Chapter 74
‘I think we both need some time to think. Me, and His Highness the Crown Prince.’
After meeting Julius, I had locked myself in my room, lost in my thoughts.
Ethan, Julius, and I.
It was obvious that each of us was extremely dangerous to the others, yet we continued to clash in a tense dance every single day.
Even just staying still was hard enough, but having these two act in unpredictable ways on top of that made me feel like I was going insane.
‘…What exactly is the problem?’
Ethan with his twisted, indecipherable feelings, and Julius, quietly approaching with something suspicious hidden inside him.
Thankfully, the latest incident had ended as nothing more than a midday spectacle, but I had no idea how long this precarious calm before the storm would last.
‘Perhaps there’s no other choice after all.’
I didn’t have the luxury of wasting time.
After sitting and pondering for a long while, I finally stood up.
So absorbed in my own thoughts, I didn’t even notice that the surroundings had grown dark as I hurried along.
The place I rushed to had recently been one I’d been visiting less and less.
Seeing those sharp, crimson eyes shining as always, I even felt a flicker of gladness.
“Well, look who it is. A fiancée who’s so hard to catch a glimpse of.”
“…Are you mocking me?”
“Not at all. This is actually a friendly greeting.”
The place I had come to was none other than Ethan’s room.
Given how infrequent my meetings with him had been lately, it wasn’t an easy decision to come here.
Yet Ethan didn’t even seem surprised by my sudden visit. His face was free of sleepiness, and an air of calm seemed to radiate from him.
“This is unexpected.”
“Pardon?”
“I didn’t think you’d ‘bother’ to come all the way here. Especially at such a dangerous time.”
“…There’s no need to emphasize that. I made a big decision to come here, too.”
I thought back on all the exhausting, agonizing hours of contemplation and let out a deep sigh.
‘How did it come to this?’
Life at the magical tower had been boring to the point of dullness, yet now I almost longed for that peace.
The one who had stolen that calm boredom was standing right in front of me now.
In other words, I should have been fleeing from this ferocious beast, yet I had deliberately crawled into its mouth.
Still, rather than letting this uncomfortable situation drag on, it seemed better to muster courage and throw myself at Ethan.
I summoned my resolve once again and looked up at him.
But… Ethan’s expression was subtly complicated.
“…What’s wrong, Ethan?”
“Do you even realize what you’re saying right now?”
“Of course I do. Do you know how hard I thought about this decision?”
“So you made a big decision and came here? At this hour?”
“I told you, there’s no need to emphasize it. I won’t back down in fear anymore, so don’t worry.”
“….”
I looked up at him with sparkling eyes to show my firm resolve.
Yet Ethan still frowned, his expression dark and unsettling.
Because he kept his lips tightly sealed, I had no choice but to silently watch him.
‘…Does this man have no weaknesses?’
He seemed perfect at all times, night and day. Even with my sudden visit, he showed not a trace of disarray.
Time passed.
The stern, intimidating expression on Ethan’s face suddenly shifted into a chilling smirk.
Thunk.
“Ah! What are you doing all of a sudden?!”
“You said you made a big decision and came to see me. Then I should respond in kind, shouldn’t I?”
Just as his wicked-looking smile made me a little nervous, Ethan suddenly grabbed my wrist.
Instinctively, I twisted my wrist in surprise, but he simply held it firmly.
“I was wondering where you put all that sense of caution. I like seeing you move carefully after so long.”
“…?”
“Tell me, what great decision did my fearless, brazen fiancée make to come all this way?”
“What do you mean… ahh!”
Just as I tried to figure out the meaning behind Ethan’s teasing words…
“W-wait!”
Before I could even answer, Ethan pulled me toward him with force.
Unprepared, I was dragged straight into his room.
Click.
The sound of the door locking felt chilling in a way I hadn’t imagined.
Ethan, aware of how tense I had become, pressed me against the wall with an infuriatingly smug smile.
“Ah… ahhh…”
When I finally regained my senses, I found myself trapped beneath him with nowhere to step back.
