Chapter 19
“Then I’ll have to prove it. That I’m your fiancé.”
Yuan pressed his lips against Sereret’s. He felt the soft, pliant texture of her lips.
The sensation made Yuan hold his breath for a moment. A desire to go deeper seized his body.
How sweet would it be if he parted those soft lips? His hand on Sereret’s waist tightened.
Startled, Sereret shoved him away. Only then did Yuan reluctantly tear himself from her lips.
“Well? Now can you believe that I’m Yuan Frektuster?”
He whispered in a low voice to Sereret, whose eyes were round in shock.
The man mistaken for a Mekbia had to kiss a beautiful young lady to clear the misunderstanding. Because if it had truly been a Mekbia, the creature would not have been able to resist devouring anyone whose skin touched its lips.
Yuan had kissed her to prove he wasn’t a Mekbia. Yet ironically, he now felt like one himself.
He wanted to devour Sereret whole. From head to toe, leaving no part untouched by his lips.
His throat went dry, and he swallowed. Sereret’s blue eyes trembled, her chin quivering slightly with confusion.
Seeing her flustered expression only made Yuan’s mouth drier.
“When you laugh out loud like that… it doesn’t feel like you’re the Duke at all…”
Escaping his embrace, Sereret spoke.
Yuan’s hand slipped from her waist. Once she was out of his arms, a hollow emptiness filled him.
Fearing he would not be able to resist pulling her back, Yuan shoved his hands into his pockets.
With a conflicted look, Sereret gave him a small curtsey and walked past, disappearing from sight.
She was gone, yet the image of her standing under the streetlamp lingered like an afterimage in his mind.
Whether she was before his eyes or not, Yuan’s thoughts were consumed by her. A foreboding feeling told him this would not end soon.
A complicated smile tugged at his lips.
“Better if he really were a Mekbia.”
Sereret rubbed her lips harshly with the back of her hand. No matter how much she scrubbed, she couldn’t erase the sensation of Yuan’s lips.
It annoyed her so much that she rubbed again and again.
“So irritating. Truly irritating.”
It had been such a brief touch. In her past life, they had done far more, yet the feel of his lips clung to her as though it had been tattooed there.
Perhaps it was because Yuan’s behavior was so unlike before. Yuan Frektuster—laughing out loud?
Even meeting a legendary beast would not have seemed as strange. To think he was a man capable of such laughter.
Astonished, Sereret stepped into her room.
Did he always laugh like that in front of Lydia? Perhaps to Lydia, that was his familiar self. A bitter look crossed her face as she sat on the edge of the bed.
“…Almost human.”
Once, she had revered Yuan as something greater than an ordinary man. She had given him love bordering on worship—only to be rewarded with death.
Sighing, Sereret removed her shawl. At that moment, Hannah entered and approached her.
“Young Lady, you’re back? The bath is ready.”
“All right.”
Sereret rose and carefully stepped into the steaming bathwater.
The overflowing warmth spilled onto the floor. The heat surrounding her body brought comfort.
“So warm.”
What could be more pleasant than soaking in hot water? Not only her fatigue but her tangled emotions seemed to melt away.
She leaned back against the edge of the tub and looked around the Frektuster mansion’s bathhouse.
As Duchess of Frektuster, these had been her favorite moments.
The townhouse bath in the capital was nice, but it couldn’t compare to the grandeur of the Frektuster castle baths.
A vast marble pool large enough for ten people was always filled with hot spring water, warm year-round, and scented with oils that left the air fragrant.
It was one of the finest bathhouses in the Aelune Empire. Nobles who were close to the family sometimes honeymooned or vacationed at the castle just to enjoy it.
“How regrettable…”
Her face flushed as memories surged—memories she did not wish to recall. Times she had spent in that bathhouse with Yuan.
He would often summon her there. Even if she entered shyly in a robe, he would inevitably strip it away.
His hands roamed her bare, wet skin—sometimes tender, sometimes rough.
When his lips and hands had explored her water-slicked body, he would pull her into his arms and take her to the end.
Afterward, Yuan would keep her on his lap, lingering with her in the warmth.
In bed, he always left swiftly when it was over. But in the bathhouse, he stayed. That was why she had cherished those times—they made her feel loved.
Now those memories tormented her. What she once thought precious now felt like trash to be thrown away.
