Chapter 53 – ​53

He ​was ​not ​the ​kind ​of ​man to let ​Euro ​go ​after ​being ​so blatantly defied. He ​would ​likely only feel ​satisfied once he ​had ​summoned ​him ​and ​threatened ​him with death.

For ​the ​sake ​of his goals, ​he was a man ​who would ​lightly kill ​off even ​a princess ​of ​a ​kingdom by sending ​assassins. No ​matter how much Norden ​was a vassal state, ​such a thing was ​unacceptable.

A man ​like ​that would never simply leave Euro ​alone for interfering with ​his ​plans. ​Even ​if ​Euro claimed he ​couldn’t travel ​due ​to his poor ​health, ​the man would fabricate some ​pretext to ​force ​him to come ​to ​the ​capital.

“This ​is ​actually for ​the ​best. By ​then, there should be no problem with ​traveling. His Highness ​the Crown Prince ​will surely invite my ​sister to ​the banquet.”

“…….”

“Anyway, whenever ​Father ​went to the ​capital, he always ​traveled with ​my ​sister rather ​than ​my brothers. ​It ​was easier ​to ​win ​the Crown Prince’s ​favor ​that way.”

The ​imperial ​family ​of ​Paltreon, and even the nobles, tended to look down on the royalty of Norden. This was because the Kingdom of Norden had almost no standing due to its status as a vassal state and the Emperor’s constant checks.

On the other hand, Clope not only stolen contentheld the Read on Read BL Novelsundivided affection of Crown Prince Gail but was also exceptionally famous in Paltreon for her stunning beauty.

“Is the reason you are going to the capital to see the princess?”

“To be precise, I have a favor to ask of my sister.”

This was an opportunity. Had it not been for Gail’s birthday, he intended to send a separate request for an audience at the Imperial Palace and persuade him to summon Clope to the capital.

Because Euro alone could never extract Clope from Norden. Since he couldn’t go to Norden himself, he had to persuade Gail in the capital, which served as a midpoint.

While he did have a strong card to play, if he calculated the time it would take for Clope to arrive in the capital, he would have to stay there alone for too long. Since that would be impossible without a proper reason, Gail’s birthday banquet was the perfect occasion.

Wasn’t it a place where the people he needed to meet would gather on their own? If he could settle everything there, Euro could move one step closer to survival.

“I can’t meet my sister empty-handed.”

The timing was perfect. The Relics of Yanli would be a fitting wedding gift for Clope and Gail. If he met the Captain and planned the performance carefully, the Relics of Yanli would become pricelessly precious.

ꕥ ꕥ ꕥ

Holding a candlestick, Euro crossed the dark third-floor hallway and headed toward Melione’s office. His steps were heavy, as he had spent the entire day spacing out by Kisha’s side because his mood had hit rock bottom.

His motivation was nearly zero, and he absolutely did not want to see Melione, but he had no choice. Too much time had passed since the first night.

Although he had used his healing ability in the carriage on the way to the opera, it had been a brief and light touch, so he couldn’t expect any noticeable effects.

Regardless of his personal feelings toward Melione, he was someone who had to stay alive until the curse was lifted.

Since he had already met Larry and obtained the love drug for today, he could delay it no longer. He had instructed Raymond to bring the man a cup of tea after a certain interval once he had left.

Fearing that the man might grow suspicious, he told him to prepare a different tea from the one used on the first night, so there was no worry of being caught. He had also asked Raymond to confirm whether the man actually drank the tea.

Euro was on his way to make his presence known, just in case the man might distinguish between dreams and reality. If he showed his face under the pretext of a goodnight greeting before heading to the bedroom, the man wouldn’t be particularly suspicious when he appeared later.

Griping the candlestick tightly, Euro stood before Melione’s office and took a deep breath in and out.

‘This is work. This is treatment.’

Muttering as if brainwashing himself, he slowly turned the doorknob and peeked his head through the gap. Then, Melione, who had been sitting at the office desk reviewing documents, looked up and met Euro’s eyes.

“Your Excellency, it is late. Why don’t you go to sleep?”

Euro smiled brightly, saying things he didn’t mean. He wished that bastard would just drop dead from overwork, but if he died, the one in trouble would be himself.

It was because they had involuntarily become a community of fate. If the person who had transferred the curse to him actually died, nothing would remain for him but a doomed end.

“I was worried you might overwork yourself… I’m sorry for visiting so abruptly.”

