Chapter 53
Elion slowly drew Rubiana’s head toward him and let it rest against his shoulder.
Once settled against his broad shoulder, Rubiana no longer nodded off unsteadily.
Thinking he could finally concentrate again, Elion unfolded the newspaper.
But that was a miscalculation.
The weight of her against his shoulder, the mana flowing out toward her, the soft sound of her breathing, her dizzyingly fragrant scent, her very existence—
all of it stimulated Elion’s five senses.
In the end, unable to focus, Elion folded the newspaper roughly and set it aside.
Then he closed his eyes.
With his vision cut off, her presence—now perceived through his other senses—grew even stronger, enough to make him dizzy.
But only for a moment. Soon, drowsiness began to overtake Elion as well.
As Elion’s head slowly tilted to the side, his cheek came to rest against Rubiana’s head.
And so, the two of them fell into a sweet afternoon nap, using each other as pillows.
***
Duke Miren, summoned by Empress Miranda, came to the Imperial Palace.
“Your Majesty the Empress.”
“Grand Duke Klitzman and Lady Payson?!”
Miranda shouted irritably, skipping even the greeting.
The situation had gone far beyond her expectations, and her impatience and anxiety had reached their peak.
No matter how much of a fuss the Emperor made, she had been certain Elion would ultimately refuse a blind date and marriage.
Elion, who had been alone his entire life, was meant to live in solitude forever.
That kind of life suited him best.
An abandoned imperial prince—afraid of being abandoned again—should live a lonely life, never opening his heart to anyone, never growing close to anyone.
But an engagement?
And to a young lady of the Payson count’s family, no less?!
This development defied plausibility by a wide margin.
Miranda simply could not accept the current situation.
“The Payson count’s family is renowned for maintaining political neutrality, is it not? I cannot simply stand by and watch the Grand Duke gain the backing of such a family.”
The duke, who had quietly listened to Miranda’s anxious lament, spoke in a gentle, calming voice.
“Please don’t worry too much, Your Majesty. The Payson family may be prestigious, but as you said, they strictly adhere to neutrality. It’s obvious they won’t involve themselves deeply in politics, so there’s no need to worry in advance.”
“Don’t speak so carelessly, Duke!”
Miranda raised her voice sharply.
“Who knows when or how people’s hearts may change? Those who claim neutrality are often the most fiercely protective of their own.”
“Hm…”
The duke hummed thoughtfully.
Miranda wasn’t wrong.
The harmonious atmosphere of the Payson family was widely known in high society.
He recalled hearing, more than once, that not only were the parents deeply affectionate toward their children, but the bonds among siblings were exceptionally strong as well.
Soon, a crease formed between the duke’s brows.
Miranda’s eyes flashed as she spoke again.
“We must stop their engagement. The Grand Duke already controls the Imperial Knights. We cannot allow him to gain any more power. If we do, his influence will become completely uncontrollable.”
After a moment of contemplation, Duke Miren finally nodded.
“Your Majesty is correct. I will look for a way to prevent their engagement.”
Having secured his agreement, Miranda’s eyes gleamed wildly as she continued.
“I hear the Grand Duke and the Payson young lady have gone on a trip. If we make good use of this opportunity, I believe we can achieve our goal quite easily. What do you think, Duke?”
Her thin, red lips curved into a cruel smile.
***
By the time the carriage arrived at the villa, the sun was already sinking low.
Hearing it called a “villa,” Rubiana had imagined something the size of a townhouse in the capital—but she was wrong.
The building was enormous, nearly the size of a feudal lord’s castle, and Rubiana felt overwhelmed.
Though it was not a place they visited often, the resident staff had clearly maintained it well; the estate was immaculate.
As Rubiana stood admiring the grandeur of the villa, familiar faces came out to greet her.
“Welcome, Your Grace, and Miss Rubiana.”
They were Scott, the head butler of the grand ducal household, and Jocelyn, the head maid, who had arrived ahead of them.
“You must be hungry. We’ve prepared a meal so you can dine right away. Please come to the dining room first.”
