Even if he knows he can’t kiss, he doesn’t know he can’t lick the body. Rather than getting angry asking what he’s doing, I need to teach him.
I smiled broadly and stroked Fushi’s head that I just struck.
“Sorry, did it hurt?”
“No. It didn’t hurt.”
Fushi immediately smiled brightly and shook his head.
“But Rosenthal, can I lick here too? I want to lick it if you permit me. I hate that bastard’s smell.”
Fushi touched my lips again. Still, I’m glad he knows to ask permission for lips at least. He’ll learn the other things quickly too.
“No.”
Fushi’s eyes drooped and his ears lowered slightly. That sight was so cute I had an impulse to bring even the house deed and offer it, but I quickly came to my senses.
If Eldon catches us like this now, who knows what trouble will happen.
“Come to think of it, where did Silang go? Did you sneak out?”
“He left earlier.”
“Really?”
I thought he’d do 24-hour surveillance, was I mistaken?
***
“Silang, what’s the matter? Is something wrong with Rosenthal?”
As Silang entered the office, Eldon’s eyes flashed sharply. Then aide Leon stepped forward to explain.
“I summoned him.”
“Why?”
“…Do you truly not know and ask?”
“What do you mean?”
“If Silang is there, it will disrupt our plan.”
Rosenthal Chendewden was vulgar but an excellent tool. That lewd Arleigh lost his reason and stormed into the detached palace, even went to the Emperor and requested to give him Rosenthal.
Though Arleigh was like a dog in heat taking anyone, it meant he regarded Rosenthal as special.
If they used Rosenthal well, they could bring down Arleigh. Eldon agreed with Leon’s plan.
At first it was smooth. Arleigh wasn’t a fool so he wouldn’t jump into an obvious trap, but it was a matter of time before his patience ran out.
While Rosenthal was suffering humiliation and insult, there’s no way he’d keep enduring. He’d come to see Rosenthal soon.
It didn’t matter even if Rosenthal collapsed. Rather it was good. Because it could ignite the Third Prince’s anger. But after that, His Highness the Crown Prince’s behavior changed. Whether sympathy arose, he stuck by his side nursing him and bringing meals, even gave him the Crown Princess’s bedroom.
The cunning Rosenthal didn’t miss that opportunity. Knowing His Highness felt sorry, he wore an innocent mask and clung by his side, not leaving for a moment.
Then another opportunity came. Rosenthal Chendewden appeared as merchandise at an illegal slave auction. And the Third Prince participated in the auction. This was heaven’s fortune.
If the Third Prince took Rosenthal like this, they could link it with Grand Duke Curtis’s illegal slave auction operation and deal a huge blow. If they framed him as a criminal who kidnapped and auctioned off the Crown Prince’s fiancée before the wedding then snatched him, even the Empress couldn’t exert power.
But Eldon couldn’t endure. Even though Leon advised to hand Rosenthal over to the Third Prince, he interfered in the auction. In the end, Leon had to go directly to the Third Prince and tell him to give up.
It was a golden opportunity to deal with the Third Prince whose eyes had flipped with obsession over Rosenthal and inferiority complex toward Eldon, but they let it slip away like this.
As soon as Rosenthal returned to the Imperial Palace, he went back to the detached palace. His shallow intention was clearly visible. He must be hoping His Highness would apologize for this incident and escort him back to the Crown Prince’s Palace again.
Leon deliberately assigned incompetent guards and servants to Rosenthal. Hoping the Third Prince would come looking for Rosenthal again. But whatever Rosenthal whispered, His Highness raged and ordered to replace all the subordinates.
Leon was filled with dissatisfaction but had no choice but to replace them. With ones who were diligent but young and inexperienced. Because the Third Prince would approach once it became known that the detached palace’s security was lax.
But this morning upon arriving at the Crown Prince’s Palace, he received news that Silang had become Rosenthal’s guard.
Though Leon always obeyed his lord’s commands, he could no longer overlook this. Without even seeking Eldon’s permission, he summoned Silang directly.
“Silang is the Keltan Empire’s greatest mage. Once it becomes known he’s guarding, the Third Prince will give up on approaching.”
“……”
Eldon kept his mouth firmly shut. Seeing his brow furrowed in displeasure, Leon’s heart grew anxious. He drove the final nail.
“We must induce the Third Prince and Rosenthal to commit adultery. ‘Use their affair to strike the Third Prince and break off the engagement. Extend a hand to the Chendewden family whose honor has fallen to the ground from Rosenthal’s actions, to easily obtain the ducal family’s power.’ This is our plan.”
“She’s my fiancée. Don’t carelessly speak her name.”
That’s all you have to say…! Leon bristled but worry surged larger than frustration.
“Don’t tell me you’ve given your heart?”
“…I just thought there’s no need to go to such petty lengths. With Grand Duke Curtis’s downfall, Arleigh has been struck. He won’t be able to exert power for a while.”
“…Do you intend to hold the wedding ceremony?”
“To maintain this position, I need the Chendewden family’s power.”
