Chapter 33
Of course, that was only in the early part of the novel.
Later, when Elion became addicted to magic stabilizers and fell into darkness, the emperor withdrew the helping hand he had once offered his younger brother.
As Rubiana silently sifted through her memories of the original novel, perhaps Elion thought she was hesitating.
He nodded, as if fully understanding.
“It must be difficult. With that hotel scandal already in the air, if we attend the party together, people will doubt our relationship completely.”
“…But if Your Highness meets another lady for a marriage meeting… that becomes a problem too. We have to see each other every day, and that’s not something you can explain to your matchmaking partner.”
Not just to the match itself—everyone around that lady would easily misunderstand Elion as a two‐timer.
Her deliberation didn’t last long.
Given that she needed Elion’s magic every day, there really wasn’t anything to agonize over.
“I’ll go with you to the party, Your Highness.”
“Are you sure? People will definitely suspect something between us.”
It wasn’t okay.
There was no way it could be okay.
Because this world already had a destined partner prepared for Rubiana.
The male lead of the novel and her childhood friend—Chad Preston.
Being mistaken as another man’s lover instead of her destined one was horrifying.
But I have no choice. If I want to live—if I want to survive long enough to become the heroine—then I must stay by Elion’s side.
It made no sense for two people who met every day to each have separate lovers.
Perhaps the moment she begged Elion to share his excess magic—and the moment he agreed—her future had already been set.
Well… If I’m the real heroine, and Chad is the real male lead, then eventually… we’ll end up together anyway.
She would think about the future later.
For now, she had to deal with the problem right in front of her.
Having finished agonizing, Rubiana spoke with a strangely refreshed expression.
“People’s suspicions… I think they’ve already passed the point of no return.”
“…”
“We can clear up misunderstandings later, can’t we? For now, both of us need to survive first.”
“…All right.”
At Rubiana’s almost enlightened smile, a faint crease appeared between Elion’s brows.
He wasn’t sure why, but it felt as though his mood suddenly sank.
Was it because he realized she was just as tired of this situation as he was?
But why? It’s perfectly natural for her to be as frustrated as I am.
Even so, he couldn’t help the sudden wave of gloom.
It was such an absurd emotional reaction that even he felt baffled.
To chase away unnecessary thoughts, Elion brought up the one thing that truly mattered.
“Well then, how should I transfer magic today? You choose.”
Rubiana’s red eyes widened—surprised by the abrupt shift in topic.
Her face flushed with heat, she shifted her gaze and murmured,
“Quickly… with a kiss.”
“You prefer this method too, don’t you?”
“It’s fast and efficient.”
“Right. Best return for the effort.”
It was already late.
They needed to finish quickly and part ways.
Elion, who had quietly moved to sit beside her, cupped Rubiana’s cheek with one hand.
As she looked up at him, her face an even deeper shade of red, she slowly closed her eyes.
With her red eyes hidden, the red of her lips stood out even more vividly.
Staring at those small, plump lips, he felt as if he were being pulled into them—his mind spinning.
Why am I like this again?
He could understand physical reactions to magic.
That was why, once he kissed her, he hated stopping more than death itself.
But this felt like something else—
As if even his mood and emotions were being affected by magic.
…Pathetic.
After letting out a soft, self-mocking laugh, Elion lowered his head and covered her lips with his.
He forgot his self-derision instantly.
As if ready to give not only his body but also his mind and emotions, he tasted her lips intensely.
In the moment their thin membranes touched, it became nearly impossible for either of them to remain rational.
A whirlwind of magic surged, wrapping around the both of them.
Sight, smell, hearing, taste—all vanished like mist.
Only touch remained, the feeling of their connected lips binding their bodies and minds together.
They were completely immersed, unaware of time passing, when—
CLANG! CLATTER!
Startled, both jerked their heads toward the sound.
Virginia stood at the door, hands covering her mouth, staring at them wide-eyed.
“I—I brought some fresh bro… brownies I made… I—I knocked several times but no one answered, so I just— sorry, no, my apologies, no, I mean—”
Virginia, utterly shocked, stumbled through her words before giving up entirely.
“M-Mother, we…”
“Countess…”
Rubiana and Elion were just as stunned.
Their burning hearts instantly froze cold.
Their hands and feet went so icy they trembled all over.
The worries they’d had about arousing suspicion felt like a memory from a past life.
Being misunderstood was a hundred—no, a thousand—times better than this.
Now they were trapped in a situation there was absolutely no escaping.
“W-well then… enjoy your time together.”
Turning hastily, Virginia fled with quick, panicked steps.
Silence fell over the room.
But Rubiana’s mind was brimming with frantic voices.
What lie would Mother believe?
We kissed by accident?
Sudden physical attraction?
No, impossible.
None of her usual little lies would convince her mother now.
“What do we do? What should we tell her?”
Seeing Rubiana on the verge of tears, Elion suddenly grew calm.
His once-chaotic thoughts crystallized into clarity.
“You still don’t intend to tell your mother or family that we exchange magic, correct?”
“Yes.”
Of course.
One lacked magic and was in danger; the other had too much magic and was in danger.
That alone had to be hidden.
Even more so, since that secret also contained the fact that one was a possessor and the other a Swordmaster.
“A man and woman kissed in a room alone. In what situation would such a kiss be considered perfectly natural?”
“Well… if they were… spouses or lovers…”
Rubiana trailed off.
She pressed her lips together, thinking hard.
Is there truly no other way?
No matter how she strained her mind, no alternative appeared.
There was only one solution.
Slowly, she released her bitten lip.
“We… have to lie and say we’re dating, don’t we?”
“That seems to be the best option.”
Elion nodded, pretending not to see the tears forming in her eyes.
“Then… I’m sorry, but… may I rely on you for this, Your Grace?”
Rubiana’s voice trembled.
Being misunderstood was one thing—
But turning that misunderstanding into the truth was something else entirely.
She had only gotten close to Elion to be near Chad, to grow into the perfect heroine.
Becoming Elion’s lover—even contractually—was like shattering the original plot entirely.
Elion, his expression shadowed yet calm, answered quietly,
“You don’t need to ask me for anything. This concerns both of us equally. So you don’t need to apologize or ask.”
…What was this?
Why was this man—this dark-scheming duke—so gentle and sweet?
The tears she had been holding spilled over.
If you keep acting like this, your character will collapse!
Not that I’m one to talk… considering the heroine is already completely off-script.
Rubiana scrubbed her eyes with the back of her hand.
“…Yes. Thank you.”
“There’s no need to thank me.”
“Ah… okay.”
At last, Rubiana cracked a faint smile.
Elion, who had been about to wipe her tears, lowered his hand and smiled back.
That night, the bedchamber of the Payson count couple stayed lit far longer than usual.
“Our Ruby… and the Grand Duke Klitzmann… Even seeing it with my own eyes, I still can’t believe it… I just can’t…”
Virginia shook her head in disbelief.
Linden agreed immediately.
“There were no signs at all during the dinner yesterday, were there?”
“Well… now that you mention it…”
Virginia tilted her head slightly as she recalled the meal.
