Trapped in a Secret Room With the Magnificent Duke - Chapter 8
“I wouldn’t find myself in such a situation, but if I did, I’d make a different decision depending on the partner.”
Reyna’s brows furrowed at Duke Gerard’s response.
“Different decisions based on the partner?”
“That’s correct.”
Duke Gerard nodded without a hint of hesitation.
“But both could freeze to death.”
“Even so, my decision would remain unchanged.”
“If you refuse to act with a partner you dislike, both would die from hypothermia.”
Reyna calmly tried to persuade Duke Gerard.
“To engage in such an act with someone I don’t love would be equivalent to a death sentence for me.”
Reyna’s jaw dropped at Duke Gerard’s resolute answer. She quickly closed her mouth, chastising herself for being so undignified. She had never imagined that the rational and logical Duke Gerard would give such an answer.
“Then… what if the partner is unconscious?”
“Does that mean one party has no say in the matter?”
“Yes. Even if the act was to save the unconscious partner, would it still be a death sentence for you, Duke?”
Reyna’s hand, hidden under the table, began to tremble.
“Yes. It would still be a decision I made.”
Even in a situation where he held the life of an unconscious partner, he would not have intercourse with someone he did not love. Even if it meant the Duke’s own death.
Reyna gripped her trembling hand tightly and spoke up.
“By any chance… do you have someone you love, Duke?”
Duke Gerard, with his golden eyelashes lowered, remained silent. A faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips, as if he was recalling someone.
“Yes, I do. Someone I truly love.”
Seeing the shy Duke Gerard, who almost seemed to be making a confession of love, Reyna grabbed the handkerchief she had hidden under the table.
Even the tips of his ears were slightly red. If the Duke was to find out that Reyna had jumped on him while he was unconscious… Reyna felt a wild urge to both laugh and cry.
“If… if someone were to do it with you to save your life despite not being wanted, what would you do?”
“I would die.”
“……!”
Seeing Duke Gerard’s immediate and unwavering response made Reyna’s vision blur.
“Of course, such a situation is unlikely to happen,” Duke Gerard added, but Reyna no longer registered his words.
The realization that Duke Gerard would choose death after learning the truth left her feeling as if all the blood had drained from her fingertips. She reached for the teacup to find warmth.
“If it weren’t your will, would the outcome be the same?”
“Yes. Of course, my decision might change depending on the partner.”
He placed his large hand over Reyna’s trembling one in a gesture that seemed meant to soothe her. It was quite a comforting action. But Reyna, caught in extreme confusion, could not think clearly.
“For example, if the person I love were to attack me while I was unconscious, I would actually be quite happy,” Duke Gerard added with a smile.
But in Reyna’s mind, only his previous words echoed:
“I would die.”
“Are you alright, Lady?”
Duke Gerard asked with a concerned tone.
“Yes? Yes…”
“I’ll escort you to your residence.”
Duke Gerard extended his hand with a gentle expression. Reyna was about to say she was fine but decided otherwise and took his hand. Her legs felt too weak to walk properly.
“Thank you for your kindness.”
Duke Gerard’s smile deepened as he looked at Reyna, but she was too stunned to notice.
* * *
The shock was overwhelming.
Reyna lay on the bed in a daze. She could hardly remember how she had returned to the residence.
She vaguely recalled bathing and entering the bedroom in a semi-conscious state, but the soft silk against her cheek felt unfamiliar. Born in summer, Reyna was sensitive to the cold.
It didn’t take long for her to realize that this was not her own bedroom.
Turning her head slightly, she found Duke Gerard’s profile beside her.
“Sigh…”
Reyna sighed as she brushed her face. Catching a fleeting glimpse of Duke Gerard’s extraordinarily handsome face, she got up and left the bedroom.
In the living room, the central table was again covered with parchment and magical tools. Without hesitation, Reyna began to read the parchment.
[Lady is even more audacious than I anticipated…]
The content was largely the same as before. Reyna tossed the parchment to the floor with a cold glare. Like last time, she had to achieve o****m through s-x with Duke Gerard within the given time.
Reyna checked the magical tool. Although the time limit had increased by 30 minutes compared to last time, she wasn’t grateful at all.
Furrowing her brow, Reyna nervously shook her leg and walked towards the front door.
Click, click.
As she had feared, the door was locked. Although she had expected this, there was a difference between not checking and verifying it.
