“Vincenzo, what does this mean? The real owner?”
Neil asked about the owner's sudden announcement of the breakup.
Neil was greatly embarrassed by the tears of Vincenzo, who was always rational and far from tearful.
“Vincentzo Winster!”
Vincentzo Winster.
He was a playmate of the deceased Bardenaldo, and a grandson of Canula Winster, who had acquired the marquisate after the law of succession to his wife, and thus a cousin of the Crown Prince's brother.
The Marquis of Winston wanted to protect his grandson in place of the deceased Empress Letina.
It was only natural that he would follow the will of the Marquis and become the man of Crown Prince Bardenaldo.
“You are the one who served His Highness the Crown Prince the longest and closest. I believe you were more loyal to His Highness than any of his other aides. Your real master! Are you saying that you were the Crown Prince’s lackey?”
Vincenzo couldn't say a word to Neil, who was dumbfounded and asking questions.
He was hit with a shovel.
A spy who monitored Rhodnes at the order of the Crown Prince.
'Vincenzo, my old friend. You must have heard the legend that red eyes lead a country to ruin. Go and watch over my brother so that he always walks the right path.'
At that moment, Vincenzo saw a mouth casually calling the ghost story a 'legend'.
The treasure of the flawless Empress Letina. The saint of Ronta. The hope of the Marquis of Winston.
Having lost her children one after another, and now left only herself and the sons of Empress Letina, grandmother Canula Winster adored her grandchildren dearly.
In particular, he loved his grandchildren the most, as they had lost their mother at a young age and he could not even be with them. Crown Prince Bardenaldo, who was called a saint and performed good deeds, was also the grandson of Canula, a devout believer who donated hundreds of millions to the Great Temple every year.
Vincenzo had always felt something was wrong while watching the Crown Prince, but he could not bring himself to tell anyone about it.
It would have been like spitting in his own face to tell anyone, and he was worried that she was too old to tell the Marquis of Winston, as he might faint at the slightest shock.
“Answer me. Are you saying that you will continue to turn your back on His Highness? Are you saying that you will send His Highness away like this, Vincenzo?”
"...No."
It was the first time that the true nature of Bardenaldo, who had always seemed like a foggy illusion, became clear.
While investigating the basement of the Crown Prince's palace under the orders of Rhodnes, he realized that Bardenaldo was much more twisted than he had thought when he was young.
“It wasn’t a good start, but my master is no longer His Highness the Crown Prince.”
It wasn't just because he heard the announcement of his breakup from Rhodnes today.
Although he became Rhodnes' adjutant by the will of the Crown Prince, he was someone who had watched closely how much Rhodnes had sacrificed for Bardenaldo and this country since before he became an adult and until now.
Even the always grumbling Neil would reminisce about the times when Rhodnes was on the battlefield and say, "Still, His Highness has had a hard time."
For the image of Crown Prince Bardenaldo, who always solves problems, Rhodnes lived his life as the complete opposite, a troublemaker.
But in reality, it was Rhodnes who always solved problems and protected this country.
“My master is His Highness the Second Prince. Even if His Highness the Crown Prince were alive, that wouldn’t change.”
“Explain, explain. Vincenzo.”
“I will explain properly to His Highness and accept the punishment. So don’t worry.”
As Vincenzo spoke his thoughts, his heart became stronger.
He had already decided on Lord Rhodnes as his lord a long time ago.
It is now time to tell the story of the dead Bardenaldo, the story that was buried in his heart.
Vincenzo thought so and ran away, leaving Neil behind as he demanded an explanation.
After leaving the banquet hall, Ephero and Victor headed to the Empress's Palace, and I headed to the office in the Rhodnes Palace.
There were also post-funeral procedures to worry about, and many things had fallen to Rhodnes due to the Crown Prince's sudden death. Even if I didn't want to come, I would have no choice but to come to the office after the funeral.
I buried myself on the sofa in the office and had my eyes closed for a long time.
Just thinking about the time I kissed him last night sent shivers down my spine.
It's not like it's my first time kissing a guy.
Everything felt like the first time.
Knock, knock, knock.
As I was caressing my slightly swollen lips for no reason, the sound of shoes came closer.
Feeling that it wasn't Rhodnes' voice, I went to hide in the large cabinet behind the sofa.
There was no reason to hide though.
Bam!
Through the cabinet vents, a very familiar face caught my eye.
“No way.”
It was Doris.
The woman who had been shedding tears by Rhodnes’s side until just now was no longer there.
