Chapter 97
I wanted to say I didn’t remember, but by the time I woke up and started assessing the situation, most of the memories had already come flooding back.
“Riz… please… just one more time, okay?”
Even the memories I had barely managed to forget surfaced unnecessarily, tormenting me.
I wanted to ask something else now. How many times did we… yesterday? How much did we do for my body to end up like this? My insides ached unbearably, my legs wobbled, and I wasn’t even sure I could walk properly.
“Riz, yesterday we…”
“Ahhh!”
I don’t even know why I reacted that way at that moment.
As Rixion Luhanes tried to sit up as if to start a proper conversation, I let out a strange scream and tumbled off the bed.
“Riz!”
Seeing Rixion Luhanes jump up in surprise only made me more panicked.
Wrapping myself in the blanket like a shield, I barely managed to move into the adjoining bathroom and slammed the door shut. Not satisfied with that, I pressed myself against the far wall and curled up.
Originally, I wanted to escape the room entirely, but I couldn’t go out, worried Rowin and Rin might still be outside.
Huddled like a shriveled-up insect, I tore at my hair.
“I’m crazy, I’m really crazy!”
The memories from last night became clearer and clearer, and I felt like I was going insane.
I’m not exaggerating—I truly thought it was all a dream yesterday. I was drowsy and disoriented, the room was so dark, and Rixion Luhanes sparkling alone in that dark room felt surreal… that’s why.
Knock, knock.
The sound of the door opening came first, followed by a knock.
“May I come in?”
I could already sense him entering, yet he shamelessly asked.
I mumbled, burying my face in my knees.
“You’re already inside.”
“Riz, show me your face.”
That voice—so warm it could melt ears—called to me.
After hesitating briefly, I lifted my eyes to look at him.
Fortunately, unlike before, he had draped some kind of robe over himself. Still, his chest was exposed, but it was much better than before.
I focused only on his face, kneeling on one knee before me, and spoke as calmly as I could.
“What happened yesterday was a mistake.”
Sitting on the cold bathroom floor, my overloaded mind felt a little cooler, and I began to clear my thoughts.
What I had to do now wasn’t to just despise and avoid what happened yesterday; I had to handle it like an adult. Both of us were adults, so it needed to be resolved in an adult way.
The solution was simple: agree to treat it as if it never happened.
“…A mistake?”
“Yes, a mistake. So let’s pretend it didn’t happen.”
Unlike before, I spoke gently and calmly.
Rixion Luhanes, who had been quietly watching me, raised one eyebrow.
“Ahh…”
He smiled, as if he understood something.
With a face that could be mocking or exasperated—I couldn’t tell which—he calmly said,
“I know what this is.”
His long, curved blue eyes smiled beautifully.
“You mean… ‘use it and throw it away,’ right?”
But the smile vanished with his next words.
I froze, then gradually gaped in shock. What on earth had I just heard? Stammering, I finally managed to speak.
“Wh-what… use it and throw it… wha…?”
“That’s right. You’re going to use me and throw me away, Riz.”
I was speechless again.
Dumbfounded, I stammered helplessly, then quickly straightened my expression. I lifted my head, buried halfway in my knees.
“No, I’m not in the mood for jokes right now.”
“I’m not joking either.”
Rixion Luhanes clearly wasn’t backing down.
I was internally flustered but kept my composure, responding in a cold voice to show I wasn’t easy prey either.
“That was just an accident. And really, two consenting adults having sex once—what do you mean ‘use and throw away’? Isn’t it ridiculous to even say that?”
Despite my intent to handle it calmly and maturely, my emotions grew as I spoke.
I panted and argued alone, but Rixion Luhanes remained completely composed.
“Well, because you took my first time.”
And that was his whole point. As if he were some innocent victim.
I felt my blood pressure spike and shouted.
“My first time too, you know!”
Ridiculous. Did he think I’d been in a hundred relationships? In the real world or this one, I hadn’t even kissed another man!
My outburst startled him, his eyes widening in shock.
Until a moment ago, he had replied meticulously, but now he just stared at me blankly, as if speechless.
Then he raised his hand to cover his face.
For a moment, I froze, unsure why he was doing that.
After lowering his head, he sighed deeply, as if he couldn’t take it anymore.
“I always thought people who get excited over something like this were disgusting…”
Just as my confusion deepened, he looked thrilled and, in a troubled way, said,
“I can’t help it either.”
I didn’t understand immediately, but a beat later, I realized what he meant.
I was more shocked than before and stared at him with disbelief.
Rixion Luhanes smiled continuously, regardless of my reaction.
“By the way, are you feeling okay?”
Slowly, his hand reached for my hair, gently sliding it down.
Though tender, like handling something precious, after last night even this small gesture felt significant.
“I feel bad for pushing your body…”
“Let’s stop talking about that now.”
I cut him off firmly, signaling I didn’t want to hear it. I also pushed away his hand twirling my hair.
Rixion Luhanes calmly regarded his displaced hand and shrugged.
“If that’s what you want, Riz.”
I let out a long breath. I didn’t want to continue discussing it, but it still needed closure.
The best solution was to treat it as if it never happened… but he was too uncooperative, making it difficult.
While I was brooding, he snapped his fingers, as if remembering something important.
“This is slightly different, but I wanted to hear your opinion first, Riz.”
I dreaded what might come next.
I considered escaping, regardless of Rowin and Rin outside, but he spoke casually, as if stating the obvious.
“There’s an order to things…”
With that beautiful face I liked so much, smiling brightly, he said,
“First, we should have the engagement ceremony, right?”
This is really bad.
I reminded myself of the fact I had realized long ago.
This was definitely not the time to daze around.
“I need to run as fast as I can.”
Fortunately, right after mentioning the engagement, Rixion Luhanes received a summons from the Emperor and had to leave the mansion.
The butler had arrived first, and he reluctantly rose from the bathroom floor.
“I’ll be back soon.”
And, as if to mock me for being caught off guard, he kissed my cheek before leaving, then exited the room with a bright smile.
I was left alone, stunned. I touched my cheek and let out a nervous laugh.
After a while, I gathered myself, shakily stood, and moved.
I carefully washed away any reminders of last night, changing clothes and scrubbing myself, trying not to recall anything.
I thought I had erased all traces, but I hadn’t.
The bed and its surroundings held vivid reminders of last night. I considered burning the bed hundreds of times but eventually held myself back.
