Rolling in Bed with the Male Lead

Why... why?

I couldn't comprehend it.

An unbelievable sight. A chill so severe that it seemed to freeze even one's breath. The person I had absolutely, truly believed would never... could never...

This... this can't be happening. It's absurd...

It felt as though my heart were being torn apart.

My mind went blank, turning white. My fingertips felt numb, as though frozen.

Pain surged through me as if my entire body were being twisted. Yet what was even harder to endure than that was—

Richard.

■■■'s cold sneer.

A cold, barren smile devoid of a single ounce of warmth.

He set his mouth firmly, every fingertip brimming with killing intent.

I'm sorry, but—

Bathed in moonlight as sharp as a sword's edge, the blade gleamed white as it was raised high.

Just die now.

The blade flashed.

That light tore through my vision, spreading in a blaze of white.

In that fleeting moment, a black void swallowed everything before him.

As though even the frigid air had settled, everything stopped.

And then—

Darkness.

The morning sunlight streaming through the window gently tickled his cheek, as though washing away the remnants of the cold night.

"Haaahh..."

Richard stretched lazily, then slowly sat up.

The air in the room was cool. The morning breeze seeping through the window crept beneath the blankets and deep into his lungs.

Has it already been a few days?

As he slowly opened his eyes, the familiar sight of his bedroom unfolded before him. The old wardrobe, the desk—everything was just as it had always been.

Several days had passed since the Emperor's birthday banquet.

"That's strange."

Rubbing his eyes, Richard muttered,

"It should have started by now..."

The curse embedded in the contract.

The nightmares that gnawed away at the mind a little more each night should have begun by now.

Yet for the past few days, not only had he experienced no nightmares...

"I've been sleeping too well."

An incredulous laugh escaped him.

He had no memory of being tormented by nightmares even once over the past few days.

On the contrary, his sleep had been unnervingly peaceful.

No, perhaps he had dreamed.

But his memory was empty, as though it had been cut away with scissors. He felt as though he had seen something important, but he couldn't grasp it.

"What is it?"

Richard patted his cheek. Had the curse not begun yet?

No, that didn't seem right.

Because of him, Duke Chesika should have been undergoing torture in the underground dungeons by now.

"Or perhaps..."

Resting his chin on his fist, he murmured,

Am I enduring it through sheer mental fortitude?

His mind had been worn down and tempered by repeating the same life dozens of times.

By now, he had become accustomed enough to withstand considerable pain.

If that were the case, it made sense. It would explain why the curse wasn't taking proper effect.

Right. That seems the most likely possibility.

Nodding, Richard tidied the blanket and strode briskly around the room.

Anyway, it's a good thing.

Since there was no need to visit the Magic Tower or acquire an artifact, it meant less trouble for him.

In any case, several days had already passed since the Emperor's birthday banquet.

In other words, several days had passed since the engagement announcement.

During that time, there had been a few minor disturbances.

For instance, Albert Friedrich.

Ha, what? You're saying you're engaged to His Highness the Crown Prince?! What trickery did you use?!

His father, Albert, had grabbed him by the collar and shaken him, his face flushed red.

His fingers had trembled violently, and he had looked ready to slap Richard across the face.

Father.

But this time, Richard had not simply endured it.

Is this how you should treat the future Crown Prince Consort?

There was no longer any reason to put up with it.

I worry... What if word of this reaches the Imperial Family and you incur their wrath?

He had spoken quietly but firmly.

At that single threat, Albert's hand had fallen from his collar with a thump.

Y-you little...!

His father, Albert, was weak before the strong and strong before the weak.

His face alternating between red and purple, he had turned away and left the room without another word.

Too easy.

Richard had shrugged and laughed.

After Derek, he was the easiest person to read.

And then there was Enoch.

I can't agree to this engagement.

He had grumbled as he bandaged Richard, wearing a sullen expression the entire time.

He does seem a little obsessed with me, though.

Richard had laughed and brushed it off. Still, wasn't it enough that no romance would develop between Enoch and Daphne?

After those hectic days, "today" had finally arrived.

Richard forcefully drew the curtains aside.

Whoosh—!

Golden carriages were lined up majestically before the Friedrich Marquisate.

White horses, gleaming ornaments, blue flags, and Imperial Guards in red cloaks.

Finally, the day has come.

The corner of Richard's mouth twisted into a smirk.

Although it was a forced engagement, an engagement was still an engagement.

He recalled the contents of the letter he had received from the Emperor some time ago.

[To the dear young Friedrich,

I sincerely congratulate you on your engagement.

Lessons on the duties of an Empress are scheduled to begin one week from now, so enter the palace the day before.

All preparations within the palace have been completed, and your quarters have also been arranged.

Life in the palace may feel unfamiliar at first, but I believe you will handle it well.

──Laios le Regnantia]

Today was the appointed day for him to enter the palace.

The preparations are complete.

Now, all he had to do was board the carriage and head to the Imperial Palace.

Richard picked up the travel bag he had packed the day before.

Since he didn't have many possessions, his luggage wasn't heavy.

Just as Richard was about to turn the doorknob for the last time, he suddenly paused.

Ah.

There was something he hadn't packed.

"Open it only once you're getting along well with the man you're definitely going to seduce."

The small box Zahir had given him, supposedly as a free gift.

Richard turned back and slowly approached the drawer.

As his fingers curled around its handle, he felt the cool touch of metal.

Rrrrr—

The heavy wooden drawer opened with a dull scraping sound.

In the bottommost compartment, carefully concealed in a corner where no one would expect to find anything, lay a box.

A black box the size of his palm.

Its matte surface felt chilling against his fingertips.

Come to think of it...

He narrowed his eyes and examined the box.

Just what did he give me?

Zahir's unusually beaming face flashed through his mind.

With equal parts suspicion and anticipation, Richard opened the box.

At that moment—

"...!"

His watery eyes widened and trembled.

Meanwhile, after the engagement announcement—

"This is absurd, Your Highness!"

The Crown Prince's Palace had, quite literally, been turned upside down.

"Even if it is His Majesty's command, how could he force you into an engagement with a man...?!"

"And of all people... to that lunatic!"

The guard knights gathered around Cailus were equally furious.

"We know perfectly well that the rumors circulating are false. It must all be a scheme concocted by that fellow."

"If His Majesty has misunderstood, you must reveal the truth, even now—!"

But despite all their protests, the Crown Prince himself said nothing.

"Your Highness?"

When one of the guard knights cautiously called to him, Cailus slowly raised his head.

Red eyes.

Though his expressionless face betrayed no emotion, his eyes were dark and sunken.

For a while, he said nothing.

The guard knights also fell silent, and even the air grew taut and heavy.

Amid it all, Cailus quietly closed his eyes, then opened them again.

The edge of the paper in his hand had been crumpled almost to pieces.

Thud.

As the strength left his fingers, the paper fell to the floor.

Without leaning back in his chair, he slowly rose.

"It has already been decided."

There was nothing more.

Leaving only those words behind, Cailus picked up his sword and fastened it at his waist.

"It's too late to be angry now. It cannot be undone."

He put on his cloak and brushed his fingers over his shoulder as though dusting it off.

No one stopped him.

No one dared ask what expression he wore as he left.

"I shall return shortly."

With those words, the door opened and soon closed again.

Someone's lips moved as they stared at the firmly shut door.

But in the end, no sound came out.

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