Episode 65. Don’t Cross the Line
“As expected, Miss Adele is fast-paced. We came here for the first time because we heard it was a hot place these days.”
“That’s right. It’s something that young people would like.”
The noble ladies who were watching avoided Seira and slowly approached Adele. They had a habit of instinctively sticking to the powerful. Like iron, they are drawn to the strong.
Since it was their way of survival, Adele had no intention of saying anything.
However, she absolutely did not want to join this jungle of survival of the fittest. Furthermore, facing Seira’s face that was glaring at her so coldly was difficult, even for a second.
“Then, let’s have a pleasant chat.”
She was about to leave naturally after saying goodbye.
“Do you know that my brother is getting married soon?”
Adele paused and looked at Seira.
She had been anxious that Stone, who was angry at her for being embarrassed at the horseback riding competition, might be plotting something. But now, she was suddenly getting married.
“Congratulations.”
This was sincere.
Only, not to Stone, but to herself.
Then, Madame Hans interjected with a quivering face.
“Of course, he will soon be the King’s son-in-law.”
Everyone’s eyes widened. It seemed that the other ladies were hearing this news for the first time.
“My brother took the opportunity that Count Weiss had abandoned because he was infatuated with a widow. Should I thank Miss Adele?”
Was that really the case?
The former Marquis Oswald ended up dying of a heart attack. Vanessa, who had testified as a witness, said that her testimony was unreliable because she was a prostitute and an alcoholic.
Of course, people whispered that Stone must have been the culprit, but in the end, the conclusion was that he was not guilty.
Now that she thinks about it, the emperor had intervened to arrange Stone and the Princess’s marriage.
That also meant that he had decided to join hands with Stone, not Christine.
Perhaps thinking the same thing, the ladies began to move slowly toward Seira.
However, Adele smiled calmly.
“Good. When the Marquis gets married, you, Seira, should get married soon too. You don’t plan on just playing the childish Queen and growing old, do you?”
Adele ignored Seira, whose face was turning red and blue, and walked past her.
At that moment, the corners of Seira’s mouth went up thinly. As if she were about to pull out a hidden weapon.
“Oh, did you hear that news? My brother filed a formal objection to the Vatican.”
“...!”
Adele’s steps stopped.
Click, click.
Seira, who had come close to her, made an exaggeratedly sad expression like an actress in a play.
“Poor Adele. What if not only your marriage, but also your engagement becomes invalid?”
Seira barely managed to hold back her laughter as Adele’s face turned pale.
Now, the noble ladies were clinging tightly to Seira’s side.
***
Adele woke up. She must have been tired from the fight with Christine last night and not been able to sleep well. She lay down in bed and dozed off.
No, it wasn’t a blink, it was a long, deep sleep. The sunset outside the window had already become pitch black.
What time was it?
‘Did Chris come in?’
She sat up and saw him sleeping on the sofa in front of the fireplace. He had his long legs on the table and his hands clasped together on his stomach. She remembered when he had found her shabby mansion. Even then, he had been sleeping so comfortably.
She didn’t know why he had made her feel so safe and secure.
Even though it had been ten years since they last met, it didn’t feel awkward, as if they had just broken up the day before yesterday.
That was so strange. It was as if she had found a lost part of herself, and just having him by her side made her feel complete.
It was as if she had been searching for him for a long time.
Adele sat down under the sofa where he was sleeping and watched him quietly, then leaned her head on his lap and closed her eyes.
Just being together like this was so nice...
As if he had read her thoughts, he gently caressed her cheek.
His warm, large hands.
When he looked up, Christine smiled and looked down at her.
“I was going to sleep on the sofa... Should I sleep on the bed?”
“That would be good. But you can’t touch me.”
“I’d rather just use the sofa.”
“It’s uncomfortable.”
“It’s better than smelling you and not touching me.”
Adele glared at her.
“I never would have guessed. That pretty little thing would grow up to be such a beast.”
His eyes sparkled like an attractive beast.
“Because I’m an animal, please understand that I’m loyal to my desires.”
“Is there an animal that’s loyal to its desires and hates procreation?”
Christine made a troubled expression, afraid that she’d bring up the topic of children again.
Adele noticed this and sat down next to him and smiled.
“Relax. I’m not talking about children.”
“It’s not because I don’t like children.”
“I know. That’s why you did it.”
“...!”
Christine’s heart sank.
Did she guess his true identity?
“I heard this afternoon. Stone filed an objection with the Vatican.”
“Oh, that.”
Christine shook his head as if the mere thought was painful.
High-ranking nobles of Kalame needed the Vatican’s approval to officially marry. The same was true for divorces and remarriages.
However, most cases were resolved with the Emperor’s approval, as they were merely formalities. In Adele’s case, the Emperor had approved her remarriage by expelling her from the Oswald family.
But if someone disobeyed the Emperor’s decision and filed an appeal with the Vatican, it would be a different story. Then the Vatican would directly deliberate and decide.
Of course, that rarely happened. No one wanted to disobey the Emperor’s decision and get on bad terms.
But Stone had brought the Vatican in to oppose Adele’s remarriage. On the surface, he was cheering for her new beginning, but behind the scenes, he was doing such dirty things.
“I can’t be your wife until the Vatican gives its final approval, right?”
“What are you talking about? You’re already my wife.”
Adele had a bitter expression.
