Chapter 48
‘That lunatic…’
The more she thought about it, the more absurd it became. Even if he’d been blinded by jealousy, trying to assault his future sister-in-law? What had he planned to do afterward?
Was he thinking that since he was the one who’d spent the first night with her, she would become his fiancée instead? Or maybe he intended to kidnap her and hide her away, then feign innocence?
Either way, it was horrifying.
Sylaria looked down at the bloodstains on the floor. As she stared at the slick traces of fluid, she clenched her teeth.
If Euclid hadn’t shown up in time, she would’ve been in real danger.
“…I’m sorry.”
As Sylaria stood in silence, Euclid spoke in a voice drained of energy. He casually returned the sofa that Arendtert had shoved aside to its original place, then continued.
“I’m sorry you had to go through something so awful on our first night.”
Euclid lowered his head and sighed deeply. Sylaria, looking up at him, suddenly gasped.
“You’re bleeding!”
Red blood was dripping down the back of Euclid’s hand. When she grabbed his hand in alarm, he responded with an awkward smile.
“It’s nothing.”
“How can it be nothing? Let me see.”
Sylaria slipped off Euclid’s jacket. A long gash was visible on his wrist.
Her expression grew serious, prompting him to speak quickly.
“It’s just a scratch. You’re not hurt, right? That’s all that matters to me. It just looks bad, but it really—”
“You’re bleeding.”
“I forgot the coagulant. I was in such a rush to get here.”
“So you took painkillers beforehand. You didn’t want me to feel it too.”
At her sharp observation, Euclid gave a sheepish smile. Sylaria looked at him with a troubled expression.
“Were there more assassins? Is that why you were late?”
“There’s no easier target to kill than one wearing a blindfold.”
Sylaria’s mouth fell open. She knew the Empress was constantly trying to kill Euclid, but this was too much.
No, this was more than excessive. It was convenient.
While Euclid was fighting off assassins, Arendtert had snuck into the bedchamber.
“Could it have been a coordinated plan between the Empress and Aren?”
“That would’ve been reckless. It was probably just coincidence.”
“The timing was too perfect.”
“Aren just picked his moment well. Everyone knew the Empress would try to send an assassin after me today.”
Euclid let out a bitter laugh. He covered his wound with his other hand as he added, somewhat defensively,
“I expected it too. I just didn’t expect so many of them. That’s why I was late. I’m sorry.”
“Why are you apologizing?”
Sylaria’s voice rose as emotion surged in her chest. He’d barely survived a brush with death, and yet here he was apologizing for not protecting her.
They called him a mad prince consumed by rage.
But he was just… far too kind.
“You have nothing to be sorry for. You saved me.”
“It became the worst first night possible.”
“That’s…”
At Euclid’s reply, Sylaria faltered. She closed her mouth and glanced around the room. Perhaps her eyes had adjusted to the darkness, because she could now clearly see the state of it.
It was, in a word, a disaster.
The bedsheets were disheveled and soaked in Arendtert’s blood.
The curtain she had hidden behind was wrinkled and torn from being yanked so many times, and above all else, the entire room reeked of blood. It was the blood Arendtert had spilled across the floor.
“It’s true. Having our first night here would be difficult,” she replied.
“It’s not the room I’m worried about. Can you be with me right now?”
“Why wouldn’t I?”
“Aren’t you afraid of men?”
Euclid looked at her with deep concern as he asked. His tone was gentle, his worry genuine.
Given that Arendtert had nearly violated her, it was only natural that he’d ask.
But Sylaria wasn’t afraid of Euclid. On the contrary, she wanted to fall into his arms right away and wash away the memory of Arendtert.
“If it’s you… I’m fine.”
“…Truly?”
Euclid studied her face as she smiled at him. Then he furrowed his brows slightly. After staring at her for a long moment, he suddenly swept her into his arms.
“Then let’s spend our first night together, Sylaria.”
Lifting her effortlessly, he spoke in a bright, cheerful tone and walked out of the room.
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