I've never met someone exactly like Noah in my life, but I've met men of a similar ilk. In my experience, these men are dangerous, especially if they possess all the qualities and external qualities, and are also attractive.
The emotional exchange within an uncertain relationship with them is a constant thrill and satisfaction, leading to growing anticipation and a drug-like addiction. If you find yourself on the receiving end of such unbalanced affection, all that's left is the misery and squalor of feeling like you were the only one truly genuine.
I've met these men casually, as if I were taking a quick walk or returning home, and at some point, we maintained an implicit relationship where we turned our backs on each other without any regrets. It was possible because I had no expectations whatsoever.
When I first met Noah, I desperately tried to ignore him because I knew he wasn't someone I could handle. He made me expect things.
'We had no relationship, did we?'
What would happen if those charming rulers, who could easily end everything with just one word, became truly sincere to someone? Such curiosity exists as a fantasy for everyone, so it's no wonder they take such a risky risk.
Isn't it easy for people like that to lose interest in someone or grow cold?
I had been secretly worried and wary of this for a while.
Just because you get married doesn't mean your heart will be forever.
Even after getting married and having children, he might become indifferent and cold to me. He might change his mind, change his purpose, and leave me. Romance novels always end with marriage. After that, you never know. They might get divorced or live like a stranger. Thinking about that, everything suddenly felt empty.
I didn't want to experience the cold, indifferent atmosphere of my parents, devoid of love and affection. As my feelings grew, my anxiety seemed to be growing more evident. A sense of crisis set in, and I weakly restrained his hand from wrapping around my shoulder. The thought struck me again: I shouldn't satisfy every single one of this man's desires.
“Just a moment.”
"Why?"
Noah asked, his face sullen. "Don't look at me so cutely, you rascal. I'm afraid of boredom and weariness!"
I picked up the book that was lying open on my lap again.
“I want to read a book now.”
He didn't push or pressure me further, despite my firm stance. However, this dapper man was five steps ahead of me.
“Honey, shall we read a book after we kiss?”
I'm vulnerable to your attacks, honey. I'm captivated by the dimples on your lips, the seemingly harmless smile on your lips, and the soft, clean cheeks.
“Yeah, that doesn’t matter...”
Before I could even finish answering, Noah wrapped his arms around my shoulders and plopped me down on the sofa. I was trapped beneath him, and I knew he wasn't trying to kiss me wholesomely. My underwear was still loose and untied, which was a problem. Contrary to his kindness in lowering my skirt, his seductive eyes were languidly unraveling. The strange atmosphere was growing increasingly intense.
Bam.
Because my wrist was grabbed, the book I was holding slipped past my fingertips and fell limply to the floor.
“I didn’t mean for it to be like this.”
I found myself muttering, almost like a sigh. Life doesn't always go as planned, you know. My timid resistance was futile. I gave up on that, too. I guess this is what it means to love someone.
The tone was gentlemanly. It was a noble expression of respect, but the lips and breath that subtly brushed the tip of my ear were utterly deliberate, a clear seduction. My mind became dizzy. The words, "I don't mind, do you?" tugged at the tip of my tongue.
“I don’t do it if my wife says no. Do you hate it?”
“No, that’s not it.”
He pressed his lips against mine as I tried to say something more, then gently bit my lower lip. He licked the moist spot, tickling it, and then pulled away. Finally, his muffled breath gently brushed my cheek.
"I think my wife thinks too much. Do you really need to do that to me?"
Even though I knew it was useless. My mouth, once wet, went dry as if I could hear the sharp man's inner thoughts. A celebration of failing to deflect and being completely seen through erupted in my mind. I kept my expression blank and my mouth shut. It was because I was reminded of all the times I'd known that man had fooled me and defeated me.
I found myself muttering, almost like a sigh. Life doesn't always go as planned, you know. My timid resistance was futile. I gave up on that, too. I guess this is what it means to love someone.
“I don’t do it if my wife says no. Do you hate it?”
The tone was gentlemanly. It was a noble expression of respect, but the lips and breath that subtly brushed the tip of my ear were utterly deliberate, a clear seduction. My mind became dizzy. The words, "I don't mind, do you?" tugged at the tip of my tongue.
