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IGF 37
“Aiden.”
Roselyn turned around with wide, startled eyes, as if she hadn't expected his visit. On her first day at the mansion, she had been unconsciously exhausted and gaunt, but as she adapted to the relatively comfortable life here, her complexion grew brighter by the day. Her smooth, glowing face now looked every bit like that of a noblewoman, and her hands, which had once been white and cracked, had become much softer.
After staring blankly at her for a moment, his gaze shifted toward the gardener and the servants, who were standing stiffly with their heads bowed. Aiden’s golden eyes turned cold upon seeing two servants fidgeting with their hands, their ears flushed red.
“I thought you tended to the greenhouse alone.”
“The seedlings I ordered were too numerous, and some were quite heavy, so it was difficult. Thankfully, everyone offered to help.”
Whether it was because she had become accustomed to most forms of physical contact, Roselyn’s expression remained serene even as Aiden gently wiped the soil from her hands with a handkerchief and held her hand to press a light kiss upon it. He found himself inexplicably displeased with her for always sparkling with such excitement whenever the topic of greenhouses or medicinal herbs came up, effectively pushing him to the sidelines.
“Good. Let Bertha do all the hard work.”
“I will.”
Aiden’s brow twitched, as if he disliked her calm response. While his lips were still pressed against the back of Roselyn’s soft hand, he gazed intently down at her and flicked his tongue to tickle her skin. As expected, a startled Roselyn hurriedly pulled her hand away and looked at him with a protesting gaze. Only then, seeing that those blue eyes were reflecting nothing but him, did Aiden let out a languid smile.
“I came because there was something I wanted to give you. I found it hard to wait, thinking of how happy my love would be.”
“My... love.”
Rubbing the damp back of her hand, Roselyn repeated his words awkwardly. She wondered when she would ever get used to such pet names. Every time she heard them, the embarrassment refused to fade. The way her body reacted, flushing with heat, was equally unsettling. She knew it was an act, yet she couldn't help but feel her heart flutter even at such a childish endearment.
The banquet was already only two days away. Once she appeared in society as his partner, the matter of her contract with him would truly begin in earnest. She had grown somewhat accustomed to being the subject of gossip and enduring criticism, but she still felt a deep sense of regret. The peaceful, dreamlike life she had enjoyed for a short while would gradually slip away.
“What kind of gift?”
Roselyn let him take her hand again and feigned a joyful expression. Whatever it was, she figured she should jump into his arms with delight the moment she received it. That was the typical reaction of a woman receiving a gift from her lover. However, as a cool sensation touched her fourth finger, Roselyn instinctively looked down and froze, unable to react.
“It suits you well. You can wear it to the banquet.”
His tone was light, as if he had gifted her a trivial ring. But Roselyn could not hide her astonishment. For on the ring adorning her left hand, an Imperial Yantis was radiating a multifaceted purple glow, asserting its presence.
There was not a single noble in the Empire who did not know the name and meaning of this gem. It was a jewel exclusive to the Imperial Family, passed down from the founding myths. The fact that it was exclusive meant that no one but a member of the Imperial Family could wear it. If she were to enter the banquet hall wearing this ring...!
“Aiden, this... this is too...”
A laugh escaped him naturally, finding her frozen face and her inability to move the hand wearing the ring quite adorable. Unlike the confused woman, Aiden felt a sense of pride seeing Roselyn wearing the symbol of the Imperial Family. He interlaced his fingers with her left hand, lifted it, and pulled the woman, who fit perfectly in his arms, into a hug.
“I thought you would like it, Rose.”
“But this gem...!”
As he hugged her tightly, pressing against her back, her racing heart slowed slightly. Looking around, Roselyn noticed the servants were still nearby and wrapped her trembling arms around his back. Her strained voice murmured against his chest.
“...I'm really happy. Thank you, Aiden.”
“Of course you are.”
