“It would be easier if I could resolve it by making you my lover.”
That’s not it. It was more difficult.
Rona wouldn’t love me the way I wanted to, even if I had one night with her.
Is it complicated to let a person into a corner of your heart?
Eleon would sometimes feel choked when he thought of her, even when she was by his side.
He gently covered her with a blanket. As if satisfied, Rona held the blanket and fell into a deep sleep.
“Why are you so lovely even sleeping?”
I didn’t want to send Rona back to her room, even though I knew that she would rattle on when morning came.
“Good night, Rona.”
Eleon closed his eyes.
Even if he opened or closed his eyes, it was okay because she was by his side now.
* * * * *
Among the most dignified buildings in the Imperial Palace, the first was the Sun Palace, the emperor’s residence, and the second was the Crystal Palace, used by the Crown Prince.
The Sun Palace was decorated with gold in white marble, creating an exquisite contrast between moderation and splendor.
On the other hand, the Crystal Palace wasn’t because it was built with crystal, but rather because the entire building was built with expensive glass and looked like a lump of crystal.
Even a palm-sized piece of glass would be equal to a servant’s weekly wages.
But the Crystal Palace had a large glass frame that was taller than a person’s height and completely encased the outside, so I couldn’t imagine how luxurious it would be to live in.
Late at night, a brightly lit candle flickered through the opaque double glass of the Crystal Palace.
It looked like a torch burning alone in the middle of the darkness.
Inside the classical building, Sabiel was sipping a glass of wine.
He had already emptied a few bottles of strong alcohol and was seriously intoxicated.
“How about Karina?”
The lieutenant shook his head and answered.
“She has arrived safely at the Count’s house.”
“Well done.”
Then he asked again.
“What about those who saw Elysia?”
“Yes. I’ve brought them from the dungeon.”
A blindfolded elderly couple was brought in.
“Please save me. Please save me.”
“Be quiet.”
The lieutenant roughly made them knelt before Sabiel.
“Release them.”
The lieutenant removed the cloth that covered their eyes.
They suddenly saw a light, and after being dazzled for a moment, they saw Sabiel sitting in front of them, and they bowed their heads in astonishment.
“The Crown Prince.”
“The Crown Prince.”
“Raise your head.”
They were a couple of forest rangers in Kinev Forest, which borders Lake Laurel.
“Have you seen this woman?”
Sabiel smiled, while the lieutenant held out a finely painted portrait in front of them.
Her blonde hair was flowing as shiny as honey, and her eyes were purple like amethyst.
Her white, beautiful face was like an angel who came down from heaven.
It was a completely different drawing from the picture on the flyer.
“It..it’s her”
“I found her near the shore of the Lake Laurel. At first, I thought she was dead.”
“Where did she go?”
The forest ranger’s wife answered.
“It was about half a year ago. She stayed in a hut for a few days, she asked me to take her to the city, so I dropped her off at the lord’s castle when we went to the Krueger Estate.”
“What about after that?”
“I..I haven’t seen her again.”
“If you lied, you should know you’ll be punished.”
The lieutenant shouted. Then they begged and cried again.
“I’m not lying.”
“Are you going to lie to the Crown Prince?”
“Alright, take them back.”
Sabiel muttered as the old couple was dragged away.
“As I expected, you didn’t die.”
“What should we do about them.”
“We can’t let them live”
Sabiel said with a cold face.
They found her near the lake.
“I will follow your orders.”
As soon as the lieutenant disappeared from the room, Sabiel smiled.
“If you’re still alive, I will definitely find you. Elysia.”
His eyes glowed like a maniac.
* * * * *
Eleon had no way of knowing how much time had passed.
I just couldn’t sleep.
I didn’t know it was because of the butler’s harsh words.
‘Whoa. I’ve stayed up all night.’
He listened to Rona’s breathing all night. It was time for the sunrise.
“Ummm. Sir Eleon?”
Rona called him in a sleepy tone of voice.
“I was reading a book yesterday, so why am I sleeping here?”
Eleon was speechless. Rona fell asleep while reading a book so many times.
And Bernard always asked him, ‘Are you doing this again?’
“That, that… … .”
As Eleon stuttered uncontrollably, Rona said in a soft voice.
“Did you hate letting me go?”
Then she signaled to me that her little hand of hers was going to touch me.
Her fingertips tapped on my shoulder, gradually moving towards the center of my chest, unbuttoned my shirt.
Eleon was nervous, without realizing it, and moved his neck.
“My Lord is a very easy person.”
Me easy? I have a hard time with you.
“How can you be so obvious?”
“It’s obvious?”
“Yes.”
She laughed.
“You like me.”
“… … do you know that?”
“How can I not know? I told you that it’s obvious.”
Soon, a warm hand gently swept my hair. He felt his back shiver just by her touch.
“What do you want from me?”
She asked him.
“I… … I want to keep you by my side for a long time.”
… … until death.
I swallowed the last words, fearing that it would be a burden on Rona.