TCTR 11

Chapter 11

I said nothing and simply looked at the man.

No, I couldn’t say anything.

Oh, dear God. Please.

The man, who had been politely respectful in that sweet, smooth voice, slowly removed his hand from my waist.

At the same time, my hand dropped as well.

“Am I the only one who wants to have a conversation right now?”

With that beautiful appearance and that honeyed voice…

Any man making such a suggestion would feel seductive.

But at least to me, it felt like a threat.

I barely managed to collect myself, feeling as though the blood in my entire body was flowing backward.

I tried to remember why I had come all the way to the capital.

At this moment, I could not allow anything that might block my path to come out of anyone’s mouth.

I slowly closed and then opened my eyes.

The man before me waited patiently for my answer.

“You speak as if you know me.”

“Indeed. We’re not strangers, after all.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

A flicker of interest passed through the man’s blue eyes.

“Oh dear, even that answer sounds far too familiar to me.”

And then, he suddenly held out his hand.

“It’s not quite appropriate to talk in a place like this. Would you allow me the honor of escorting you?”

Though polite, his tone carried a sense of ease—something very familiar.

Like someone who had never once bowed his head to another.

It was the air of a man who looked down on everyone.

I bit the soft flesh inside my mouth and, very slowly, placed my hand—gloved in white—on top of his.

And the moment he grasped my hand, I knew.

This was a grip that wouldn’t let me run away.

An invisible weight of authority pressed down on my entire body.

This was a warning.

No, more like a prelude to disaster.

My heart pounded.

I was scared that the thumping beats would be loud enough for the man with the gentle smile to hear.

I fought hard to keep my composure.

“It’s quite chilly here, since we’re in the shade beneath all these trees.”

He took off his uniform coat and draped it over my shoulders.

His scent—so close—rushed into my nose, mercilessly piercing me.

A trembling sensation climbed through my limbs.

And those golden locks… those cool, clear blue eyes…

Just from that, I could guess his identity.

No—guessing wasn’t even necessary. It was almost a certainty.

“Shall we walk a little?”

At that moment, it became unmistakably clear who was holding the leash in this situation.

As we started to walk—

“Who’s there?”

“Is someone over there?”

“No way!”

Perhaps because of our footsteps, some nobles nearby perked up and stood from their seats.

Those who had been busy badmouthing others now frantically looked around.

Above my head, the man let out a faint, awkward chuckle. I held my breath.

He didn’t look worried at all.

He raised one long finger to his lips and said, “Shh,” as he gently pulled me along.

I looked at his broad back as he led me forward.

Even from behind, there wasn’t a single visible flaw.

Hesitating about whether to follow him was a luxury I couldn’t afford.

Quietly, I slipped off my left shoe.

My bare foot caught slightly on a root sticking out of the ground.

Before I could react, my body wobbled.

The man ahead of me turned quickly at the sudden movement.

I looked like I was about to topple over.

“Who’s over there?!”

“There is someone there!”

The man caught me just as I was about to fall. Instinctively, I clung to his shoulder.

Held precariously in his arms, I could see nobles striding toward us with suspicion in their eyes.

The man looked at me, then at the nobles beyond the bushes.

The arms holding me were muscular and firm beneath his uniform.

Even when I regained my balance and tried to push him away, he didn’t budge.

And not only that…

“Oh dear.”

He murmured, feigning awkwardness, but his face remained calm—devoid of worry or tension.

When I tilted my head to look up, the first thing I saw was his beautifully sculpted jawline.

My heart started pounding wildly.

Not because of the approaching nobles’ footsteps…

But because his gaze had landed on the shoe I had removed.

Now he was looking between the shoe and me.

Realizing it was pointless, I stopped trying to free myself from his grasp.

Instead, I rolled the ring on my finger and swallowed dryly.

The footsteps grew louder and closer.

The man holding me stood just inches away.

The black opal ring on my finger spun once and settled back into place.

Everything felt like it was moving in slow motion.

I could hear my own breath, tight and anxious. I held it in, startled by the sound.

The nobles’ footsteps were now right behind us.

Just as the man adjusted his hold on me and bent down to retrieve the shoe—

I reached out.

Toward his face.

He had brushed off all my earlier attempts to free myself, but when my hand touched his cheek, he tensed up in surprise.

Unfortunately for him… I was faster.

“…!”

Our eyes met.

And the moment they did, the strength in his grip melted away completely.

Those jewel-like blue eyes lost their sharp focus.

At the same time, the gemstone on my finger cracked with a sharp noise.

Even as the artifact shattered from the pressure, I pulled the man’s face toward me.

He looked dazed.

I rose onto my toes, our eyes still locked.

Even as I stretched, I couldn’t quite reach past his jaw.

If I’d had my shoe on, it would’ve been easier—but it was lying on the ground now.

So I pulled him down lower.

And then… as if aligning our gazes—

I kissed him.

His arms tightened around my waist. I wrapped mine around his neck and deepened the kiss.

At the same time, I heard the nobles gasp as they spotted us.

Time seemed to stop.

His lips were soft, his body warm.

[“Kisses and love. Love and brainwashing. They go hand in hand.”]

[“Those in love crave their partner like they’re under a spell.”]

Kischel had said that once.

Even as I kissed him, I didn’t look away from his eyes.

Invisible shackles coiled around his neck and limbs with a sharp clink.

It felt like I could hear chains binding him.

I bit his lower lip lightly, and his mouth parted for me.

The cracked opal ring vibrated, ready to burst.

I pulled my lips back slightly and whispered so only he could hear.

I felt like a seducer—using the darkness and a little light to ensnare a fool.

[Your name?]

The voice that came from me didn’t feel like mine.

It was hoarse, like scraping metal.

“Ashidwa Pol Liveredro.”

The man, answering to match my whisper, had none of that earlier composure.

He sounded like a mindless beast.

But more importantly—

Ashidwa Pol Liveredro.

So this is your name.

Sorry, Kischel. I think I just caused a huge incident.

Any doubts I had about his identity were now confirmed.

What would be left at the end of this exchange?

[You love me, don’t you?]

I felt like a monster—something that enchants and lures people in.

I stared directly at Ashidwa. His eyes were dark as night.

To my question, he didn’t hesitate.

He curled his lips upward.

His long, elegant lashes were beautiful.

“I love you.”

His voice was clear enough for anyone nearby to hear.

The nobles nearby scrambled away in a panic.

[Then prove it.]

With those words, the ring on my finger crumbled into powder and scattered in the wind.

And then, he kissed me again.

Very deeply.