041. Is it because of him?
She was curious about what he had in his hands, but she didn't ask. He didn't seem to have any intention of explaining anything in detail either.
“The deadline I promised you is approaching. Now decide. Take Beppy Dilson or not.”
“What did you say?”
“If he felt like a watcher, then you can’t keep him by your side any longer. I kept my promise to save Laura, so don’t feel burdened.”
“Oh, no. That’s not what I meant.”
Emilia quickly waved her hand.
“He’s a really nice guy. He really treated me well. My family really thinks of him as family now. Even my younger brother Mitch...”
She was mumbling, but suddenly she couldn't continue speaking. It was really strange.
Decide whether or not to have Uncle Beppy...
“Then keep him by your side. Beppy will want to live with your family, too. Laura will get married soon anyway.”
Surprise added to surprise. He glanced at Emilia, who couldn't close her mouth.
“You didn’t know?”
"Yes..."
“I guess he didn’t say anything.”
It's not that he didn't talk; she just didn't ask. Emilia was always on guard. She was afraid that the family, including me, would become too close to Uncle Beppy. That's why she always told the family to keep their mouths shut. She told them not to ask him questions about personal matters.
“The wedding will be held in two months. I heard she fell in love with a worker at the vineyard.”
“Really... this is a good thing...”
“It’s good for Beppy Dilson, too. He can be with your family without any burden on his mind.”
“No, I don’t intend to continue living with him. Of course, it’s not because I hate him. If you’re going to use that as an excuse to sell me off to some strange place...”
He laughed. It was a dry laugh.
“Don’t worry. I promised I wouldn’t pressure you like that. He’ll find another suitable job when his contract is up. Just keep him for a few more months.”
A few months? Was that period that important?
Emilia, who was absent-mindedly thinking, realized that she had completely forgotten the reason why she came here.
“Anyway, congratulations. I’m glad you got what you wanted. I’m glad you’re feeling better. Actually, I came here to talk about something a little uncomfortable.”
"...say it."
Emilia moistened her dry lips with her tongue and opened her mouth without hesitation.
“Do you plan on coming to see me or meeting me even after the engagement is broken off?”
“...Why do you ask that?”
“Because I never intend to allow it.”
Only soft melodies continued for a while. At that moment, Emilia was about to say something, unable to bear the frustration.
“Why?”
He asked. Emilia opened her mouth, clutching the ring tightly.
“That day...”
Naturally, she couldn't help but talk about 'that day'. She couldn't logically explain her feelings without mentioning 'that day'. However, contrary to her intention, the atmosphere began to change. The air that had been loosened became taut again, and a strange feeling ran up her spine.
“Yeah, that day.”
'That day' that she tried so hard to forget came rushing back like a tidal wave.
The intense dance, the man suddenly stopping, licking gently, and then thrusting very deeply...
“Do you regret it?”
The moment he asked that, 'Barley Tree' reached its peak. Even in the midst of all this, she couldn't believe that Hardius was playing the piano without any hesitation.
But that guy is just... that kind of guy.
A man whose masks are so many and endless that you can never see inside. The boy who loved the Prince and the beggar the most, the pain of being watched, and the cold loneliness that ruled his life.
What else could be hidden?
It somehow hurts her heart to know that he hides so many things with his indifferent attitude. Despite this, Emilia is unwavering.
“Yes, I regret it.”
The melody that seemed like it would go on forever suddenly stopped.
“I really regret doing that. That’s why I can’t continue seeing you.”
Hardius turned his head, and their eyes met.
She feels dizzy. Thump, thump, she just realized that the sound she had been hearing was her heart beating.
“You know what the problem is? It’s too late to regret it. From now on, I’m not going to put up with it.”
Hardius's gaze landed squarely on her lips. She realized it in the dizzying shock before her eyes. At this moment, what was the identity of the hot scratching on her lower abdomen? It wasn't because it hurt. It was desire. Without even knowing what it was, Emilia was consumed by desire.
“I’m warning you. If you keep looking at me like that, I’ll do something you’ll regret...”
The man's face slowly approached. Her heart was pounding. Everything was about to return to the starting point.
“I plan to repeat this until I get sick of it.”
Hardius lowered his lips towards Emilia, who was frozen like a stuffed animal.
Emilia couldn't avoid it. No, maybe she didn't.
Their lips touched slowly. It was a touch as light as a feather, but her whole body trembled again. His hand grabbed her slender wrist and pulled it up onto her shoulder.
Their lips meet again. This time, a little deeper, until they dig into the soft flesh.
Emilia continued to move backwards. It was a meaningless movement. Then, for a moment, she lost her balance and tilted. The man’s arm gently supported her back and began to press down on her with his weight.
The moment her back touched the chair cushion, Emilia was crushed. She was completely crushed and received the man.
