Beguiling the Enemy’s Patriarch - Chapter 79

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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 79
“It’s not even four days anyway….”
“Four days is quite a long time.”
Auredhian Belgot set down the documents with a sharp tap. Then he immediately reached for me, leaning against the side of the office desk. His firm hands wrapped around my waist and pulled me close. Silver hair gleamed just below my gaze. Burying his face in my neck, he drew in a long breath and murmured in a deeply discontented tone.
“I’m uneasy even when you’re right beside me. And you’re so careless….”
[Oh, now he’s finally showing some affection.]
In the midst of it all, I heard Raulus’s teasing voice. My ears burned crimson. I muttered in a mosquito-thin whisper.
“Don’t look, please.”
“What?”
“Nothing at all.”
Auredhian Belgot blinked in confusion. I quickly lowered my hand to his cheek and changed the subject.
“Anyway, that’s why you came here. Really, when you were pushing me away like that….”
Lately—ever since the delegation from Lebovni arrived—this man’s hands had grown increasingly bold with me.
“They say when a person changes this much, their time is running out.”
I stroked the gleaming silver hair thoughtfully. There was definitely something strange about him. That impenetrable fortress that used to recoil painfully at the slightest touch—where had it gone? In its place stood a man clinging to me like an enormous loyal hound.
Well, it wasn’t entirely unpleasant…. No, I was actually grateful, but….
“Of all times, right before I have to leave…. This is cruel.”
Why couldn’t he have been like this sooner? I ran my fingers through his hair with melancholy. The reddish-gold eyes were long hidden beneath his eyelids, then revealed again. Auredhian Belgot gazed at me with drowsy eyes.
“Well. Don’t you think I’m already restraining myself quite a bit because you’re leaving soon?”
“…Tch.”
In the end, even my cheeks flushed crimson. Ah, really. How could I possibly leave him? It seems impossible. I could never not see him again. I can’t. I just can’t.
I bit the inside of my mouth. Yet I couldn’t insist on staying here either. That would be selfish. Yes, selfish. What could I possibly accomplish if I stayed in Belgot? I’d either be confined to the Temple as always, or spend every waking hour glued to this man’s side. That was undoubtedly selfish.
I sighed and changed the subject.
“I’ll attend the reception. Even if it’s just for an hour or two.”
“You don’t have to.”
“I don’t want to make Your Majesty look discourteous. It’s just a matter of showing my face for a moment anyway. And Countess Aiven said she’d take good care of things. I’ll really just show my face. Just one hour.”
This was something I couldn’t compromise on. I didn’t want to leave only having caused trouble. When I spoke with firm resolve, Auredhian Belgot sighed. His answer came only after a long pause.
“I’ll give Schmart a heads-up. Stay with him. Don’t separate under any circumstances.”
“Hehe. You really are affectionate.”
Auredhian Belgot had given his permission, but his expression was deeply displeased. His face was only slightly more subdued than usual, but I easily caught the anxiety and worry rippling beneath the surface. At some point, reading this man’s expressions had become quite easy. My thoughts circled back again. I really can’t do this. There’s no way I could end this relationship cleanly and return to Lebovni without regret.
The hesitation quickly burned away, leaving only firm resolve. I finally made my decision and opened my mouth. Reaching out to gently touch Auredhian Belgot’s cheek.
“Four years…. After four years, Your Majesty.”
“…?”
At my sudden words, Auredhian Belgot tilted his head slightly.
“Four years?”
“Yes. Four years. Well, assuming my body holds out.”
His straight eyebrows immediately furrowed. Auredhian Belgot spoke as though deeply displeased.
“Lebovni has temples too. Why would you say such a thing?”
“Because no one knows what the future holds. No, that’s not what I’m trying to say!”
I wasn’t thinking I might die in four years. I simply believed in the promise that if I endured in the Temple for that period, Raulus would make me a priestess. I continued, carefully omitting anything related to Raulus.
“Will those four years be enough to capture Soleia Elad?”
“What do you mean?”
“If that happens, Your Majesty.”
I forced the prettiest smile I could manage. I’d said this at least ten times before, yet somehow the words caught in my throat now. I took several deep breaths before finally speaking.
“Then, will you marry me at that time?”
Despite having uttered these words countless times, my tone still carried the weight of a challenge. Auredhian Belgot blinked slowly. I could see those violet eyes, but I couldn’t decipher what lay behind them. Truth be told, I wasn’t even worried about what answer he might give. My mind was too consumed with panic—what if he could hear my racing heartbeat?
So even as I stared down at Auredhian Belgot with wide eyes, I missed the lazy curve of his gaze and the deliberate cadence of his voice as he answered.
“I had no intention of making you wait that long.”
“Yes, I… Wait?”
I responded automatically before abruptly stopping mid-word. What had I just heard? Only then did my full attention snap to Auredhian Belgot. I could vividly feel my pupils trembling.
“I… what did you just…?”
“That proposal just now.”
Auredhian Belgot didn’t repeat himself. Instead, he asked in a voice dripping with sweetness and tenderness.
“You mean it this time, don’t you?”
Ah. A short gasp escaped me. Good heavens, I felt like the boy who cried wolf. My previous proposals had been exposed as hollow—empty bread with no filling. No, this time it’s genuine, truly…! I nodded urgently.
“I mean it. Truly.”
“Then you’ll understand this, won’t you?”
Auredhian Belgot kept saying things I couldn’t quite comprehend. I furrowed my brow slightly as I asked.
“Understand what?”
“My selfishness. My stubbornness. Things like that.”
A firm hand grasped the back of my neck and pulled me close. Those reddish-violet eyes suddenly rushed into focus. That gaze quietly demanded an answer.
“Ah.”
And with that single word, I understood everything he meant. He wanted me to comprehend his desire to keep me bound to this incompatible land.
In truth, Auredhian Belgot’s struggle had been the same from the beginning. From the moment he first brought me here until now, he’d continuously worried about my constitution, built walls because of it, and pushed me away.
Eventually, I couldn’t help but laugh. I slowly opened my mouth, taking in every detail of his eyes and sharp nose before me, and asked softly.
“You’re not thinking about it backwards? If we’re talking about selfishness, I’m hardly innocent either.”
I kissed the tip of his nose, just as he’d done to me countless times, and whispered.
“There are more than a few things Your Majesty will need to understand about me.”
Once the Soleia Elad matter is resolved. Once all the Magic Tower problems are settled. And then. I curved my lips upward.
“Can you give yourself to me completely?”
So I won’t suffer in this land. So I can always hold your hand and embrace you when I need to. Every part of you—from your head to your toes, even the sacred light that wraps around your body—can you understand that I want all of it?
Auredhian Belgot didn’t answer with words. I thought I glimpsed his eyes curve with satisfaction. And in the next moment, the distance that barely fit a single finger vanished in an instant. Our lips met.
That familiar sensation—burdensome yet sweet—spread from my lips throughout my entire body in no time at all. And it was more than enough as an answer to my question.

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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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