“Indeed, it was true.”
The Duke of Russell returned with a pleased expression. But Amelia, back in her bedroom, paced anxiously. The anxiety that had already invaded her mind didn't easily subside.
But that didn't mean she could ask anyone else about Ivan's condition. Asking Louis would make it seem like she wasn't sure about what she'd said, and asking the other maids would seem suspicious, as their relationship wasn't particularly good.
“...”
Amelia pulled back the curtains covering the window and looked outside. Dark shadows were already covering the ground. If she waited a little longer, Ivan would come to her on his own. If he wasn't truly ill.
"I need to rest, so everyone, please leave. Don't come in until I call you. If anyone asks for me, tell them I'm sleeping."
Amelia dismissed all the servants who had been staying in her bedroom. Louis, who was the biggest nuisance, was no exception.
"... Your Majesty!"
But she didn't feel like sitting down. Her palms were sweating, anxious that something had really happened to him. Rodan's voice, calling Ivan, was quite urgent. And the dull crash that followed over it was also worrying.
She should have checked to see if that fruit could really harm him. Hindsight and regret followed. Ivan often indulges in excessive risk-taking, and she thought it might happen again.
"Passage..."
Amelia was anxiously scanning my surroundings, unsure of where to look. Suddenly, she saw the door leading to the side room. It was then that Amelia, biting her lower lip, remembered the secret passage.
Of course, she knew there was a secret passage somewhere. But even when things were at odds with Ivan, she never once thought to use it, so she hadn't paid it any attention. They said it was open only to the Emperor and the Crown Prince. It wasn't a place she was allowed to go to in the first place.
But, if it's just for a little while, wouldn't that be okay? If she could just check in and see if he's okay, and then come back.
Amelia, maddened by the thought, got up from her seat and opened the door to the side room.
“Where are you going?”
Beyond that door, the man she's been waiting for appeared, looking no different than usual.
“Ivan.”
Amelka sighed in relief. At the same time, she was filled with anger. How could he be so normal?
“I was surprised to find out you were really sick!”
Amelia raised her fist and struck Ivan on the shoulder. Ivan, startled by the sudden action, placed his hand on his shoulder and opened his eyes wide.
“I’ve been feeling anxious...”
It was a resentment, as if he'd forgotten that he was the one who had asked her to act based on the general atmosphere. Ivan chuckled briefly at Amelia's brazen rebuke. And he said that the bizarre fruit was simply a fruit with a flavor he disliked.
“Why did you accept Lord Rodan’s support?”
“If you suddenly run out with an uncomfortable expression on your face, it could really be because you’re drunk.”
"At that level, even Duke Russell wouldn't be suspicious," Ivan said. Of course, his words were valid. If only it hadn't surprised Amelia.
"So."
“...”
“Are you really about to run away because you think I’m really sick?”
Amelia didn't answer. Seeing her smiling face, it was hard to simply say yes.
“Even if it’s through a secret passage?”
Ivan asked. Amelia paused, her voice trailing off in a silent rage.
“I never dared to look into the secret passage.”
“...”
“I’m serious.”
A hasty excuse came out. Ivan's smile, which had been raised at the corners of his mouth, slowly faded.
"I know. If you wanted to do that, you would have already tried it when things were at their worst. Or you could have told the Duke of Russell."
Ivan opened his mouth calmly. He wanted to convey to Amelia that he wasn't angry and that there had been no misunderstanding. And his intentions were conveyed to Amelia.
“Yes then.”
Amelia felt embarrassed, as if she had acted in a way that made her feet numb. She awkwardly glanced at Ivan before turning away.
“Would you like to use the passage?”
Instead of following Amelia into the bedroom, Ivan made a suggestion. Amelia turned halfway and stared at Ivan. Her face wasn't joking.
"I?"
Amelia asked, puzzled. It was a truly unexpected offer. Ivan, in truth, was the kind of man who would coldly refuse anything that couldn't be done. Even if he was truly in love, it was the same.
"The passage is more complicated than you think. And don't get lost inside while trying to find me."
