Beguiling the Enemy’s Patriarch - Chapter 111

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 111
Before Auredhian could respond, rosy lips traveled to his ear, and a small, secret, sweet whisper flowed into it. Auredhian let out a short moan.
“…Ah.”
“So, what’s your answer?”
How could I possibly leave him alone when he was being this endearing? It was impossible for him.
“My answer… ah, wait just a moment…!”
The sudden reversal of perspective made Yerenika let out a short cry. Hair the color of sweet caramel tumbled chaotically around her—like cherry blossoms fallen upon pristine snow. Yerenika cast him a look that was far from displeased.
“My answer comes first.”
“…Yes. Me too.”
The answer that fell from Auredhian’s lips was brief and concise. At the whisper that immediately followed, Yerenika smiled with satisfaction. That single short phrase, exchanged ceaselessly through the dawn, was more than enough to fill the two years of emptiness that had stretched between them.
* * *
“Where do you think he’ll be?”
I asked while struggling to peel away the man clinging stubbornly to my waist from behind, refusing to let go.
“I’m not sure…”
A voice that sounded slightly drowsy came back, perhaps from having fallen asleep so late in the dawn.
“Wouldn’t Aiven Count handle it himself?”
“Goodness, the Count came with you as well?”
“Yes. …Do you need to leave right away?”
My body was gently turned around. It wasn’t a strong force, but it was enough to pull me, defenseless as I was, toward him. I was dragged back even as I was tightening the drawstring of my robe’s hood.
“Let’s stay like this a little longer.”
“We’ve been like this all night, and yet it seems you really did miss me terribly.”
“I did.”
From the man with his head buried in my nape and his arms around my waist came a muffled murmur. The man I was seeing after two years had become an even more honest, devoted dog. I found myself wondering if this was truly the same person who had coldly pushed me away before. Perhaps absence really does make the heart grow fonder? I thought idly, gently stroking his shimmering silver hair.
“I should head back soon. Sergei Lebanon is probably causing a commotion at the Royal Palace, wondering where I’ve gone.”
“…”
“And Mother and Father must be terribly worried too… I should have told Sergei beforehand if I’d known this would happen.”
Auredhian was oddly silent. I turned my head to catch a glimpse of his expression.
“Hmm, what’s bothering you? Is it Sergei that’s the problem?”
“…”
It was a silent affirmation. I laughed softly and placed my hand on his shoulder. Pat, pat.
“I never knew you were such a jealous man.”
“What if we just returned to Belgot like this?”
“What?”
“Marry me.”
“What?”
What kind of proposal comes so bluntly out of nowhere! I stammered in confusion.
“No, wait just a moment…”
“Marry me.”
He was being unusually stubborn and unyielding. I froze completely, rigid with shock. This wasn’t like him at all… But seeing those resolute eyes, it didn’t seem like he was just saying it. I blinked stupidly before asking carefully.
“What will you do if I say yes right here…?”
For some reason, I felt uneasy. His crimson violet eyes blinked slowly. A faint smile crossed his relaxed face.
“If you say yes, we leave together right now.”
“…And if I say no?”
“Then you’ll be kidnapped by me again. Just like old times.”
That’s the same thing! I contorted my face into an absurd grimace.
“Don’t say such strange things…. Actually, sit down here first.”
I dragged him back to the bed and made him sit on its edge. Auredhian Belgot followed my pull obediently, settling onto the mattress. But his arm remained wrapped around my waist, keeping the distance between us intimate. I gazed down at his handsome face, unmarred by any puffiness despite the early hour. I couldn’t fathom what he was thinking.
I voiced the thought aloud.
“What are you thinking about right now?”
“That I want to kiss you.”
“…Not that!”
I never imagined the words I had spoken two years ago would carry such shameless power now. My cheeks flushed as quickly as a lie. Auredhian Belgot’s lips curved upward slightly.
“I’ll give you a proper proposal when we return. So for now, just say one thing. That you understand.”
