Episode 119. I Don't Want to Be Stolen
Thud!
Mark, who had put Adele down on the bed, reached out and tried to take off her dress.
"Clothes, I'll take off my clothes! That's fine."
Adele quickly got out of Mark's way and got up from the bed.
She put her hands behind her back, unhooked the dress, and carefully lowered the hem that was halfway around her shoulders. The hem of the dress with a heavy texture fell to her feet.
In an instant, she was in a chemise that showed her cleavage, so Adele felt embarrassed and hugged her chest. However, the white skin that was revealed between her fingers was already sexy and sensual enough.
Mark, who had been staring blankly for a moment, smiled mischievously.
"I wish you'd take that off, too."
Adele sat down on the bed with an embarrassed face.
"Can I just have a glass of wine?"
"Wait."
After a while, Mark held out a glass of red wine.
She quickly took it and drank it in one gulp.
“Would you like another glass?”
“Would you?”
Mark filled the glass that Adele held out to him with wine.
Adele drank it in one gulp this time and held out another glass.
“Just one more glass.”
“Adele.”
Adele smiled as Mark looked at her worriedly.
“The wine is so delicious.”
“It’s strong, so you’ll get drunk quickly.”
“That’s good.”
“Then you don’t know what I’m going to do, so are you okay with that?”
“I don’t care. I’d rather get completely drunk...”
In the end, Mark snatched the wine glass from her hand and placed it on the table.
“What are you so anxious about? Are you wavering again because he showed up? Is that hurting your pride and making you angry?”
“No!”
“Then do you want to repay me physically?”
Adele’s eyes trembled.
Mark pulled the bed sheet and wrapped it around her thin shoulders.
“Do you know that you’re shaking a lot right now?”
“...”
“Your body is stiff, and you have goosebumps on your shoulders and arms. And you want me to hug you?”
Only then did Adele realize that she had goosebumps on her arms.
“Just one more drink and I’ll be fine.”
“Was it like that when you made love to him? When you were this drunk.”
Adele’s heart thumped at the question that hit the nail on the head.
“Mark ..”
He shook his head with a dark face.
“I want to make love to you. I don’t want to satisfy my desires by giving alcohol to a trembling woman.”
Adele’s face turned red.
“...I’m sorry, Mark. I was so foolish. You’re right. I’m afraid that I’ll be swayed by him again. It’s so foolish to have such a good person by my side.”
Mark sat down next to Adele and held her hand.
“If you’re doing this because of me, I’m disappointed. I’m fine as I am now. The reason you became Jade’s mother and I became Aaron’s father was because I loved them. So don’t feel indebted to me.”
“Mark, you’re too much for me.”
“Do you understand now?”
Finally, Adele let out a faint laugh.
“Yes.”
“But you slept with me tonight. And you’ll continue to sleep with me. I’ll tell everyone that.”
“What do you mean?”
When Adele made a face of incomprehension, he erased his affectionate expression and said,
“I don’t want to lose you, even if to the Emperor.”
Adele leaned her head on his shoulder and smiled bitterly.
“Don’t worry. He doesn’t care about me anymore.”
However, Mark, who was also a man, could read it. The strange emotions boiling behind Christine’s indifferent expression as he looked at Adele.
“Congratulations, Adele! Oh, you did really well!”
Mia shouted excitedly as she barged into Adele’s mansion in the morning.
“What are you talking about?”
“Don’t act like you’re being rude. Tanya told me everything.”
Tanya also narrowed her eyes teasingly.
“There are more than a few people who saw you coming out of the Count’s bedroom at dawn. Aren’t you two suddenly too hot?”
“Aren’t you going to have a fourth child soon?”
Adele couldn’t refute their words because of what she had said to Mark. Of course, it was funny for a couple to deny having sex.
“Tanya, can you tell them if I don’t go to the store today? I’m not feeling well.”
Adele pressed her temples against her throbbing headache. Even though it was spring, it was still chilly after the sun set. She seemed to have caught a cold after being in the garden for so long last night.
“Yes, I will speak to the store manager. I think your maid must be very tired.”
“Oh, my brother is in good shape...”
Finally, Adele couldn’t hold it in any longer and shouted.
“If you two are going to talk nonsense, get out. Or I’ll kick you out!”
“I, maid...”
“Don’t talk nonsense!”
When Adele glared at Tanya fiercely, she playfully closed her mouth and pointed to the side.