“Thank you.”
Escorted by Elion, Rubiana headed toward the dining room.
Seeing him remember to offer his hand despite all the watching eyes, Rubiana smiled inwardly at his progress.
The dining table was set with dishes still steaming, as though they had just been prepared.
Thankfully, it wasn’t as overwhelming in quantity as the breakfast she’d been served at the grand ducal residence before.
As if he’d read her mind, Elion smiled knowingly at her.
“You’re thinking it’s a relief, aren’t you? I gave them strict instructions, so the table won’t be piled high with every dish imaginable like last time.”
Rubiana covered her mouth and laughed softly.
Unable to laugh loudly or add much commentary in front of the visibly anxious Scott, she remained quiet—until Elion teased her in a playful tone.
“You weren’t secretly hoping for a meal where you could sample every dish, were you? Did you like that breakfast spread?”
“……Of course not. This is perfect.”
“Good to hear.”
Rubiana smiled apologetically at Scott, who looked as though he were sweating bullets, and took her seat.
Though all she’d had during the journey were biscuits and a few sips of tea, she wasn’t particularly hungry.
Still, after taking a spoonful of warm cream soup, her body felt warmer, and it seemed as though her fatigue melted away.
‘Mm… this is nice.’
Her hand moved faster and faster between the soup and her mouth.
Then suddenly, Rubiana froze.
‘N-No. I need to restrain myself. Otherwise, later tonight…’
Remembering the true purpose of this trip, she set the spoon down.
She would be undressing in front of Elion later, and she didn’t want him to see her with a bloated stomach.
Even if it was merely an exchange of mana, she still wanted to stand before him looking as pretty as possible.
Seeing her put the spoon down, Elion asked,
“Why? You’re not eating more?”
“I think I’m tired, so I don’t have much of an appetite. Would it be alright if I washed up first?”
“Of course. Anything you wish.”
Leaving the dining room, Rubiana followed Jocelyn to the bath.
“The bathwater has already been drawn. You may enter whenever you’re ready.”
“Thank you.”
Rubiana couldn’t help but feel touched.
Everything had been prepared so that she could eat immediately, bathe immediately.
She felt deeply grateful for their efforts.
In truth, the long, sudden carriage journey must have been exhausting for them as well.
After undressing with the help of her attendant, Sophie, Rubiana slipped into the bathtub.
Warm water scented with flower petals enveloped her weary body.
Her tired muscles loosened completely.
“Ahh… this feels wonderful…”
The villa’s bathroom had a ceiling made of glass over half its span, revealing a half-moon floating in the dark night sky.
It wasn’t a bright light, but the moon’s gentle glow was warm and comforting.
The bathtub, the glass ceiling, the air filling the bathroom—everything felt unfamiliar.
Yet within that unfamiliarity, Rubiana felt at ease, and only then did she truly realize she was on a journey.
‘Yes… this must be why people travel.’
It was a comfort she hadn’t felt in a long time.
At the count’s residence in the capital, she had pretended everything was fine—but she had always lived with fear.
Fear of a monster attack.
Fear that her possession would never fully stabilize.
Fear of losing the protagonist’s life even as it lay right before her.
Fear of once again living the life of a mere supporting character.
Fear that, after finally finding a family who cared for her, she might not be able to stay by their side for long.
Countless fears had weighed her down.
‘But not now. I’m not afraid at all. I just feel comfortable. Both body and mind.’
Leaving a familiar place for somewhere new made even familiar fears fade.
That alone was a relief.
Perhaps it was because of the warm bath.
Even during dinner, she’d been tense, reminding herself of the true purpose of this trip—but now, she wasn’t.
‘Whatever happens, it’ll work out somehow.’
Rubiana took a deep breath and submerged herself completely under the water.
Underwater, no sounds reached her.
All she could see were flower petals floating on the surface and the faint glow of moonlight.
Was it because the water was warm? Or because it was so quiet?
A memory surfaced—waking up inside the carriage.
She had been asleep, leaning against Elion’s shoulder.
And Elion had been asleep too, leaning against her head.
