The Obsessive Male Leads Want to Eat Me Alive - Chapter 117

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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 117
“You’re not lying, are you?”
Anette asked with a slightly guarded gaze. Usually she seemed like a docile, soft herbivore, but there were moments when she became this sharp—something Sisrain found utterly captivating.
―It was precisely this quality he adored.
He chuckled softly, his wet hair falling across his face as he fixed his gaze upon her.
His fingers tracing languidly across his own lips.
“Why would I lie about something like that?”
“Well….”
“Even a little more.”
Sisrain intercepted her words and continued with shameless ease.
“Because I want to touch you?”
“…!”
Anette’s face flushed crimson in an instant. How utterly brazen of him.
“I’m in a position where I have no choice but to believe Your Highness, so I’m simply trying to be certain.”
“Then believe me. I’m not mad enough to lie in this kind of agony.”
Anette observed the tremor at the corners of Sisrain’s eyes. Despite his composed and leisurely posture, she could sense the lingering traces of pain he was enduring.
Her heart suddenly ached.
‘That’s right. He said it hurt a lot. Sisrain.’
Um had mentioned it earlier.
“It must have been quite agonizing. You’re truly resilient, aren’t you?”
…He’s in considerable pain right now.
Surely he wouldn’t lie about that.
Poor Sisrain. Since he’s suffering because of my power, I bear some responsibility too.
Anette finally conceded.
“I’ll trust you and cooperate. I can’t simply ignore Your Highness’s suffering.”
“….”
Long fingers traced sensitively along her spine. One vertebra at a time, as if playing piano keys. As though deliberately drawing out her senses and toying with them.
Anette’s entire attention converged upon her heightened back. It was in that moment.
“Now we’re in real trouble, Anette.”
“Pardon?”
His tone didn’t truly suggest real trouble. Sisrain was smiling.
He spoke with leisurely amusement, holding her completely within his embrace.
“If you can’t bear to see me in pain, and you’ve bound my heart to your wrist, then every time I suffer you’ll lend me your warmth like this….”
A trap-like gleam sharpened in his eyes.
“You’ll never be able to go anywhere else.”
“….”
Anette’s expression grew composed. Another provocation. She spoke with clarity.
“I don’t think so. The artifact can be removed once we find the method, and besides, this is merely a ‘therapeutic act’ after all.”
Anette narrowed her eyes as she spoke.
“I don’t concern myself with such things.”
He languidly pursued her voice.
“I don’t mind.”
“Yes. As I mentioned, my presence beside you is merely a ‘therapeutic measure,’ nothing more.”
Sisrain’s lips curved upward slightly.
Her deliberate attempt to draw boundaries—that stiff response—was so delightful it made him forget his pain entirely.
How strange this was.
“To ease your pain, how exactly should I assist you?”
“Exactly. How.”
Sisrain’s gaze fixed upon her—earnest as a model student, sincere as one eager to learn.
Then he picked up the fallen medicine bottle, tapped it against the floor to empty it, and brought the contents to his lips, swallowing.
The medicine burned scorching down his throat, offering temporary reprieve from the agony.
That excruciating pain he had willingly chosen as the price for holding her.
“I’ll explain just once, so pay attention.”
“Yes, of course.”
Anette’s eyes brightened—like a student watching a teacher explain a problem that would appear on the exam.
He leaned in slowly, bringing his lips near her ear.
His gaze drifted to her ear, now flushed a lovely fruit-like crimson.
That persistent gaze lingered on her soft earlobe as he whispered.
“The deeper the physical contact becomes…”
“…!”
He concealed his sharp, downturned eyes and forced his gaze forward in a hazy expression, his cheek now pressed against hers.
“The more I touch you, the more we connect…”
As his warm cheek met hers, her soft skin bristled, trembling slightly at the contact.
―It was endearing.
“The pain diminishes.”
Anette startled so violently she forgot he was a patient, pushing him away sharply as she retreated.
“….”
Their gazes tangled delicately in the air between them—in that moment.
Knock, knock.
A sound came from the door.
“Come in.”
Sisrain answered quietly without removing his gaze from Anette.
Owen, entering respectfully, paused briefly at the threshold.
As if sensing the peculiar atmosphere permeating the bedroom.
Yet soon, with professional composure, he bowed his head and spoke.
“I’ve prepared water in the bathroom.”
“Good. I’ve perspired heavily and feel quite uncomfortable.”
Fortunately, the medicine was taking effect, dulling his senses somewhat.
As he rose his massive frame, the black sheets covering him slipped downward.
His firm chest and muscular abdomen—sculpted like a beast’s—lay fully exposed.
“…!”
Anette quickly averted her gaze, deliberately refusing to look.
Thud. Thud.
Sisrain walked across the marble floor, draping a silk robe around his waist and tying it in a loose knot.
And then.
“Duchess Valienne.”
“…Yes, Your Highness?”
“I find myself in need of ‘treatment’ right now. I’ve suddenly developed quite a bit of pain.”
Anette forgot her earlier attempt to look away, her expression shifting to one of concern.
There was a hint of bewilderment on her face.
“Aren’t you going to the bath?”
Sisrain’s lips curved up with a mischievous tilt. He spoke with shameless ease.
“Exactly.”
“…!!!”
Duchess Valienne glared at the Crown Prince as if he were the most shameless pervert in the world.
This lecherous Sisrain?!
“Heh.”
Unable to suppress his laughter at her reaction, Sisrain let out a quiet chuckle, and Anette’s eyes narrowed.
