TMLOP 34

Chapter 34  

 Terribly, Terribly

Clifford’s appearance at the funeral was not Veneucia’s fault. At least, Senelia understood that much.

In fact, she should have been grateful to Veneucia. He had protected the funeral from being ruined by Clifford.

And yet, it was Veneucia who was apologizing.

Only then did Senelia recall the image of Veneucia blocking the emperor.

Even in the original story, until he finally became lovers with Lucalina, Veneucia had always endured everything.

He never interfered in the emperor’s affairs or stood in opposition.

But today, Veneucia had done something he’d never done before—and even volunteered to be punished.

Even requesting the punishment was likely to reduce the argument with Clifford. Had he continued to claim he was right and gone against the emperor, Clifford would never have backed down so easily.

So, all of it had been for Senelia’s sake.

That’s how much Veneucia loved her.

“…No. Thank you, Your Grace.”

Her weary heart wavered like a reed and longed to lean on that love, just for a moment.

It felt like she had fulfilled Clifford’s request by now.

So perhaps… it was okay to accept Veneucia now?

If she just married him like this, what could Lucalina do? Once she became the Grand Duchess, the emperor wouldn’t be able to touch her as he had before.

She felt sorry for Veneucia, but Senelia was on the verge of speaking out from such a calculating place.

Whirrr—

The cry of a bird echoed from inside Senelia’s room. She knew that sound well—it was the emperor’s bird that always brought her his messages.

At that moment, she swallowed the words that had risen to her throat. Her mind snapped awake, as if released from a spell.

What Clifford wanted was not for Veneucia to love her moderately. He wanted Veneucia to love her madly, desperately—enough that only she could be his leash.

To achieve that, she must not give herself to Veneucia now.

Senelia bit her lower lip hard.

Even if she could escape, Clifford would reach for her mother next.

Senelia could not abandon her mother. And she didn’t have the power to escape with her safely either.

So, just as she was about to reject Veneucia again, he suddenly covered her mouth with one hand.

“Shh.”

Veneucia formed the words silently, telling her to stay quiet, and then added in a hushed voice,

“I think someone’s in your room.”

A chill ran down Senelia’s spine. Come to think of it, Veneucia was a swordmaster. It was only natural he could sense Clifford’s presence from this close.

His sudden visit must have been completely unexpected, even for Clifford.

“Stay here.”

Veneucia pulled Senelia behind him and reached for the hilt of his sword at his waist. The moment he opened the door—

A dark shadow leaped out through the window.

“Where do you think you’re going…!”

Veneucia made a move to pursue, but Senelia grabbed his arm.

“Please… stay with me.”

Senelia’s hand trembled as if she were truly afraid.

Seeing this, Veneucia held her in his arms with a pained expression.

“It’s okay, Selly. I’m here.”

His hand gently stroked her back. He seemed to think she was shaken by the intruder’s sudden break-in.

Senelia was relieved by his misunderstanding. She had been so terrified that Clifford might discover their interaction.

“Let’s check your room first.”

Veneucia soothed her gently, wary that the intruder might have done something inside.

While still in his arms, Senelia quickly scanned her room.

There was nothing.

She knew that Clifford was too meticulous to leave any traces behind.

Only then did she let Veneucia go.

“Thankfully, there’s nothing here.”

Veneucia confirmed everything thoroughly and tried to reassure her. Still, a faint look of suspicion lingered on his face.

Even if the intruder had tried to escape first, anyone without considerable skill would have already been caught by him.

But they got away. Which meant the person who entered her room wasn’t ordinary.

Senelia knew Veneucia would suspect that. So she held onto him again.

She needed to distract him before he fell into deep thought.

“Selly?”

Since their breakup, Senelia had avoided physical closeness. So when she suddenly grabbed his arm, Veneucia looked at her in surprise.

“…Ah, I’m sorry.”

She pulled her hand away like someone realizing their mistake.

Veneucia frowned.

“Why apologize for something so small?”

He grabbed her hand again and placed it back on his arm.

Not only that—he took her other hand and clasped it in his own.

“Don’t apologize for anything you do to me.”

His voice was firm.

He wasn’t the least bit intimidated. Even though she had rejected him, Veneucia remained confident in front of her.

Senelia gave a bitter smile inwardly. That was the difference between them.

Veneucia told her not to feel sorry—but she could never stop watching his reactions.

“I’ll stay with you tonight. So sleep comfortably.”

He seemed to believe she was still shaken.

She replied with an awkward expression.

“Your Grace might feel uncomfortable… and I also need to get ready to sleep…”

She glanced toward the bathroom. After a short pause, Veneucia grinned mischievously.

“I can help you.”

“Your Grace!”

They weren’t lovers anymore—and a Grand Duke serving someone during a bath was absurd.

She shouted in horror, and he responded sheepishly.

“Sorry. You just looked so nervous… I keep making a fool of myself around you.”

His face quickly turned sullen, as if he hadn’t meant to scare her with the joke.

Senelia felt strange again. Like they were just two normal people.

What if we’d met under normal circumstances?

It wasn’t a thought she’d never had.

But that thought always ended the same: a man like him was never going to be normal, and without the emperor, they would have never even met.

“Your Grace, please don’t be kind to me.”

She couldn’t erase the emperor’s shadow from her mind.

And with that realization, she knew she had bought the emperor enough time—time Veneucia would never find.

Senelia let go of Veneucia’s hand. As if reality had suddenly poured over her like cold water.

Veneucia’s expression stiffened. It seemed he too had momentarily forgotten she’d rejected his proposal not long ago.

“Selly, I’ll do better.”

He knelt on one knee before her as she sat on the bed, trying to take her hand again.

Startled, she tried to pull him up.

“Please don’t do this, Your Grace.”

“Please, just one more chance.”

But Veneucia didn’t budge. He clasped her hand tightly, pleading.

“I’ll truly do better. So please… don’t leave with Pendragon.”

Senelia froze. He must have heard her conversation with Yennelov in the hallway.

Of course he had. In this small house, with his heightened senses, it would be odd not to have heard it.

Her stomach churned again. She shut her eyes tightly.

Just how far does the emperor’s plan go? When did it start, and when will it end?

She suddenly wondered if even Veneucia overhearing that conversation had been part of Clifford’s plan.

It made her feel absolutely filthy.

But Veneucia misunderstood her reaction.

“…Can’t you really accept me?”

His voice trembled.

Seeing him grow weak in front of her always unsettled Senelia.

When she said nothing, he suddenly tightened his grip on her hand.

“Are you really going to leave with Pendragon?”

His voice took on a harder edge. He leaned in close.

“You think I’ll let that happen?”

His hand cupped her cheek, gently stroking it.

“To think he thought going to the Kingdom of Speina could stop me… Pendragon really is an idiot.”

His tone was icy and mocking.

“You think I didn’t know about the secret love letters sent to you?”

His finger slowly traced her lips. He smiled softly and continued, almost whispering.

“If I didn’t know… they wouldn’t have started decreasing, would they?”