TWOTCL༘ ೀ⋆｡

LV

⭑. ݁ ˖₊˚✩.𖥔 ݁ ˖๋ ࣭ ⭑.𖥔 ݁ ˖₊˚✩.𖥔 ݁ ˖๋ ࣭

She was merely enduring. Enduring the presence of the Celian, the clients who looked at her like a saint after consuming the blood and medicine she gave them. She was just barely holding on, begging for the pride and dignity that had fallen to the ground.

“…Where did that rumor come from?”

Even though Elysia didn’t want an answer, she asked. Hadeon’s lips cruelly opened.

“Your stepfather. The baron has been feeding a significant amount of money to the gossip columns of weekly magazines across the empire.”

Elysia’s eyes gently closed. The last tear fell down her cheek and pooled at her chin.

She wasn’t even surprised. Instead of venting her rage or crying out in agony, Elysia didn’t move at all.

Hadeon wiped the tear that had pooled on her chin and lifted her lips to his. As their breaths almost touched, he whispered in a voice only she could hear.

“So, renew the contract. Let’s promise another five outings after this last one. I’m talking about the extension I mentioned earlier.”

At his whisper, Elysia’s lips barely moved.

“…Are you confirming that I have nowhere to return to?”

“No, Elysia. I’m confirming that there’s no place that treats you as well as I do.”

A smile curled on Hadeon’s lips.

“There’s no fool in the empire who would propose to marry you with your reputation ruined by the baron. Even if there was, they’d be a defective piece of work. So, instead of poking around such useless places, you should continue to please me as the duke’s mistress.”

Hadeon returned to the core of the long, concealed conversation.

“As I said before… I value you so highly that I want to monopolize every drop of your blood.”

His eyebrow raised as if urging her to quickly accept his proposal before he changed his mind.

Elysia glared at him with tear-filled eyes.

She wanted to tell him that he was no different from the baron. But she couldn’t bring herself to say it.

She remembered the broad back that had protected her at the Fencer estate. The strong arms that had escorted her gentlemanly throughout the train journey. The fact that these arms were now confining her felt like a pain.

Elysia was now paying the price for having harbored feelings for him.