The Baddest Villainess Is Back - Chapter 84
“And, after all that, for someone like me to fall in love?”
Arma scoffed at himself.
Yes, it must have been his ego instead that spurred him into not wanting to lose to Roxelyn, who kept pushing him away until now.
“Right. It’s better to proceed with the annulment she wants.”
Realizing his actions stemmed from Roxelyn, Arma firmly decided.
‘Being swayed by such minor emotions would hinder my goals.’
Standing, he organized his thoughts and stretched lightly.
Though he had been bedridden for a few days, it was time to go out and assure everyone he was fine, especially since he was due to return to the empire soon.
It seemed right to discuss proceeding with the annulment with Roxelyn once things were settled.
‘After all, I was planning to leave the palace soon anyway…’
There was no need to continue the engagement with her.
But, at that moment.
Knock, knock.
“Your Highness, it’s Roxelyn.”
At the familiar voice, Arma’s shoulders flinched.
“May I come in if you’re there?”
His eyes widened at her words.
After a quick scan of the room, he hurriedly dove back into bed, placing a dry washcloth on his forehead before covering himself with the blanket.
“Yes, come in, Roxelyn.”
His voice, previously cold, now sounded as if he had been ill all night, deeply hoarse and subdued.
Arma closed his eyes tightly, then reopened them.
‘No word but foolish fits this act.’
Why he now decided to pretend to be sick was beyond him.
He wished he could bite his tongue as he watched the door open.
If Roxelyn hadn’t gestured to stop him, he might have tried to get up.
“No, you don’t need to get up. I heard you weren’t feeling well.”
“…No. How could I not when my fiancée has come?”
Arma spoke weakly but still managed to sit up slightly.
“It’s okay. I just came to say something briefly. I won’t stay long.”
Roxelyn scanned Arma once, then soaked the dry towel in water and placed it on his forehead.
“When you’re sick, it’s best to sleep a lot. I know because I’ve been very ill before.”
Roxelyn spoke dryly before addressing him again.
“Your Highness the Third Prince.”
“Yes.”
“Do you like me?”
“……”
Arma’s lips twitched.
Of course, it was something he had said, but he had not expected her to ask so bluntly.
“…If I say yes, I like you, would that make things difficult for you, Roxelyn?”
However, what came out was his ungraceful truth.
Roxelyn nodded shortly in response.
“Yes.”
“……”
It was an utterly dispassionate answer.
Arma looked at her with an even more baffled expression.
“Why do you ask? If you intend to mock me…”
“I like you too, but I wanted to say that we can’t be together.”
“…What?”
Arma was so overwhelmed with things to say that he ended up speechless at the bomb Roxelyn had dropped just now.
“Then, how about we date for just six months?”
Upon hearing her follow-up, Arma quietly pinched his own cheek hard.
‘…Ah, it hurts.’
And it hurt quite a bit, a clear proof that this was not a dream.
Without realizing it himself, the words spilled through his lips on their own.
“Six months…? But, wait, you like me…? Me…? But why……”
He had too much to say, too much to sort out, and too many words that seemed displeasing.
His heart throbbed painfully.
‘What’s wrong with me?’
He numbly brought his hand to his chest.
“Do you dislike the idea of six months?”
Feeling as though a rejection might lead to an indifferent ‘then, never mind’ response, he quickly shook his head.
So, it turned out Arma was dramatically swayed by the very emotions he had dismissed as trivial not long ago.
“…No, I’m fine with it.”
It was a bold decision from the Third Prince, who never expected that he would love.