Only after those low words of praise did Roselyn find herself released from his embrace. He leaned down, gazing intently into her trembling blue eyes. Sensing what he wanted with familiarity, Roselyn naturally rose on her tiptoes and wrapped her arms around his neck.
“I'm so happy, Aiden.”
Her voice flowed out calmly, devoid of inflection. If none of this were fake, she might have truly felt happy upon receiving the ring. For an Imperial Prince gifting an Imperial Yantis was an act tantamount to a marriage proposal.
But Aiden’s heart, their relationship, and the meaning of this ring were all lies. The fact that only her own heart was sincere amidst all these falsehoods made the pain even sharper for Roselyn.
Roselyn looked at Aiden’s face as he pulled her waist tight and slowly drew closer. Looking at his exquisite eyes, high bridge of his nose, and sharp jawline, her mouth went dry from a natural tension. Perhaps because she had spent the last few days seeing that handsome face stained with desire, her lower abdomen tightened reflexively. Unlike the first time when she was flustered, she had become somewhat accustomed to her sexual encounters with Aiden over the past few days. She liked that in the moments their skin touched, she could reveal a sliver of her true self, hidden behind carnal desire.
Roselyn stood further on her toes and carefully overlapped her lips with his. Her eyes, darkened by deep sorrow, were slowly hidden beneath her descending eyelids.
Around the time the first light of dawn broke, the sound of birds announcing the start of the morning drifted through the window. Exhausted by Aiden, who had pushed her until dawn, she lay half-asleep, wrapped in the blankets, and spoke in a voice thick with drowsiness as she felt a hand stroking her hair.
“...Your Highness?”
The familiar touch was undoubtedly Aiden’s. It didn't seem to be time to wake up yet... Could he have fallen asleep beside her? But that was unlikely. Aiden always went back to his own room to sleep after they made love, claiming he couldn't sleep if someone was beside him. By that time, there were no servants coming and going, so there was no risk of their separate rooms being discovered. Puzzled, Roselyn forced her heavy eyelids open.
Aiden, with his silver-grey hair tinged with blue neatly swept back, was looking at her with an unreadable expression. Upon noticing the formal attire he was wearing, Roselyn sat up with a bewildered expression and looked up at him blankly. Seeing the pale light beginning to filter in, it must still be early. Had he already left for the day?
“I think I must head to the Imperial Palace first. It's a pity, but you'll have to enter the banquet hall alone, Roselyn.”
The Imperial Palace... the banquet hall... Roselyn’s eyes widened as she processed his words.
“Was the event I'm attending today an Imperial Palace banquet?”
“Yes.”
He spoke while examining her left hand closely, as if checking to ensure the ring was still there.
“I'll tell Bertha to enter after most of the guests have arrived. That way, it will be easier to draw attention.”
“...Yes.”
Whether she was still half-asleep or not, it didn't feel real yet, but she answered obediently as usual. Why hadn't she realized? Come to think of it, Imperial banquets were always held around this time. Having spent so long at the convent, she had been distanced from society for so long that it hadn't occurred to her.
To think that the event she was attending as his partner was an Imperial banquet where His Majesty the Emperor or His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince might be present. Her palms were already sweating from tension. Had he intentionally kept it from her, knowing she would be this nervous? Moreover, the thought of entering alone made her feel even more overwhelmed. Lost in her thoughts, Roselyn looked at him hesitantly.
“...Do I really have to go in alone?”
At her pleading gaze, Aiden let out a low laugh. Seeing her face look like a pitiful kitten made him feel an impulse to simply not go to the Imperial Palace at all. His eyes fell upon Roselyn’s lips, which were plump and swollen from being bitten and sucked all night.
“I wonder.”
Aiden pressed his thumb firmly against her soft lips, as if crushing them. It wasn't that there was absolutely no way for him to stay with Roselyn instead of going to the palace. Though he wondered if she could manage it, given how she turned bright red even at such a trivial touch.
“Why don't you try tempting me with your body, like a proper temptress? Then I might stay with you until the afternoon.”
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