“No, that’s not it.”
“What am I?”
Noah's mouth twitched, as if he was suppressing a laugh at the timid denial. Finally, he covered his mouth with one hand and let out a faint snort. He seemed to be enjoying watching the obvious tricks being played.
“You’re cute.”
My lips, frozen at the end of the softly spoken words, helplessly accepted Noah's lips as they pressed against mine instead of the loser's excuse. Our lips, briefly joined, parted, and a warm breath touched mine.
My gaze was fixed on his lips. More precisely, I was captivated by the crimson tongue peeking out from between his parted lips. They snapped shut, and a belated yearning surged through me. Unlike the smirk he'd been sporting just moments before, his face was expressionless. He, transformed into a completely different person, met my cloudy, white eyes.
“Open your mouth.”
I could never handle it. Now defenseless, I was once again utterly captivated by him, who revealed his domineering side. The worries and anxieties that had been hovering around me fled.
Prime Minister Groenendaal sat at his desk in his study, his hands clasped together, facing his aide. He knew everything about his wife, the Duchess, her past, Diana's true identity, and even Admiral Claire's actions.
“Jace going to the Kappel Federal Republic, and Jeffrey becoming engaged to Admiral Claire’s daughter, are all related to this.”
“I believe so, Your Excellency.”
“I wonder if the fact that he did that to me without saying a word means that I am not trustworthy.”
An aide with gray hair, about the same age as the Prime Minister, paused for a moment, his gaze lowered. He had been the Prime Minister's friend for over 20 years and was his most trusted confidant.
“It’s probably more about not wanting to cause harm.”
“Are you saying it has nothing to do with me?”
“You may have thought so, but... it seems you are worried about the turbulent domestic situation.”
“Yes, what should I do?”
"I believe it's right to inform Medea and cooperate. Even if we remain silent, it could hinder our future goal of joining a new alliance led by Medea. And Your Excellency, you won't be able to avoid responsibility for this."
The Prime Minister's wrinkled eyes narrowed fiercely. Common sense would have it, but it was a cold, matter-of-fact decision that could only be made under the assumption that the other person was involved.
“Even if Jace is granted asylum and protected by neutral federal law, Jeffrey will most likely not be safe.”
Foolish! Did you truly have no expectations of this father? To marry him without any intention? The admiral is currently taking advantage of the aging Emperor, whose power has been weakened by defeat, to amass forces and ally with the Frogen faction.
The nation of Frogen, with its strong militarism, is a disruptor of world order. If Frogen succeeds in annexing Westermann, the presidency, it will invite the Lenin Federal Socialist Republic and the eastern Levant continental nations, hell-bent on conquest, triggering a world war of unprecedented scale. Before that, the United Nations, centered around Medea, would be defeated to the point of no return and then disbanded by the great powers. This would be the ideal scenario for the end of the war.
"There's a need to further pressure and restrain the military forces led by Admiral Claire. It would be best to proceed with the marriage according to Jeffrey's wishes."
“Is it perhaps for the sake of the young masters? But...”
The aide trailed off. It was unclear why he was protecting the woman and her sons, who had committed a crime and fled from Medea. As a nobleman and prime minister of a nation, Demian Groenendaal knew better than anyone that being swayed by emotion would lead to elimination and downfall, yet he made his decision.
"No matter what anyone says, Jace and Jeffrey are my sons. It's a promise to her."
“I don’t know why you would take risks for them.”
Despite the continued dissuasion of his aides, the Prime Minister did not waver in his determination, with a firm look in his eyes.
"Let them spread the word that Diana Claire is related to Medea's Harrison family. It's clear that both the Duke, a colonel in the Frogen Empire, and the real Princess he married are hiding this truth."
“Are you planning to reveal your wife’s hidden secret?”
The Prime Minister wanted to protect Jace and Jeffrey, whom she had left behind. Prime Minister Groenendaal, lost in thought, looked at his aide with a bitter smile. The aide lowered his gloomy gaze.
