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Chapter 59
Only With You
It felt like being forcefully dragged out of a sweet dream.
“He postponed the execution for me?”
I looked at Johan with a tense expression.
“…But why is he telling me this?”
“Our parents’ execution?”
“Yes. Just yesterday was the execution date of the Duke and Duchess of Libertan. They tried to keep it as quiet as possible, so you probably didn’t know.”
In the original story, the Libertan couple died very publicly.
They were burned at the stake while the entire empire hurled stones at them. But Johan, the black magician, didn’t let them die so easily.
“He resurrected them in a state where they couldn’t die, using black magic.”
It was possible because he cursed them while they were being tortured in the palace.
That way, when all the truth came out, I would be shocked to discover that my parents, the Duke and Duchess of Libertan, had become undying wretches.
“But I haven’t heard a word about it this time.”
I only knew that they would be executed. Nothing about the date, nor that it had been postponed.
“Johan must have completely controlled the information.”
“…Why are you telling me this?”
“Who knows.”
Johan gave a sly smile, as if he himself were curious.
“Want to guess?”
Honestly, I had no idea.
“…Don’t tell me, because you thought I’d be upset?”
Even I couldn’t accept that answer, but Johan just narrowed his brows and pressed a kiss near my neck.
“Maybe that’s why.”
“If not, then what?”
I pushed him away gently, keeping my expression as innocent as possible.
“You said my parents committed an unforgivable crime, so they couldn’t escape execution.”
“I did.”
“But now you’re suddenly saying it’s been postponed because of me. I don’t understand anything.”
Johan caught my hand and kissed each of my fingers.
“I don’t think all their crimes have been revealed yet.”
His red eyes glinted sharply.
Somehow, it felt like he was talking about me.
“What kind of crime?”
“Nothing certain yet, just things I can’t say aloud.”
He gave a soft laugh and leaned a little closer.
“But I’ll give you a hint.”
The chair cushion slid back against the wall. My feet were still soaking in the basin.
“It’s about you.”
There was nowhere left to retreat.
My head was spinning.
“M-me…?”
Thinking about it only made it stranger.
“Does that crime include what they did to me?”
Abuse was surely a crime.
But I didn’t know if Johan meant that. My suffering wasn’t something he needed to “uncover.” To him, I had been just another piece in his grand revenge.
“That’s why he wanted revenge through me.”
If he wanted me to stay at his side long-term, he needed to control me properly. Otherwise, I might collapse into a state where I couldn’t even hold onto hope.
“Honestly, I don’t know. Before I met you, I didn’t even know my parents had committed treason.”
“…”
“And I don’t know much about House Libertan either.”
Now I knew because of the original novel, but originally I was supposed to know nothing.
“Maybe that’s another reason Johan hated me.”
Johan’s gaze suddenly turned colder.
“Your parents never told you anything about your family?”
“They always said there were scary things I didn’t need to know. Even when I begged.”
I slipped in that I had had no say in it, hoping it matched what he believed of me.
But Johan’s reaction surprised me.
“How could they not tell you anything?”
“They taught me other things instead. I’m good at noble etiquette, even ancient languages.”
I quickly defended them, worried Johan might take it the wrong way.
But his expression only grew colder.
“Still… that’s not raising you as the family’s heir. That’s like raising you as a schol—no, forget it.”
He composed himself and smiled kindly.
“Don’t worry. It doesn’t matter if you know nothing.”
“Sorry I’m not any help.”
“You don’t need to be sorry. You can just fill that space with knowledge of House Blanchet instead.”
“Like what?”
“Our family’s history, our traditions.”
Johan stroked my hair.
“But you’re not allowed to run away because it’s boring.”
“I won’t. I’m a diligent student, you know.”
“I know.”
His red eyes swept over me with a gentle warmth.
“I know how hard you try.”
For some reason, I couldn’t bring myself to look directly at him. I hurried to stand up—
—but one foot was still in the basin.
My slippery foot lost balance, and I stumbled.
The flower basin nearby toppled over as well, splashing perfumed water everywhere.
Both Johan and I were drenched.
“Oh no, Johan!”
His wet clothes clung tightly to his body’s outline. He had pulled me into his arms the instant the water splashed, shielding me.
It had been pure instinct.
“As if he were protecting me from danger.”
Calling spilled water “danger” was ridiculous.
But Johan had treated it like a threat to me.
Trapped in his arms, his face was far too close. His already-handsome features looked sinfully alluring wet.
His scent deepened in the damp air. Droplets clung to his long lashes, glittering.
“I should dry you.”
He stripped off his soaked shirt, revealing elegant lines of firm muscle moving beneath his skin.
“You’re not hurt, are you?”
“That was overprotective. I’m fine.”
“When you say you’re fine, that’s the only way I can act.”
He took a towel and gently dried my face and hair.
“Look at him. He’s wetter than I am.”
His touch was careful, tender.
“Why is he treating me so well?”
Each brush of his fingers sent my fine hairs standing on end.
“It almost feels real…”
“I-I’ll go change right away.”
I tried to stand, but Johan stopped me with a firm hand.
“You’ll catch cold if you don’t dry off properly first.”
He rubbed the towel through my bangs.
“I can do it myself.”
“I want to do it.”
“Why?”
I mustered courage and looked him in the eyes.
“Why do you want to take care of me?”
“…”
“Do you do this for anyone?”
Johan silently held my gaze.
Afternoon sunlight spilled softly through the window. Silence pooled around us.
“I only do this for you.”