Euro spoke in a small voice, gauging Melione’s reaction as the man stared at him without answering.

“I’ll be heading to the bedroom now. Please sleep early, Your Excellency.”

He really was a total son of a bitch. Would it kill him to just say “I understand” or give some kind of answer? What did he even use his mouth for? He looked fine on the outside, but inside, he was absolute trash.

While Euro condemned Melione internally, he maintained a troubled expression [stolen content]and [unauthorized copy]a vacant smile on the outside. The corners of his mouth were twitching, but fortunately, it was too dark to be seen clearly.

Just as he carefully stepped back to close the door, he suddenly heard Melione’s voice.

“…How is your body feeling?”

At those words, Euro stopped dead in his tracks and looked up. He was so surprised he almost dropped the candlestick in his hand.

“Ye-yes?”

“I heard you didn’t call for a physician.”

“…….”

“Why did you do that?”

‘Because calling a physician wouldn’t be of any help.’ Euro answered that internally, but the words that came out of his mouth were entirely different.

“It was nothing… I wasn’t in [stolen content]pain at all. I’ve [stolen content]been sleeping and eating unauthorized copywell, so I didn’t think there was a need to see a physician.”

“You didn’t seem to be eating well.”

“…….”

“It may be uncomfortable for you, but please make sure to eat your meals. I know you enjoy eating.”

Euro blinked at those words. He was so surprised that he couldn’t even speak properly. Not only was this unexpected, but the man was even adding unnecessary footnotes; he wondered who this person even was.

Had God granted his wish after he told Kisha this afternoon that he wished Kisha were his husband? If a person had changed that much, it would certainly make sense.

Had Kisha and Melione’s souls been swapped? The mere thought was so overwhelming that his heart raced. Perhaps that was why Euro’s heart was pounding violently up and down as if it were broken.

“It would be better if I had lunch brought to your room. Or, so that I don’t have to go down to the dining hall…”

“No!”

Euro flung the door open, stepped inside, and shouted toward Melione.

“I don’t want to!”

“…….”

“It’s not uncomfortable; please eat in the dining hall. I’ll eat in the dining hall too.”

“…….”

“I was just a bit upset.”

Euro said this and swallowed hard. It was because, looking at Melione’s face reflected under the flickering candlelight, he was reminded of the night the man had suffered hematemesis.

Ridiculously, all the sharp words the man had spat at him had evaporated and vanished, and only the image of him leaning in close and touching his lips that night remained vividly clear.

“Because you d-didn’t ask if I was okay.”

“…….”

“It’s not like I specifically wanted that… but still, a little.”

“…….”

“I was really a little upset.”

Euro let out all the words that had been bottled up inside, like someone gasping for air after being pulled from a mire. In truth, he was much more upset and hurt, but right now, even this felt like he could finally breathe.

However, he couldn’t understand this behavior himself. He was not someone who needed to feel upset with Melione, nor someone who needed to express it.

What reason was there to resolve emotions in a relationship where they would part ways once his goal was achieved? While he did have the goal of getting closer to Melione, this felt a bit excessive.

It was enough as long as he wasn’t hated by him. As long as he wasn’t perceived as annoying, that was sufficient. It was enough to be able to stay by his side moderately, in a relationship where he wouldn’t feel regretful even if he left at any time.

Therefore, Euro didn’t need to do this. Without understanding why he was acting so impulsively, Euro faced Melione and took a deep breath in and out.

“I see.”

Melione, who had been looking at Euro with a strange gaze for a long time, finally spoke.

“…I am sorry.”

It was a plain apology. To this, Euro felt his face flush in an absurd manner. Why on earth was this man apologizing like this now? Euro was confused.

But thinking about it, he was glad to hear those words now. It would have felt somehow unfair to share a bed while feeling uncomfortable.

With his head half-bowed, Euro rolled his eyes around and replied with an awkward smile.

“Thank you. For asking.”

“…….”

“I-I’m really going to bed now. Your Excellency, please don’t overwork yourself and go to sleep soon. Then…”

Bowing his head, Euro hurriedly turned around. His heart kept thumping heedlessly, [visit our site]and the corners of his mouth kept creeping up. It was [Read on Read BL Novels]strange. He wondered why he felt so good.

But then, suddenly, Melione grabbed Euro’s wrist.

“Uh, uh… why, why?”

“Let’s go together.”

“…What?”

“Aren’t you going to sleep?”

“I, uh… I’m going to sleep on the second floor?”