Chapter 90
Unfortunately, Russell could sense neither passion nor desire from Marie’s emotions. Even so, she was not entirely unaffected. The Alpha did not miss that brief opening and released his pheromones.
“Ngh, Your Highness.”
The faint aura he extended lightly brushed against her wrist. Only he knew that the rich pheromones were caressing Marie’s hair, her rounded shoulders, and the graceful line of her neck.
Russell gently stroked her flushed cheeks. He willingly watched as the composure in her intelligent golden eyes slowly crumbled.
“Your Highness, please stop teasing me…”
“What exactly have I done?”
“You’re looking at me like that.”
“Like what?”
A smile escaped him.
He knew of the intimate marks scattered across the pale skin hidden beneath that soft dress she wore so properly.
“How am I looking at you?”
“Do I really have to say it out loud…?”
They were the marks he had left the previous night when he had failed to restrain his desire and had covered her delicate skin with kisses and bites.
He knew how alluringly Marie had cried each time, how intoxicating her soft moans had been.
But he decided not to embarrass her any further.
If he continued, he felt he might lose control and release his pheromones in earnest.
So, as she wished, he changed the subject.
“Are the preparations for today’s banquet going well?”
“Of course. You’re the one who invited me, Your Highness.”
“…”
“I’ve made thorough preparations.”
The ballroom would undoubtedly be a place filled with terrible memories for Marie.
Russell quietly studied her profile as she gazed at the dress she would be wearing that evening, seemingly lost in thought.
The emotions spreading quietly within her had settled into calmness, but she was surely remembering what had happened back then.
‘I was the one who made you that way.’
At the ballroom where he had deliberately dragged her in order to humiliate her, Marie had been treated entirely as nothing more than a courtesan.
‘She’s only a mistress, after all.’ How many times had she heard those words? Countless times, no doubt. It had been a pit into which Russell himself had willingly cast her.
“Marie.”
“Yes?”
“Back then…”
He said no more. Instead, he took her hand in his. Warmth spread pleasantly through their intertwined fingers.
“I think I know what you were about to say, Your Highness.”
I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.
“Please don’t.”
“But…”
“I’m very happy right now. Truly happy. Don’t I look that way?”
Watching her draw closer, he quietly pressed a kiss to her lips.
Unlike his usual desire to devour, bite, and taste her, this kiss carried only the sincerity of his apology.
‘What should I do? How can I make her happier?’
Russell wanted to cover all of her painful memories with happier ones.
Of course, the Crown Prince, who was far from being a delicate or perceptive man, had sought advice from those around him.
Under the enthusiastic guidance of the maids, all of whom wished to improve his relationship with Marie, he had come to a single conclusion:
The one who had done wrong had to take the initiative in setting things right.
In other words, he had resolved to court her actively.
No longer would he wound her with his actions or his words.
He would make Marie happy. He would make her smile brightly, grant her wishes, and ensure that she would never regret staying by his side.
He truly wanted to give her anything and everything.
For the sake of his Omega, the one he had nearly lost once before.
* * *
‘I wonder if it’s noticeable after all.’
Concerned about the slight swell beginning to show in her abdomen, Marie studied herself in the mirror as she adjusted her dress.
A great many things had changed recently.
To be swept away like a wave by changes in her surroundings was, in truth, something she was accustomed to.
Up until now, however, those changes had almost always brought the worst.
But now, she could smile.
‘Because I have you.’
The father of this child and her lover.
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