His damp hair clung to his forehead, his eyes smoldered, his lips curved into a quiet smile as he leaned closer.
“Especially for you, I feel this way.”
Warm lips brushed my forehead.
“No matter how I try to avoid you, I can’t. My eyes keep going to you. My heart keeps wanting you.”
Then his lips trailed softly down, pressing to my eyes, then my nose tip.
He nipped playfully at my nose, pulled back, and looked at me with a greedy glint in his eyes and a mischievous smile on his lips.
“Where do you think I’ll kiss next?”
…And then, languidly at my ear—
our lips met.
The Royem estate was bustling with people.
Compared to Crown Prince Royem, Mirieu, who came from a poor baron family, was an unworthy bride.
But Queen Isabella, acting as regent, threw parties every day until the wedding, so that Mirieu wouldn’t shrink under pressure.
Mirieu’s friends visited to congratulate the soon-to-be crown princess.
“Mirieu, I’m so glad things worked out. I guess being kind really pays off.”
“I heard Prince Hessen treats you so well. When will I meet a man like that?”
“There’s no man like him—handsome, strong, gentle, and completely devoted to you.”
Since Mirieu was known as such a sweet young lady, everyone was truly happy for her.
When the guests left, Diana asked her gently:
“Sister-in-law, you’re fiddling with that ribbon again.”
“Ah.”
Mirieu widened her eyes in feigned surprise and dropped it. Diana frowned in concern.
“You’re still hurting, aren’t you? You never even got an apology from the one who hurt you.”
“…No. I want to forgive her now.”
Mirieu smiled weakly.
“It’s been so long. She probably doesn’t even remember, and it’s strange if I keep clinging to it—”
“No, you must demand an apology this time.”
“But she’s the Duchess of Blanchet now.”
The Duke of Blanchet was one of the most powerful nobles in the empire. Even the Royem Kingdom couldn’t carelessly oppose him.
“All the more reason to speak out. How can such a crime be buried just because she never debuted in society? And now she’s about to.”
Diana clasped her hands firmly.
“If the Duke is righteous, he will be angry at his wife, not at you, once he knows the truth.”
“I don’t want to burden anyone. I don’t know if it’s right to dig up something so old.”
“It is right. If you won’t, I’ll bring it up myself. I’ll take all the responsibility.”
The more she saw Mirieu blaming herself, the angrier Diana grew.
“My sister-in-law is so kind.”
But Estelle—an adopted daughter who bullied her kind sister-in-law and even left scars—
“I’ll never forgive her.”
Princess Diana, who had even been knighted, had a righteous nature.
As a knight, she had a duty to protect the weak.
“Everyone I’ve invited to this party is my friend. They know your story. We’ll make sure she can’t escape this time.”
“Thank you, Diana.”
Mirieu covered her face with her palm as if touched.
But beneath her hand, her lips curled up slyly.
“So what if she’s a duchess? She’s useless.”
“Now I can marry without worry.”
The Royem Kingdom was the heart of the Union.
After the wedding, Queen Isabella planned to abdicate and pass the throne to the crown prince.
Once married, Mirieu would become queen instantly.
“Me, a queen.”
The wealthy, powerful kingdom of Royem.
A handsome prince who loved only her.
In-laws who spared nothing for her.
All that remained was to enjoy her happiness.
The kiss that had just happened felt like an accident.
“Th-this is—”
It was like a natural disaster, impossible to predict. As I pulled back to look at him—
“Estelle Libertan.”
Johan’s face was blank.
He looked emotionless, but to me he seemed deeply unsettled.
“This feels like the real Johan.”
He grabbed my chin.
“Why didn’t you avoid it?”
“…You thought I would?”
“…”
His throat bobbed.
“Don’t provoke me.”
The air was languid and dangerous all at once. Even blinking felt tense.
“Before I do something foolish.”
“What kind of foolish thing?”
“Things you can’t even imagine.”
We were wet, pressed close, sharing warmth. His gaze was cold yet tender, carrying a weight of truth.
He cupped my cheeks, lips curving faintly.
“When I’m with you, I forget everything.”
“…”
“Should I forget? Forget it all?”
For a moment, I wanted to tell him yes, to forget everything. Could I really urge him to abandon his revenge?
The right choice would be to pretend ignorance and ask him to forget.
“No. Don’t forget anything.”
“Do you know what that means?”
“No. But Johan wanting to forget everything—”
I looked into his trembling red eyes, my lips quivering.
“—you look so pained.”
“…”
“I’ll remember instead. Whatever it is.”
Johan’s hands opened and closed, as if trying to grasp something in the void.
“You… act like you know everything, but you don’t know anything. Do you really know, or not?”
His pale fingers brushed my lips.
“What are you hiding?”
“Johan.”
“Why won’t you tell me?”
His gaze softened, almost aching. He whispered:
“You were about to call that kiss an accident, weren’t you?”
My eyes widened.
“That’s…”
“It was an accident.”
To my surprise, Johan chuckled.
“The one in front of the saint was just an act.”
He had pierced my exact thought. I nodded awkwardly.
Then he kissed my ear.
“But this one isn’t an accident.”
My face burned as I asked:
“Then what is it?”
“My desire.”
His red eyes gleamed arrogantly.
“Be ready.”
“…”
“Whatever it takes, I’ll know. Everything you want to hide, even things you don’t realize yourself. Down to the single strand of hair you shed.”
I could only stare at him blankly.
“It almost feels like Johan loves me.”
Every word sounded like a confession.