It was completely different from the light licking before. Hardius, who was on top, completely spread her apart, revealing his male desires.
The tongue invaded again. He bit the soft tongue that kept escaping with his lips and greedily sucked it in.
Ugh, ugh, ugh...
An obscene moan reached the ceiling. When her lips were almost numb, Hadius finally let go.
He tilted his head back and looked down at Emilia, who was panting. Then, suddenly, he reached out and gently tucked a tangled lock of hair into her ear.
Even in the shock that made her eyes go blank, Emilia had no choice but to admit it. This sensation boiling up in her abdomen was pleasant. It wasn’t unpleasant.
“Do you still regret it?”
The hand that ran down her hair cupped her flushed cheek. The man’s fingertips caressed her cheek, then passed her philtrum and headed toward her mouth. Like a sensitive tentacle, her lips were tightly shut before they even touched her.
Hardius didn't care and lightly rubbed her moist lips with his fingertips. He could clearly feel it in the touch that was caressing her. He wanted to do it again. He wanted to repeat it until he got tired of it.
“Let go.”
“What if I don’t like it?”
Emilia covered her lips with her hand.
“I really don’t like it. Stop it.”
“Should I beg? Is that what you want?”
The startled head jerks back sharply.
“It’s no use begging or threatening. I mean it when I say I never want to see you again after breaking off our engagement.”
Only then did the eyes looking down begin to shake slightly.
“I know what you’re thinking, Master. You’re probably thinking of setting another trap. What kind of trap will you set this time? How can you get what you want?”
“...”
“I wonder if you’ll send Laura back to the brothel. Or not?”
"Well."
As soon as he answered, he grabbed her wrist by surprise. This time, she couldn't stop it.
“It’s a good idea, but unfortunately, I can’t use it. The numbers have been read.”
Hardius held her wrists in place on both sides, as if he were handcuffing them. She became helpless. Like a bound prisoner.
“Let go.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t hurt you.”
“I don’t know. If it doesn’t work out, I might hit you. Who knows?”
Hardius smiled. The corners of his lips were curled up in self-mockery.
“It’s disappointing to hear that. It’s only natural that you don’t trust me.”
“Don’t act weak. Nothing will work. It doesn’t matter what you do now. Let go.”
Emilia twisted her whole body with all her might. But he was still on top, and Emilia was on bottom.
“Take my offer seriously, and I’ll let you go.”
“A suggestion... What do you mean?”
“Not a threat, not a coercion, but an offer you can’t refuse.”
“No, there’s nothing like that. There’s nothing like that that I can’t refuse...”
“You have a family. Your stepmother, who works in a factory, your younger sister, who is called disabled, and your ambitious younger brother.”
Her heart skipped a beat.
Emilia stared blankly at the checkered ceiling beyond his pure white shirt. Her senses began to return, one by one.
“Trust me and rely on me. Then I can make your family a little happier.”
In that moment, Hardius released her wrist. He gently caressed her reddened skin as if trying to compensate for the tight grip he had on it. The blood flowed, and a warm sensation surged through each branch of her veins.
“I don’t know why I’m so angry, but stop it now.”
Emilia thought of Reina. She, too, would have done it for her family. Besides, this kind of perverted pleasure existed as a bonus between men and women.
I'm different. I will never live like that.
Pleasure is short and fleeting. Haven't you experienced it enough in taverns?
It's like a firecracker. When it explodes, only acrid smoke remains, stinging the eyes and throat. The air cools down rapidly, and instead of excitement, only discomfort from the blood not flowing remains in the boiling danjeon.
“No matter what you suggest, my heart won’t change. Please get out of the way... It hurts.”
The last traces of composure disappeared from the man's face.
Emilia got up, straightened her messy hair, and adjusted her clothes. Then, without hesitation, she took out the ring.
“Take it.”
Hardius immediately recognized the identity of the small metal object reflecting the light.
“The reason I came here is to return this.”
Emilia put the ring down somewhere on the piano. He looked at her with an unknown look in his eyes.
A long silence followed. All that could be heard was the ticking of the hands of the clock. Hardius picked up the ring, hiding himself in the ambiguity. Emilia began to back away hesitantly.
“I’ll send Uncle Beppy off after he’s done with his remaining time. We’ll need some time to say goodbye. The time we spent together wasn’t all bad. There were things I was thankful for... I’m not denying all the good feelings. Well then, goodbye.”
Emilia, who had already reached the threshold, was planning to go out without delay. However...
“Could it be because of him?”
"Yes?"
“Nathan Malvin”
Emilia froze stiffly in front of the name that made her doubt her ears.
“No... I don’t know how... why I thought that... but I... This... has nothing to do with Master Malvin...”
“That’s what you called it?”
"Yes?"
“Master Malvin”
He muttered as if he were chewing.