I frowned at the thick scent seeping through the vent holes.
Doris, who had taken off the cloak she had been wearing, was wearing a pure white dress that looked like a bride's wedding dress.
Bam.
The office door opened again.
Standing tall in front of the door was the owner of the room, Rhodnes.
Rhodnes raised an eyebrow at the unexpected guest.
I had been so shocked that my mouth was wide open since earlier, but he didn't look as surprised as I thought when he saw Doris.
Bang.
Without saying anything, Rhodnes closed the door and stood in front of Doris without hesitation.
Doris's lips, painted red, formed a straight line.
“Roan.”
“If you have anything to say, please say it.”
It was a reaction that seemed as if he had expected it. However, Doris seemed glad that he had not issued an order to evict guests.
Doris slowly reached out and unbuttoned the black dress of Rhodnes. Her hands were unhesitating, even though it was mourning clothes for her husband's funeral.
What was even more surprising was that Rhodnes was just staring down at her touch without responding or resisting in any way.
Not only was Doris waiting in her brother-in-law's office for her husband's funeral dressed like a newlywed, but her touch was quite explicit.
“Roan, the only one who can comfort me is you.”
Rhodes' chin slowly rose.
The face that stared at Doris without blinking seemed to seduce her.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
“I’ll forgive your rudeness last time. So...”
As her hands became busier, countless buttons were undone. Beneath the pitch-black uniform, a sharp, sharp white shirt was revealed.
“Be my man.”
The earnest hands now moved to the shirt. It was where the gold buttons with the imperial emblem embroidered in relief were firmly held in place.
“I will make you Emperor, Roan.”
It was only then that I realized I was shaking.
Rhodnes's sunken eyes and strangely sensual gaze seemed to squeeze my heart.
Doris's face showed joy as the lips that had been licking her lips in the rain just a few hours ago slowly formed a gentle curve, while mine, on the other hand, turned as pale as a corpse.
Doris's touch became bolder.
She unconsciously swallowed a groan of admiration at the sight of Rhodnes's body briefly revealed through his shirt, and her wicked hand moved across his abdomen to the tightly locked belt buckle.
That was when.
Knock knock knock!
An urgent and strong hand knocked on the office door.
Doris' face, which had been in a trance, suddenly became distorted.
Knock knock knock!!
“Your Highness! This is Vincenzo Winston!”
"Be quiet."
Neil asked about the owner's sudden announcement of the breakup.
Neil was greatly embarrassed by the tears of Vincenzo, who was always rational and far from tearful.
“Vincentzo Winster!”
Vincentzo Winster.
He was a playmate of the deceased Bardenaldo, and a grandson of Canula Winster, who had acquired the marquisate after the law of succession to his wife, and thus a cousin of the Crown Prince's brother.
The Marquis of Winston wanted to protect his grandson in place of the deceased Empress Letina.
It was only natural that he would follow the will of the Marquis and become the man of Crown Prince Bardenaldo.
“You are the one who served His Highness the Crown Prince the longest and closest. I believe you were more loyal to His Highness than any of his other aides. Your real master! Are you saying that you were the Crown Prince’s lackey?”
Vincenzo couldn't say a word to Neil, who was dumbfounded and asking questions.
He was hit with a shovel.
A spy who monitored Rhodnes at the order of the Crown Prince.
'Vincenzo, my old friend. You must have heard the legend that red eyes lead a country to ruin. Go and watch over my brother so that he always walks the right path.'
At that moment, Vincenzo saw a mouth casually calling the ghost story a 'legend'.
The treasure of the flawless Empress Letina. The saint of Ronta. The hope of the Marquis of Winston.
Having lost her children one after another, and now left only herself and the sons of Empress Letina, grandmother Canula Winster adored her grandchildren dearly.
In particular, he loved his grandchildren the most, as they had lost their mother at a young age and he could not even be with them. Crown Prince Bardenaldo, who was called a saint and performed good deeds, was also the grandson of Canula, a devout believer who donated hundreds of millions to the Great Temple every year.
Vincenzo had always felt something was wrong while watching the Crown Prince, but he could not bring himself to tell anyone about it.
It would have been like spitting in his own face to tell anyone, and he was worried that she was too old to tell the Marquis of Winston, as he might faint at the slightest shock.
“Answer me. Are you saying that you will continue to turn your back on His Highness? Are you saying that you will send His Highness away like this, Vincenzo?”
"...No."
It was the first time that the true nature of Bardenaldo, who had always seemed like a foggy illusion, became clear.