When Adele turned her head, Tanya saw a young maid standing next to her with a frightened face.
“I’m sorry, maid. That...”
“Oh, sorry. What’s going on?”
“Someone came to the store. I heard someone very high-ranking from the palace came...”
“Sir Zimmer!”
“It’s been a long time. How have you been?”
Zimmer, who saw Adele, smiled and greeted her politely.
“Yes, you’ve really changed a lot since I last saw you. Oh, I mean, you’ve become more handsome.”
Adele was not being polite. Six years ago, he was always in uniform as Christine’s adjutant. But now, his hair was a little longer and his clothes were stylish, like those of a young nobleman. His expression was also dignified and elegant.
“Thank you for your consideration.”
“But what’s the matter with you...?”
In fact, Adele was more anxious than happy to see Zimmer after such a long time.
It seemed like a sign that she would be entangled with Christine again.
As expected, Zimmer handed her a letter with the Bahamart Empire’s seal.
“His Majesty has invited you to dinner tonight. The family of Count Castler, and the family of Viscount Bonita and his wife.”
Mia, who had been happy in a fit of surprise, soon became worried when she saw Adele’s expression. There was no way he would invite Adele and his wife to the palace with good intentions.
“It’s such a sudden invitation. I appreciate it, but we also have a difficult schedule.”
“Yes, I know it’s a sudden and awkward invitation. However, this is the first schedule His Majesty prepared when he came to Kalime. Please cooperate.”
Zimmer’s voice was still polite and formal. However, it was also businesslike and cold.
This was because he was disappointed in Adele. The fact that the woman Christine had loved with his life was pregnant with another man’s child in just a few months, and living happily ever after.
“I see. Since it was His Majesty’s order, not someone else’s...”
“Then I will consider it as permission and go back.”
Zimmer politely bowed again and got into the carriage parked in front of the store. As the large and splendid palace carriage passed by, everyone looked at it.
“Madam, are you okay?”
After the carriage left, Tanya approached her timidly.
Adele forced a smile.
“Of course. You were so out of it that you couldn’t even greet Sir Zimmer.”
“Oh, a greeting! How can I greet such a noble man?”
Tanya waved her hand and laughed. But she was also deeply hurt. She had inevitably drifted apart from Zimmer when Adele and Christine broke up, but she had kept him in her heart for six years. But when Zimmer appeared with his knights a little while ago, she realized how futile her feelings were.
If the lord he served had become the Emperor, Zimmer would have become a high-ranking nobleman as well. A high-ranking person whom a lowly maid could never dream of.
“Wow, is this the palace?”
“It’s so big and splendid!”
“Brother, me too, me too!”
As the carriage carrying Adele and her family entered the palace, the children were busy hanging from the windows to watch.
The Bahamart Empire favored magicians and created an academy to nurture talent. That’s why the palace was brightly lit with magic lights instead of candles.
“Brother, there’s a monster over there!”
Aaron shouted at that moment.
“Where, where?”
“It’s not a monster, it’s a wolf clan.”
Before Christine came, there were hardly any wolf clans living in Greenhill. But now, even the half-human, half-beast wolf clan was roaming around the palace.
“Wolf clan, aren’t they monsters?”
Adele’s expression hardened as she listened to Aaron. The child had no idea that he was a wolf clan member.
It would be fine if he grew up without knowing, but if he mutated late like Christine...
“Yes, wolf clan members are warriors. Very strong warriors who fight well. His Majesty, who brought you here last time, is also a wolf clan member.”
Aaron’s eyes lit up at Jade’s words.
“Then I want to be a wolf clan member too! Just like His Majesty!”
“You’re stupid, you’re not human, so you can’t.”
“Mom, is it true?”
The child looked at Jade earnestly, as if asking her to tell him that she was wrong. Then Mark, who was sitting across from her in the carriage, asked,
“Does Aaron want to become a member of the wolf clan?”
“Yes! When I get stronger, I’ll protect Mom and Dad.”
Mark and Adele laughed at the child’s uncalculated answer.
“Aaron is already protecting Mom and Dad well. Mom can’t even sleep well because she’s scared without Aaron.”
Then Aaron buried his face in Adele’s lap and hugged her waist. He even patted her small hand as if to comfort her.
“Don’t worry, Mom. Aaron will protect you.”
