THJDM 33

chapter 33

‘Of course, that was only in the beginning of the novel. Later on, when Elion got addicted to the mana stabilizer and turned dark, the Emperor withdrew the hand he had extended to his younger brother.’

Rubiana remained silent, recalling the original story in her mind. Maybe Elion thought she was pondering deeply, because he nodded as if he completely understood.

“It must be difficult. If we attend the hotel scans and the party together, people will surely suspect something between us.”

“…But if Your Highness has a meeting with another lady… that’s also a problem. We meet every day, but I can’t reveal that to her match.”

It would be easy for both the match and those around her to misunderstand Elion as a man playing both sides.

The worry didn’t last long.

Considering her position, needing to receive Elion’s mana every day, there was really no choice.

“Let’s go to the party together, Your Highness.”

“Are you sure? People will definitely suspect something between us.”

It wasn’t okay.

It could never be okay.

Rubiana already had a destined partner set by this world—Chad Preston, the male lead of the novel and her childhood friend.

Being misunderstood as the lover of another man while her destined partner exists was unbearable.

‘But I have no choice. To survive, to become the heroine, I have to stay by Elion’s side.’

For two people who meet every day, having separate partners made no sense.

Perhaps the moment she begged Elion to share his remaining mana, the moment he promised to share it, the future was already decided.

‘Well… if they’re the real heroine and the real hero, in the end… they’ll be together anyway.’

What would happen later could wait.

For now, she had to focus on the matter at hand.

Having resolved her thoughts, Rubiana spoke with a relieved expression.

“Getting people’s suspicions… I think it’s irreversible now.”

“…”

“Can’t we just clear up the misunderstanding later? For now, both of us need to survive.”

“…Alright.”

Elion’s brow slightly furrowed at Rubiana’s serene smile.

He didn’t know why, but a heavy feeling settled over him.

Perhaps it was realizing that she, too, was irritated by the situation.

‘But why? It’s natural for her to be angry just as I am.’

Yet, he felt an unexpected gloom.

Even he found the flow of his emotions ridiculous.

To shake off these unnecessary thoughts, Elion brought up the most important matter.

“So, how shall we transfer mana today? You choose, Lady.”

Startled by the sudden change of topic, Rubiana’s red eyes widened slightly.

Soon, her flushed face heated even more as she rolled her eyes and spoke.

“Quick… with a kiss.”

“You prefer this method too, don’t you?”

“Because it’s fast and efficient.”

“Exactly. Good cost-performance.”

Time had already passed.

It was time to finish quickly and return.

Elion moved closer, cupping Rubiana’s cheek with one hand.

Looking up at him with a slightly redder face than before, Rubiana slowly closed her eyes.

With her red eyes gone, her crimson lips seemed even more striking.

Watching her small, plump lips, he felt dizzy as if he might be drawn inside.

‘Why am I feeling this again?’

It was understandable for the body to be dominated by mana.

So when kissing her, breaking off midway felt worse than death.

But this… felt like even his feelings and emotions were being dominated by mana.

‘…Pathetic.’

Muttering to himself, Elion lowered his head and pressed his lips to hers.

Forgetting his earlier self-mockery, he kissed her as if he were willing to give not only his body but also his mind and emotions.

The moment their thin membranes met, it was difficult for either of them to remain rational.

A swirling storm of mana enveloped them.

Sight, smell, hearing, and taste vanished like smoke.

Only the tactile sensation of their lips remained, binding their bodies and minds together.

Time passed unnoticed as they focused on exchanging mana.

Clang! Ding!

Startled by the loud noise, they turned their heads to see Virginia covering her mouth with her hands, staring straight at them.

“I… I brought the brownies I made myself… I… I knocked several times, but there was no answer… Sorry, no, I mean… um…”

Completely flustered, Virginia stammered until she finally gave up.

“Mother, that is…”

“Countess…”

Rubiana and Elion were equally dumbfounded.

Their hearts, just ablaze, cooled instantly.

Their hands and feet were icy, and their whole bodies trembled.

Just a moment ago, worrying about misunderstandings now seemed like a lifetime ago.

Being misunderstood was far better than being caught in the act.

Now, there was no turning back.

“T-then… have a good time.”

Hurriedly, Virginia turned and scurried out as if fleeing.

A tense silence fell in the room.

But Rubiana’s mind was filled with voices.

‘What lie should I tell Mother to make her believe it? That the kiss just happened by accident? That there was an unexpected physical attraction?’

Ah… impossible.

The shallow lies she had used until now wouldn’t convince her mother.

“What do we do now? How should I explain to Mother?”

Seeing Rubiana tense as if about to cry, Elion became calm.

His previously chaotic thoughts became clear instantly.

“You still don’t plan to tell your mother and family that we exchange mana, right?”

“No.”

Of course not.

One could be in danger from lacking mana, and the other from having too much—it had to remain a secret. Moreover, this secret included the even greater fact of a possessed person and a Swordmaster.

“Two people kissed in the room. What situation makes such a kiss appear natural?”

“Well… the two people… would have to be married or lovers…”

Rubiana couldn’t finish her sentence, biting her lips in thought.

‘Is there really no other way?’

But no matter how she thought, there was no alternative.

This was the only way.

Slowly, she released her bitten lips.

“Shall we… lie and say we’re dating?”

“That seems like the best option.”

Elion nodded, pretending not to see the tears forming in her eyes.

“Then… I’m sorry, but could I ask you, Your Grace?”

Rubiana’s voice trembled.

Being misunderstood and it becoming reality were entirely different. Becoming contractually lovers with Elion disrupted the original story, which was meant for her to grow closer to Chad and perfect her role as the heroine.

Elion’s face sank in complicated thought, but his voice was calm.

“This isn’t something you should ask me. This is strictly between us. So there’s no need to apologize or ask.”

What…

This man… the shadowy duke, why is he so kind and sweet?

Tears rolled down her cheeks.

‘Seriously, if this keeps happening, it’s character collapse! Well… I’m already the fully collapsed heroine, so it’s funny for me to complain.’

Rubiana rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand.

“…Thank you.”

“There’s no need to thank me.”

“Ah… alright.”

Finally, Rubiana let out a small laugh.

Elion smiled along, leaving his hand where it was instead of wiping her tears.

That night, the bedroom of the Payson Count and Countess stayed lit late.

“Our Rubi and Duke Klitzman… I still can’t believe it. Even seeing it with my own eyes, I just… can’t believe it.”

Virginia shook her head, denying the reality before her.

Linden agreed with his wife.

“There was no sign of that during yesterday’s meal, right? Was there?”

“Actually… now that you mention it…”

Virginia tilted her head slightly, recalling the dining scene.