While investigating the basement of the Crown Prince's palace under the orders of Rhodnes, he realized that Bardenaldo was much more twisted than he had thought when he was young.
“It wasn’t a good start, but my master is no longer His Highness the Crown Prince.”
It wasn't just because he heard the announcement of his breakup from Rhodnes today.
Although he became Rhodnes' adjutant by the will of the Crown Prince, he was someone who had watched closely how much Rhodnes had sacrificed for Bardenaldo and this country since before he became an adult and until now.
Even the always grumbling Neil would reminisce about the times when Rhodnes was on the battlefield and say, "Still, His Highness has had a hard time."
For the image of Crown Prince Bardenaldo, who always solves problems, Rhodnes lived his life as the complete opposite, a troublemaker.
But in reality, it was Rhodnes who always solved problems and protected this country.
“My master is His Highness the Second Prince. Even if His Highness the Crown Prince were alive, that wouldn’t change.”
“Explain, explain. Vincenzo.”
“I will explain properly to His Highness and accept the punishment. So don’t worry.”
As Vincenzo spoke his thoughts, his heart became stronger.
He had already decided on Lord Rhodnes as his lord a long time ago.
It is now time to tell the story of the dead Bardenaldo, the story that was buried in his heart.
Vincenzo thought so and ran away, leaving Neil behind as he demanded an explanation.
***
After leaving the banquet hall, Ephero and Victor headed to the Empress's Palace, and I headed to the office in the Rhodnes Palace.
There were also post-funeral procedures to worry about, and many things had fallen to Rhodnes due to the Crown Prince's sudden death. Even if I didn't want to come, I would have no choice but to come to the office after the funeral.
I buried myself on the sofa in the office and had my eyes closed for a long time.
Just thinking about the time I kissed him last night sent shivers down my spine.
It's not like it's my first time kissing a guy.
Everything felt like the first time.
Knock, knock, knock.
As I was caressing my slightly swollen lips for no reason, the sound of shoes came closer.
Feeling that it wasn't Rhodnes' voice, I went to hide in the large cabinet behind the sofa.
There was no reason to hide though.
Bam!
Through the cabinet vents, a very familiar face caught my eye.
“No way.”
It was Doris.
***
The woman who had been shedding tears by Rhodnes’s side until just now was no longer there.
I frowned at the thick scent seeping through the vent holes.
Doris, who had taken off the cloak she had been wearing, was wearing a pure white dress that looked like a bride's wedding dress.
Bam.
The office door opened again.
Standing tall in front of the door was the owner of the room, Rhodnes.
Rhodnes raised an eyebrow at the unexpected guest.
I had been so shocked that my mouth was wide open since earlier, but he didn't look as surprised as I thought when he saw Doris.
Bang.
Without saying anything, Rhodnes closed the door and stood in front of Doris without hesitation.
Doris's lips, painted red, formed a straight line.
“Roan.”
“If you have anything to say, please say it.”
It was a reaction that seemed as if he had expected it. However, Doris seemed glad that he had not issued an order to evict guests.
Doris slowly reached out and unbuttoned the black dress of Rhodnes. Her hands were unhesitating, even though it was mourning clothes for her husband's funeral.
What was even more surprising was that Rhodnes was just staring down at her touch without responding or resisting in any way.
Not only was Doris waiting in her brother-in-law's office for her husband's funeral dressed like a newlywed, but her touch was quite explicit.
“Roan, the only one who can comfort me is you.”
Rhodes' chin slowly rose.
The face that stared at Doris without blinking seemed to seduce her.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
“I’ll forgive your rudeness last time. So...”
As her hands became busier, countless buttons were undone. Beneath the pitch-black uniform, a sharp, sharp white shirt was revealed.
“Be my man.”
The earnest hands now moved to the shirt. It was where the gold buttons with the imperial emblem embroidered in relief were firmly held in place.
“I will make you Emperor, Roan.”
It was only then that I realized I was shaking.
Rhodnes's sunken eyes and strangely sensual gaze seemed to squeeze my heart.
Doris's face showed joy as the lips that had been licking her lips in the rain just a few hours ago slowly formed a gentle curve, while mine, on the other hand, turned as pale as a corpse.
Doris's touch became bolder.
She unconsciously swallowed a groan of admiration at the sight of Rhodnes's body briefly revealed through his shirt, and her wicked hand moved across his abdomen to the tightly locked belt buckle.
That was when.
Knock knock knock!
An urgent and strong hand knocked on the office door.