“My old friend. I understand your concerns.”
Agnes Harrison, a maid who was protected and trusted by the former Queen who passed away from illness, abducted the Princess, swapped her with the illegitimate child of a high-ranking nobleman in a slum, and ran away.
In the past, she had secretly dated a Belford naval officer, and they had conceived a child together. Knowing that if the family found out, neither the child nor the officer would be left alone, she enlisted the help of the kind-hearted former Queen, entered Tempshire Palace, worked as a personal maid, and secretly gave birth to Jace and raised their second son, Jeffrey.
Years later, Agnes planned to leave for Belford with her child's father, an officer. However, he was suddenly ordered to war while at Alliance headquarters and was killed in the Battle of Nivia. He left a letter to his captain, Admiral Claire, asking him to look after her and the children. The admiral used this as an excuse to blackmail Agnes, and she ultimately gave in to the threats. All of this was done to protect her two sons.
Prime Minister Damian Groenendael had fallen in love with Agnes at first sight when he happened to see her, and had repeatedly proposed to her, but had given up due to the opposition of the Harrison family, who wanted her to marry someone of the same Medea lineage.
Later, when the Prime Minister saw Agnes and her children, who had fled to Belford, he decided to welcome them as family, and after announcing that they were his children, whom he had secretly conceived with her, he gave the Harrison family a huge sum of money as an apology.
He intended to forgive his wife for whatever sins she committed, but she never confessed and suffered inwardly until she eventually died of illness.
"Your Excellency, the crimes you committed cannot be completely forgiven. Especially the crime of assassinating a royal family..."
The aide's soft voice, full of worry and concern, gradually became hazy, and he could no longer speak.
After the King and Queen died of an unknown illness, she poisoned the Crown Prince, who also suffered from the same illness but was showing signs of improvement with a newly developed medicine, with a mixture of aconite and a tea laced with pufferfish poison. He died immediately after taking the new medicine, having been poisoned by the poisons at different times. As a result, the royal doctor and all those involved in researching and manufacturing the new medicine were executed for medical malpractice.
This was the admiral's scheme to make Princess Grace the next Queen.
The emotional exchange within an uncertain relationship with them is a constant thrill and satisfaction, leading to growing anticipation and a drug-like addiction. If you find yourself on the receiving end of such unbalanced affection, all that's left is the misery and squalor of feeling like you were the only one truly genuine.
I've met these men casually, as if I were taking a quick walk or returning home, and at some point, we maintained an implicit relationship where we turned our backs on each other without any regrets. It was possible because I had no expectations whatsoever.
When I first met Noah, I desperately tried to ignore him because I knew he wasn't someone I could handle. He made me expect things.
'We had no relationship, did we?'
What would happen if those charming rulers, who could easily end everything with just one word, became truly sincere to someone? Such curiosity exists as a fantasy for everyone, so it's no wonder they take such a risky risk.
Isn't it easy for people like that to lose interest in someone or grow cold?
I had been secretly worried and wary of this for a while.
Just because you get married doesn't mean your heart will be forever.
Even after getting married and having children, he might become indifferent and cold to me. He might change his mind, change his purpose, and leave me. Romance novels always end with marriage. After that, you never know. They might get divorced or live like a stranger. Thinking about that, everything suddenly felt empty.
I didn't want to experience the cold, indifferent atmosphere of my parents, devoid of love and affection. As my feelings grew, my anxiety seemed to be growing more evident. A sense of crisis set in, and I weakly restrained his hand from wrapping around my shoulder. The thought struck me again: I shouldn't satisfy every single one of this man's desires.
“Just a moment.”
"Why?"
Noah asked, his face sullen. "Don't look at me so cutely, you rascal. I'm afraid of boredom and weariness!"
I picked up the book that was lying open on my lap again.
“I want to read a book now.”
He didn't push or pressure me further, despite my firm stance. However, this dapper man was five steps ahead of me.
“Honey, shall we read a book after we kiss?”
I'm vulnerable to your attacks, honey. I'm captivated by the dimples on your lips, the seemingly harmless smile on your lips, and the soft, clean cheeks.
