Beguiling the Enemy’s Patriarch - Chapter 75

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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 75
“I wondered why you didn’t come today and summoned me instead.”
I caught Auredhian Belgot’s eyebrows twitch slightly. I grinned broadly and shoved Sergei Lebanon aside as he tried to cling to me again.
“Childhood friends, Your Majesty. This one is my escort knight, and that one is my brother-in-law.”
“….”
“I think they were just overly concerned about me. Even so, I’m quite beloved as a princess in Lebovni.”
“Concerned.”
“Yes. I’m truly sorry. Please allow me to apologize on their behalf.”
It was an act of disrespect committed in the very presence of the Imperial ruler. It was only right to apologize sincerely. I laughed awkwardly and shot him pleading glances that screamed, “I’m so sorry!”
“…You have no need to apologize to me.”
Auredhian Belgot answered reluctantly and fell silent. His handsome face was full of the expression of someone with much to say but forcibly suppressing it. His gaze still refused to leave Sergei Lebanon, who had wrapped his arms around me.
As his mood grew darker, mine soared higher and higher. So this was it, wasn’t it? Jealousy! He couldn’t deny it this time. When I looked at him with a triumphant expression, Auredhian Belgot let out a short, hollow laugh. I quickly continued speaking before he could say anything else.
“Well then, since I’ve come all the way to the Imperial Palace… could we talk a bit longer?”
“Talk?”
“We need to catch up. It’s been three whole months since we’ve seen each other.”
There was some truth to that. I needed to ask my brother-in-law about Tezebia and Brizni, and I needed to ask Fernandis about his wife and the unborn Alexio. Well, it wouldn’t be bad to bicker with Sergei Lebanon like this after so long either.
And Auredhian Belgot would probably suffer a bit of heartache, wouldn’t he? I smirked. Let’s see how you like it when I give you a taste of your own medicine!
Auredhian Belgot stared down at me for a moment, then suddenly smiled. His face swiftly returned to its usual languid and composed expression.
‘Hm…?’
Bewildered by the sudden change, Auredhian Belgot answered slowly.
“Very well. For now, you should follow the attendant’s guidance. You must be tired from the long journey, so it’s best to rest first.”
“We’re fine-.”
“No, you are not fine.”
A sharp, decisive answer fell like a blade. Still cradling his head lazily in his hand, Auredhian Belgot smiled. There he was—that bewitching face. Sometimes he was even more captivating than Soleia Elad. When Auredhian Belgot gestured, an attendant who had been waiting in the background approached and bowed respectfully.
“I shall show you the way.”
“…Yes, then.”
Duke Lebanon nodded with a dissatisfied expression. I immediately turned to follow them. Or rather, I tried to.
“You stay here, Princess.”
At the voice from behind, I froze solid. My heart began to race. In truth, it had been exactly four days since I’d seen him like this. My heart tilted dangerously toward him.
“….”
No, that won’t do. I can’t let myself fall completely here. I shook my head and looked back at Auredhian Belgot.
“Ahaha. Well, I’d like to talk with my family whom I haven’t seen in so long….”
I saw a slight crack appear in his handsome face. The expression of someone deeply displeased. And for a moment, I glimpsed the expression I’d been hoping to see—a face that looked faintly urgent. I smiled cunningly and made my move before he could speak.
“But if it’s just for a moment, perhaps I could have some private time with Your Majesty as well?”
“Yerenika!”
Sergei Lebanon immediately crumpled his face and grabbed me. And in that instant, I saw it again—those reddish eyes dropping swiftly from my face to Sergei Lebanon’s hand gripping mine.
I deliberately didn’t push Sergei Lebanon away and instead sneaked a glance at Auredhian Belgot’s expression. Somehow I couldn’t believe it. That man, jealous? Jealous!
Auredhian Belgot seemed to furrow his brow slightly, then let out a deep sigh. And what followed was not quite what I expected.
“Come here.”
“Eh….”
“Would you mind coming with me?”
“….”
“Hmm?”
No matter how I looked at it, that was unmistakably a plea. My mouth fell open. No, if he asked like that, how could I possibly refuse…?
Before I knew it, words tumbled from my lips.
“W-we’re leaving first, brother-in-law. Fernandis.”
“Your Highness.”
“Sergei, you too. Just… put that down.”
