For Myself (2)
820 Words
Although Victor wouldn't be able to see it, Rose smiled.
This guy...
Rose decided to be frank with Victor. About the formation she made on the chessboard, about her conversations with the Emperor, and about the magic shadows she made. The only thing she didn't tell him was about her actual father, who turned out to be the Emperor's real father as well. Once finished, for a long time Victor just stayed silent. He was so quiet that she thought Victor was asleep.
But suddenly, the man twisted Rose's body. Their eyes met in the darkness. Victor's forefinger knocked Rose's forehead twice. "How can you keep all that in your mind?"
"..."
"You're too smart for this world, Rose." Victor was amazed.
"I think it's the same with...," Rose put her hands on Victor's broad chest. His heat coursed through the palms of her hands.
Shit. Turns out he's not wearing a shirt??
Rose swallowed her saliva rough and pulled her hand from Victor's chest. "... With how your body can move instinctively on the battlefield."
"By the way," Rose said, trying to change the subject, "Why don't you let me sleep in my room?"
Instead of answering, Victor said, "Tomorrow Johan will send his men to kidnap Count of Rozar's adopted daughter. You've corresponded with Countess of Rozar, haven't you?"
Rose nodded. Besides preparing for the banquet, Rose had also begun exchanging letters with Countess of Rozar. They also met once where Rose pretended to feel guilty for pouring tea on the Countess and of course, Countess of Rozar also pretended to feel guilty for her words. Rose quickly led the conversation to her adopted daughter. Within two hours, Rose could convince Countess of Rozar that Rose would assist the Countess in getting rid of her adopted daughter by kidnapping her.
Because of everything that happened with the Emperor, Rose had forgotten that they had set a date to do the plan. And that date was the day after.
"Do you want to go to the interrogation?" asked Victor.
Interrogation? Are you serious?
Rose was trying to find Victor's green eyes, he wanted to see the man's expression. She leaned slightly to his face but was shocked when her nose touched his nose. When she wanted to retreat, Victor pulled her body closer to him.
"What were you looking for?"
Rose's cheeks felt warm. "Nothing."
"Hm?"
"Nothing." Rose turned her back against Victor. She was still in the man's arms, but at least she wasn't looking at him. Even in the darkness when Rose could only see silhouettes, being face-to-face with the man... made her feels weird. So the girl chose to stare at the darkness instead.
After a while, Rose's eyes became heavy again. The rhythm of her breath followed the rhythm of Victor's breaths. And unbeknownst to her, the two slept at the same time.
In the morning, Rose opened her eyes, still in the same bed. Victor's arms and head were on her stomach and chest and their legs were intertwined. She could not fathom how their positions became like such.
Slowly, Rose shifted the man's arms and head.
For Heaven's Sake. This guy's so heavy.
With great difficulty, Rose was finally able to get up from the bed perfectly without waking Victor. The girl leaned towards the door then began to open it without sound. Satisfied to see she did not wake Victor at all, Rose sneaked out.
Upon arrival in Victor's living room, she immediately ran to get out into the hallway of the main building and continued to run until she reached the west wing. Rose had to stop running and walked slowly as she passed some staff. They all greeted with respect, confused because their mistress was running barefoot from the direction of Victor's room. Some asked about Rose's condition. The girl just nodded and smiled then continued to walk until she reached her own room.
She leaned herself behind the door. One hand closed her mouth. During that time, one sentence kept ringing in her mind.
'I chose you from Gale... I did it for myself.'
Rose's heart beat faster. That obscure feeling came back to haunt her. She bit her hand to bring herself back to reality.
Is that a new tactic? What's that guy up to?, thought Rose. Why did he choose me? What's in it for Victor with...
Rose again reminded herself that their marriage was only for a year. Once she did her job for Victor, she would immediately ask for a divorce. During that year, she would secretly amass financial assets and other necessities for herself. So that after divorcing, she could live in peace.
Stick with your plan, said Rose to herself.
Rose decided that she needed to start keeping her distance from Victor. Yes, I don't need a distraction from that guy.
Don't get carried away, Rose, she reminded herself.
- Writer
