RVMPT Chapter 117

Chapter 117

Diana sat at the long dining table, slowly chewing her food, but her thoughts were racing so fast that she could barely taste anything.

‘The charge of treason… it was all a setup. Just a way to force Harold to cooperate with them.’

Until just moments ago, she had convinced herself that obeying the emperor’s command was the only path forward. If she resisted, she could be branded as a traitor herself. But now, after putting together all the pieces—the arrest, the sudden accusations, the emperor’s obsession—it had finally become clear.

The emperor wasn’t really after Harold.

He was after Harold’s secret.

Or more precisely… he was after her.

Because she was the key to that secret. She was the one who had saved Harold—no, her healing powers had saved him—so that made her the emperor’s true target.

‘Harold would never give that secret away. Not even to save his own life.’

Her stomach twisted. That meant… they would torture him. Hurt him. Maybe even kill him.

Kaiden’s voice, filled with fury and cruelty, echoed in her mind:

‘He’ll be executed for defying the Emperor.’

She gripped her fork tightly, and it shook in her trembling fingers. Her throat felt tight. She wanted to cry, scream, do anything, but Kaiden sat across from her, watching her every move. So she simply kept chewing and swallowed another bite of salad she couldn’t taste.

‘They haven’t started torturing him yet… right?’

Her heart pounded painfully in her chest. The thought made her dizzy with fear. Still, she didn’t let a single tear fall. She forced herself to look composed. Calm. Helpless.

But inside?

She was screaming.

‘There’s no more time. I can’t sit still any longer.’

After hearing that Harold’s life was in danger, she had made her decision. She wasn’t a genius strategist like Harold. She didn’t have his patience or cunning mind. But she had resolve.

And that was enough.

‘First… I need to escape this place.’

The problem was, Kaiden had surrounded her with guards day and night. She couldn’t even step into the hallway without being followed.

Just then, Kaiden’s voice broke her thoughts.

“Diana.”

“Yes?” she replied quickly, feigning innocence.

She looked up, pretending to be curious, and saw him looking oddly nervous. His ears were slightly red, and he fidgeted for a moment before speaking.

“Would you like… to go for a walk with me? After dinner?”

His voice was gentle, hesitant. Like a boy asking his crush out for the first time.

Diana smiled faintly and tilted her head, pretending to consider.

“Ah… I’m a little tired today,” she said carefully. “I didn’t sleep well last night.”

Kaiden looked slightly disappointed, but he quickly brightened at her next words.

“But maybe we can go another time?”

His eyes lit up.

“Yes. Definitely.”

A bit too eager. She kept her expression neutral.

“Then what about a short tea time? Just a little chat, if you’re too tired to walk.”

“…Sure. That sounds nice.”

Kaiden smiled warmly, looking far too pleased with himself. The servants soon cleared the table and brought in a fresh pot of tea. The delicate floral aroma filled the air.

It was Diana’s favorite tea. Harold used to brew it for her, especially after a long day or during their walks under the stars.

Back then, it tasted like springtime. Like safety.

But today?

It tasted like ash.

She took a sip and lowered her gaze to the cup.

‘I want to have tea with Harold again. Just once more.’

She had never confessed her feelings. There was always something in the way—timing, fear, duty.

Now, she might never get the chance.

She drank half of the tea, then quietly placed her cup back down.

“You’re not finishing it?” Kaiden asked, his brow furrowing slightly. “I thought you liked this tea.”

“I do,” she replied softly. “I’m just… not used to eating this much anymore.”

Kaiden nodded, seemingly understanding. He finished his cup and stood up.

“I’ll see you later, Diana.”

“See you.”

She gave him a polite smile, but the moment the door closed and the guards returned to shadow her again, her smile vanished.

***

Five days later.

The sun was warm as it filtered through the trees in the garden, casting soft shadows on the path. Kaiden walked beside Diana, occasionally stealing glances at her.

She was different now.

Ever since he had told her that Harold would die, Diana had changed.

She ate meals with him regularly. She joined him for walks. She asked him questions, even laughed softly at his jokes. She was… attentive. Warmer. More present.

She had stopped resisting.

