Chapter 89
He knew. Marie was not someone who knew how to ask things of others. Especially not of him, the man who had only ever hurt her and left them both scarred. And yet she had asked him honestly. Joy blossomed within him.
‘I’ll make the arrangements immediately. It won’t be difficult at all.’
‘Thank you. But there’s no need to rush.’
‘No. I’ll give the order at once. And I’ll make sure they can come and go from the palace whenever they wish.’
‘Huh?’
Looking into those clear, shining eyes, he pressed something that was neither quite laughter nor tears to his lips and kissed her round forehead.
‘Really… is it all right?’
‘Of course. Your family is my family as well. You don’t have to worry about a thing.’
‘Ah…’
‘More importantly…’
The sight of her wide, startled eyes was both adorable and heartbreaking. Such a small request, and yet she had hesitated over it. When it came to her, he could grant her anything. Truly, anything at all.
‘I hope your younger sister won’t be afraid of me. How do I seem? Do you think she might… be a little frightened of me?’
‘Pfft! You’re worried about that?’
‘Isn’t it only natural?’
And so he simply watched Marie as she laughed for a long while.
He was aware that there were people waiting nearby in considerable distress. But he paid them no mind.
He was an arrogant Crown Prince. And he enjoyed these moments spent watching her.
* * *
Marie was a modest person.
Watching her remain entirely unconcerned with either her striking beauty or the opposite s-x she could wield as a weapon at any time, Russell quietly continued to atone for and correct the mistakes of his past.
For example, things like this, perhaps.
“Isn’t this a little excessive?”
Even as she smiled awkwardly, the way the tips of her ears gradually flushed red beneath his steady gaze was adorable.
“It still doesn’t seem like enough.”
He found his own indifferent reply irritating, yet Marie was smiling.
The gentle curve of her eyes, as though she found him impossible to deal with, was endearing.
The emotions radiating softly from her, happiness mingled with embarrassment, only made it all the more precious.
So she likes sapphires. Perhaps I should give her a sapphire mine as a gift, he thought. Just then, she spoke.
“Your Highness, I think we should stop for today. We don’t even know how my figure will change yet, but ordering dresses for all four seasons in advance… I really do think it’s too extravagant.”
“Even if this entire room were filled, it still wouldn’t be enough.”
“I don’t need that many dresses or accessories. I don’t like waste.”
“Hm.”
“Eh?”
Sensing that she was genuinely at a loss, he dismissed everyone from the room.
Watching her relax and let out a soft sigh, Russell slowly reached out his hand.
There had once been a time when, seeing the weary look on her face, he had wanted to caress her cheek.
Back then, however, he had not been able to reach her.
“Why?”
“…”
Now, he liked that she smiled and willingly rested her cheek against his hand like this.
At times, it made him wonder whether this was all a dream or an illusion.
When he had seen her standing at the edge of that cliff, he had truly felt as though his soul were dying. Ah, if I lose Marie here, then I too will die.
And yet, the reason he could smile like this now—
The reason he could feel such peace—
“What are you thinking about so deeply? Are you not going to tell me?”
As he brushed away the strands of hair clinging to her cheek and idly twirled them around his finger, Marie laughed as though tickled.
Then she placed her hand over the back of his.
The soft warmth of her skin, along with the subtle Omega pheromones she unconsciously released, gently urged him on.
The fresh scent of grapefruit, absorbed through his senses, was both invigorating and intimate.
“Because I like it. And…”
When their eyes met, he spoke quietly.
Knowing that his inability to speak honestly had always wounded and hurt Marie, he had been trying, as much as possible, to tell her the truth.
“I was thinking that you are merciful.”
“Me?”
He said it seriously, meeting her gaze directly.
The hand Marie was holding tightened slightly, growing warmer. Her lips parted as if to say something, only for her to flush red and lightly bite the full lower lip that looked tempting enough to swallow whole.
Was this a provocation? Or a signal that she wanted to return to the bedroom immediately?
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