“Yeah, that doesn’t matter...”
Before I could even finish answering, Noah wrapped his arms around my shoulders and plopped me down on the sofa. I was trapped beneath him, and I knew he wasn't trying to kiss me wholesomely. My underwear was still loose and untied, which was a problem. Contrary to his kindness in lowering my skirt, his seductive eyes were languidly unraveling. The strange atmosphere was growing increasingly intense.
Bam.
Because my wrist was grabbed, the book I was holding slipped past my fingertips and fell limply to the floor.
“I didn’t mean for it to be like this.”
I found myself muttering, almost like a sigh. Life doesn't always go as planned, you know. My timid resistance was futile. I gave up on that, too. I guess this is what it means to love someone.
The tone was gentlemanly. It was a noble expression of respect, but the lips and breath that subtly brushed the tip of my ear were utterly deliberate, a clear seduction. My mind became dizzy. The words, "I don't mind, do you?" tugged at the tip of my tongue.
“I don’t do it if my wife says no. Do you hate it?”
“No, that’s not it.”
He pressed his lips against mine as I tried to say something more, then gently bit my lower lip. He licked the moist spot, tickling it, and then pulled away. Finally, his muffled breath gently brushed my cheek.
"I think my wife thinks too much. Do you really need to do that to me?"
Even though I knew it was useless. My mouth, once wet, went dry as if I could hear the sharp man's inner thoughts. A celebration of failing to deflect and being completely seen through erupted in my mind. I kept my expression blank and my mouth shut. It was because I was reminded of all the times I'd known that man had fooled me and defeated me.
I found myself muttering, almost like a sigh. Life doesn't always go as planned, you know. My timid resistance was futile. I gave up on that, too. I guess this is what it means to love someone.
“I don’t do it if my wife says no. Do you hate it?”
The tone was gentlemanly. It was a noble expression of respect, but the lips and breath that subtly brushed the tip of my ear were utterly deliberate, a clear seduction. My mind became dizzy. The words, "I don't mind, do you?" tugged at the tip of my tongue.
“No, that’s not it.”
“What am I?”
Noah's mouth twitched, as if he was suppressing a laugh at the timid denial. Finally, he covered his mouth with one hand and let out a faint snort. He seemed to be enjoying watching the obvious tricks being played.
“You’re cute.”
My lips, frozen at the end of the softly spoken words, helplessly accepted Noah's lips as they pressed against mine instead of the loser's excuse. Our lips, briefly joined, parted, and a warm breath touched mine.
My gaze was fixed on his lips. More precisely, I was captivated by the crimson tongue peeking out from between his parted lips. They snapped shut, and a belated yearning surged through me. Unlike the smirk he'd been sporting just moments before, his face was expressionless. He, transformed into a completely different person, met my cloudy, white eyes.
“Open your mouth.”
I could never handle it. Now defenseless, I was once again utterly captivated by him, who revealed his domineering side. The worries and anxieties that had been hovering around me fled.
***
Prime Minister Groenendaal sat at his desk in his study, his hands clasped together, facing his aide. He knew everything about his wife, the Duchess, her past, Diana's true identity, and even Admiral Claire's actions.
“Jace going to the Kappel Federal Republic, and Jeffrey becoming engaged to Admiral Claire’s daughter, are all related to this.”
“I believe so, Your Excellency.”
“I wonder if the fact that he did that to me without saying a word means that I am not trustworthy.”
An aide with gray hair, about the same age as the Prime Minister, paused for a moment, his gaze lowered. He had been the Prime Minister's friend for over 20 years and was his most trusted confidant.
“It’s probably more about not wanting to cause harm.”
“Are you saying it has nothing to do with me?”
“You may have thought so, but... it seems you are worried about the turbulent domestic situation.”
“Yes, what should I do?”
"I believe it's right to inform Medea and cooperate. Even if we remain silent, it could hinder our future goal of joining a new alliance led by Medea. And Your Excellency, you won't be able to avoid responsibility for this."