She had stopped talking about Harold.

It seemed, at least on the surface, that she had chosen him instead.

‘It feels like a dream.’

Kaiden’s heart fluttered every time she smiled, every time her eyes met his. But deep down, he couldn’t relax.

Something felt off.

Her change had come too suddenly.

What if this was just another trick? A new plan to deceive him?

He had been caught off guard once before—when Harold recovered behind his back.

He couldn’t afford to be fooled again.

The guards reported nothing unusual. She hadn’t left her room at odd hours. She hadn’t passed any secret notes or messages.

Still, he couldn’t shake the feeling.

“Why are you staring at me, Lord Kaiden?” Diana asked, tilting her head with a soft smile.

“Is something on my face?”

She raised a hand and gently touched her cheek, blinking innocently.

“No,” he replied after a pause. “There’s nothing.”

But the truth was—he wanted to believe her. Wanted to believe her eyes weren’t lying. That her change was real.

Yet, his heart was pulled in two directions—hope and suspicion.

He hadn’t slept well in days. The emperor’s orders to uncover Harold’s secret still hung over him like a blade, but he was distracted.

Too distracted.

“There’s nothing on your face,” he said again. “It’s just… hard to believe you’re not avoiding me anymore.”

Diana stopped walking. He stopped beside her.

“Can we send the others away?” she asked quietly.

Kaiden looked around, then nodded.

He waved off the guards and servants. They obeyed immediately, disappearing from sight.

Once they were alone, Diana spoke, her voice calm but clear.

“Five days ago, you said Harold would die. I know I can’t save him.”

She looked at Kaiden, her blue eyes steady.

“And honestly… I care most about myself.”

Kaiden’s breath caught.

“So you’ve chosen me?”

“Yes,” she said simply. “Is that a problem?”

“…Not at all.” A slow smile spread across his lips. “It’s what I’ve always wanted—to see you turn your back on him.”

He imagined Harold’s face if he ever found out.

But something still held him back. He needed proof.

“Then,” he said, eyeing her gloved hands, “why do you still wear those?”

Diana followed his gaze, then calmly pulled off her gloves.

“I no longer need it.”

She slipped them into her pocket.

Kaiden stepped forward and took her bare hand.

It was warm. Smaller than he expected. Softer.

The sensation of her skin against his made his chest tighten with desire and longing.

“Diana… could you give me something stronger?” he asked, voice low. “To help me trust this isn’t just words.”

She looked at him silently.

“What do you want?” she asked.

His gaze lingered on her lips… then moved lower, to the curve of her neck revealed by her braid. His eyes darkened.

“Can I visit you tonight?”

She stiffened—but didn’t pull away.

Kaiden intertwined his fingers with hers.

She no longer wore her wedding ring. He had taken it the first day she came here.

“When we’re married,” he whispered, “this will be natural. Please… let me be with you.”

“…Alright,” she said quietly. “You can come tonight.”

His eyes widened in surprise. His red gleamed like molten metal.

“But,” she added, “please dismiss the guards tonight.”

His expression faltered.

“I don’t want anyone to misunderstand it… especially since I’m still legally married.”

“……”

“And… I don’t want it to be in the marital bedroom. If you can’t agree, then pretend I never said anything.”

Kaiden swallowed hard and nodded.

“Alright. I’ll do as you ask.”

***

That night.

Kaiden sat in his room, trying to work.

However, he kept failing at it.

His heart was pounding too hard.

She had said yes.

He was finally going to be with her.

But she had requested to keep quiet about it. So he waited until his usual bedtime. Then, carefully, he stood and made his way to the Duke’s quarters.

His strides were long, hurried, filled with anticipation.

She had told him not to bring guards. But he was still uneasy. He knew this mansion had secret passageways.

‘She probably doesn’t know about the hidden passage in the Duke’s room.’

Only the Duke—or his heir—was allowed to learn about them.

If Harold had shown her anything, it wouldn’t have been this.

Kaiden reached the Duke’s room and pulled out a key.

Click.

The door unlocked.

He pushed it open and stepped inside.

But his feet stopped cold.

The room was dark.

Empty.

She was gone.