She was curious about what he had in his hands, but she didn't ask. He didn't seem to have any intention of explaining anything in detail either.
“The deadline I promised you is approaching. Now decide. Take Beppy Dilson or not.”
“What did you say?”
“If he felt like a watcher, then you can’t keep him by your side any longer. I kept my promise to save Laura, so don’t feel burdened.”
“Oh, no. That’s not what I meant.”
Emilia quickly waved her hand.
“He’s a really nice guy. He really treated me well. My family really thinks of him as family now. Even my younger brother Mitch...”
She was mumbling, but suddenly she couldn't continue speaking. It was really strange.
Decide whether or not to have Uncle Beppy...
“Then keep him by your side. Beppy will want to live with your family, too. Laura will get married soon anyway.”
Surprise added to surprise. He glanced at Emilia, who couldn't close her mouth.
“You didn’t know?”
"Yes..."
“I guess he didn’t say anything.”
It's not that he didn't talk; she just didn't ask. Emilia was always on guard. She was afraid that the family, including me, would become too close to Uncle Beppy. That's why she always told the family to keep their mouths shut. She told them not to ask him questions about personal matters.
“The wedding will be held in two months. I heard she fell in love with a worker at the vineyard.”
“Really... this is a good thing...”
“It’s good for Beppy Dilson, too. He can be with your family without any burden on his mind.”
“No, I don’t intend to continue living with him. Of course, it’s not because I hate him. If you’re going to use that as an excuse to sell me off to some strange place...”
He laughed. It was a dry laugh.
“Don’t worry. I promised I wouldn’t pressure you like that. He’ll find another suitable job when his contract is up. Just keep him for a few more months.”
A few months? Was that period that important?
Emilia, who was absent-mindedly thinking, realized that she had completely forgotten the reason why she came here.
“Anyway, congratulations. I’m glad you got what you wanted. I’m glad you’re feeling better. Actually, I came here to talk about something a little uncomfortable.”
"...say it."
Emilia moistened her dry lips with her tongue and opened her mouth without hesitation.
“Do you plan on coming to see me or meeting me even after the engagement is broken off?”
“...Why do you ask that?”
“Because I never intend to allow it.”
Only soft melodies continued for a while. At that moment, Emilia was about to say something, unable to bear the frustration.
“Why?”
He asked. Emilia opened her mouth, clutching the ring tightly.
“That day...”
Naturally, she couldn't help but talk about 'that day'. She couldn't logically explain her feelings without mentioning 'that day'. However, contrary to her intention, the atmosphere began to change. The air that had been loosened became taut again, and a strange feeling ran up her spine.
“Yeah, that day.”
'That day' that she tried so hard to forget came rushing back like a tidal wave.
The intense dance, the man suddenly stopping, licking gently, and then thrusting very deeply...
“Do you regret it?”
The moment he asked that, 'Barley Tree' reached its peak. Even in the midst of all this, she couldn't believe that Hardius was playing the piano without any hesitation.
But that guy is just... that kind of guy.
A man whose masks are so many and endless that you can never see inside. The boy who loved the Prince and the beggar the most, the pain of being watched, and the cold loneliness that ruled his life.
What else could be hidden?
It somehow hurts her heart to know that he hides so many things with his indifferent attitude. Despite this, Emilia is unwavering.
“Yes, I regret it.”
The melody that seemed like it would go on forever suddenly stopped.
“I really regret doing that. That’s why I can’t continue seeing you.”
Hardius turned his head, and their eyes met.
She feels dizzy. Thump, thump, she just realized that the sound she had been hearing was her heart beating.
“You know what the problem is? It’s too late to regret it. From now on, I’m not going to put up with it.”
Hardius's gaze landed squarely on her lips. She realized it in the dizzying shock before her eyes. At this moment, what was the identity of the hot scratching on her lower abdomen? It wasn't because it hurt. It was desire. Without even knowing what it was, Emilia was consumed by desire.
“I’m warning you. If you keep looking at me like that, I’ll do something you’ll regret...”
The man's face slowly approached. Her heart was pounding. Everything was about to return to the starting point.
“I plan to repeat this until I get sick of it.”
Hardius lowered his lips towards Emilia, who was frozen like a stuffed animal.
Emilia couldn't avoid it. No, maybe she didn't.
Their lips touched slowly. It was a touch as light as a feather, but her whole body trembled again. His hand grabbed her slender wrist and pulled it up onto her shoulder.
Their lips meet again. This time, a little deeper, until they dig into the soft flesh.
Emilia continued to move backwards. It was a meaningless movement. Then, for a moment, she lost her balance and tilted. The man’s arm gently supported her back and began to press down on her with his weight.
The moment her back touched the chair cushion, Emilia was crushed. She was completely crushed and received the man.
