Chapter 76
“Your Highness.”
“Yes.”
“Even if I’m not the daughter of your enemy, even if it was all a mistake, do you still resent me for trying to run away while carrying your child?”
Then tell me you hate me. Just say it.
“So is that why you locked me up here? Once I give birth to the child, will I be allowed to leave?”
If that’s the case, then I can finally sever this last piece of my heart, like breaking off a wilted flower.
But somehow, Russell didn’t move. He just stood there.
After a long silence, his voice came, low and deliberate.
“No. I didn’t keep you here because of the child, or the past, or out of guilt. Even if you had lost the baby, even if you blamed me for everything, I would still hold onto you.”
“Then why—!”
But he still didn’t turn around.
“Because I love you.”
He threw the words out, just like that.
“……”
Marie stood stunned for a moment. Then, almost without realizing it, she let out a hollow laugh. There couldn’t have been anything more ridiculous. Love? Him? Me? That’s impossible.
Her face crumpled, as if she might burst into tears at any second. She didn’t want to hear such lies.
“There’s no way someone like you could love someone like me.”
“……”
“That can’t be.”
The stubborn shoulders of the man who had only shown his back trembled. Like he was laughing. No, as if crying.
“You’re right, Marie. I did ruin you by making you a courtesan. But now…”
His laugh was mixed with tears. Marie wanted to see his face. She wanted to know what expression he had when he said those words. Her heart ached. Could it be… you, too, really?
“Now to say I love you must sound ridiculous. But, Marie—”
A thick wave of pheromones poured out. The heavy scent that settled on the floor climbed up Marie’s legs and seeped into her skin. Something inside her womb willingly embraced the Alpha’s pheromones.
Marie groaned and staggered.
Suddenly, a large hand grabbed her shoulder.
Their eyes met — fiery and intense.
“Marie.”
“……”
He wasn’t crying, but he looked unbearably tormented, as if the sincerity inside him was real. Not the arrogant and cold heir of the kingdom, but just an ordinary Alpha.
His pheromones cried. They were soaked with sadness.
“Do you really want to leave? Do want to…leave me?”
She couldn’t answer.
“If you really want to leave, then go ahead.”
He led Marie’s hand to rest on his chest.
Her hand was limp, barely holding on. He stubbornly made her cling on, digging her nails in.
As if tearing at his own heart.
“Kill me. Kill me and leave.”
He stepped back after leaving those words behind. As he exited the room, Marie thought she saw him stumble, but maybe she was mistaken.
She looked down at her belly, still flat, showing no signs of life. Then she wrapped her arms around it.
Her heart pounded loudly in her chest.
She didn’t know if it was from sorrow or confusion.
Kill me and leave? Why would he say something like that?
And the truth. The truth was…
“I…”
When he said he loved her, she had wanted to believe it. She had wanted to waver. She had wanted to dream of a happy future with him, with this child. She had wanted to reach out her hand.
The voice that had always felt like a curse grew faint and distant.
And so… she felt sorry.
Marie lowered her head.
More than anyone else… she felt sorry toward the child.
“Little one… I’m sorry.”
I’m sorry I said I didn’t want to give birth to you.
I’m sorry I used you as an excuse to lash out.
I’m sorry…
Discussion
1 CommentEr_amaral26@