Ivan explained his intentions.
“Of course, if you want.”
The word "again" sounded strangely unfamiliar, and she hesitated to answer. Perhaps thinking Amelia didn't want it, Ivan added one more condition.
“What if something unpleasant happens?”
“Even if you know about the secret passage, I know you have no intention of revealing it to anyone.”
In fact, it was a rather fleeting trust to have in Amelia. After all, she had already betrayed him once.
“You were worried that I was really sick, so there’s no way you would put me in danger.”
But Ivan's trust in Amelia was well-founded. Her affection for Ian, her maternal responsibility, and her fleeting love. What he held in his hands was a leash that allowed him to freely control Amelia. Ivan knew it all.
"Yes."
With Ivan so confident, why should she be so cautious? Amelia decided not to hesitate.
"Show me."
And she reached out to Ivan.
Ivan, holding Amelia's hand tightly, unhesitatingly pushed aside the large portrait and curtain, then opened the door leading to the secret passage. He felt safe. It was the firm hand that had always groped her skin when he'd hugged her, stroked her back, or kissed her.
“It’s dark.”
“There are no lights in the passage, so watch your step.”
Aside from the lamp in Ivan's hand, there was no light, and Ivan was the only one left to rely on in the long, dark passage. Amelia unconsciously tightened her grip on Ivan.
“Isn’t the length straight?”
Contrary to what she had assumed, the path went in all directions.
"The underground passages connect the main palace to the outside world. I heard that if an outsider were to enter here, they'd be trapped in the maze and die."
Ivan said the plans for the passage belonged solely to the Emperor. Therefore, anyone outside the passage would die in darkness, loneliness, and fear. His tone was too casual to be discussing someone else's death.
“Just come find me yourself.”
Amelia, who had been busily drawing the path she had taken in her head, quickly gave up.
“You give up too quickly.”
Ivan laughed as he spoke. He then placed his finger between the walls in front of him and pushed them aside. The space, which had previously seemed like nothing more than a brick wall, was pushed aside, revealing light.
“Here...”
Finally, Ivan, who had pushed the bookshelf aside, stepped onto the ground first. He then roughly placed the lamp on the floor and turned to Amelia.
“My bedroom.”
It was a face that showed no resistance to revealing his intimate space. It was so funny that Amelia, who hesitated just a step ahead, seemed ridiculous.
“I came here, so that’s enough. I’m going back now.”
But she didn't necessarily want to set foot on his territory. Even though the entire palace was practically his, she felt a sense of reluctance to enter his bedroom. Perhaps it was a reluctance to Ivan's sudden kindness.
“You’re going back?”
“You never know who might come looking for you.”
Amelia had already decided to go to sleep, but Ivan was different. If something urgent came up, he might come to see her.
"I told Rodan to spread the rumor that I've already fallen into a deep sleep. No one would dare disturb the Emperor's sleep."
But Ivan didn't seem the least bit concerned about the situation. He grabbed Amelia, who was about to turn away, and pulled her toward him. In a panic, Amelia, dragged by Ivan's strength, found herself pressed against him.
“You always do whatever you want.”
Amelia, leaning her face against Ivan's chest, muttered accusatory words. Ivan chuckled softly. Each time, Ivan's chest, where her face was resting, rose and fell slightly.
“Because I don’t usually have a chance to show it.”
“...”
“There’s no chance of spending the night together here. Aren’t you excited?”
Amelia quietly raised her head. Ivan, reading a hint of ridicule, or perhaps even accusation of perversion, in her deep, jet-black eyes, as deep as the universe, smiled gently. He then lowered his head and kissed Amelia on the lips.
“...!”
At the same time, Ivan lifted Amelia into his arms. Even as her eyes widened in surprise, his kiss continued. The meaning was clear.
The hand that had suddenly brushed against her soft skin felt sinister. Instead of striking him, Amelia wrapped her legs around Ivan's waist. She hugged his neck with her arms and closed her eyes.
She didn't think about rejecting him. Whatever Ivan was thinking, she felt like they were just ordinary lovers now.
