I Never Wanted His Child - Chapter 84
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
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“But the second floor is a private area. Unless you’ve informed the Duke in advance, I must ask you to leave.”
“Don’t try to instruct me. Since the Duke is that kind of person, there’s no reason for me to extend my generosity to you.”
“…I apologize.”
Adrian questioned the butler.
“So where is the Duchess’s room? Lead the way. Before I start opening every door.”
The butler was conflicted by Adrian’s words. Going straight to the Duchess’s room was problematic, but preventing the king from doing what he wanted would surely lead to trouble.
He had to stall for time somehow.
“If you could wait in the drawing room, I will check on the Madam’s condition and bring her to you.”
“And if I refuse?”
“I’m sorry, but I cannot take you to her room.”
The butler sensed it wouldn’t be right to take him to where Emilia was alone. Cold sweat ran down his back.
“I am the butler of Duchy Heinrich. My masters are Duke Heinrich and the Madam. I cannot do anything that would harm them.”
“Harm? Don’t you think that’s an exaggeration?”
The butler swallowed nervously but stood his ground.
Then.
“I am honored to meet the sole sun of Bartsch.”
She appeared in simple attire, which seemed hardly put together. More than anything, her parched face and pale lips spoke volumes about her condition.
Looking as though she might collapse at any moment, Emilia leaned weakly against the wall and bowed to Adrian.
“So it was true.”
While relieved the pretense was genuine, he felt sullied. His gaze dropped to Emilia’s legs.
Beneath the thin hem of her dress, her fragile ankles seemed barely able to support her.
She slowly stepped forward to stand in front of Adrian.
“You wished to see me. I apologize for not greeting you sooner; I have not been well.”
She bowed deeply in apology. Adrian inhaled sharply, stepping back as he encountered her blazing violet gaze.
“Have you actually developed feelings? Was it so good that you’re getting close together every day?”
Emilia pulled her shawl tighter around her, suddenly self-conscious in her thin dress.
The commotion in the corridor had prompted her to quickly change her attire before heading out, but even that wasn’t properly formal. She had rushed, anticipating meeting the king in the corridor before he entered the room.
Dell couldn’t protect her, and she, in turn, found it hard to protect Dell.
No one seemed able to stand in the king’s way; not even his mother, Lady Luther, appeared capable.
Adrian had become more reckless since becoming king, acting even more on a whim.
“It’s natural for a couple to have special feelings for each other, but you know better than anyone that such a thing is impossible between the Duke and me.”
“Ah, so the heart and body are separate entities to you.”
“It was the royal family who ordered me to carry the Duke’s child. You’re not unaware that your actions contradict those orders, are you?”
“You seem to be the one who is unaware. The royal family often engages in behind-the-scenes manipulation. I ascended to my position in exactly such a manner.”
Adrian chuckled lowly, closing the distance between them as much as the room allowed. Emilia didn’t retreat any further, meeting his gaze head-on.
“If only I had made you my concubine from the start.”
“That would never have happened.”
“Is that so disappointing? The Duke is acceptable, but not me?”
“Divorcing the Duke is one thing, but standing by your side, Your Majesty, is not so simple.”
“So, divorce from the Duke is easy, then.”
Emilia didn’t respond, her silence serving as agreement. They both loathed each other, so there was no reason to object to a divorce.
It would naturally proceed, quite rightly so, if the royal family allowed it.
“Let me know if you want it later.”
“…Divorcing the Duke doesn’t mean I’ll be by your side, Your Majesty.”
The way Adrian spoke felt like a snake coiling around her, tempting her. Each time his lips parted, it reminded her of a snake flicking its tongue.
“But that would be my chance. I find you appealing, enough so that it doesn’t matter to me whether you’ve supported me or not. You’re like the forbidden fruit I shouldn’t covet, but I imagine biting into you would be quite sweet.”
His red tongue flicked across his lips.
“What becomes of the Duke who cannot resist the temptation and partakes of that fruit? Will he be punished, or will he be cast out of paradise along with you? I’m curious to find out.”
Adrian laughed with a smile that seemed devilish in its delight.
“I must decline your offer respectfully. I hope you find someone suitable to stand by your side, Your Majesty.”
“Who stands by my side isn’t important. As you well know, marriages within the royal family are nothing more than transactions. So, feel free to come to my chamber anytime.”
It was a ludicrous suggestion. Once her contract marriage with the Duke was over, Emilia planned to leave the kingdom of Bartsch without looking back.
“Aren’t you curious about where your husband might be and what he might be doing? Perhaps the Duke is already finding his amusement elsewhere.”