I glanced at Auredhian’s expression and promptly ushered Sergei out. His eyes were deeply displeased. With his eyes narrowed to slits, Sergei opened his mouth.
“Hey, you. What’s your relationship with the Belgot Emperor…?”
“Brother-in-law. Please take him with you, quickly.”
It was unlike him to cling to me like this! With a restless heart, I signaled to Duke Lebanon. The Duke looked between me and Auredhian with slightly bewildered eyes before nodding.
“I shall await you, Your Highness. Please promise to tell me in detail all that has transpired during your absence.”
“Of course. I have plenty of questions myself.”
I quickly ushered all three of them out of the Audience Chamber with a smile.
“Thank you for coming. We’ll talk again later!”
Then I promptly shut the Audience Chamber door. The towering, massive door didn’t close in one motion. I strained for a moment before managing to leave just enough space for one person to pass through and nearly close it.
Silence descended. Only two people remained in the Audience Chamber—myself and Auredhian. I turned around with a bright smile. The distance between us stretched the entire length of the chamber. Auredhian’s expression remained stern. I leaned against the slightly ajar door and winked at him.
“Shall we go there, Your Majesty?”
Auredhian gazed at me for a moment before breaking into a soft smile. His handsome face relaxed into something sweetly languid. Yet I felt an inexplicable unease. The shift in his expression was far too sudden.
“No, I’ll go.”
His words and his rising from the Imperial Throne were nearly simultaneous. Leaning against the door, I could only watch as Auredhian strode toward me with long, purposeful steps.
‘Oh… oh… oh…’
A familiar scent enveloped me. The smile that had seemed soft and warm from a distance now appeared desolate up close. With his long stride, he reached me in moments and extended his hand. I flinched and stiffened, but then I saw his hand brush past my face and my eyes widened.
Auredhian placed his hand on the partially open door and pushed gently. Click. The door closed smoothly—completely—making my earlier struggle seem futile. The faint sounds from outside ceased abruptly. Now only a hand’s breadth of distance remained between us. The moment I became aware of how close we were, I held my breath.
“A friend, you say…”
Auredhian murmured languidly as he lowered his head toward me. I let my gaze wander before finally meeting his eyes.
“Is he the childhood friend that Duke Lebanon’s son mentioned back then?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
I decided it was best to answer something, anything.
“He’s my childhood friend… and my sister’s husband, so he’s Duke Lebanon’s brother, which makes him family by marriage. Family!”
Though calling that reckless Sergei family felt rather strange.
“That seemed far too intimate for mere family.”
“Did it?”
I drew out the end of my words as I looked up at him. His face was like a smiling statue—grinning, yet rigid and unyielding. If I felt that fluffy, pleasant satisfaction welling up again like before in this moment, was I truly the bad one? I stopped searching his expression and offered a brighter smile.
“This is jealousy, isn’t it?”
“And if it is?”
I expected him not to answer, but Auredhian responded immediately instead. My eyes widened before I smiled even more broadly.
“Wow, now you’re even admitting it…!”
The iron walls I’d built up seemed to be crumbling completely. A languid, intoxicating pleasure swelled up to my chin. Naturally, I reached out and brought my hand to his cheek.
“To drag down someone as impenetrable as you to this point. I must be quite remarkable, wouldn’t you say?”
“…I’d rather not admit it.”
Eventually, the coldly set line of his lips completely softened. Auredhian Belgot let out a hollow laugh.
“I can’t even deny it.”
“My goodness.”
“You’ve made me say such things.”
It was complete affirmation. Yet Auredhian Belgot didn’t stop there. It seemed he had no intention of letting the previous topic pass so easily. He pressed on persistently.
“So, you’ll continue on as you are with that prince you said was more like a friend than family, Princess?”
“Why did you revert to calling me Princess again?”
“…Yerenika.”
My pointed remark drew an immediate response. Auredhian Belgot still found it awkward to call me by name, so he subtly mixed the titles. As if calling someone by their name was such a difficult thing to do.
“He must have worried about me greatly. Originally, we were closer to enemies, but since contact has been cut off for so long. And from Lebovni’s perspective, this is an opposing nation.”
“….”
“He raided the Royal Palace with such an ominous force and abducted the Princess. Those left behind had no choice but to worry.”
Despite having completely forgotten about Lebovni’s circumstances, I spoke so brazenly. Auredhian Belgot’s voice hardened again immediately.
“Still. It’s too close.”

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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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