The Duke of Russell returned with a pleased expression. But Amelia, back in her bedroom, paced anxiously. The anxiety that had already invaded her mind didn't easily subside.
But that didn't mean she could ask anyone else about Ivan's condition. Asking Louis would make it seem like she wasn't sure about what she'd said, and asking the other maids would seem suspicious, as their relationship wasn't particularly good.
“...”
Amelia pulled back the curtains covering the window and looked outside. Dark shadows were already covering the ground. If she waited a little longer, Ivan would come to her on his own. If he wasn't truly ill.
"I need to rest, so everyone, please leave. Don't come in until I call you. If anyone asks for me, tell them I'm sleeping."
Amelia dismissed all the servants who had been staying in her bedroom. Louis, who was the biggest nuisance, was no exception.
"... Your Majesty!"
But she didn't feel like sitting down. Her palms were sweating, anxious that something had really happened to him. Rodan's voice, calling Ivan, was quite urgent. And the dull crash that followed over it was also worrying.
She should have checked to see if that fruit could really harm him. Hindsight and regret followed. Ivan often indulges in excessive risk-taking, and she thought it might happen again.
"Passage..."
Amelia was anxiously scanning my surroundings, unsure of where to look. Suddenly, she saw the door leading to the side room. It was then that Amelia, biting her lower lip, remembered the secret passage.
Of course, she knew there was a secret passage somewhere. But even when things were at odds with Ivan, she never once thought to use it, so she hadn't paid it any attention. They said it was open only to the Emperor and the Crown Prince. It wasn't a place she was allowed to go to in the first place.
But, if it's just for a little while, wouldn't that be okay? If she could just check in and see if he's okay, and then come back.
Amelia, maddened by the thought, got up from her seat and opened the door to the side room.
“Where are you going?”
Beyond that door, the man she's been waiting for appeared, looking no different than usual.
“Ivan.”
Amelka sighed in relief. At the same time, she was filled with anger. How could he be so normal?
“I was surprised to find out you were really sick!”
Amelia raised her fist and struck Ivan on the shoulder. Ivan, startled by the sudden action, placed his hand on his shoulder and opened his eyes wide.
“I’ve been feeling anxious...”
It was a resentment, as if he'd forgotten that he was the one who had asked her to act based on the general atmosphere. Ivan chuckled briefly at Amelia's brazen rebuke. And he said that the bizarre fruit was simply a fruit with a flavor he disliked.
“Why did you accept Lord Rodan’s support?”
“If you suddenly run out with an uncomfortable expression on your face, it could really be because you’re drunk.”
"At that level, even Duke Russell wouldn't be suspicious," Ivan said. Of course, his words were valid. If only it hadn't surprised Amelia.
"So."
“...”
“Are you really about to run away because you think I’m really sick?”
Amelia didn't answer. Seeing her smiling face, it was hard to simply say yes.
“Even if it’s through a secret passage?”
Ivan asked. Amelia paused, her voice trailing off in a silent rage.
“I never dared to look into the secret passage.”
“...”
“I’m serious.”
A hasty excuse came out. Ivan's smile, which had been raised at the corners of his mouth, slowly faded.
"I know. If you wanted to do that, you would have already tried it when things were at their worst. Or you could have told the Duke of Russell."
Ivan opened his mouth calmly. He wanted to convey to Amelia that he wasn't angry and that there had been no misunderstanding. And his intentions were conveyed to Amelia.
“Yes then.”
Amelia felt embarrassed, as if she had acted in a way that made her feet numb. She awkwardly glanced at Ivan before turning away.
“Would you like to use the passage?”
Instead of following Amelia into the bedroom, Ivan made a suggestion. Amelia turned halfway and stared at Ivan. Her face wasn't joking.
"I?"
Amelia asked, puzzled. It was a truly unexpected offer. Ivan, in truth, was the kind of man who would coldly refuse anything that couldn't be done. Even if he was truly in love, it was the same.
"The passage is more complicated than you think. And don't get lost inside while trying to find me."
