<prologue>
“Say that again.”
Wayne looked down at Valley without hiding his sharp red eyes.
The heavy pressure made her turn her head away, avoiding his gaze.
“I want to go to the Imperial Palace where Prince Rascal is.”
Valley tightened her whole body, including her neck, trying to hide her trembling.
“Prince Rascal said he would give me a wider space. Since I left my family, the palace will be safer.”
“So being with me makes you uneasy?”
“…Yes.”
She still couldn’t properly face Wayne and nodded with her head down.
“It would be better for you as well, Duke, if someone like me who is no longer useful leaves. Thank you for everything so far.”
After finishing her words unilaterally, she turned around before Wayne could respond. She reached for the door handle to leave the office.
“Aah!”
Suddenly, flames burst out on the door handle, making it impossible to touch. Startled by Wayne’s magic, Valley reflexively stepped back.
“Who said you could.”
Before she knew it, Wayne was right behind her. Valley, who hadn’t noticed his presence and kept stepping back, bumped the back of her head into his firm chest.
Confused, she tried to quickly move away, but before she could, Wayne grabbed her small shoulder and forced her to face him again.
Not satisfied with that, he wrapped one strong arm around her waist so she couldn’t escape at all.
“You showed up out of nowhere, and now you suddenly want to leave?”
“……”
“I don’t allow it.”
Wayne tightened his arms around her. When she tried to pull away, she only ended up pressed even closer. Valley hurriedly pushed against his broad chest, but he didn’t move at all.
“You were the one who said I could be kicked out anytime if I wasn’t useful.”
“I never said you should leave yet.”
“I said I want to leave. Please let me go!”
She struggled to get free, but she didn’t move an inch, and instead Wayne caught one of her hands.
His grip was tight, making Valley frown, and only then did Wayne slightly loosen his strength. But his arm around her waist was still firm.
She was completely trapped, with the door behind her and his body in front of her. That alone was enough to make her panic, but then Wayne pushed his thigh between her legs, locking her in even more. Her face turned bright red. Seeing this, a fierce heat appeared in Wayne’s eyes.
Valley felt her shoulders flinch under that gaze right in front of her, but he did not look away.
“If you were going to leave like this, you shouldn’t have made me like this.”
“What did I even do?”
“You’re asking like you don’t know?”
“I really don’t know.”
“You made me want to live!”
Wayne raised his voice as his emotions burst out. It was the first time she had seen him so restless instead of calm.
Valley’s blue eyes wavered greatly as she realized how shaken he was emotionally.
“You made someone who desperately wanted to die… want to live like crazy, and now you’re saying you’re going to that guy?”
“……”
“There are only two ways you can leave me.”
Wayne pulled her hand upward and made her touch his own neck.
Startled, Valley tried to pull her hand away, twisting it desperately, but of course she couldn’t overpower him.
“D-Duke!”
“Either you kill me with your own hands and go to him.”
Valley’s eyes filled with tears as she struggled so hard not to hurt Wayne even a little.
He hadn’t meant to make her cry like this. Wayne bit down on the inside of his mouth and continued.
“Or you wait until I die.”
“First, let go of my hand—”
“Choose, Valley Priatin.”
Wayne leaned in so close it looked like he was about to kiss her at any moment. In that position where she could barely move her lips, Valley’s eyelashes trembled as she answered.
“I…”