Doris' face, which had been in a trance, suddenly became distorted.
Knock knock knock!!
“Your Highness! This is Vincenzo Winston!”
"Be quiet."
Doris spoke as if she was ordering him to do so, chewing on her teeth. But Rhodnes just smiled as if he hadn’t heard a word. Doris’s eyes followed the corners of his mouth that were rising sharply.
"Your Highness!"
“Be quiet!”
Only then did Rhodnes move his body, which she thought would never move. He straightened his awkward posture and slowly fastened the button that Doris had left undone.
“Roan!”
“It’s not fun at all. I wish you were the one leaving.”
Doris shook her head, her eyes wide in disbelief.
“You have to stand in line from now on, Roan. If my father ties me up with Ephero, do you think you can stay in this palace, in Ronta?”
Rhodnes turned his back and walked towards the entrance. He saw Doris biting her lower lip so hard that it bled and then putting on the cloak he had left behind.
“Remember, the only way to become Emperor without shedding anyone’s blood is to sit next to me!”
As Rhodes opened the door without responding, Doris quickly left the office.
In the meantime, she nervously hit Rhodnes's body and left, but he didn't even flinch a little.
The person who knocked on the door from outside was Vincenzo.
Vincenzo's voice and Rhodnes's voice crossed over. Only then did I catch my breath again and carefully open the cabinet door.
I feel like all my energy has been sucked out.
And perhaps it was because he knew better than anyone that Doris's proposal was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Rhodnes.
My heart was burning as I tried to guess what would happen to Rhodnes's mind when he received an offer that would shake anyone.
Bang.
As the office door closed with Rhodnes's last words to come back later, I ran to Rhodnes with an inexplicable sense of anxiety and hugged his waist from behind.
Rhodes froze with the door closed.
“...Roan.”
I cleared my throat, trying to stop the trembling voice. What was going through his mind as he held Bardenaldo's funeral?
Doris' confidence that she would make him Emperor without hesitation made me envious and at the same time uneasy.
He looked a little surprised that I was hiding, but he turned around with a very languid expression, completely different from before, and lightly hugged me.
I was soon seated on the sofa, and I grabbed the hand of Rhodnes, who was crouching down in front of me at eye level.
“This isn’t so bad.”
Rhodnes raised his eyebrows and looked down at the hand he was holding, grinning as if he were watching a cute animal's tricks.
Even that appearance felt distant, like that of an adult who had grown up without knowing where.
“Doris...”
“I won’t make you anxious, Adrienne.”
As always.
As if he could see right through my mind, Rhodnes answered before I could finish speaking.
He knelt down on one knee and placed my foot on top of his. As I came out of the cabinet, all of my shoes had come off, and I was now barefoot.
Although I was a little embarrassed, I didn't avoid his gaze that was staring at me. Again, our eyes became intertwined.
“You don’t trust me?”
I kept my mouth shut and shook my head quietly.
“It’s just that I, I’m just feeling uneasy... Doris...”
“Were you jealous?”
It wasn't just simple jealousy.
I wonder if Rhodnes is just as tired as I am and wants to take the easy way out.
Then am I qualified to hate it? It was because such stupid and random thoughts kept coming to mind that I felt uneasy.
My heart was still weak because it had not yet healed from the renewed sense of betrayal.
But it seems that Rhodnes was the opposite.
“I don’t want to make you anxious, but if you’re that anxious, there’s a way.”
“...”
“The problem is that you always go back when there’s an easy way out.”
He was more unwavering than ever, and he even seemed like a God who could solve all problems.
Not knowing what he meant, I waited for him to speak, my hands trembling.
Rhodnes' gaze searched my precarious face.
“Nothing that makes you anxious will ever happen, but there is a surefire and quickest way to resolve your anxiety.”
“...What is it?”
I just asked what the method was, and Rhodnes' face became a little stern.
“You can have me.”
“!”
I was startled by the firm, heavy voice and pulled back my barefoot from his lap.
“Right now.”
But he gently grabbed my ankle.
“If you want, do it now. Right here.”
The hot body temperature of the hand I was holding onto was transferred to my ankle.
I trembled like a small animal caught in a trap, and in an instant, I faced the violently intense desire he was sending my way.
“Take me, Adrienne.”
Rhodes's head tilted slightly to the side, just as it had done when he was near my face the previous morning.
His clean, platinum-blond hair fell in strands across his handsome forehead. Everything was like a painting.
At the end of the scene where I couldn't help but stare in awe, his lips touched my cold instep.
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