Chapter 38
“The culprit—”
At that moment, the Crown Prince’s voice slipped through the crack in the door. Adelaide’s body went rigid. She had never met him before… yet the voice felt strangely familiar.
“The suspect has lost the will to escape and is waiting quietly inside the room.”
“Good. Open the door.”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
With a creak, the door swung open.
A long beam of light cut through the dark room. The Crown Prince stood against it, his face shadowed by the light behind him.
He stepped inside and, as he closed the door, gave a command to the knights standing guard.
“There are matters I need to hear from the culprit. Block off any escape routes, but keep your distance from this room.”
“Understood! We will carry out your orders!”
They hurried away at once. The last thing the knights wanted was to overhear something they shouldn’t.
At last, silence fell. The door shut, plunging the room back into darkness.
The Crown Prince moved through the room as if he had been there many times before. He pulled back the heavy blackout curtains.
Moonlight poured in, bright and full.
“…Killi.”
Adelaide murmured weakly.
Standing beneath the window—dressed in attire she had never seen him wear before—was her friend.
Killi.
“This is a joke, right? It’s not funny at all.”
“Not funny? That’s a shame. I thought it was quite entertaining.”
At his smiling face, something inside Adelaide shattered completely. She stared up at him, stunned.
Killian bent down, lowering himself to her level.
“Why did you do it? Why, Killi?”
“I should be the one asking that.”
“What… what did I do…?”
“I told you I loved you. I went that far. I even forgave you for trying to leave without telling me… and yet you still chose to abandon me.”
So it’s your fault. Killian smiled again as he said it.
In that instant, Adelaide couldn’t hold back anymore.
Smack!
The sharp crack split the air. His cheek turned red, his face snapping to the side.
“You animal. You’re not even human. How, how could you do this to me?”
“Mm. I expected at least one slap, so that’s fine.”
He spoke calmly, as if it meant nothing.
“But Adelaide… next time, try thinking before you act.”
“What are you—”
“Now that you know I’m not just your ‘friend Killi,’ you should learn to behave a little more carefully.”
He took her hand—the same one that had struck him—and pressed his lips to her palm.
“I’ve already destroyed your family for the crime of trying to leave me… so what do you think I’ll take next for the crime of striking me, if you keep acting so boldly?”
The warning, wrapped in such a gentle tone, was horrifying.
Tears began to stream down Adelaide’s face again.
“Ah—no… I’m sorry, Killi. I’m sorry… so please, please stop. I’m begging you.”
“Mm. Yes, you were wrong.”
He nodded lightly.
“I’m glad you understand that now. I was starting to think I’d have to cut off the count’s or Roem’s head before you came to your senses.”
He spoke of their lives as if they were nothing more than toys. Adelaide knew him well enough to understand that he wasn’t joking.
Killian gently stroked her hair. It was the same way he had always comforted her when she cried. The gesture was just as soft as ever, but every brush of his hand against her skin made her shudder.
“Adelaide. I’ve realized a lot this time. So I’m not going to make mistakes like that again.”
His mistake had been that he had tried to take a roundabout path when there was an easier one. Now, he no longer cared about Adelaide’s feelings.
With the power and authority he held, he could take whatever he wanted from her.
“I, I won’t leave again. I won’t even think about leaving. So please… my family—”
“Mm. I’ll let them go. Don’t worry, Adelaide.”
“Thank you Kil… no—thank you, Your Highness.”
At her suddenly formal tone, Killian let out a soft laugh.
It truly amused him, seeing Adelaide desperately trying to read his mood and please him.
“But, Adelaide… I don’t think I can trust your words anymore.”
He gently wiped her tears as he whispered.
“If you want me to believe you’ll never leave me again… you’ll have to show me something more certain.”
“Something more certain? How would I even—”
Their eyes met. And Adelaide fell silent. In his violet gaze, his desire for Adelaide was laid bare.
“Yes. You should at least give me your purity. That would be enough collateral for me to trust you, wouldn’t it? Of course… the choice is yours.”
Killian smiled softly at her shocked expression.
Discussion
3 CommentsRBluemoon238
Eau_Profonde
Hopefully she will have her revenge 🙏😩
Eau_Profonde
I hope Adelaide will make him suffer and beg on his knees.