Chapter – 28
Rapine was startled by the sudden hug.
Though not overly intimate for a man and woman, the contact was unusual for them, and she could not help feeling embarrassed.
For a close friend, this kind of hug could be normal.
But for some reason, Rapine felt shy.
Unknowingly, she had frozen in Bayern’s embrace. When he let go, she stepped back awkwardly.
Her arms and legs moved stiffly, and Bayern chuckled softly.
“What’s with that movement?”
“It’s because you suddenly hugged me! How could I act like this!”
Rapine bowed her head, embarrassed.
The strange thing was that Bayern seemed completely unaffected. His calm expression made her feel as if she alone had acted strangely.
“Friends can’t even do this?”
He asked, staring at her, and she felt her face flush.
“Don’t want to? Hate it? If you don’t like it, I won’t do it.”
“Ah, no! It’s not that I dislike it!”
Rapine spoke quickly, and Bayern smiled, stepping a little closer.
“So, it’s not that you hate it, right?”
His face looked quietly satisfied.
“Ah, really. I don’t know! I’m leaving.”
Fearing her face would grow redder if she stayed facing him, she turned sharply and walked away.
Her flushed cheeks felt hot to the touch.
She cooled her cheek with one hand and waved the other in farewell.
As she had just said, she didn’t dislike the hug.
In fact, it had felt good, leaving her slightly flustered.
“Take care!”
Bayern waved from behind. She silently waved back.
As she quickly closed the door behind her, Bayern’s face lingered in her mind.
The memory of his embrace remained strongly.
His masculine neck, wide shoulders, and broad chest visually stirred her thoughts.
“Am I really crazy?”
She muttered to herself, shaking her head to push away the inappropriate thoughts.
Now was not the time for distractions.
Rapine wanted to do well in her new place, as the Emperor had trusted her.
She stepped outside, determined.
The carriage and knights secretly arranged by the Emperor waited for her.
At last, Rapine could leave her family and the capital, just as she wanted.
“Damn it!”
Cedric slammed his fist on the table again. He was furious and could not contain it.
He continued cursing, still unsatisfied.
The servants nearby flinched each time, stepping back in fear.
Though he often acted like a refined gentleman, those closest to him were terrified.
When things didn’t go his way, Cedric sometimes destroyed objects, leaving the room in chaos.
The servants feared that today might be another such day.
“Damn it!”
Already the seventh curse.
The servants trembled. If anything were in his hand, they would need to dodge immediately, lest it shatter.
Rumors around Cedric were bad lately.
It was widely said that his fiancée, Rapine Lobru, had left him.
There were also whispers of a strange relationship with Elizabeth.
Incidents in Roisha Street and various banquets had been so loud that almost everyone knew.
Even the servants of the Playton family had heard the rumors and feared the worst.
“Damn it! Damn it!”
Cedric slammed the table again in frustration.
Recently, he had been anxious that Rapine might leave him.
He had never treated her lightly before; now he acted as if she were his most precious lover.
Her leaving made him suddenly realize her value—but Rapine would not have sensed his sincerity.
He only couldn’t understand why she wouldn’t return to him despite his good treatment.
“Her ability… appearing in Rapine.”
He muttered, concentrating.
Even after declaring he would never meet Elizabeth again, Rapine seemed undisturbed.
It seemed her heart had truly left him.
But that could not happen.
“How can I keep Rapine by my side?”
Cedric grew anxious.
He regretted not holding her tighter when she clung to him, but it was too late.
He stopped regretting the past and sought another way—to keep Rapine close.
“Everyone out.”
Cedric’s eyes landed on the servants, who annoyed him.
He decided to think alone and ordered them to leave.
The servants looked relieved and quietly exited.
Alone, Cedric pondered.
He believed that if done correctly, he could keep Rapine close.
“Ability…”
He muttered, stroking his chin, his dull eyes glinting in the dark.
“First, I must prevent her from leaving.”
Cedric was sharp enough to know that Rapine wanted to leave.
And he vaguely sensed that her departure was not just emotional.
The environment around her, and recent incidents, might push her to run.
There had been trouble with Elizabeth and a marquis, so leaving was understandable.
But he also believed that if he tried, he could quickly win back Rapine’s heart.
To do that, she had to remain near him.
“I must never let her leave. I must keep her close for now.”
Cedric thought keeping her nearby was the only way to regain her affection.
If they drifted apart, he feared the opportunity might be lost forever.
“How can I keep her in the capital?”
He frowned, trying to think of a good plan.
Suddenly, an idea struck him. He jumped up.
“Ability! Of course! Why didn’t I think of that sooner?”
His face brightened.
“Those who manifest abilities must help the empire.”
Cedric’s words were true.
Ability Manifestors had duties and responsibilities.
Their powers were a gift from above, meant to help the country and not be wasted.
Thus, Manifestors naturally lived in the capital, using their powers for the state.
Thinking of this, Cedric smiled.
“Why didn’t I think of something so simple before?”
“I should see His Majesty.”
He planned to tell the Emperor that Rapine had manifested her abilities and must serve the empire.
Then she would have no choice but to remain in the capital.
It sounded convincing.
“If the Emperor commands it, she can’t escape.”
Cedric smiled.
If Rapine stayed in the capital, he could focus on winning her heart.
With time, he believed it would be easy to make her his again.
She had always liked him, so of course, she belonged by his side.
“She must stay with me. She’s mine—her body, her abilities, all of it.”
The day was ending.
Cedric gazed out the window at the sunset, smiling strangely.
He imagined taking Rapine into his hands.
At first light, he would go to the Emperor and discuss Rapine.
His previous work of convincing the Emperor to his side would surely pay off.
The Emperor would listen without hesitation.
The next morning, Cedric headed to the palace—completely unaware that Rapine had already left.