“….”
“Or you can just nod once.”
Speaking such words with that languid, predatory expression made it feel entirely serious. And it truly seemed to be. I murmured in bewilderment.
“I know you’re not the type to say such things so hastily and recklessly, but——”
The Auredhian Belgot I remembered was a man of leisure and meticulous planning, within the limits his patience allowed. I barely held back the hand reaching to pull me closer as I continued.
“What happened?”
“…The purification of Belgot is nearly complete.”
“And?”
“And…. I keep feeling anxious for some reason.”
“About what…?”
My heart sank as I looked down at him. Auredhian Belgot blinked slowly.
“The Holy Seed has disappeared, making it impossible to track. You know that, don’t you?”
“Yes… Lari told me.”
“That’s why. I feel like I can’t leave you alone anymore.”
He continued as if making a vow to himself.
“This time, I’ll protect you properly.”
I mean, that’s….
“I won’t let what happened two years ago happen again.”
Don’t speak with that expression, that voice, pleading like that…. I murmured without thinking.
“You’re going to bewitch me….”
“Hmm?”
No. Get a hold of yourself, Yerenika. I bit the inside of my cheek to regain focus. A brief conversation I’d had with Raulus in the Temple Courtyard flashed through my mind.
“You said you trust my instincts, Lari?”
[The most accurate instinct there is.]
“This really does feel like the time is drawing near.”
My instincts were screaming that the day Hades arrives is not far off. With the storm approaching like this, did it make sense to return to Belgot now? Marriage, of course it’s wonderful. But this doesn’t seem like the right time….
“Is that response a gentle refusal?”
His crimson eyes drooped as if wounded. I shook my head urgently.
“That’s not what I meant. Your marriage wouldn’t normally be such a rushed affair. We can’t just settle this in a flash like roasting beans over lightning.”
“I don’t care.”
“Well, I do. And besides, can the Imperial Palace really afford to be empty for days like this?”
“Yes. I’ve already handled all the troublesome matters before coming here.”
“All of them?”
“In case I got rejected and had to settle in permanently. Well… the empire should run fine without me for about a month.”
A month? He truly was a meticulous man. Auredhian pulled me close again, and I felt the firm strength in the arm wrapped around my waist.
“If you hesitate to return immediately, then keep me by your side.”
“What?”
“I don’t want to leave you alone. I’m anxious. I need to be beside you no matter what. I came with that resolve, so there’s nothing you can do even if you refuse this.”
Auredhian truly had come with firm determination. But the problem was, regardless of whether now was an appropriate time for marriage, a union between an emperor of one empire and royalty of another nation wasn’t something so simple. The fact that someone who clearly understood this was acting so obstinately meant he was deeply unsettled emotionally.
Even though he was someone who wouldn’t perceive the anxiety I felt, the fact that he was acting this way showed he simply had good instincts. I brushed aside the silver hair falling across his brow and kissed him.
“I’d be happy to be together, but if the Belgot Emperor suddenly appears at the Royal Palace, my father and mother would be so shocked they’d fall backward.”
“Can’t you stay out for the night?”
I couldn’t help but laugh at his absurdity.
“I never knew Your Majesty would say such things. Normally, shouldn’t a proposal letter be sent first?”
“It didn’t matter how many I sent anyway.”
Auredhian spoke with a bitter edge. A flash of irritation crossed his otherwise composed face.
“Your father doesn’t seem like he’d accept me willingly.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“I’ve apparently made a terrible impression already. Even if I send hundreds more letters, it would be useless. I’d be lucky if he even opened them.”
I didn’t immediately understand his words and asked again.
“My father? Why?”
“Because he’s a father who loves his daughter so much that he dares to ignore a proposal letter sent by the master of Belgot.”
Upon hearing those words, I truly had to doubt my ears. I quickly drew in a breath and pushed away the man who was gently kissing my collarbone.
“What are you talking about!”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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