Rolling in Bed with the Male Lead

"Ha."

Richard let out a hollow laugh, his lips twisting bitterly.

"What I want."

His throat felt as rough as sand. Cailus had forced himself on him as he pleased, and now he was treating him like this.

"Yes, there is something."

Richard spoke with open sarcasm.

"Would you give me a billion in gold if I asked for it?"

Cailus removed the towel from Richard's hair, which had somehow already become completely dry and soft, and replied indifferently.

"Is that what you want?"

"......."

Richard closed his mouth. That bastard truly had a gift for making people feel like shit.

Really. Impressive.

"No."

"Then?"

"Take back what you said about breaking the engagement."

In an instant, the air in the room turned cold.

Cailus's gaze seemed to waver briefly before hardening once more.

"...I cannot do that."

The answer was short and decisive. As if the matter were not even worth discussing further, Cailus tossed the towel onto the bed.

"You would be better off asking for the billion in gold."

He turned away and walked toward the door, one step at a time. As his presence receded, a cold emptiness spread through one corner of Richard's chest.

Thud.

Only the sound of the door closing echoed through the room.

"Haa......."

Left alone, Richard slumped against the headboard.

His head throbbed.

I have to stop him from breaking the engagement....

And he had to find out what the bastard knew.......

Could it have had something to do with the previous ambush?

Or could Cailus have been the one who sent the attackers?

One question led inexorably to another. As thoughts with no answers crowded his mind, he felt as though he could hardly breathe.

Richard squeezed his eyes shut, then abruptly sprang to his feet.

I need to clear my head.

When his head felt ready to burst, even problems that could be solved tended to become hopelessly tangled.

A walk was perfect at times like this.

He straightened his collar, released a long breath, and opened the door.

The cool breeze sweeping through the corridor brushed his skin, finally easing some of the tightness in his chest.

When he stepped into the garden, dazzling sunlight poured down upon him.

In stark contrast to the brilliantly radiant sky, Richard's steps remained unbearably heavy.

Butterflies fluttered among the rose vines swaying in the breeze. Their rich fragrance tickled his nose, but his mood did not improve in the slightest.

The weather is so peaceful....

Yet his insides remained twisted into knots.

As he followed the marble path, droplets scattering from the fountain caught the sunlight and glittered.

"......."

Slowly steadying his breathing, Richard ventured deeper into the garden. The mingled sound of birdsong and flowing water made the scene seem endlessly peaceful.

He wandered around the fountain for a while, then, realizing that he still could not organize his thoughts, continued farther in. Sunlight streamed down over the green lawn and vivid flowers, bright enough to make his eyes ache.

Then slow footsteps approached from a colonnade on one side of the garden.

"I did not expect to meet you here."

It was a familiar voice. Richard looked up, and a man emerged with the sunlight at his back. He wore pale black formal attire adorned with gold, an easy smile curling across his lips.

It was Prince Talinos.

"......."

Richard instinctively went on guard.

Talinos approached without a care, placed one hand on the edge of the fountain, and lightly flicked the water.

"The day is so fine that anyone might feel the need for a walk. Is that why you are here as well?"

His eyes gleamed. His gaze was relaxed yet piercing, as though he were trying to see straight through Richard.

Richard answered a beat too late.

"...Yes, well... that is correct."

Talinos's smile deepened slightly.

"Have you given any thought to my previous proposal?"

Richard blinked slowly.

......Proposal?

He searched his memory until something surfaced.

Would you be willing to become my friend?

Talinos had been so gracious toward him at the banquet celebrating the Emperor's birthday.

...Right. That happened.

Richard met his gaze.

"I never received a proper answer from you last time. Might I hear one now?"

Talinos smiled amiably and stepped closer.

......Suspicious.

There was no chance he had asked Richard to become his friend without some ulterior motive.

But a prince was still a prince.

Though merely the Emperor's nephew with not a drop of his blood, Talinos's standing within the Imperial Palace was by no means insignificant.

Richard could not dare reject his proposal outright.

"...Yes, of course."

"Truly?"

Talinos's face lit up. He seized Richard's hand.

"I have been longing to get to know you better! This is wonderful!"

Richard nodded with an uneasy expression.

"The honor is mine, Your Highness...."

"Ah, why not go hunting together sometime? We could spar with swords, or perhaps have tea."

Forcing a smile onto his face, Richard replied,

"Yes, Your Highness...."

Yet his voice trembled faintly.

Hunting? Sword practice? ...What the hell is he plotting?

His enthusiasm was far too intense for someone who merely wanted to be friends.

Richard swallowed a sigh.

Rustle.

A strange sound came from among the low shrubs, distinctly different from the stirring of the wind. It resembled the snap of a twig—or someone's footsteps.

Richard's gaze shifted instinctively to the side. Someone stood beneath the shadow of a tree deep within the garden.

"......!"

His heart plummeted.

It was Zahir.

His sharp gaze was fixed directly on Richard, interest gleaming in his black eyes.

......He was watching.

Richard lowered his eyes, carefully steadied his breathing, and offered an awkward smile.

"Your Highness, I appreciate the invitation, but... I have just remembered an urgent matter that requires me to leave for a moment."

"Hm? Already?"

Disappointment plainly visible on his face, Talinos tried to stop him, but Richard bowed and stepped back.

"I would be grateful if you would arrange another occasion for us."

The moment he finished speaking, he turned away. As he hurried deeper into the garden, the rustling stopped, and Zahir emerged clearly from beneath the shade of the tree.

"It has been a while, Richard."

Leaning crookedly against the tree, Zahir raised one corner of his mouth.

"......."

Only then did Richard realize that he had completely forgotten about him.

"I'm hurt."

"......."

"Don't you think you've stayed away too long? Especially after making me a promise."

"......."

Richard subtly avoided his gaze as he thought.

......Right. I promised to visit often and give him my blood.

But he had not visited once since the incident with the love potion. Zahir might be quite angry.

"Sorry. I've been busy lately."

"Mmm?"

Zahir drifted closer and whispered softly,

"Don't tell me you forgot about me because you were busy."

"......."

"I need you."

Zahir's eyes narrowed as they traveled over Richard.

A faint trace of obsession flickered within them.

...Right. He needs my blood.

Richard did not know why, but Zahir wanted his blood desperately.

"We agreed that you would offer me your body from time to time in exchange for payment."

...The phrasing was strangely unpleasant, but it was true.

Richard had agreed to visit occasionally, offer him an arm, and let him draw blood.

...For now.

He needed to apologize.

Nothing good would come of making an enemy of Zahir.

The man was a relentless lunatic.

"......."

Richard lowered his gaze and spoke with an appropriately remorseful air.

"Yes, Zahir... I'm truly sorry I forgot about you for so long."

"Hmm. Well, all right."

Zahir slowly smiled and tilted his head.

"People forget things when they're busy. I understand."

"......Yes. Thank you for understand—"

"But."

Zahir's smile remained unchanged, but a dark gleam passed through the depths of his eyes.

"You'll give it to me today, won't you?"

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