Adele’s heart was filled with the child’s words. As always, everything was enough as long as she had this child.
In the meantime, the carriage passed the splendid main palace and headed toward the quiet tree-lined street.
Since it was the beginning of spring, green buds were sprouting on the branches that were soaked with water.
Adele knew where this road led.
It was to the Marvel Palace.
And it was the same season as six years ago.
Why on earth was he...
“Your Majesty, the Emperor!”
At the call of the attendant, all the invited guests stood up and greeted Christine.
Christine entered the small banquet hall of the Marvel Palace, led by his attendants and knights. Perhaps because of the awkwardness of being called the Emperor, he felt an unapproachable majesty even though they were the same person.
“Come, sit down.”
He sat down at the top seat of the long table. Adele’s family sat side by side on his left, and Mia’s family sat on his right.
“Thank you for inviting me, Your Majesty. The Marvel Palace is still beautiful.”
Mia, who had spoken to lighten the awkward atmosphere, soon realized her mistake. This was where Christine and Adele had spent their honeymoon in the past.
“Do you think so, Mrs. Castler?”
Christine’s cold gaze was fixed on Adele.
“Thank you for inviting me to this special occasion, Your Majesty. However, the food is so good that it seems like torture for the hungry children. Please have mercy on the children.”
Adele smiled and changed the subject to escape the uncomfortable atmosphere.
Aaron and Casey agreed with Adele’s words.
“I’m hungry, Your Majesty.”
“Your Majesty, can we not eat?”
The dining room froze for a moment. The person in front of her was not the old Christine, but the emperor of the empire. A bloody emperor who had brutally conquered neighboring countries.
Fortunately, Christine smiled faintly and picked up his fork and knife first.
“Yes, let’s eat first.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the servants brought out more warm food. They also filled their glasses.
When Christine raised his glass, the adults and children alike followed suit and grabbed their glasses with drinks.
And so, on the surface, a peaceful meal began. After the meal, Pauline played the piano, and Jade showed off his sword dance.
However, the men continued to drink during and after the meal. This was because Christine had apparently forced Mark and Viscount Bonita to drink.
And in the end, Viscount Bonita collapsed on the table.
After that, Mark and Christine continued to drink as if they were making a bet.
Thud!
Mark, who had put Adele down on the bed, reached out and tried to take off her dress.
"Clothes, I'll take off my clothes! That's fine."
Adele quickly got out of Mark's way and got up from the bed.
She put her hands behind her back, unhooked the dress, and carefully lowered the hem that was halfway around her shoulders. The hem of the dress with a heavy texture fell to her feet.
In an instant, she was in a chemise that showed her cleavage, so Adele felt embarrassed and hugged her chest. However, the white skin that was revealed between her fingers was already sexy and sensual enough.
Mark, who had been staring blankly for a moment, smiled mischievously.
"I wish you'd take that off, too."
Adele sat down on the bed with an embarrassed face.
"Can I just have a glass of wine?"
"Wait."
After a while, Mark held out a glass of red wine.
She quickly took it and drank it in one gulp.
“Would you like another glass?”
“Would you?”
Mark filled the glass that Adele held out to him with wine.
Adele drank it in one gulp this time and held out another glass.
“Just one more glass.”
“Adele.”
Adele smiled as Mark looked at her worriedly.
“The wine is so delicious.”
“It’s strong, so you’ll get drunk quickly.”
“That’s good.”
“Then you don’t know what I’m going to do, so are you okay with that?”
“I don’t care. I’d rather get completely drunk...”
In the end, Mark snatched the wine glass from her hand and placed it on the table.
“What are you so anxious about? Are you wavering again because he showed up? Is that hurting your pride and making you angry?”
“No!”
“Then do you want to repay me physically?”
Adele’s eyes trembled.
Mark pulled the bed sheet and wrapped it around her thin shoulders.
“Do you know that you’re shaking a lot right now?”
“...”
“Your body is stiff, and you have goosebumps on your shoulders and arms. And you want me to hug you?”
Only then did Adele realize that she had goosebumps on her arms.
“Just one more drink and I’ll be fine.”
“Was it like that when you made love to him? When you were this drunk.”
Adele’s heart thumped at the question that hit the nail on the head.
“Mark ..”
He shook his head with a dark face.
“I want to make love to you. I don’t want to satisfy my desires by giving alcohol to a trembling woman.”
Adele’s face turned red.
