foregone conclusion.

“Where is His Highness?”

◇◇◇

Following Merrick, she left the banquet hall behind. Only as they ascended the stairs past opulent corridors did she remember Schnitzel. Ah. I never told her I’d be back.

But it was too late to turn back now.

“Merrick.”

“Yes, my lady?”

“Could you relay a message to Lady Schnitzel? Tell her she needn’t wait if I’m late.”

“As you wish.”

Merrick nodded curtly. Roseline fell silent again, trailing him without another word. By the third floor, the clamor of the banquet had faded into distant murmurs. A hollow quiet, thick as a separate world, stretched down the long, chilled corridor.

“I’ve brought the young lady.”

A sense of déjà vu washed over her—the heavy knock on the door, the composed voice announcing her arrival.

Roseline suppressed the flicker of memory writhing in her chest and stepped inside. The door closed behind her. Bathed in moonlight streaming through the window, a beautiful man stood with his back to the light, the curve of his lips lifting as his eyes settled on her.

“It’s been a while.”