SVD 48

Chapter 48 “You Want Me to Fall for Your Temptation?”

“Of course, it was only a fleeting glance when he bent down, but I definitely saw it—a dark red crescent shape. Honestly, I thought about asking the Marquis of Thermos earlier, but I held back. If I had, I would’ve had to explain the entire situation from beginning to end.”

“…Yes, you did well. After all, we can’t even be sure if that man was the one who actually delivered the letter.”

“We’re still making inquiries about him around the paper shop and the surrounding stores. If anything suspicious turns up, I’ll report back right away.”

I should also secretly find out which knights left for the capital that day, once I return to Acticos.

“Thank you, Eron. Now head back safely.”

“Yes, Lady Himena. I’ll be sure to visit again soon.”

Eron kissed Himena’s hand once more before boarding the carriage waiting outside.

When Himena returned to the parlor, she found Kylian and Wehl rising to their feet.

What should I do? Wehl’s glaring with those snake eyes… Ugh, why didn’t I think the vice-captain would come with him? Idiot.

“Um… Marquis. Could we perhaps talk… just the two of us?”

“Of course. Wehl, could you—”

“Oh, no.”

Just as Kylian was about to ask Wehl to step outside, Himena interrupted.

“Vice-Captain, please wait here. Marquis, would you come upstairs with me instead? It’s cozier up there. I mean… it feels like a better place to talk.”

“I don’t mind. Whatever makes you comfortable, Lady.”

“Then Butler, please bring tea for the Marquis to my room.”

“Yes, young lady.”

“I’ll wait here, Commander.”

“Fine.”

With Wehl’s piercing gaze stabbing at the back of her head, Himena led Kylian upstairs to her room.

Kylian’s expression is so grim, but I have no choice. I can’t ask him to come again later, nor can I send Mari and Lois out again…

“Please, sit here, Marquis. Oh—no, not that side. Over here, please…”

She hurriedly corrected herself before seating him near the window.

“Thank you.”

His face still shadowed, Kylian sat opposite her at the table.

Phew…

Now that they were alone in her cozy bedroom, Himena felt both nervous and finally able to look properly at his face.

At the restaurant earlier, she’d been too mortified by the balcony incident to lift her head, much less admire him.

Now that I see him… he really put effort into his appearance today. He’s always handsome, but today he doesn’t look like a wild black panther—he looks like a model dressed up for a photoshoot.

When she stayed silent, Kylian, who had been brooding with downcast eyes, finally looked up at her.

Oh no, focus! Do as I learned.

Quickly shifting into a side pose, Himena swept her hair over one shoulder to reveal her neckline and then, pretending to avoid his gaze, murmured:

“Um… how was the meal today? I hope it suited your taste.”

“…Yes. It was good. Thank you for the trouble.”

Though he thanked her, his voice was flat and heavy.

Ugh… why does he sound so displeased? Was it because of what Eron said about the staircase incident?

“Th-that’s a relief. Haha. I worked hard to make sure the food matched your preferences…”

She tried to lighten the mood by raising her tone.

“Lady, are you… uncomfortable somewhere?”

“Huh? W-why?”

“Suddenly… your neck seems stiff.”

Ack!

At his concerned question, her face twisted, and she snapped back into a proper sitting position.

“Haha, no… I-I’m fine…”

This time, she lowered her gaze shyly and twirled her hair around her finger.

“With autumn approaching… it’s perfect weather for a stroll. I wonder what Acticos looks like in autumn… Huh? Oh no, it’s stuck—”

Her hair had tangled in the jewel of her ring and wouldn’t come loose.

“Ouch! Why won’t it come out? Ow!”

“Are you all right?”

Seeing her grimace, Kylian rose and came toward her.

“Wait, let me help.”

“Ow—careful, that hurts!”

“Just a moment… there, done.”

He gently freed her hair from the ring, though several strands tore loose in the process.

Ow! Just great, my hair’s ruined. Fine. Time for my trump card!

Standing abruptly, Himena drifted toward the open window, lowering the shoulder straps of her dress bit by bit.

“Ah, it’s so hot in here. I tend to run warm… Haa, this feels better…”

Whoosh!

A jacket suddenly landed over her bare shoulders.

“The night air is chilly. You’ll catch a cold.”

Kylian had draped his coat over her.

“Ugh, forget it! Enough! What kind of man doesn’t respond when a woman tries to seduce him? You’re like a rock!”

She ripped off his jacket and snapped in frustration.

“Seduce? Seduction? What are you talking about?”

Right. Who am I kidding? The plan to seduce a man who once said I disgust him was ridiculous from the start. Forget it! I’ve done what I could. I’ll just be honest, and if he doesn’t like it, I’ll drop everything.

“Listen… I’m in a bit of a bind. Do you know that Prince Diego proposed to me?”

“I know.”

“He even challenged me to a duel, staking the proposal on it. Thankfully, I won, and the engagement was canceled.”

“And?”

“But he still won’t give up… keeps hovering. It’s not me he wants—it’s my family’s wealth and military power.”

“I see.”

“And… have you heard about the novel written about us?”

“Novel? No, never.”

“Here. It’s a bestseller right now.”

She handed him Andrea’s book from the bed.

“What’s it about?”

“It paints me as a woman obsessed with you—bullying other women to keep them away, plotting to use the palace stairs incident to torment you… Basically, it’s full of real events, only with the names slightly changed. Thanks to it, I’ve become the villainess everyone despises.”

Kylian flipped through the pages briefly, then looked at her sulking face.

“So… that’s why you tried to seduce me earlier?”

“That’s not the only reason. Someone insane even sent the author a threatening letter, demanding that in volume two, my character be rewritten as kind instead of wicked—or else they’d kill the author.”

“Ridiculous.”

“But the author refuses to change anything. He says the story’s popularity comes from portraying our real relationship, so he’ll stick with it. Worse, he thinks I’m the one who sent the threats. Which… I can’t exactly blame him for, since I’m the one most hurt by the book.”

He watched her gloomily, then tossed the book onto the bed and stepped closer.

“So you thought if you seduced me and we seemed close… the author would rewrite the story?”

Huh? Why is he suddenly coming closer?

Startled, she backed away, stammering:

“T-that’s part of it, but… honestly I’m more worried about the author’s safety. The one sending threats has already murdered other writers. And now, since the author insists on keeping the story, I thought… if we looked like we were really close, maybe he’d be safe, and I’d improve my reputation and fend off the prince’s advances all at once…”

“Ah, so you want me to fall for your temptation?”

She kept backing up until her back hit the wall.

Kylian braced his arms against it, trapping her completely, his once somber expression replaced with blazing intensity.

Wh-what is this? My heart’s pounding…

His scorching gaze slid from her eyes to her lips. She could feel the warmth of his breath, tinged with wine. Her heartbeat raced wildly.

“M-Marquis, please step back a little—”

She reached out to push him, but he caught her wrist and pinned it above her head, murmuring low:

“Why push me away? You asked me to. To fall for your temptation.”

“Y-yes, but I meant only to pretend, not for real—”

“If we’re going to deceive, we may as well do it properly.”

“Huh?”

He wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her tightly against him.