“...I’m sorry, Mark. I was so foolish. You’re right. I’m afraid that I’ll be swayed by him again. It’s so foolish to have such a good person by my side.”
Mark sat down next to Adele and held her hand.
“If you’re doing this because of me, I’m disappointed. I’m fine as I am now. The reason you became Jade’s mother and I became Aaron’s father was because I loved them. So don’t feel indebted to me.”
“Mark, you’re too much for me.”
“Do you understand now?”
Finally, Adele let out a faint laugh.
“Yes.”
“But you slept with me tonight. And you’ll continue to sleep with me. I’ll tell everyone that.”
“What do you mean?”
When Adele made a face of incomprehension, he erased his affectionate expression and said,
“I don’t want to lose you, even if to the Emperor.”
Adele leaned her head on his shoulder and smiled bitterly.
“Don’t worry. He doesn’t care about me anymore.”
However, Mark, who was also a man, could read it. The strange emotions boiling behind Christine’s indifferent expression as he looked at Adele.
***
“Congratulations, Adele! Oh, you did really well!”
Mia shouted excitedly as she barged into Adele’s mansion in the morning.
“What are you talking about?”
“Don’t act like you’re being rude. Tanya told me everything.”
Tanya also narrowed her eyes teasingly.
“There are more than a few people who saw you coming out of the Count’s bedroom at dawn. Aren’t you two suddenly too hot?”
“Aren’t you going to have a fourth child soon?”
Adele couldn’t refute their words because of what she had said to Mark. Of course, it was funny for a couple to deny having sex.
“Tanya, can you tell them if I don’t go to the store today? I’m not feeling well.”
Adele pressed her temples against her throbbing headache. Even though it was spring, it was still chilly after the sun set. She seemed to have caught a cold after being in the garden for so long last night.
“Yes, I will speak to the store manager. I think your maid must be very tired.”
“Oh, my brother is in good shape...”
Finally, Adele couldn’t hold it in any longer and shouted.
“If you two are going to talk nonsense, get out. Or I’ll kick you out!”
“I, maid...”
“Don’t talk nonsense!”
When Adele glared at Tanya fiercely, she playfully closed her mouth and pointed to the side.
When Adele turned her head, Tanya saw a young maid standing next to her with a frightened face.
“I’m sorry, maid. That...”
“Oh, sorry. What’s going on?”
“Someone came to the store. I heard someone very high-ranking from the palace came...”
“Sir Zimmer!”
“It’s been a long time. How have you been?”
Zimmer, who saw Adele, smiled and greeted her politely.
“Yes, you’ve really changed a lot since I last saw you. Oh, I mean, you’ve become more handsome.”
Adele was not being polite. Six years ago, he was always in uniform as Christine’s adjutant. But now, his hair was a little longer and his clothes were stylish, like those of a young nobleman. His expression was also dignified and elegant.
“Thank you for your consideration.”
“But what’s the matter with you...?”
In fact, Adele was more anxious than happy to see Zimmer after such a long time.
It seemed like a sign that she would be entangled with Christine again.
As expected, Zimmer handed her a letter with the Bahamart Empire’s seal.
“His Majesty has invited you to dinner tonight. The family of Count Castler, and the family of Viscount Bonita and his wife.”
Mia, who had been happy in a fit of surprise, soon became worried when she saw Adele’s expression. There was no way he would invite Adele and his wife to the palace with good intentions.
“It’s such a sudden invitation. I appreciate it, but we also have a difficult schedule.”
“Yes, I know it’s a sudden and awkward invitation. However, this is the first schedule His Majesty prepared when he came to Kalime. Please cooperate.”
Zimmer’s voice was still polite and formal. However, it was also businesslike and cold.
This was because he was disappointed in Adele. The fact that the woman Christine had loved with his life was pregnant with another man’s child in just a few months, and living happily ever after.
“I see. Since it was His Majesty’s order, not someone else’s...”
“Then I will consider it as permission and go back.”
Zimmer politely bowed again and got into the carriage parked in front of the store. As the large and splendid palace carriage passed by, everyone looked at it.
“Madam, are you okay?”
After the carriage left, Tanya approached her timidly.
Adele forced a smile.
“Of course. You were so out of it that you couldn’t even greet Sir Zimmer.”
“Oh, a greeting! How can I greet such a noble man?”
