The Sub Male Lead is Burning with Jealousy - Chapter 8 Part 5

Rahil’s arms tightened around her, and his excited body pressed against Anais. She flinched as his heated lower body pressed against her, causing a shiver to run through her. Though Rahil blushed as well, he didn’t pull away from her.

 

 

 

“We have to try removing the ring after the 30 minutes anyway… Starting a little early won’t make much of a difference.”

 

 

 

While his logic wasn’t flawed, the way he whispered it, with a hungry look in his eyes, as if he could devour her at any moment, made it difficult for Anais to agree so easily.

 

 

 

As she hesitated, Rahil began to slowly lower his head, watching her reactions closely. Their faces drew nearer, and Anais felt a surge of tension as she looked up at him. As his breath brushed against her skin, she instinctively held her breath. Their lips were so close, nearly touching, and in that proximity, their thoughts and gazes became entangled.

 

 

 

“If you don’t pull away… I’ll take that as permission.”

 

 

 

Smack.

 

 

 

Before she could respond, Rahil’s lips gently pressed against hers. There was no way to avoid it, especially at such a close distance and with his swift movement. Still, Rahil seemed to exercise some restraint, pulling back quickly after a light kiss.

 

 

 

His deep blue eyes searched hers, waiting for a reaction. Anais narrowed her eyes slightly in response.

 

 

 

“How do you expect me to—”

 

 

 

He cut her off with another quick kiss.

 

 

 

“—avoid it!”

 

 

 

And another.

 

 

 

Her face flushed even more as he continued with the playful pecks. Rahil stared at her intently, his voice soft but teasing.

 

 

 

“You could just turn your head away, you know?”

 

 

 

Anais glared at him, annoyed, and tried turning her head. But Rahil simply followed, meeting her lips again. She lightly smacked his arm in protest, but Rahil just grinned mischievously.

 

 

 

Smack.

 

 

 

“See? I really want to kiss you properly, so open your mouth.”

 

 

 

“No.”

 

 

 

“I like you.”

 

 

 

His words, spoken with such intensity as he looked at her, made her heart skip a beat. She didn’t understand why he was saying this now, of all times.

 

 

 

“…Tell me you know that.”

 

 

 

“I know…. Mmm.”

 

 

 

As she began to reply, Rahil’s lips captured hers again, his tongue slipping into her mouth. Anais remembered his earlier remark about telling her to just turn her head to avoid the kiss, but now his hand held her chin firmly, making it impossible to turn away.

 

 

 

‘Not that I even want to avoid.’

 

 

 

He was still as headstrong and self-centered as ever. His thumb caressed her cheek as he deepened the kiss, their tongues entwining and their breaths mingling. The sensation made her shiver, and even as she tried to pull back, Rahil only pressed closer, leaving her breathless.

 

 

 

Rahil gently sucked on her lips as he lifted her up with his one arm. Without breaking the kiss, he carried her toward the bathroom.

 

 

 

“I’m going to touch you a lot,” he whispered, his words a declaration of intent that made Anais’s face flush even deeper.

 

 

 

* * *

 

 

 

The attendant led Emilio to the room directly opposite the Empress’s chambers. This room, typically used by the Empress for relaxation, lacked a bed, but it was furnished with several large sofas, providing plenty of space to lie down.

 

 

 

Emilio sighed as he accepted the blanket the attendant brought him.

 

 

 

‘Rahil is probably with the Empress right now.’

 

 

 

There was no longer any doubt that Rahil was completely enamored with her. He no longer showed any curiosity about Angelica, nor did he even bother with the usual polite inquiries about her well-being.

 

 

 

‘Then again, it wouldn’t make much sense for him to ask me about her.’

 

 

 

After all, Emilio wasn’t a member of the Calix family. He was the Master of the Mage Tower, and his relationship with Angelica was merely that of a friend. As he thought about the Dragon’s Palace, Emilio felt as though he had been caught up in a whirlwind of events.

 

 

 

There weren’t many rooms visible to the n*ked eye, but Emilio was convinced that the palace held more secrets. He believed there was something hidden by a greater magic. If he could bring proper personnel and magical tools from the tower, the palace’s true nature would likely be revealed.

 

 

 

Though it felt like his research and investigations were finally bearing fruit, his thoughts kept drifting back to the Empress in the room across the hall. He knew it was inappropriate to have such thoughts about a friend’s wife, but…

 

 

 

‘Damn it.’

 

 

 

He couldn’t help but wonder what might have happened if he had spent more time talking with Anais at that ball, if he had shared a dance or even learned her name. Would he have been the one by her side instead of Rahil?

 

 

 

‘It’s a pointless thought.’

 

 

 

After that, he had fallen in love with Angelica, and Anais had mostly faded from his mind. But unlike Rahil, Emilio had gradually grown attached to Angelica, so there was a lingering sense of regret.

 

 

 

Anais was a good woman. At the same time, he couldn’t help but think that Rahil didn’t deserve her. If he had been the one with Anais, he wouldn’t have treated her so recklessly. He might have stayed close to her, but he wouldn’t have forced his desires upon her so heedlessly.

 

 

 

‘…Now that I think of it, Rahil really is a bad guy!’

 

 

 

As irritation welled up within him, Emilio couldn’t help but acknowledge that there was no turning back now. No matter what, he was Rahil’s friend, not Anais’s, and Rahil was the emperor.

 

 

 

“But what was that illusion, anyway?”

 

 

 

Directed magic was a complex and sophisticated form of sorcery. It wasn’t something a mere illusion, formed from lingering grudges and resentment, should be capable of performing.

 

 

 

The idea that the dragon might have cast a spell before its death seemed plausible, but Emilio couldn’t shake his doubts.

 

 

 

‘I can’t afford to let my guard down.’

 

 

 

Lying on the plush sofa, Emilio couldn’t help but think about what was likely unfolding in the Empress’s bedchamber just beyond the wall. The sofa, despite being just that, was as comfortable as a bed, a testament to the luxury of the imperial residence.

 

 

 

‘Surely nothing will happen tonight…’

 

 

 

He pulled the blanket over himself, trying to dismiss his thoughts. Despite the many worries on his mind, sleep eventually came, albeit much later than usual.

 

 

 

***