CHAPTER 39 "I BELIEVE YOU" (2)

How dare she.

Kyle furiously stormed through the hallway. From her honey-colored hair to the tips of her toes, there was not a single thing Kyle Romani liked about Riddel Spencer. She was nagging, persistent, and bothersome, so she shouldn't have affected him at all. Yet, Kyle had been in an incessantly terrible mood for weeks because of her.

From waiting for her to wake up from her fever to him heading back to the mansion early, Riddel kept making Kyle impatient. Not only that, but he also had the urge to touch her every once in a while. She always made him feel like a fool who could do nothing. That woman caused him to do such incomprehensible, nonsensical things. When he remembered how she had treated him when he got hurt, he purposely avoided dodging the sword that the assassin had swung at him. In addition, when he had gone to purchase those flowers, he had spent more time deliberating over floral arrangements than he cared to admit.

Upon discovering her on the fifth floor, his bloodlust had soared towards her. He had wanted to strike down that delicate neck of hers. Despite his overbearing murderous intent, however, he couldn't even lift a pinky against her when she cried out and said she was in pain. This was all her fault. Because of her, he was doing things he had never done before.

Yes, this was definitely entirely her fault. She made him feel like he was losing his mind. However, he couldn't find a way to resolve this problem, because he felt even more insane if Riddel wasn't in front of him. Moreover, her behavior today had nearly driven him to the edge. In their last conversation just now, she had boldly defended Doman Woodhill right in front of his face. Kyle knew the reason for it. He had heard from Elvin before that Riddel desperately loved Doman Woodhill.

But how dare she defend Doman Woodhill and even receive a letter from him while standing before me?

Riddel Spencer was his wife now and his alone. Whether their union was a political strategy or a contract marriage, the reason mattered not. This was the reality now, and it was even Riddel herself who had stated that they were a married couple.

I will never allow them to meet.

Kyle decided that he would do all in his power to forbid her from ever seeing Doman again. He couldn't accept the possibility of Riddel leaving him, especially not after she had dragged him this far.

But why? Why am I so angry? Why can't I make a proper judgment about anything concerning her? Why?

"I believe you."

Even more frustrating was the fact that her quiet yet confident voice would not stop echoing in his head. He couldn't completely understand it himself, but he sensed a strange emotion arising inside him making him anxious.

Then, as if experiencing a moment of clarity, Kyle realized one thing for certain. He didn't want her verdant eyes smiling kindly toward Doman or anyone else.

Yes. While she is with me, I want those eyes to only look at me.

****

Groggily, I slowly opened my eyes and struggled to make sense of my surroundings. After the haze of sleep left my vision, I recognized that I was laying on the bed back in the mansion's master bedroom.

How did I get back here yesterday?

Then, I remembered that I had collapsed once I made my way halfway down the staircase from the fifth floor to the fourth floor, and a couple of knights came to carry me back to this room.

I thought I was being dragged off to the dungeons.

Fortunately, the end result of my failed attempt to return home turned out to be not the worst scenario I imagined. I remembered feeling so relieved after the knights brought me back here instead of a prison cell, and I immediately fell asleep after. The tense interaction with Kyle had completely drained me. Overall, however, I was content with this outcome despite being discovered, because Kyle had neither killed me nor locked me up. I had avoided the worst that could happen, so I thought that there was nothing further to be disappointed at. Speaking of Kyle, where was he now? Unconsciously, I looked to my side and was crestfallen at the sight. I started laughing at my own idiocy.

Did I really think that Kyle would be here beside me now?

There was no trace of his scent or wrinkle lingering on the sheets, indicating he hadn't visited the room at all since the previous night. I guess this is what people meant when they said that it's scary to get used to something. At that moment, a pleasant smell tickled my nose. When I looked to the source, my eyes met Marina's wide, cherry-colored eyes. In her arms, she held a large bundle of fresh, colorful flowers.

"Ah… Yo… Your Highness, you're already up," she stuttered and bowed deeply. "I'm sorry that I came into your room without permission. He… Head Butler Jean specifically gave me an order to put these flowers in a vase."

Then, tears flowed from Marina's eyes.

"I… I'm sorry, Your Highness," she wept. "I'm just so relieved to know you're alright after what happened yesterday."

Without a doubt, I knew that Marina was crying because she had heard what had happened and been concerned about me. After all, the rumor about what happened the last time someone tried to enter the fifth floor still circulated among the maids. Then, I gingerly stepped out of bed and approached Marina. I pulled her into a warm hug and patted her back to soothe her like one would a child.

"Yo… Your Highness?"

"I worried you, right? I'm sorry."

"Ah…"

"… And thank you for being worried about me."

In the end, nothing had changed too much. I still had wanted to go back to my world, but at least I had more time now in this one.

Marina began to sob harder in my embrace. We stood there together, comforting each other for a long time.

*****

Only

The next day, by the time I went outside, the sun was already shining brightly overhead. Seems I must have woken up late today. I frowned at the blinding light beaming directly into my eyes.

"Yo… Your Highness," Marina looked concerned at my displeased reaction. "Is there something making you uncomfortable?"

"Huh? Oh no, there isn't. It's just that the sun is a little blinding today."

"Then, I'll bring the…"

"No, it's okay," I reassured her. "I like this weather."

"… Okay."

Yesterday, Marina had informed me that Kyle had gone on a rampage shortly after I was brought back to the bedchamber. He had destroyed the staircase and any potential points that could have been used as a connection leading up to the fifth floor. Now, absolutely no one could reach that floor. All of the mansion's workers were exceptionally meek today, and most kept out of sight whenever possible. Understandably, they all feared meeting Kyle, whom I heard had been in a foul mood since discovering me. I regretted how much I had inconvenienced everyone, especially Marina, who still stood faithfully beside me in spite of the Archduke's anger.

She seemed to have already attached a lot of affection to me even though we have only been in each other's company for a short time. I had no idea how worried she had been when I hadn't woken up from my fever.