Tanya waved her hand and laughed. But she was also deeply hurt. She had inevitably drifted apart from Zimmer when Adele and Christine broke up, but she had kept him in her heart for six years. But when Zimmer appeared with his knights a little while ago, she realized how futile her feelings were.
If the lord he served had become the Emperor, Zimmer would have become a high-ranking nobleman as well. A high-ranking person whom a lowly maid could never dream of.
***
“Wow, is this the palace?”
“It’s so big and splendid!”
“Brother, me too, me too!”
As the carriage carrying Adele and her family entered the palace, the children were busy hanging from the windows to watch.
The Bahamart Empire favored magicians and created an academy to nurture talent. That’s why the palace was brightly lit with magic lights instead of candles.
“Brother, there’s a monster over there!”
Aaron shouted at that moment.
“Where, where?”
“It’s not a monster, it’s a wolf clan.”
Before Christine came, there were hardly any wolf clans living in Greenhill. But now, even the half-human, half-beast wolf clan was roaming around the palace.
“Wolf clan, aren’t they monsters?”
Adele’s expression hardened as she listened to Aaron. The child had no idea that he was a wolf clan member.
It would be fine if he grew up without knowing, but if he mutated late like Christine...
“Yes, wolf clan members are warriors. Very strong warriors who fight well. His Majesty, who brought you here last time, is also a wolf clan member.”
Aaron’s eyes lit up at Jade’s words.
“Then I want to be a wolf clan member too! Just like His Majesty!”
“You’re stupid, you’re not human, so you can’t.”
“Mom, is it true?”
The child looked at Jade earnestly, as if asking her to tell him that she was wrong. Then Mark, who was sitting across from her in the carriage, asked,
“Does Aaron want to become a member of the wolf clan?”
“Yes! When I get stronger, I’ll protect Mom and Dad.”
Mark and Adele laughed at the child’s uncalculated answer.
“Aaron is already protecting Mom and Dad well. Mom can’t even sleep well because she’s scared without Aaron.”
Then Aaron buried his face in Adele’s lap and hugged her waist. He even patted her small hand as if to comfort her.
“Don’t worry, Mom. Aaron will protect you.”
Adele’s heart was filled with the child’s words. As always, everything was enough as long as she had this child.
In the meantime, the carriage passed the splendid main palace and headed toward the quiet tree-lined street.
Since it was the beginning of spring, green buds were sprouting on the branches that were soaked with water.
Adele knew where this road led.
It was to the Marvel Palace.
And it was the same season as six years ago.
Why on earth was he...
***
“Your Majesty, the Emperor!”
At the call of the attendant, all the invited guests stood up and greeted Christine.
Christine entered the small banquet hall of the Marvel Palace, led by his attendants and knights. Perhaps because of the awkwardness of being called the Emperor, he felt an unapproachable majesty even though they were the same person.
“Come, sit down.”
He sat down at the top seat of the long table. Adele’s family sat side by side on his left, and Mia’s family sat on his right.
“Thank you for inviting me, Your Majesty. The Marvel Palace is still beautiful.”
Mia, who had spoken to lighten the awkward atmosphere, soon realized her mistake. This was where Christine and Adele had spent their honeymoon in the past.
“Do you think so, Mrs. Castler?”
Christine’s cold gaze was fixed on Adele.
“Thank you for inviting me to this special occasion, Your Majesty. However, the food is so good that it seems like torture for the hungry children. Please have mercy on the children.”
Adele smiled and changed the subject to escape the uncomfortable atmosphere.
Aaron and Casey agreed with Adele’s words.
“I’m hungry, Your Majesty.”
“Your Majesty, can we not eat?”
The dining room froze for a moment. The person in front of her was not the old Christine, but the emperor of the empire. A bloody emperor who had brutally conquered neighboring countries.
Fortunately, Christine smiled faintly and picked up his fork and knife first.
“Yes, let’s eat first.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the servants brought out more warm food. They also filled their glasses.
When Christine raised his glass, the adults and children alike followed suit and grabbed their glasses with drinks.
And so, on the surface, a peaceful meal began. After the meal, Pauline played the piano, and Jade showed off his sword dance.
However, the men continued to drink during and after the meal. This was because Christine had apparently forced Mark and Viscount Bonita to drink.
And in the end, Viscount Bonita collapsed on the table.
After that, Mark and Christine continued to drink as if they were making a bet.
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