“…Your Highness, I fear to say, but it sounds like an excuse.”
Leon burst out with words he’d been holding back. Then Eldon’s face contorted.
“How insolent! Everyone leave! I want to be alone.”
Though his lord was enraged, he wasn’t afraid. Because rather than the Empire’s Crown Prince, he seemed like a boy bristling from having his love exposed.
This is serious. Leon sighed and went outside, and Silang also quietly followed behind.
After everyone left, Eldon roughly loosened his tie. Though a maid had tied it with skillful hands, something didn’t feel right.
Leon’s words are correct. It was an unwanted marriage from the start. As soon as the Crown Prince’s investiture ceremony ended, Rosenthal mercilessly abandoned the Third and came running to Eldon.
He was brazen enough to make his teeth grind. Clearly knowing his past actions, how disgusting was the sight of pretending innocence with wide eyes acting flustered?
He knows well what Leon and the vassals worry about.
Rosenthal Chendewden, a vulgar omega famous for conquering anyone he set his mind on. Born with seductive skills to the point that even the arrogant Arleigh who gave his heart to no one and only desired bodies became obsessed and clung.
The appearance shown to him must be an act too. The words of love, the innocent gaze, all lies. Not even natural. Sometimes avoiding his gaze, unable to answer properly, even stammering.
Yet he wanted to believe. Even trying to think it’s disgusting doesn’t work. In his head he knows it’s false and he shouldn’t fall for it, but his heart wouldn’t listen.
When he learned Rosenthal was kidnapped, he was seized by the impulse to kill all the escort knights. He wanted to tear the mouth of Deren who brazenly said they’re His Highness the Crown Prince’s guards so have no duty to protect Rosenthal. If Leon hadn’t stopped him, he really might have done so.
Even though Deren and the knights who protected him throughout the war were far more valuable than Rosenthal.
“Haah….”
The more he thought of Rosenthal, only sighs came out. It’s right to use him as a tool. But just imagining Rosenthal being with Arleigh made his blood flow backward, and he couldn’t suppress the desire to take Rosenthal.
Yesterday too, he only intended to explain, but without realizing it he explored his body. With a fellow injured so much he couldn’t even walk or crawl.
He wanted to have Rosenthal, wanted to smell his scent, felt anxious when he wasn’t nearby, and felt like going crazy imagining him with other bastards. His heart ached as if it would tear seeing him crying with knees together.
He should have rather not brought him to the Imperial Palace. Instead of bringing him from the auction to the palace, if he’d confined him in a secret place only he knew and truly made him a slave, then he could have taken him freely without calculating political considerations or suitability as Crown Princess. Regardless of vassals’ opinions or propriety, without worrying about him turning his eyes to another or running away, he could have made Rosenthal Chendewden his alone….
Eldon lifted his head in shock. What am I thinking right now?
Then a knock sounded.
“I want to be alone. Leave.”
“Your Highness, it’s Seha.”
Seha? The moment he heard his voice, the emotions boiling complexly subsided somewhat.
Seha was a mysterious child. Being with him made his heart comfortable. When Rosenthal was kidnapped, if Seha hadn’t been by his side, he wouldn’t have endured the anxiety.
“Come in.”
Seha entered with a tea set and a clear smile. It was a smile that brought comfort just by looking, but he couldn’t smile.
Seeing him, he recalled Rosenthal’s tears from last night. It was a hurt face. He thought he might feel bad, but he didn’t know the great Rosenthal would shed tears so profusely over such a thing. If he’d known he’d be that sad, he would have told him earlier. No, he wouldn’t have lied like that in the first place.
Seha poured the black tea he brought. Even looking at him his mood didn’t improve, so he was about to tell him to leave, when Seha opened his mouth carefully.
“Your Highness, I’m sorry about last night.”
“What about?”
“Though I grew up in hardship without even a home, I learned that His Highness the Crown Prince is the Empire’s hope and should be revered like heaven. So when I saw Young Master Rosenthal’s rude appearance, I couldn’t bear it.”
Right, Seha had pointed out Rosenthal’s insolence.
“Be careful from now on.”
Eldon spoke coldly to Seha and gestured for him to leave. Even being with Seha, only Rosenthal comes to mind. That beastman bastard isn’t doing anything inappropriate, right?
He’s really anxious and displeased. Even though it’s time to bring down Grand Duke Curtis and firmly grasp the blade aimed at the Third Prince, only Rosenthal comes to mind.
The fragments of emotion were jumbled and tangled, a mess. He feels like losing reason and going crazy. This won’t do. He must cut it off.
Not befitting the cold-blooded Eldon Generoanth.
“I’ll take my leave now.”
Seha bowed politely and turned around. His bright sparkling eyes sank coldly. He moved his steps slowly and grabbed the doorknob, when Eldon’s low voice resonated.
“Seha….”
Seha’s lips curved up. As expected, he knew it would be like this. This world is on my side. Seha hid his smile and looked back. Eldon’s hollow eyes rippled red as he looked at him.