“You’ve taken your medicine, so you should be fine for a while. Since I can’t always be by your side…please only call for me when it’s truly unbearable.”
“How cold.”
He tilted his head loosely as he spoke.
“My Anette is quite heartless, isn’t she?”
With that, he walked toward the bathroom at a leisurely pace, a smile lingering at the corners of his mouth.
She only exhaled a long breath after his broad, massive back slowly passed through the doorway.
“Haah….”
Her face was flushed a deep crimson. She muttered in disbelief.
A question she had been holding back all this time.
“What kind of treatment method is that indecent?”
* * *
Acrid steam was spreading throughout the bathroom.
Sisrain lay submerged in the water with his muscular, long arms draped over the marble ledge, his eyes closed.
Owen, fully clothed, stood before him and asked. It seemed he had been curious about something for a while now.
“Your Highness, you mentioned to Lady Anette that you needed ‘treatment.’ Have you perhaps found a cure for your condition?”
“I’ve found the cause.”
Sisrain answered with his eyes still closed. Owen’s eyes widened slightly.
If they could identify the cause, couldn’t they at least prevent the condition from worsening?
“What is the cause?”
“It’s Anette’s awakening ability. Her power stimulates the growth of my own ability, which has been exacerbating my bloodline curse.”
“…!”
Owen spoke with a startled expression.
“Then, I should immediately distance myself from Anette—!”
Owen’s words trailed off as his lips pressed firmly shut.
I could sense what he understood.
What my master had told Anette about his condition.
It was possible to infer from the conversation the two of them had shared earlier.
A madman who had already bound his heart to hers. A man who would do anything to keep her close.
Now he intended to walk into flames while holding her, believing with all his heart that such a path would be paradise itself.
The back of Owen’s neck stiffened.
It was appalling.
‘I’ve made a terrible mistake.’
Regret washed over me anew.
‘I thought if Anette saw him suffering, she would take better care of her own health.’
Instead, he had chosen to embrace his pain and remain by her side—a choice that felt lamentable for an aide serving his ‘master.’
For Owen, nothing mattered more than his master’s wellbeing.
“…Please.”
Owen bowed respectfully.
“Take better care of yourself, Your Highness.”
Ah, how melancholy it was.
The heart of a retainer offering counsel that would never be heeded.
* * *
The days in Eldorado passed swiftly. With so much to accomplish, they flew by like arrows.
During that time, I fulfilled my obligations.
I attended to the ducal affairs I needed to understand as Duchess Valienne, and prepared for my mother’s funeral.
In the meantime, I also determined the operational direction for the Bakery in Bayonere.
Since Noah expressed his desire to inherit the Bakery, I asked Um to teach him the baking recipes.
“Ugh, bread again the moment I return…!”
Of course, Um suffered somewhat, trapped in the relentless grip of bread-making.
For the practical management of the shop, I accepted volunteers.
The volunteer was somewhat unexpected—
“I have admired the cream bread from the Bakery in my heart since ancient times.”
It was Number 19, one of the Larva.
Fearing Gerard might threaten the residents of Bayonere, I had him help with the Bakery temporarily while protecting them.
Letters arrived frequently from the residents, mostly expressing how much they missed me and appealing about the ‘golden bread phenomenon.’
Heh, this was rather gratifying.
‘Still, it’s truly unexpected.’
I thought being a duchess wouldn’t suit my nature, but in some ways, managing a duchy resembled running a bakery—quite manageable, actually.
Above all, Victoria helped tremendously from my side, as if repaying the kindness of her predecessor.
Victoria handed me a bundle of letters and said:
“The Founding Festival will be here soon.”
“…Indeed. Victoria, is there anything I need to prepare separately for the Founding Festival banquet?”
“You need only prepare to attend.”
It was just as Victoria answered with an elegant smile.
That I discovered a familiar emblem among the bundle of letters.
Not just the emblem, but a familiar signature as well.
“…!”
【 Bijae Winston 】
“Ah.”
Our virtuous father-in-law-to-be! He’s sent a letter after so long.
My heart raced as if reading a love letter.
My gratitude toward Marquis Biije still remained profound.
I hastily opened the letter.
「 To Anette.
It’s been quite some time since I’ve greeted you.
Have you been well?
I’ve heard everything that’s happened from Kyle. 」
He began with casual pleasantries, sharing his own news as well. He said he had set aside all his duties and embarked on a journey.
Yet throughout it all, he had always thought of me.
A smile bloomed naturally as I read.
Warm consolation for the loss of my mother and thoughtful consideration emanated from the page, and my chest grew tight with emotion.
He had written that he missed me.
‘I miss you too.’
The only adult I had ever felt love from in my childhood.
The one who had cared for me all this time.
I wanted to properly thank him. Suddenly, I missed him terribly.
「 So here’s the thing—
I’m thinking of attending the Foundation Day banquet this time.
Will we be able to meet that day? 」
“Of course!”
Just as I was answering the letter brightly with joy, pale fingers emerged from behind me and grasped my letter alongside mine.
“Hmm, what do you mean ‘of course,’ sister?”
“…!”
Startled, I glanced to the side and saw a handsome face with tousled hair, clutching white sheets abundantly.
The sheets were so white and voluminous that he looked like a puppy buried in a snowdrift.
Heinrich, who had just awakened, opened his eyes languidly and yawned.
“…Heinrich!”
Since when have you been sleeping in my bed?

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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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