When Beauty Destroys The BL World

Chapter 111~Poison Apple~

Outside the temple, Nickolai strode toward the carriage, his steps heavy with urgency he refused to show. Sir Lawrence stepped forward immediately and pulled the door open for him.

Before Nickolai could enter, Libby came running, breathless, her face flushed with panic.

"Stop! Where-where are you are taking her..." Her voice cracked.

The knights stiffened in outrage at her sudden outburst.

"How dare a maid speak so brazenly-"

But Libby dropped to her knees before anyone could pull her away. Tears streamed down her face as she bowed her entire body low before the Crown Prince.

"Your Highness, I beg you-please don't harm her anymore. She has suffered so much. So much- in her life. And now, she barely even living. Milady is a good person. She does not deserve such cruelty...."

Her words broke into choked sobs.

Even the knights who moments earlier barked at her fell silent.

Nickolai paused.

He looked down at her-at the trembling maid who desperate enough to risk her life for her mistress.

"All I asking is for Your Highness to let her go, please spare her from any misery...."

A second later, he finally spoke, low but steady.

"I will not hurt her."

"I give you my word," he continued. "I will protect and take care of her until she recovers... and you will remain with her."

Only then did Libby lift her tear-streaked face.

With shaking hands, she pressed her forehead to the ground.

"Thank you, Your Highness..."

Nickolai entered the carriage.

Sir Lawrence closes the door, as the carriage then move.

He turned to look at Libby.

Then he lean forward, offering his hand.

Libby notice his hand and look up.

Seeing it is him, Libby accepted his hand as he gently helped her to her feet. He even offered her a handkerchief to wipe the dirt on her forehead.

"Thank you..." she said almost like a whisper.

Sir Lawrence only nodded his head.

Inside the carriage, Nickolai sat with Irene cradled in his arms, holding her as though she were something fragile and irreplaceable. He lifted the thin veil covering her face.

For a moment-
his breath almost left him.

Seeing her from this distance, in his arms.
It felt unreal.

Months of turmoil, sleepless nights, anger, fear, and longing crashed through him like a tidal wave.
His fingers trembled as they brushed a strand of her soft hair.

Her body, once painfully thin, had finally begun to heal.
Yet she was still looking pale...

Nickolai brought her closer, pressing his cheek against hers. His arms tightened around her.

"I'm sorry..." he whispered.

His voice trembled for the first time.

"For everything...but I can't let you go. I'm selfish enough, to keep you with me, even if it against your will."

He pulled away and planted a gentle kiss on her temple.

"So let me spend my entire life atone to it by being with you...."