Chapter 103
“D-Duke…”
“Shh.”
Tessarion covered my mouth.
“The prince is still unwell, so he isn’t letting anyone in. You know what kind of curse he carries.”
“Then what is the Crown Prince doing? He didn’t show up at the banquet yesterday, and no one knows where he’s gone.”
“Why should I tell you that? Come back when the sun is up. Do you have no manners, barging in before dawn?”
“An imperial decree has arrived.”
At Captain Winston’s words, silence fell.
Through the rotten shell of the emperor’s body, that thing’s blood-red eyes glowed. My breath caught, my vision flashing with phantom flames before fading into pale shadows.
The order wasn’t for me. It was surely for Tessarion. Winston was looking for him.
“Tsk.”
Cold air spilled as Tessarion clicked his tongue. Even in this dire moment, he held me close and raised his upper body. Surprised by the sudden change in position, I braced trembling hands against his chest and gritted my teeth. He lifted his chin and let out a deep breath.
Fwoo.
My dizzy vision blurred again. Tessarion smirked—and then everything jolted. He grabbed my waist and started moving.
“Ugh, nghh! Te… Tessar—!”
He sat up, hugging me as I collapsed against him. Lips trembling, I bit them hard.
“Haah…”
He bit my ear and neck, then kissed me deeply. My thoughts melted. Then, gripping behind my knees, he lifted both legs over his arms and slammed into me.
“Ahhh!”
Outside, the noise grew louder.
“Did you hear that?”
“It sounded like a scream.”
“No way.”
The ring of drawn swords echoed.
“W-wait! Captain, let’s not make this bigger than it is!”
“Let go, Vice-Captain. I’m sure that was Roy’s voice.”
“Hey now! If you draw blood here, it’ll be bad. Put the sword away and talk.”
Vice-Captain Ibis tried to stop Winston, but steel clashed—First Imperial Knights had drawn their weapons too.
“Winston! Where are you going?!”
“I’ll just check that room.”
“Stop him! No, arrest him!”
I covered my mouth, horrified. Even as chaos roared outside, Tessarion calmly pressed his lips to my shoulder.
“Scream louder, Roy.”
“N-no… please, no… ahhh…”
“Winston is searching for you. If you don’t make any noise, they might break down the door.”
His low laugh sent chills over my skin. My heart pounded like a hunted fugitive’s.
“Duke, you could just tell them to leave.”
“Hm. Should I?”
That tone—it wasn’t a period or a question. It was danger.
“Ahh—Duke!”
As expected, this lunatic carried me, still inside me, straight toward the door. Panic surged, and I clung desperately to his neck to keep from slipping.
“P-please… stop already…”
He moved without breaking a breath, stopped at the door, then let go of one of my legs—only to slam the door hard.
“Shut up.”
His growl silenced the hall instantly.
“……”
“……”
I could feel all their eyes fixed on the door.
Ah… damn it.
Clutching the carved wooden door with one hand, standing on shaky legs, I twisted my waist.
“Ugh…”
Crap, crap, crap! My raised heel trembled violently.
“Duke! There you are—we’ve been looking everywhere. You must return to the main estate at once. A black urgent report arrived yesterday morning. And just now, an imperial decree too…”
“……!”
I froze.
A black urgent report—those were messages sent by hidden agents in the Imperial Palace, only for the most critical matters.
An imperial decree and a black urgent report?
…Could it be war?
“Go back.”
“But Duke—!”
“I’ll read it later at the estate.”
Even though Tessarion commanded it, no one moved.
Please, Captain Winston. Just go! Give me some time to clean up this mess!
Grinding my teeth, I swallowed the frantic plea inside me.
Tessarion’s face was hard, jaw clenched, the air suffocating. Trembling, I whispered with my lips only:
Tessarion. Please, do something…
Bang!
His fist, glowing with icy energy, smashed the wall right beside my head. I flinched, shutting my eyes. The next moment, he punched straight through the door. Fire roared through the hole as he glared out.
Get lost. Before I kill you all.
He didn’t say it, but his burning eyes and murderous aura screamed the words.
Finally, the knights outside backed down. The sound of swords sliding back, clanking armor, and retreating steps faded.
Relief—
Or was it worse?
Because now, no one could stop him.
The war demon’s eyes burned, lips curling with a predator’s grin.
“Happy now?”
“W-wait, Duke, I really…”
Tessarion slammed me against the door. It shook violently. Heat seeped through the cracks as he teased the spot he had tormented all night, kissing and biting my neck and shoulders.
Inside my mind, the death flag waved furiously. I clawed at the door, pressing my fingers into the wood.
“Haah…”
His cold hand stroked my cheek, then guided my leg around his waist. The pressure made me gasp and tilt my chin upward. My body shuddered with every rough move. Tessarion gritted his teeth and breathed harshly.
“Roy, focus. Put your arms around my neck.”
Blinking slowly through the haze, I looked up at him.
“Now.”
Those sharp, merciless eyes bore into me. Cornered, I whimpered and wrapped my arms around his neck. He began moving in earnest. Scorching heat seared through every bone.
“Ahh, ahhh!”
Still inside me, he bit my neck while glaring out through the hole in the door.
Silence.
Too silent—like everyone outside was holding their breath.
Only ragged moans and harsh breaths echoed through the hall beyond the door.
“Truly disgraceful.”
A cold voice cut through the dim room.
By the crack of light from the door, Variette stirred, lifting his weary eyes.
It was Heliot.
At this early hour, he was already in uniform. Without a sound, he approached and knelt before Variette.
“The Duke and his servant are tangled in bed down the hall… and our tragic little princess hasn’t slept all night, has she?”
“……”
Soft light brushed Variette’s shoulder, making his pale figure seem colder. Heliot draped an arm lightly over his shoulder, smirking.
“Tsk, poor thing. Your pretty face has already grown thin. Should I punish those bastards for you?”
“……”
Variette turned his head away weakly. After hiding for two days, Heliot finally showed up—only to mock him. Variette didn’t have the strength to respond.
Heliot leaned close, whispering in his ear:
“Why? Isn’t this why you brought me here?”
“……”
Variette clutched his aching shoulder. His once-bright green eyes were now dark, like a swamp. Heliot spoke sweetly:
“Variette. How’s your leg?”
“……”
“Oh dear. It’s stiff already. How painful it must be. I brought plenty of holy water. Wash with it, and you might walk again.”