“But I can’t be Countess Weiss. Until then, I’m Miss Adele, and any child we have will be born out of wedlock.”
After hearing Seira’s words, she thought that was why Christine didn’t want to have children.
Adele couldn’t be a proper Countess yet, and any child she had wouldn’t be listed as legitimate on the documents.
Of course, that wasn’t Christine’s reason at all.
“So that’s why you didn’t want to have children?”
Adele touched Christine’s hand. It was a long, beautiful hand, but it was strong, with thick joints and bulging tendons, as if it had been someone who had lived on a battlefield.
“...”
“You shouldn’t have told me? I didn’t even know that and just got angry.”
Adele felt sorry for being upset and misunderstanding the child’s situation over the past few days.
It seemed like she had only thought about herself without knowing his true circumstances.
“Don’t worry, Adele. If the Vatican accepts Stone’s objection, I will go to war.”
Adele’s eyes widened.
Christine had a very serious expression as he said such a big thing.
Not only the Kalime Empire, but every country on this continent was watching the Vatican’s every move. And a mere Count was at war with the Vatican.
It was ridiculous, but Adele was grateful that he had said that.
“Why do you like someone like me...”
“What are you talking about?”
Adele also guessed that his relationship with the Emperor would become estranged since he had refused to marry the Princess.
But if April and Stone were to get married, Christine’s position would be even weaker.
He might even be abandoned by the Emperor.
‘If I had married the Princess, this wouldn’t have happened.’
Not being able to have children, being hated by His Majesty...
But she couldn’t bring herself to say those words.
He had already chosen her, intending to endure this situation.
So, regretting it would be insulting to his heart.
And it would also be deceiving herself.
In fact, she was glad that she could be with him like this.
“I love you, Chris.”
“Is this a sudden confession time?”
“I just wanted to tell you how I feel. No matter how much I resent you, get angry, or misunderstand you, that fact remains unchanged... I want you to know.”
He stared at Adele silently for a moment, and his breathing seemed to get a little rougher.
“This is definitely a new type of torture.”
“What?”
“You say you love me while telling me not to touch you?”
“Loving you and sleeping with you are two separate issues.”
“Not me.”
Adele's staring eyes seemed to burn brightly.
She let go of Christine's hand that she had been fiddling with and stepped back.
"Chris, I will actively support your decision not to have children. Not touching a single finger is a declaration of that will."
"I appreciate your willingness to support me, but I will take care of the rest, so don't worry."
“No, I should actively help you too.”
Adele quickly got away from Christine, who was getting closer, and walked to the bed. Then she untied the green ribbon on her head and laid it lengthwise in the middle of the bed.
“Don’t cross this line for the time being.”
Christine crossed his arms and glared at the ribbon. It was as if he was going to burn it with fire from his eyes.
***
“Then I’ll go to bed first.”
Adele took off her dress as if she was going to show off, and put on a chemise. Her white flesh was faintly visible through the thin silk hem. It looked like a delicious fruit. If you take a bite, the sweet juice will quickly flow out and quench your thirst.
“Adele.”
A very subdued voice was heard.
“Huh?”
“Now that I think about it, you are indeed a great villainess.”
“What are you talking about? I’m just getting ready to sleep.”
Adele smiled brightly and combed her long flowing hair with her fingers, revealing her white neck. It was clear that she knew that he was particularly weak at the nape of her neck.
“Good night, Chris.”
Then she lay down on the bed and closed her eyes defenselessly. As if she had decided to torment Christine, who was already filled with a lot of sexual frustration.
“Adele, I didn’t want to say this... You’re really... going to regret it.”
Adele barely held back a laugh. She could tell just by the sound of his breathing how much he was suffering.
“But I still love you, Chris.”
It wasn’t a lie that she loved him. It was true that she felt sorry for him and even guilty.
Why did he like het?
But it was wrong to decide on the child’s problem without consulting him.
And to keep the maid’s knowledge of the bedroom from her own ignorance.
This was a kind of revenge for that.
Thud!
At that moment, she heard the sound of a skirt hitting the floor.
When Adele opened her eyes, Christine was standing in front of her. He was already standing with his upper body naked, his back to the window.
His body, flowing with moonlight, was mysterious. His broad shoulders, firm chest with sharp muscles, and well-toned abs created beautiful curves following the light.
Adele knew the feel of that body well.
Smooth and firm skin like bronze, and muscles that twitched so hotly and strongly...
As she stared at him in a state of fascination, he unhooked his waist to take off his pants.
“Hey, wait! Why is that...?”
She shouted urgently.
“You know. I sleep best when I don’t wear anything.”
“But put on your pants...”
“Don’t worry. I don’t intend to cross the line.”
“But that’s not okay!”
Christine grinned.
“Why can’t I? See? I said you regret it?”
Adele realized at that moment.
This was a fight for control of the bedroom!
“What do you mean, regret it? Don’t worry! Do whatever you want.”
Fortunately, Christine lay down next to her without taking off his pants.
The weight of the heavily tilted mattress made his presence felt clearly.
Even though their skin hadn't touched, Adele didn't know why her heart was beating so fast.
She had her eyes closed, but why was her mind so clear and her pulse so fast...
Was she nervous?
Or was I also frustrated?
Plus, she had slept awkwardly and woke up so easily that it seemed like it would be hard for her to fall asleep.
So was I going to be tortured like this all night?
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