Ivan explained his intentions.
“Of course, if you want.”
The word "again" sounded strangely unfamiliar, and she hesitated to answer. Perhaps thinking Amelia didn't want it, Ivan added one more condition.
“What if something unpleasant happens?”
“Even if you know about the secret passage, I know you have no intention of revealing it to anyone.”
In fact, it was a rather fleeting trust to have in Amelia. After all, she had already betrayed him once.
“You were worried that I was really sick, so there’s no way you would put me in danger.”
But Ivan's trust in Amelia was well-founded. Her affection for Ian, her maternal responsibility, and her fleeting love. What he held in his hands was a leash that allowed him to freely control Amelia. Ivan knew it all.
"Yes."
With Ivan so confident, why should she be so cautious? Amelia decided not to hesitate.
"Show me."
And she reached out to Ivan.
Ivan, holding Amelia's hand tightly, unhesitatingly pushed aside the large portrait and curtain, then opened the door leading to the secret passage. He felt safe. It was the firm hand that had always groped her skin when he'd hugged her, stroked her back, or kissed her.
“It’s dark.”
“There are no lights in the passage, so watch your step.”
Aside from the lamp in Ivan's hand, there was no light, and Ivan was the only one left to rely on in the long, dark passage. Amelia unconsciously tightened her grip on Ivan.
“Isn’t the length straight?”
Contrary to what she had assumed, the path went in all directions.
"The underground passages connect the main palace to the outside world. I heard that if an outsider were to enter here, they'd be trapped in the maze and die."
Ivan said the plans for the passage belonged solely to the Emperor. Therefore, anyone outside the passage would die in darkness, loneliness, and fear. His tone was too casual to be discussing someone else's death.
“Just come find me yourself.”
Amelia, who had been busily drawing the path she had taken in her head, quickly gave up.
“You give up too quickly.”
Ivan laughed as he spoke. He then placed his finger between the walls in front of him and pushed them aside. The space, which had previously seemed like nothing more than a brick wall, was pushed aside, revealing light.
“Here...”
Finally, Ivan, who had pushed the bookshelf aside, stepped onto the ground first. He then roughly placed the lamp on the floor and turned to Amelia.
“My bedroom.”
It was a face that showed no resistance to revealing his intimate space. It was so funny that Amelia, who hesitated just a step ahead, seemed ridiculous.
“I came here, so that’s enough. I’m going back now.”
But she didn't necessarily want to set foot on his territory. Even though the entire palace was practically his, she felt a sense of reluctance to enter his bedroom. Perhaps it was a reluctance to Ivan's sudden kindness.
“You’re going back?”
“You never know who might come looking for you.”
Amelia had already decided to go to sleep, but Ivan was different. If something urgent came up, he might come to see her.
"I told Rodan to spread the rumor that I've already fallen into a deep sleep. No one would dare disturb the Emperor's sleep."
But Ivan didn't seem the least bit concerned about the situation. He grabbed Amelia, who was about to turn away, and pulled her toward him. In a panic, Amelia, dragged by Ivan's strength, found herself pressed against him.
“You always do whatever you want.”
Amelia, leaning her face against Ivan's chest, muttered accusatory words. Ivan chuckled softly. Each time, Ivan's chest, where her face was resting, rose and fell slightly.
“Because I don’t usually have a chance to show it.”
“...”
“There’s no chance of spending the night together here. Aren’t you excited?”
Amelia quietly raised her head. Ivan, reading a hint of ridicule, or perhaps even accusation of perversion, in her deep, jet-black eyes, as deep as the universe, smiled gently. He then lowered his head and kissed Amelia on the lips.
“...!”
At the same time, Ivan lifted Amelia into his arms. Even as her eyes widened in surprise, his kiss continued. The meaning was clear.
The hand that had suddenly brushed against her soft skin felt sinister. Instead of striking him, Amelia wrapped her legs around Ivan's waist. She hugged his neck with her arms and closed her eyes.
She didn't think about rejecting him. Whatever Ivan was thinking, she felt like they were just ordinary lovers now.
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