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Chapter 58
“I wanted to feed you myself.”
“To think something like this would happen in the Empress’s quarters…”
Conrad muttered, his voice low and sharp.
“It’s my fault for letting my guard down.”
“Regina.”
“I told you, leave palace matters to me, remember?”
She couldn’t let Conrad get involved in this. The fight with Chloe was entirely hers. If he intervened, the work might be easier, but it would give Chloe an excuse to bring in others.
“I’ll handle this myself.”
“What if it happens again?”
Regina pressed her lips together. With her magic sealed, she was only half a mage. With Conrad, she could do anything—but without him, she was severely limited.
‘If I can’t use my magic properly, surviving in this palace will be impossible.’
If Chloe used another potion to disrupt her magic, there would be no solution.
‘I need to lift the seal.’
Although the seal had helped this time, if she could have used her magic fully, she could have detected suspicious things without any gaps. She bit her lip, thinking about it.
“Why do you look so tense?”
“Nothing.”
It was hard to tell Conrad about what she was planning. To study ways to bypass or break the seal, she needed as much magic as possible. How could she ask him to spend more nights with her for that, looking him in the eyes?
Lost in thought, she didn’t notice Conrad’s touch growing more intimate.
“…Are you okay now?”
“Ah, yes. Thank you.”
“You always overdo it, so I can’t trust that. Maybe it’s better to exchange magic properly this time.”
His voice was calm, but frustrated. Even after she collapsed from the poison, she hadn’t relied on him. His hands tightened instinctively.
“Conrad?”
“Even now, pushing me away is too much.”
He pressed his lips against the back of her hand. Regina met his intense blue eyes and felt breathless.
‘When did it come to this?’
She only now realized that Conrad had removed his shirt. The heat in his gaze made her glance away.
“I told you, Regina.”
His hand brushed over her trembling eyelids. She felt the warmth fully against her skin and swallowed.
“Don’t avoid me.”
“That… that’s because…”
She thought: anyone would be startled if they woke up and found themselves naked in a man’s arms.
Then she noticed his cautious, concerned gaze. Conrad was watching her, trying to gauge her condition while pretending to be casual. She laughed softly at his kindness.
Her lips curved slightly, her eyes rounded, utterly captivating.
Conrad pulled her closer, his jaw tightening, his hands hotter on her body.
“Conrad.”
She whispered his name, wrapping her arms around his neck and pressing her lips to his.
The magic between their lips flowed, and she wanted to surrender completely to it.
“Regina.”
“I’m really okay now.”
When she gave him permission, his expression hardened. Pressed down by his weight, she blinked, feeling warmth spreading over her.
“Mm.”
His tongue brushed against hers, tasting her as she swallowed the mingled saliva. The wet sounds of their lips were unmistakable.
A moan escaped her lips, making Conrad move more urgently. He licked her white neck, left a red mark with his bite, then continued boldly.
“I haven’t eaten anything yet, huh!”
Conrad paused, still holding her against him, listening to her protests.
“Mm.”
His gleaming eyes met hers. Like a predator ready to pounce, they made her clench her fists.
“Then… eat something first…”
“Good.”
Conrad lifted her carefully onto his lap and scanned the table again. Everything there was prepared for the two of them—now the safest option after she had been poisoned.
“Kyaa!”
Regina flailed instinctively, grabbing his neck. He looked at her dangling form with satisfaction, then walked toward the table.
Even seated, he didn’t release her. She looked up at him with wide eyes.
“Why?”
“If you’re going to eat, you need me by your side…”
“Don’t worry.”
Conrad, clearly unwilling to let her go, fed her a grape. Its sweet aroma filled the room, making her flinch.
“I’m going to… hmph!”
Even as she tried to escape, he pressed her closer and gave her the grape. Its sweetness melted her caution away.
Then Conrad poured wine into his mouth, pressing her neck against him. The warmth spread through her body like fire.
“Ugh!”
Her throat throbbed, fingers tingled, and she clenched her hands. When she blinked in surprise, Conrad’s eyes flickered.
“You said you were hungry.”
“This…!”
Her words caught in her throat, face burning. He swallowed more wine with a confident look.
Turning to avoid him, she found it passed again. He checked her neck, then withdrew. Licking the wine from her lips, he whispered:
“Not enough with wine? Want something more?”
The table had everything—grapes, wine, desserts. But Regina had lost her appetite.
He picked up a sugar-coated treat and offered it. She hesitated, then reluctantly ate it, covering her mouth with her hands.
“Conrad!”
She protested, but he ignored her.
“You said you were hungry.”
Regina had no response to his teasing, and stopped him from picking up more food.
“I’m not hungry anymore.”
“Oh? Really?”
“Yes.”
Her ears turned red as she nodded slightly.
“I wanted to fill the tired empress’s stomach myself.”
“No, really, it’s fine.”
She met his gleaming eyes, then glanced away. When she saw his hand moving elsewhere, she twisted her body.
“Trying to escape again?”
Still in his arms, she shivered at the sound of his breath in her ear.
Conrad bit and licked her earlobe, showing his possessiveness, then whispered:
“There’s something I need to tell you, Regina.”
“W-what do you mean?”
He pressed against her, whispering:
“You gave magical gifts to those who attended the tea party.”
His fingers traced her neck down to her shoulder. She shivered, waiting silently for what he would say next.