A deep shadow fell across his already cold face, making the situation feel dangerous.
Ethan looked down at me and smiled slowly.
“I did warn you, didn’t I?”
“…?”
“I won’t let you go so easily from now on.”
“What… are you saying?”
I muttered under my breath, and Ethan suddenly leaned in closer without warning.
“I guess I’ve been too lenient lately.”
“…?”
“No matter how many times I’ve let my prey go like a lunatic, you still get so bold?”
“No, that’s not—”
“See, you don’t even understand what’s going on right now, do you?”
…Ouch.
I rolled my eyes nervously, trying to gauge his mood.
Yet Ethan seemed to be enjoying himself, a smile still playing at his lips.
“Do you even know what it means for you to come here alone at this hour?”
“…?”
“Even during the daytime, I’d be on edge. But at night, in such a dark and dangerous hour… how am I supposed to take this? Huh, Eunice?”
“…!”
The moment he finished speaking, I instinctively turned my head, realizing just how dark it had become outside.
‘…What a sly, crazy dog!’
Only then did I understand why Ethan had such a subtle expression and why his words carried a hidden meaning.
Lost in my own thoughts, I had dashed here without realizing night had fallen.
Now aware of the situation, our conversation began to feel strange.
“So you made a big decision and came here? At this hour?”
“I told you, there’s no need to emphasize it. I won’t back down in fear anymore.”
…Not a polite madman, but a sly, dangerous one.
Ethan had known I hadn’t realized the implications and deliberately tested me.
Even now, he enclosed me with his arms, probably worried I might try to escape.
“So you came to see me… on purpose!”
“Oh my. Realizing it so late, what should I do?”
His low voice whispered into my ear, followed by a cold touch brushing my cheek.
“You come here so carelessly and unguarded. Do you know what I might do to you?”
“….”
“Ha, yes. If we want to enjoy ourselves without the stupid Crown Prince knowing, the secrecy of night is ideal, isn’t it?”
“…That’s not it.”
It wasn’t what Ethan was thinking!
I clamped my mouth shut, unable to continue, but Ethan thrived like a fish in water.
“Not it? Do you know what I’m thinking?”
“….”
This bastard has me trapped.
And of all people, I got caught by this crazy dog.
I looked for an escape, but the dark, insane dog showed no sign of letting go.
“I told you. I won’t let you go so easily anymore.”
“No, it’s not that… aahhh!”
Ethan, clearly displeased with my hesitation, released his hand from my cheek and swiftly grabbed my waist.
With nowhere to step back, I had no choice but to follow his lead.
Ethan lifted me up effortlessly.
Startled, I clung to him instinctively, wrapping my arms around his neck.
I could hear his laughter above me, but I didn’t have time to notice it.
“What are you doing?! Put me down!”
“No.”
“Excuse me?”
“If I put you down, you’d probably try to run again. I don’t want that.”
“What the—!”
I tried pushing him away, but the tighter I struggled, the firmer his hold became.
Even though my thrashing would normally bother someone, he held me unwaveringly.
Yet I didn’t give up, pounding on his chest with all my strength.
“Aaaah! You sly, crazy dog! Put me down right now!”
“You’ve never even seen someone get caught by a real person.”
“That’s not the point! I want down! Aaah!”
“Alright. If that’s what you want, I suppose I should let you down.”
…?!
Ethan’s sudden surrender froze me.
I stared at him, bewildered, and he gave a teasing smile.
“I’ll gently put you down so my fiancée won’t get hurt. Why?”
And with that, he actually let me go, making all my struggles seem meaningless.
Ethan finally…
“…What?”
“What do you mean, ‘what’? The bed. It’s night now, isn’t it?”
“….”
“Why not come up with me?”
“Are you crazy?! Get out right now!”
…Of course not!
The place Ethan gently put me down was his bed.
“You sly, crazy dog!”
I tried to get up immediately, but Ethan blocked my movements with his arms.
His face was suddenly right in front of me, his hot breath nearly touching me.
“Now, shall we get to the main point?”
