Chapter 8
He suddenly met my gaze while saying he didn’t love me. His eyes, as transparent and sharp as amethyst, seemed to pierce right through me.
“…That’s impossible!”
Because of him, my reaction was delayed. My hands, unconsciously gripping my sides, tightened.
I hoped I looked startled by such an absurd rumor.
If this delays the wedding, it would throw the whole plan off. My face lost its color.
“Then… what should we…?”
What if, because I suggested moving the wedding up, Demian tried to poison the emperor? This time, it might be only the emperor.
No—if he poisons the emperor, Father will surely turn his back on Demian.
‘Then, before Estelle is even sent as a saint, our family could be wiped out.’
I saw Estelle and Theo sprawled across the ruins.
Their chests streaked red, their sparkling hair dulled by ashes.
My chest tightened, and my breath caught. My body trembled, but I forced a smile.
‘If this continues, someone suspicious will notice.’
Calm down. Think of a way quickly.
Even so, my vision blurred repeatedly.
“Rose.”
A warm touch rested on my shoulder. Suddenly, my sight cleared, as if clouds had parted.
Demian had moved from the edge of the boat to the center.
The boat rocked.
“Careful, come to the center.”
He smiled and gently covered the back of my hand with his.
Then, as if handling a delicate glass ornament, he withdrew his hand from mine and pulled me forward. I awkwardly followed him.
We faced each other—much closer than before.
His lips formed a smooth, elegant line.
“Can you see?”
He whispered, brushing my hair behind my ear with a free hand.
Beyond his whisper, I heard the gentle lapping of water and the laughter of people around.
I looked at him and then slowly turned my gaze. Many people were enjoying the boat ride.
“Ah…”
Although there was some distance, I could see what they were doing.
Oars splashing in the water, women covering their mouths, and glances toward us. Surely, they all knew who we were.
“If rumors are the problem, we know how to quiet them, don’t we?”
His voice was soft, almost hypnotic. I nodded.
His hand, which had lingered near my ear, slid along my jaw. He gently held my chin.
“Excuse me for a moment, Rose.”
So please forgive me. The whisper, warm against my ear, dissipated. He bowed his head.
I closed my eyes in silent acceptance.
A soft touch met my lips.
‘So this is why he brought me to the lake.’
A feather-light sensation tickled my spine, and heat instantly rose to my neck. The light touch was teasing.
He didn’t press like when kissing my forehead, but the subtle closeness was persistently intense.
And yet…
‘How long do I have to stay like this?’
I had unconsciously held my breath since closing my eyes, but my lips had no intention of separating.
The hands we held gently had intertwined fingers, forming a delicate lock.
My mind grew hazy.
Finally, I pushed him away with my free hand.
As our lips parted, my pent-up breath escaped.
“Phew.”
I pulled away from the intertwined hands as well. Even if it was for show, it felt strange.
The lack of oxygen and the intense heat made my head spin.
‘What on earth…!’
I steadied my breath while looking at the deck, feeling the fire in my mind surge again.
I raised my head to speak.
“Demian! No matter what…”
But I couldn’t continue. His face, partially covered by his hand, had flushed the deep red of autumn leaves.
“…I’m sorry, Rose.”
The light in his eyes was blurred by heat. He stared at me silently, hand still over his mouth, for a long moment.
I opened my mouth but could say nothing. Only the faint lapping of the lake reached my ears.
It was astonishingly quiet.
‘Ah…’
A realization struck like lightning. The meaning behind this silence was obvious.
My heart heated up for another reason now.
I wanted to cry, not thinking of anything else… but I forced a smile.
“No, I was just surprised. It’s not that I dislike you.”
I gripped his hand tightly and lowered it.
Looking at his firm lips and the heat burning in his eyes, I whispered:
“I love you too, Demian.”
At that, he smiled brightly.
‘Lies.’
Demian watched her lips murmuring before his eyes.
Lips that didn’t remember him were claiming to love him.
If she truly loved him, she couldn’t have so easily forgotten him.
Even today, she brought someone else here instead of him.
Every time he saw those lying, murmuring lips, he had to suppress the urge to bite them.
‘…Still, I can overlook this little lie.’
As long as she didn’t want to postpone or cancel the marriage.
Yet sometimes, he wanted to tease her for forgetting him or not understanding his feelings. That much would be okay. She should accept that.
Like an inseparable kiss, his feelings continued to move forward one-sidedly.
Her eyes, sparkling like garnets, were fixed on him.
Though directed at him, the gaze was shaded with other thoughts, like a window in the deep night.
Her anxiety, poorly concealed, surfaced whenever she was flustered.
And yet, she was utterly lovable.
“Thank goodness.”
He held her hand tightly, lowering his gaze.
The smile on his lips showed no signs of fading.
As long as his desperate efforts were for the marriage, he could be deceived as much as necessary.
The boat reached the dock. Demian stepped down first and offered me his hand. I took it, climbing onto the dock safely.
The boat rocked, but his hand kept me steady.
I glanced around and approached him.
Earlier, I had gotten swept up, but it wouldn’t be good if that continued. Others had likely seen me push him.
I needed to take the initiative. I toyed with his hand, whispering:
“Can I kiss you one more time?”
Looking up at him, I smiled. Fortunately, I heard his approving voice.
“Of course, Rose.”
This time, I couldn’t lose control. I steeled myself and looked up at him.
“Close your eyes.”
He did. I leaned in and kissed him.
With eyes closed, the touch felt like pressing lips against a perfectly ripe peach.
Thinking that, it didn’t feel awkward at all.
Three seconds.
If I pulled away too quickly, it would be obvious. Luckily, he didn’t move until our lips parted.
Only then did he open his eyes.
I smiled. He met my gaze and smiled back, a slight curl at the corners of his eyes.
“Then, now…?”
“Lady!”
Did we have to stay together until we returned? Theo’s voice called out. Turning my head, I saw Theo and Estelle approaching.
It seemed they had already waited for us after we got off the boat.
‘Ha….’
Since Demian had come this far, there was no avoiding meeting the three of them.
Still, it left a sharp, pricking feeling.
Demian, still smiling, watched my siblings.
His gaze seemed to flicker subtly.
As we stepped onto the ground, Theo placed his hand over his chest and bowed.
“We pay our respects to the Dawn of the Empire.”
Hearing this, Estelle also bowed slightly, lifting her dress hem a little.
Theo didn’t seem particularly surprised, but Estelle’s eyes darted uncertainly. She appeared rather flustered.
Even so, her greeting was flawless.
“The young viscount and… beside him?”
“I am Estella, under the patronage of our duke’s family.”
Theo replied gently. He smiled broadly.
Demian merely smiled with his lips at Estelle.
Then, for a brief moment, he paused unnaturally.
It was so brief that, without careful attention, one might not have noticed.
‘What was that…?’
It passed too quickly to discern the meaning. Demian had already regained his composure.
If I looked just once more, I might understand, but Demian was already staring at me, grinning cheerfully.