The Prime Minister's wrinkled eyes narrowed fiercely. Common sense would have it, but it was a cold, matter-of-fact decision that could only be made under the assumption that the other person was involved.
“Even if Jace is granted asylum and protected by neutral federal law, Jeffrey will most likely not be safe.”
Foolish! Did you truly have no expectations of this father? To marry him without any intention? The admiral is currently taking advantage of the aging Emperor, whose power has been weakened by defeat, to amass forces and ally with the Frogen faction.
The nation of Frogen, with its strong militarism, is a disruptor of world order. If Frogen succeeds in annexing Westermann, the presidency, it will invite the Lenin Federal Socialist Republic and the eastern Levant continental nations, hell-bent on conquest, triggering a world war of unprecedented scale. Before that, the United Nations, centered around Medea, would be defeated to the point of no return and then disbanded by the great powers. This would be the ideal scenario for the end of the war.
"There's a need to further pressure and restrain the military forces led by Admiral Claire. It would be best to proceed with the marriage according to Jeffrey's wishes."
“Is it perhaps for the sake of the young masters? But...”
The aide trailed off. It was unclear why he was protecting the woman and her sons, who had committed a crime and fled from Medea. As a nobleman and prime minister of a nation, Demian Groenendaal knew better than anyone that being swayed by emotion would lead to elimination and downfall, yet he made his decision.
"No matter what anyone says, Jace and Jeffrey are my sons. It's a promise to her."
“I don’t know why you would take risks for them.”
Despite the continued dissuasion of his aides, the Prime Minister did not waver in his determination, with a firm look in his eyes.
"Let them spread the word that Diana Claire is related to Medea's Harrison family. It's clear that both the Duke, a colonel in the Frogen Empire, and the real Princess he married are hiding this truth."
“Are you planning to reveal your wife’s hidden secret?”
The Prime Minister wanted to protect Jace and Jeffrey, whom she had left behind. Prime Minister Groenendaal, lost in thought, looked at his aide with a bitter smile. The aide lowered his gloomy gaze.
“My old friend. I understand your concerns.”
Agnes Harrison, a maid who was protected and trusted by the former Queen who passed away from illness, abducted the Princess, swapped her with the illegitimate child of a high-ranking nobleman in a slum, and ran away.
In the past, she had secretly dated a Belford naval officer, and they had conceived a child together. Knowing that if the family found out, neither the child nor the officer would be left alone, she enlisted the help of the kind-hearted former Queen, entered Tempshire Palace, worked as a personal maid, and secretly gave birth to Jace and raised their second son, Jeffrey.
Years later, Agnes planned to leave for Belford with her child's father, an officer. However, he was suddenly ordered to war while at Alliance headquarters and was killed in the Battle of Nivia. He left a letter to his captain, Admiral Claire, asking him to look after her and the children. The admiral used this as an excuse to blackmail Agnes, and she ultimately gave in to the threats. All of this was done to protect her two sons.
Prime Minister Damian Groenendael had fallen in love with Agnes at first sight when he happened to see her, and had repeatedly proposed to her, but had given up due to the opposition of the Harrison family, who wanted her to marry someone of the same Medea lineage.
Later, when the Prime Minister saw Agnes and her children, who had fled to Belford, he decided to welcome them as family, and after announcing that they were his children, whom he had secretly conceived with her, he gave the Harrison family a huge sum of money as an apology.
He intended to forgive his wife for whatever sins she committed, but she never confessed and suffered inwardly until she eventually died of illness.
"Your Excellency, the crimes you committed cannot be completely forgiven. Especially the crime of assassinating a royal family..."
The aide's soft voice, full of worry and concern, gradually became hazy, and he could no longer speak.
After the King and Queen died of an unknown illness, she poisoned the Crown Prince, who also suffered from the same illness but was showing signs of improvement with a newly developed medicine, with a mixture of aconite and a tea laced with pufferfish poison. He died immediately after taking the new medicine, having been poisoned by the poisons at different times. As a result, the royal doctor and all those involved in researching and manufacturing the new medicine were executed for medical malpractice.
This was the admiral's scheme to make Princess Grace the next Queen.
Comments
Post a Comment