Chapter 46
Kyle slightly tilted his head to meet my eyes.
His words sounded mocking, but the steady gaze behind them genuinely waited for my answer. His intense look made any thought of retorting fade, so I stayed silent.
“If you don’t speak quickly, escaping will get harder. Do you really plan on being executed like this?”
He noticed the spark that suddenly flared in my eyes and continued, narrowing his gaze.
“I’m helping you so you can decide easily.”
He whispered seductively, low and tempting.
“Becoming my woman won’t be as painful as you think. Judging by the fact you didn’t immediately reject me, I guess you don’t hate me that much. Maybe someday, you could even love me.”
This was different from before. When I begged him to let me go after hearing his terrible confession of love, it had felt entirely different.
Back then, Kyle had looked as if he were certain I could never love him. His intentions to punish me with death if I didn’t love him were clear.
Any promise of freedom in exchange for genuine love was mere deception. There had been no emotions between Kyle and me other than hostility—clear and undeniable hostility.
But now…
I squeezed my eyes shut. If I went along with the mood and followed his lead, I could escape Fortres Prison. If I pretended to accept his proposal…
The hand supporting my back suddenly twisted. Kyle lowered his body without hesitation.
“Ugh…!”
A muffled sound cut off between our lips. Kyle held my face in place and drew me into a kiss. Our faces pressed together, our breaths mingling.
Repeated contact of our lips grew hotter. The heat came with guilt. I gasped as the feeling of betraying Richard and the sense of impending disaster surged like a runaway train.
This isn’t my plan… I furrowed my brow and tried to push him away. But the man pressed against me, deliberately rubbing our lips together.
Kyle’s method—pushing forward despite refusal, invading where he wasn’t permitted—was typical of him. Stubborn, infuriating, and violent.
In my mind, Richard was gradually erased.
Thinking of another man in front of Kyle was impossible; he gave no chance to relax. My dazed mind couldn’t focus, fear creeping in again and again.
The room, free from interfering guards, was unbearably silent except for the wet sounds of our mouths. The sound reminded me fully of what I was doing.
I finally pushed him away with all my strength, gasping for air.
“Hah… wait a moment…”
My hands trembled from pushing Kyle away. I tried to recall whether I had spoken or stayed silent.
Kyle, incredulous, asked in a shocked voice:
“Why didn’t you refuse?”
This was the moment to stay sharp. One wrong answer, and everything would be ruined. Confusion flickered in his eyes, the question clear: why hadn’t I pushed him away? I wrapped one arm around his neck.
“…!”
Kyle stiffened briefly, thinking I might strangle him, then gradually relaxed. Watching my movements with keen eyes, I slowly lifted my torso to sit up.
He was still straddling me, his knees between my legs.
I scolded myself mentally. I couldn’t fear this situation. If I let Kyle manipulate me, I would be swept away. I had to lead this situation in the direction I wanted.
His gaze remained intensely alluring, piercing through me. The pale yellow of his irises sent shivers down my spine.
I gave him a sly answer.
“…I didn’t hate it as much as you said.”
Kyle let out a disbelieving laugh. Even if he didn’t believe it, he would want to. After all, Kyle was the one who liked me. I provocatively didn’t avoid his gaze.
His low, husky voice returned.
“Then why are you pushing me away now?”
“You asked me. I have the right to answer. Now make your decision.”
“So, you’ve decided?”
Kyle frowned suspiciously. No matter how he squinted, he wouldn’t figure anything out.
“Is it okay if I keep seeing two people?”
“What?”
Kyle exhaled in shock.
“You know I’m seeing Richard.”
“….”
“Not okay?”
I blinked boldly.
“Are you trying to play with me while playing lover with that traitor?”
“I wasn’t planning on that… but does it happen that way?”
“….”
Kyle couldn’t speak, dumbfounded.
“If I had to say… you’d be my second. Are you okay with that?”
His face twisted, suddenly harsh. Even beautiful faces look fierce when contorted…
He licked his lower lip and laughed cynically.
“Don’t you want out of Fortres Prison? If you want to stay trapped, then fine.”
“….”
“If you want to leave, you’ll have to abandon that knight and meet only me. You think I’ll just watch you play this with another man?”
Kyle wiped my moist lips with his fingertip as he spoke.
“The thought is nauseating.”
His gaze was hot with desire, but his touch was slightly cool. He stared at me like a snake about to swallow its prey whole.
I felt sweat seep from my scalp. I gripped the bedding tightly. I wanted to push him away and run, but I held back.
“Then seduce me. Make me like you more than Richard.”
“That’s different from my proposal…!”
“Not really. You’ll abandon Richard for me, just like you want. But making me love you is your job. Since the day of the carriage accident when I saved you, I’ve liked you a little.”
I heard a gnashing of teeth.
“The day I get you out of here, you’ll love me sincerely. So try your best.”
“…You were always like this.”
What if Kyle ultimately refused? What if he saw my actions as rejection and interfered? If I couldn’t escape and died in prison…
This was a gamble for everything. And I had staked everything on it.
“You killed Prince Georg because you liked me. Can’t you try seducing me?”
“….”
“Try. You said you’d love me.”
“I knew you’d try to leash me. You’re more wicked than any witch I’ve ever seen.”
“…!”
Who’s calling whom wicked? Still, he intertwined his fingers with mine, almost surrendering.
Forcing his fingers between mine, acting as though my will controlled him.
If he was dangerous and uncontrollable, I would survive with lies and deception greater than his. As long as he liked me, Kyle would be the weaker one in this relationship.
As long as he craved my love, I would thoroughly deceive him into thinking I loved him.
Until the day I escaped Fortres Prison.
“Veronica, why are you here…?”
Why was Richard here? I couldn’t hide my shock at seeing him unexpectedly. He saw my swollen lips and disheveled hair and hardened his expression.
Click. Kyle came out of the room, and sparks flew in Richard’s eyes.
I called his name urgently.
“Wait, Richard!”
I tried to stop him, but I didn’t get a chance. Richard was faster, cornering Kyle against the wall.
“What did you do to your lips…!”
His voice, half-chewed and restrained, trembled. I couldn’t find words to mediate. I didn’t want Richard to know about Kyle and me like this.
But I had guessed he would react this angrily.
Handcuffed, Richard pressed Kyle against the wall. Their sharp gazes locked.
A guard tried to intervene but couldn’t pull Richard away.
“Tell me the truth—why is Veronica coming out of your room?!”
