Chapter 30
After the commotion at the detached palace, we stepped outside—and the sky had turned gloomy.
It had been so bright just moments ago, but now it looked as though it might rain any minute.
“It seems it’s going to rain.”
“I think so too.”
I had deliberately kept the maids away—both the attendants and the servants. I’d assigned them elsewhere on purpose so they couldn’t come near.
Because, just like Lilfe, my sister would surely snatch them away in no time.
And now that it looked like rain, I suddenly regretted it. Behind me were only Francis and a long line of knights—gloomy weather, gloomy knights, a perfect match!
Except for Francis, the rest followed about ten steps behind, slithering in a long line like a tail.
And even Francis alone was enough of a burden. His eyes and ears were all on me—watchful, attentive… Though you’re awfully handsome and dangerous! And those lips—so red!
“We should walk a bit, but this is bad.”
The moment I said it, raindrops started to hit my face. The scent of wet earth filled my lungs. I’d always loved walking in the rain.
But then it grew darker, and when I looked up, there was fabric above me—Francis had spread his black cloak to shield me from the rain.
“What are you doing?”
“Your Highness doesn’t like getting caught in the rain.”
“Did you ever do this before? When it rained during travel?”
“…No.”
Maybe because he was tall, he made a wonderful umbrella—red-haired, beautiful, and now his clothes clung to him in the rain. So threateningly handsome I wanted to laugh. My own umbrella! One I’d love to touch!
“Why did I say I don’t like the rain again?”
“You didn’t say why. Just that you hate catching colds.”
I made him lower the cloak, and his soaked red hair clung to his skin. Maybe because of the rain, that color looked even more vivid—cold to the eyes, yet somehow making my body feel hot.
“Your Highness.”
The way he said it so plaintively made the cold raindrops feel like they were cooling my burning skin.
“Your Highness, I… I want to sleep beside you again tonight.”
His voice trembled; maybe he was cold. I lowered the cloak and said,
“Then who’s going to guard me?”
“Ah… right. I’ll find someone to take over my post.”
His wet hair was sticking to his eyes, and it looked uncomfortable. I reached out my hand, and he bent down, making it easier to touch. I brushed his hair back, and it reminded me of Verdin—he always ran his hand through his hair when annoyed. It made me laugh.
“Why are you smiling?”
“You look even more handsome when your hair’s like this.”
“Then I’ll wear it this way every day.”
“Don’t. It’s only special when it’s rare.”
He was clearly shivering. Definitely cold.
“Understood.”
When I tried to pull my hand away, he pressed it against his cheek. His hands clung to mine—so hot it almost burned.
“Please… touch me more, Your Highness.”
“You’ll catch a cold.”
“If it’s Your Highness’s touch, I’ll be fine.”
The sky was heavy with clouds and rain, yet Francis’s face shone like sunlight.
I couldn’t say no.
“Then tell me—what mistake did I make?”
“If you allow me to kiss you, I’ll tell you.”
“You should kiss someone you love. This must be your first, Sir Francis.”
I lowered our joined hands, but his grip tightened—it reminded me of Clayton, who always pretended not to care while holding on tight.
As I glanced down, Francis suddenly leaned in and pressed his lips to mine.
His lips were as warm as his hands, soft and red, and my heartbeat thundered in my ears.
They brushed mine lightly, then pulled away. I froze, and when our eyes met, his gaze darted downward, shy. His gray-blue eyes trembled beneath long red lashes—it left me speechless.
“H-huh?”
My face burned. My mind went blank.
“You said… I had your support before, so I took it as permission.”
He was watching me carefully.
That… that wasn’t really a kiss, was it?
Oh. So he plans to kiss my sister—this was just practice with me?
So he used me?!
Because when I wear the mask, I look just like her?!
Oh, so he’ll kiss her, but just peck me?!
This jerk! You’ll kiss my sister but only pretend with me?! You son of a—!
“W-what the hell are you doing!”
My heart was racing—but I didn’t actually feel bad. I don’t know why. Maybe because of his guilty look. Or maybe just because, damn it, he’s handsome enough to be the male lead!
“Y-you said you wanted to know why, didn’t you?”
“Ah, r-right!”
I was flustered but couldn’t bring myself to be angry. What is this weird mix of irritation and thrill?!
“It’s because you ruined his life.”
Startled, I turned to see Adrian Russell—eyes looking completely unhinged again.
You again?!
“What are you talking about?”
“Come here.”
Only then did I realize Francis was still holding me. I tapped his back to let me go, but instead he tightened his hold, as if he’d lost his mind.
“Let go. Now.”
“Sir Francis. I can’t breathe!”
“No.”
“I’m going to count to three—let go or else!”
Before I even got to “three,” he let me go immediately.
I barely had time to sigh in relief before Adrian grabbed my wrist and pulled me behind him. He stood protectively in front of me—just like the last time, only reversed.
“What do you think you’re doing with someone else’s fiancée?”
“And what about you, my lord? You heard what happened to Her Highness yesterday and didn’t bother to come?”
Oh wow. After all that fighting with Clayton, now you’re taking his side? Fascinating.
“Who said she liked being visited? I know Gracie better than anyone. She probably hated that.”
So Princess Gracie had pride, huh? Well, I don’t!
“Adrian.”
“…”
“Why are you here? Were you coming to meet me?”
Because I asked you to spend the night together?
“Yes.”
“I see. Good.”
“You…”
Adrian looked furious—but it almost made me laugh. You like my sister, yet seeing me with Francis pisses you off, huh?
“Let’s go. To my room.”
“…”
Well, either way, I need you to clear this game. Probably need Clayton too.
“Don’t call the bed-slave tonight.”
“Why not?”
“Because I want to be alone with you.”
…Then why are you saying that while staring at Francis?
I was still behind him, and Adrian’s eyes never left Francis’s face.
“Fine, but let go already.”
Quest: “You, the Heartless One II!”
Adrian Russell regrets being cold to you! Choose one of the following rewards:
Spend the night together.
Spend the night with Adrian and Joshua.
Spend the night at Adrian Russell’s estate.
When I couldn’t choose option 2, the system prompted me again.
Just to check, I clicked 2 anyway.
[Invalid Selection.]
Yeah. Thought so.
Then 3.
[Invalid Selection.]
Hahaha. I’m not even mad anymore.
Fine—1.
“If I die and my body turns into a relic, make sure you mix the ashes and scatter them nicely.”
“What do you mean by that?”
Adrian gave me a strange look, brows twitching like he was trying to read my mind.
“Are you planning something dangerous again?”
“Have I done something dangerous before?”
“…His Majesty said you seem to have truly lost your memories.”
“Yeah, it’s true. But no one believes me.”
I tried to hold his hand—it slipped in the rain. Francis’s footsteps followed behind, and maybe because of that earlier kiss, I was painfully aware of him.
“That must’ve been hard for you.”
“Yeah.”
“I still don’t believe it, though.”
“Figured.”
His grip shifted—our fingers interlaced tightly, almost crushing.
“But I’ll try to believe you.”
“Why?”
“We’re engaged. Soon to be married. I’ll be your consort, and we’ll have to trust each other more than anyone.”
“You don’t even believe me—how’s that going to work?”
“Even if my mind doesn’t believe you, I’ll try to make my heart do so.”
Oh, so now you’re making “let’s pretend” sound noble, huh?
Still… when you’re that handsome, pretending somehow sounds persuasive!
“Nonsense.”
“Maybe. But even nonsense can be worth believing in. Our relationship isn’t that shallow, after all.”
Right. Not shallow at all.
You need me to become Crown Princess to get your beloved sister back,
and I need you to become Emperor.