It was completely different from the light licking before. Hardius, who was on top, completely spread her apart, revealing his male desires.
The tongue invaded again. He bit the soft tongue that kept escaping with his lips and greedily sucked it in.
Ugh, ugh, ugh...
An obscene moan reached the ceiling. When her lips were almost numb, Hadius finally let go.
He tilted his head back and looked down at Emilia, who was panting. Then, suddenly, he reached out and gently tucked a tangled lock of hair into her ear.
Even in the shock that made her eyes go blank, Emilia had no choice but to admit it. This sensation boiling up in her abdomen was pleasant. It wasn’t unpleasant.
“Do you still regret it?”
The hand that ran down her hair cupped her flushed cheek. The man’s fingertips caressed her cheek, then passed her philtrum and headed toward her mouth. Like a sensitive tentacle, her lips were tightly shut before they even touched her.
Hardius didn't care and lightly rubbed her moist lips with his fingertips. He could clearly feel it in the touch that was caressing her. He wanted to do it again. He wanted to repeat it until he got tired of it.
“Let go.”
“What if I don’t like it?”
Emilia covered her lips with her hand.
“I really don’t like it. Stop it.”
“Should I beg? Is that what you want?”
The startled head jerks back sharply.
“It’s no use begging or threatening. I mean it when I say I never want to see you again after breaking off our engagement.”
Only then did the eyes looking down begin to shake slightly.
“I know what you’re thinking, Master. You’re probably thinking of setting another trap. What kind of trap will you set this time? How can you get what you want?”
“...”
“I wonder if you’ll send Laura back to the brothel. Or not?”
"Well."
As soon as he answered, he grabbed her wrist by surprise. This time, she couldn't stop it.
“It’s a good idea, but unfortunately, I can’t use it. The numbers have been read.”
Hardius held her wrists in place on both sides, as if he were handcuffing them. She became helpless. Like a bound prisoner.
“Let go.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t hurt you.”
“I don’t know. If it doesn’t work out, I might hit you. Who knows?”
Hardius smiled. The corners of his lips were curled up in self-mockery.
“It’s disappointing to hear that. It’s only natural that you don’t trust me.”
“Don’t act weak. Nothing will work. It doesn’t matter what you do now. Let go.”
Emilia twisted her whole body with all her might. But he was still on top, and Emilia was on bottom.
“Take my offer seriously, and I’ll let you go.”
“A suggestion... What do you mean?”
“Not a threat, not a coercion, but an offer you can’t refuse.”
“No, there’s nothing like that. There’s nothing like that that I can’t refuse...”
“You have a family. Your stepmother, who works in a factory, your younger sister, who is called disabled, and your ambitious younger brother.”
Her heart skipped a beat.
Emilia stared blankly at the checkered ceiling beyond his pure white shirt. Her senses began to return, one by one.
“Trust me and rely on me. Then I can make your family a little happier.”
In that moment, Hardius released her wrist. He gently caressed her reddened skin as if trying to compensate for the tight grip he had on it. The blood flowed, and a warm sensation surged through each branch of her veins.
“I don’t know why I’m so angry, but stop it now.”
Emilia thought of Reina. She, too, would have done it for her family. Besides, this kind of perverted pleasure existed as a bonus between men and women.
I'm different. I will never live like that.
Pleasure is short and fleeting. Haven't you experienced it enough in taverns?
It's like a firecracker. When it explodes, only acrid smoke remains, stinging the eyes and throat. The air cools down rapidly, and instead of excitement, only discomfort from the blood not flowing remains in the boiling danjeon.
“No matter what you suggest, my heart won’t change. Please get out of the way... It hurts.”
The last traces of composure disappeared from the man's face.
Emilia got up, straightened her messy hair, and adjusted her clothes. Then, without hesitation, she took out the ring.
“Take it.”
Hardius immediately recognized the identity of the small metal object reflecting the light.
“The reason I came here is to return this.”
Emilia put the ring down somewhere on the piano. He looked at her with an unknown look in his eyes.
A long silence followed. All that could be heard was the ticking of the hands of the clock. Hardius picked up the ring, hiding himself in the ambiguity. Emilia began to back away hesitantly.
“I’ll send Uncle Beppy off after he’s done with his remaining time. We’ll need some time to say goodbye. The time we spent together wasn’t all bad. There were things I was thankful for... I’m not denying all the good feelings. Well then, goodbye.”
Emilia, who had already reached the threshold, was planning to go out without delay. However...
“Could it be because of him?”
"Yes?"
“Nathan Malvin”
Emilia froze stiffly in front of the name that made her doubt her ears.
“No... I don’t know how... why I thought that... but I... This... has nothing to do with Master Malvin...”
“That’s what you called it?”
"Yes?"
“Master Malvin”
He muttered as if he were chewing.
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