Chapter 9

The conversation flowed smoothly.

"If you help me achieve what I desire, I will fulfill everything you want," Elise said, revealing her hand first, fearing Karan might refuse.

"Do you know what I want?"

"The revival and unification of Titris, and the stability of its monarchy."

One reason Titris was looked down upon by Bedroca was because Titris had only recently emerged from a tribal nation structure.

About 50 years ago, Titris was governed alternately by three families until Karan's grandfather subdued the others and transformed it into a monarchy.

That's how Karan Lisandro became Karan Lisandro of Titris.

Therefore, Titris was practically a new nation, and their unity was weak. The confusion was just an add-on, and there were always those lurking, aiming for the throne.

In her previous life, Karan dreamed of a rejuvenated Titris with a strong monarchy. Despite numerous internal and external enemies, he couldn't achieve this dream before Elise died.

But that wasn't all he wanted.

"You're quite accurate. It's as if you've known me for a long time."

Karan's voice deepened, his suspicion of her growing stronger.

She seemed unusually well-informed about him.

As far as Karan remembered, there was no significant encounter between them.

"I researched about you."

"About me?"

Elise nodded lightly.

"Why?"

"Would it suffice to say I'm interested?"

Elise's smile was charming, captivating anyone, whether they harbored feelings for her or not.

Karan's ears reddened. He pretended to brush his hair back to hide his ears.

He was taken aback by the unexpected revelation of her interest in him.

"How about it? Will you join hands with me?"

Elise leaned towards Karan. Her scent wafted to his nose.

A brief silence ensued. Elise grew anxious as the silence prolonged.

Her proposition was, to put it nicely, groundbreaking, or frankly, insane.

She dared because Karan had sought her out on his deathbed in her previous life.

Whatever his reasons, she believed he would at least listen to her.

And her faith was rewarded.

Karan didn't dismiss her. He didn't warmly welcome her either.

Should she retreat now?

Karan tilted his head to the left and gazed at Elise sitting opposite him.

A Bedrocan noble asking a Titris man, known as a barbarian, for a night.

"What's the reason?"

"As I said earlier, it will be helpful."

"To me or to you?"

"To both of us."

Karan exhaled a long, thin breath. His chest rose and fell significantly.

She was a pure and clear woman, too beautiful to look at directly, like a gem he wanted to keep hidden.

Yet, Karan hesitated, precisely because she was Elise.

"Are you serious? In Bedroca, virginity is very important, isn't it?"

"Do you want to hear that you don't need to take responsibility?"

Her gaze, as she looked up at him, was provocative.

Karan's throat went dry. He swept back his disheveled hair, uncombed from his growth.

"I am saying I will take responsibility. But before that…"

Karan took Elise's hand on the table.

He gently unfolded her slightly curled hand and wove his fingers through hers.

Her hand was infinitely small and slender compared to his, without a single blemish.

Her small hand, revealing a life far more sheltered than Karan's, trembled faintly.

'Is she nervous?'

That trembling stirred Karan. He slowly caressed her palm.

'If she's sincere, maybe I should pretend not to notice.'

Karan had no intention of warning her that he stood on the brink of an abyss.

Feigning a ripe fruit, harmless to consume, Karan lifted Elise's hand.

Elise swallowed hard.

Karan, with his gaze fixed on Elise's tense face, pressed his lips against the pulsing inside of her wrist.

"It won't be a comfortable night."

He accepted Elise's proposition. Her heart pounded, the spot where his lips touched burning as if scorched.

"What am I supposed to do?"

Elise bit and then released her lip, glancing downward.

"Hold me."

"Alright."

The sound of the chair scraping echoed as the large figure enveloped Elise's small frame. His rough hand lifted her chin.

"Don't look away. Look at me and tell me what you want me to do."

His words, though seemingly a suggestion, sounded more like a command. Elise, feeling the tension, clutched the hem of her dress.

Elise met his eyes squarely.

His eyes blazed. Even a slight touch seemed like it could ignite her.