“Hah…”
She rubbed her wet face with her hands. The water streaking her cheeks looked like tears.
Just one more engagement left—with the Crown Prince and his wife. After that, she would return to Moshely.
Once there, she would live forever as someone with no ties to House Frektuster. She must.
Her eyes closed in weariness, and tears—or water—stained her cheeks.
“Welcome, Lady Inohater.”
Crown Princess Christine greeted Sereret warmly.
“It’s an honor to be invited, Your Highness, Crown Prince and Crown Princess.”
Sereret gave a courteous bow of thanks.
On the tea table set in the imperial garden were tempting treats: cucumber sandwiches, honey cakes, scones—all beautifully arranged.
As they sat, a servant poured tea into fine white cups.
The red tea swirled in the porcelain. At the sight of it, Sereret’s stomach lurched.
She remembered the poisoned tea Lydia had once brought.
That red tea.
She remembered vividly the agony it had caused—the feeling of her organs twisting.
Overcome, she jumped to her feet, clamped her hand over her mouth, and ran to a corner.
“Lady Inohater?”
Christine’s worried voice followed her.
But Sereret had no time to answer. Nausea overwhelmed her.
Clutching a garden tree, she vomited water. Her breath came ragged.
Now she realized—it was the first time since her return to the past that she had seen tea. No wonder her soul had recoiled.
How could she forget? The very moment of her death. That terrible memory. Her body trembled.
Then someone placed a hand on her shoulder. Startled, she turned.
“Lady Inohater.”
Yuan looked down at her with concern etched on his face.
Seeing that expression, Sereret’s emotions surged.
This man. The man who killed her.
And now his worried look disgusted her. Tears streamed from her eyes.
“Are you all right?”
She coldly brushed off his hand and rose.
“Yes, I’m fine.”
Her trembling voice betrayed her.
Yuan offered her a handkerchief from his pocket. She only stared at it, refusing to take it.
“Lady Inohater?”
Ignoring him, she wiped her mouth with her own hand and returned to the table.
“I’m sorry. Something I ate this morning must have disagreed with me.”
She apologized politely to the Crown Prince and Princess.
“Oh dear, how unfortunate.”
Christine looked at her with sympathy.
“My deepest apologies for the discourtesy.”
She bowed again—when Yuan suddenly stepped up.
“My fiancée doesn’t seem well. I must beg your pardon and take her home. Thank you for the invitation.”
He said it as though it were the most natural thing.
But this was an imperial invitation. To leave so soon was hardly proper. Startled, Sereret grabbed his arm.
“Your Grace.”
Meeting his gaze, she gave him a small shake of her head, signaling she was fine, before turning to the hosts.
“You’ve given so generously of your time. If it’s not too presumptuous, may I remain a while longer?”
“Of course. Please, sit.”
Christine’s tense expression softened.
Sereret smiled and sat down—but Yuan immediately gripped her arm.
“Are you truly well enough?”
His worried look remained.
Why act so false? When he was the one who had once sent poison through a mistress’s hand. Forcing a smile, she replied:
“Your Grace should also sit. Their Highnesses are waiting.”
Her words politely told him not to cause a scene. She sat, and only then did Yuan do the same, still scrutinizing her uneasily.
“Duke Frektuster’s devotion to his fiancée seems boundless. As a fellow woman, I almost envy you, Lady Inohater.”
Christine smiled.
Sereret forced a smile back. Boundless indeed—to the point of sending poison through a lover. Ha.
“Because of you, Duke, I’ll have to endure some scolding.”
The Crown Prince Henderson laughed heartily.
The tension eased. Sereret excused herself from drinking tea, claiming it upset her stomach, and requested coffee instead.
The atmosphere grew pleasant, and she joined the conversation with ease. Years as Duchess had prepared her well.
“In a few days, His Majesty celebrates his 30th year on the throne. As you know, every year, His Majesty bestows a medal and personal letter to engaged couples and newlyweds.”
Henderson spoke to Yuan.
Sereret’s eyes flickered. Surely he didn’t mean to suggest giving them such an honor?
Her unease deepened as she studied his face.
“This is a 30th anniversary, after all. Not just anyone can receive them. What say you—Duke Frektuster and Lady Inohater as recipients?”
At those words, Sereret sighed inwardly.
Ah. This is ruined. Completely ruined.
(To be continued…)
