Part 2 Chapter 51
Nike hesitated only for a moment before striding over, not at all like someone who’d been agonizing for hours.
“Eh?”
But instead of lying down next to me, he shoved me over until I was pressed right up against the wall. Then he set his pillow upright between us like a barrier stone and lay down on the opposite side.
No blanket. No pillow. Just his arm as a headrest, his back turned to me.
“If you feel sick at night, just call me. I’m a light sleeper.”
Even in this tiny room, Nike was determined to keep as much distance as possible.
…Seriously?
What’s with the act? This from the guy who already kissed me breathless?
“What’s with the wall pillow? Are you treating me like some kind of pervert?”
“No. I’m the one.”
“…..”
“…..”
“This blanket is big and fluffy. Why suffer on the hard floor?”
“…..”
“I didn’t say I’d do anything weird. I just meant… we can sleep under the same blanket. That’s all.”
“You think that’s possible?”
So firm.
But I really had no ulterior motive. I just felt bad watching him sleep uncomfortably on the floor.
Quietly, I rolled over, flattening the flimsy pillow barrier without effort, and leaned close to his ear.
“Huuuuu~”
“Ah!”
I blew air into his ear. Nike shot upright, clutching his ear, glaring down at me like I’d lost my mind.
“What was that?!”
“Sleep with me.”
“….”
“Please?”
“….”
“Just side by side. Nothing else. You’ll only ruin your back on the floor. I promise I won’t touch you. Pinky swear~”
Still lying down, I held up my little finger toward him.
Nike let out a disbelieving laugh. He stared at my hand for a long moment… then linked his finger with mine.
“You’re doing this on purpose.”
“Huh?”
“If you don’t touch me, then what?”
Suddenly he leaned over me, bracing one arm beside my head. His face drew so close our breaths mingled.
“What if it’s not you? What if it’s me?”
At that distance, his whisper was heavy with restraint and frustration.
“Every time I look at you, I want to kiss you. Hold you. Touch you. I didn’t know I could be like this… and you knew. You know what kind of man I am.”
…He was right. I did know.
“So why do this? Is it fun to torture me?”
“No, it’s not that…”
I stared back, my lips just a breath away from his. His eyes burned with suppressed desire, his expression agonized.
That was the difference between us.
For me, these moments felt natural, familiar. For him, everything had to be restrained, taken step by step, held back until the “right” time.
To me, just lying together like this was nothing. To him, it was a battle with himself.
…Yeah, maybe I went too far. I shouldn’t tease him like this. I should apologize.
“You can touch me if you want.”
…Oops. My mouth hadn’t synced with my brain.
“….”
“….”
Nike’s lips parted slightly. His eyes flashed with both disbelief and temptation. Adam’s apple bobbed.
Slowly, his trembling hand reached out, brushing the side of my neck… trailing down, gently, like a caress.
Then—snatch!
“…?”
His hand veered away, grabbing the pillow barrier instead.
“I’m sleeping with Father.”
“What?!”
Calling the Emperor “Father” in such a soft, almost boyish tone, Nike bolted for the door.
“Hey! Wait—!”
Too fast to stop, he slipped out and vanished.
“You can’t just leave! You’re supposed to be taking care of me!” I shouted after him, stunned.
***
The Next Day — Imperial Palace
The sun shone bright over the Empire’s capital.
In his guest chamber, Ryan stood before a mirror.
“Damn, I’m handsome.”
Tall, broad-shouldered, golden hair, sharp features. His expression was a little fierce, but that only made him more striking.
“…And damn it, I look just like him.”
Golden hair. Golden eyes. A sharp gaze, a powerful build.
As much as he hated to admit it, Ryan was the one among Duke Bassenberg’s many sons who most resembled their father.
“Shit.”
The Crown Prince had warned: if the marriage proceeded while the Emperor was absent, people would talk. Bania might be shunned in the palace, unable to fit into high society.
After all, from the outside, it would look like the Emperor opposed the union—that Bania hadn’t earned his approval.
So the Crown Prince and his wife were working tirelessly, rallying nobles day and night to build support for Bania.
“Ugh!”
Ryan growled at the mirror. The more he looked, the more he saw his father’s younger face staring back.
Because of that, he’d spent his life proving he wasn’t the same man.
“Not once in my life have you ever helped me, Father!”
Fury surged, his fist shooting toward the mirror—
—only to stop just short.
Not my mirror.
With a sigh, he trudged outside, his thoughts drifting to Bania.
What if the Crown Prince is right? What if she gets ignored, pushed aside, miserable in the palace?
She was his sweet little sister—his bunny. They’d shared hardship, joy, and everything in between.
Should I stop the wedding?
Impossible.
His tangled thoughts carried him to the palace’s back garden—the discreet gate where unofficial processions came and went.
No way they’d be sent back after just a day… But if they did return, they’d come through here…
“Eh?”
There it was—the same carriage from yesterday, already waiting.
Not returning. Sent away.
Bania, Nike, and three shabby-looking attendants stepped down.
Ryan froze, unable to move.
“Ah!”
Bania spotted him first and ran over.
“Brother!”
…Brother?
Fine. Call me whatever you want. If the Bassenbergs complain, I’ll just send them straight to hell.
“I missed you. It was only a day, but still.”
She threw her arms around his waist, burying her face in his chest.
Ryan held her, speechless.
The Emperor had actually sent her away after just one day?
“Hey… are you crying?”
Her face rubbed against him like she was wiping tears.
But when she lifted her head, her eyes were dry—and glinting with something bold.
“Do you love me?”
…Out of nowhere? Did she hit her head?
Still, Bania never did anything without a reason.
“Love you to death.” Ryan smirked. “Since Clara’s still missing, you’re the woman I love most in the world right now.”
“Mm.”
Satisfied, Bania grinned slyly.
“Then prove it. Show me right now—with your whole body.”
“….”
Ryan raised a brow, glancing past her at the others.
“…Noted.”
Then, without hesitation, he scooped her up by the waist.
“Ahhh! Put me down, that’s scary~!”
“Haha! I’ll never drop you, my little rabbit princess!”
The Emperor, who had just arrived and saw this scene, froze.
For a heartbeat, he thought he was seeing Edgar.
Golden hair. Towering frame. A man blazing like the sun.
But no—it wasn’t Edgar. It was his son.
Still, the resemblance…
Something inside Alphonse cracked.
Yet as he looked closer, he realized—
This was not Edgar.
This was a young man with a radiant smile, holding his beloved sister with genuine affection. A man who could look at someone precious with eyes full of warmth.
“….”
Why had he confused them?
They were nothing alike.
For the first time, the Emperor found it wasn’t hard at all to meet his son’s gaze.