"Hurry."

Moments ago, he was a man of leisure, now hurriedly leaning in. His closeness made Elise's name escape in a breath.

"Elise."

"Hold me, Karan."

As if a signal, he swiftly lifted her.

Elise undressed Karan, revealing shoulders more robust than any nobleman who only wielded a pen.

She paused, admiring him.

In Veronica, it was rare to see such ebony hair and obsidian eyes. His eyes, sharp but intelligent, and his gentle smile instilled trust.

He was, indeed, a splendid man, Elise recalled from their first meeting.

Her memories were surprisingly vivid.

'I thought he was handsome even then. Others said he looked rough, but not to me.'

As Elise reminisced, she felt soft bedding against her back. She was on the bed now.

"Don't regret it, it's too late."

A decision she made the moment she resolved to meet Karan, with no desire to turn back or regret.

She felt oddly calm, yet her body heated up.

Instead of responding, Elise pulled his loosely opened shirt closer.

A longing gaze made her want to block his view.

Karan's lips brushed hers fleetingly.

A tingling sensation rippled through her body.

He leaned closer, his breath warming Elise's ear.

Titris men were said to have high body heat, and it was true.

His hot breath and body heat pushed Elise to her limit.

Elise rolled her eyes to observe his side profile – the prominent brow, high nose, full lips.

Karan lightly bit Elise's lip.

The night colored with various hues began.

His warning of discomfort, perhaps, meant he wouldn't let her rest easy.

Karan kept his word. That night, Elise learned pleasure and pain were intertwined.

The intense pleasure was at times pain, and the dizzying pain offered endless pleasure.

It was truly a night of indulgence.

The next day, Karan woke up feeling wonderfully content.

He felt like a lucky man.

Elise had long been the woman he harbored feelings for, but he had only watched her from afar, believing she was unattainable.

But to have her seek him out and embrace him was beyond his wildest dreams.

He felt as happy as if he'd been struck by lightning without any complaint.

However, Karan's mood quickly plummeted.

The spot where Elise, who had enchanted him all night, should have been was emptily vacant.

Barefoot, Karan searched the Pig's Tail Pub. Elise had vanished without a trace.

"What… Was it all just a dream?"

Returning to his room, Karan muttered in frustration, running his fingers through his hair.

It couldn't have been a dream.

The sensation of her flesh clinging to his hand was still vivid.

Had he been too demanding until dawn, causing her to grow weary of him?

The cold bed chilled his heart.

"Your Highness, breakfast… What are you doing?"

Karan's confidant, Hartvin, entered the room and stopped in surprise.

Seeing Karan pacing in just a robe was unusual.

"Elise is gone."

"Elise? Who might Elise be? Not that Elise?"

Hartvin's eyes widened in shock. Karan glared at him. Hartvin quickly bit his lip.

"Are you referring to Miss Elise Warton, Your Highness?"

"Yes, Elise was definitely here last night. But she disappeared without a word."

Karan wondered if he was simply tired or if his obsession with Elise had driven him insane.

Hartvin, knowing Karan's unrequited love, thought his guess was quite rational.

"Do you think I'm dreaming, you?"

"No. Of. Course. Not."

Hartvin awkwardly denied, slapping his mouth again.

"It's hard to believe, but it's true. She definitely spent the night with me."

Karan emphasized, as if to convince himself.

"Yes, of course. Night is for eating, not spending… Wait, you spent the night?"

One surprise after another. Hartvin seriously contemplated whether to request a mental evaluation for Karan.

Then, Hartvin noticed a neatly folded note on the bedside table.

"Your Highness, did you see this?"

Following Hartvin's gaze, Karan swiftly grabbed the note.

It was a message left by Elise.

Indeed, the heated night had been real.

Now that it was in his hands, he wouldn't let it go.

Even if last night turned into a regret for Elise.

Karan smiled deeply, bringing the note to his nose and inhaling deeply.

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This novel has been translated up to chapter 30.

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