A Lion Stands Before a Rabbit (5)

It was not a duchess’s bedroom, but a room that had been largely recreated from Rosetta’s room at the Hirschens: a room with the same layout, wallpapered and backed, and furnished with Rosetta’s furniture from the Whirsens.

Of course, the luggage in it belonged to Rosetta, so he couldn’t bring it with them.

“This is….”

“This room was created because I thought that one day you might miss your family.”

She’s sorry to say this, but it was a bit creepy. It felt like they had redecorated the room to look like a love hotel. And did they send all the furniture to the the Duchy of Arden? Because it seemed so.

“That… I don’t think it’s necessary….”

“It’s not like we’re going to be traveling back and forth from the capital very often.”

He said so, but she could not completely believe him, having seen him come and go in a matter of hours using Michael’s summoned beasts.

Unfortunately or fortunately, this room had been decorated by the current Rosetta, not the original Rosetta. She hadn’t possessed this body for long, and she hated anything that had been touched by Rosetta in her anger at being robbed of her body.

She threw out all her furniture, curtains, and clothes and redecorated everything.

So there was nothing here that had been touched by the original Rosetta. Everything was handpicked and used by the current Rosetta.

“Are you… offended?”

Michael nervously examined Rosetta’s expression. In fact, this was a special place for him, a place he hadn’t thought to show Rosetta.

Being in this room made him feel like he could see Rosetta before they were married, and he liked the feeling of being surrounded by her.

But there was something he wanted to say to Rosetta here.

“I wouldn’t say I was offended, just a little surprised.”

Contrary to Michael’s worries, Rosetta knew she wouldn’t miss County of Whirsen, a place she’d spent less than a year in, a place she hadn’t really grown attached to, as she’d been caught up in Isabelle’s schemes and fled to the countryside.

‘I never thought I’d see this place again in this way….’

In a sense, it was a complete eradication of the last remnants of Rosetta in County of Whirsen.

A complete severance.

There would be nothing left of her there now, she realized.

“Thank you. If I ever miss my room… I will come here.”

She doesn’t think that’s going to happen, Rosetta was tempted to say, but swallowed hard instead. She had no idea what Michael was up to.

Michael was relieved that Rosetta didn’t see him through the eyes of a pervert, but he couldn’t be relieved yet, because he had to say the next thing. What would Rosetta’s reaction be? Would she be angry? Or would she find it ridiculous?

“Do you mind if I embrace my wife here?”

“What?”

The question, “Why here?” seemed tangible. Michael bit his cheek and pulled Rosetta into a hug.

“We’re in an arranged marriage, aren’t we? We haven’t even been on a few dates, and…. we never met in my true identity in the capital, so I thought I’d give it a try.”

You know, come over to your lover’s house and have sneaky sex…. that.

Rosetta turned bright red as she suddenly realized why Michael had brought her here. No, he had all this furniture airlifted in just for that? How far is it from the capital to Lugin!

Rosetta choked, but Michael’s eyes were wide. It had been his fantasy to hold Rosetta in this place filled with her traces. Until now, he’d been afraid to tell her, lest she think he was a pervert.

“Can’t we?”

“Oh, it’s not that we can’t….”

Rosetta’s heart sank as the ultra-handsome blonde with the beautiful green eyes asked with a pleading look on his face. Even if his intent is suspicious, it’s no different from what he usually does, so she wonders what’s wrong.

“In that case, we’ll do the punishment here.”

Is that how it works?

Rosetta panicked, but Michael was already moving. He did not hesitate as he thought Rosetta might suddenly decide to refuse.

The door was already closed, and the servant or maid was waiting outside the room. In short, no one will disturb them.

Michael had even sneaked in a defensive circle of magic. So that no sound from inside could leak out. It also prevented anyone from breaking into the room at will.

Rosetta, who was unaware of magic, didn’t even realize what he was doing. Finishing the circle, Michael kissed Rosetta’s temple.

“I’ve cast a short spell. I thought my lovely wife would be embarrassed if the sound escaped.”

Her cheeks warmed at his affectionate gaze. Rosetta half-closed her eyes, which Michael took as a sign of approval, and he gently kissed her on the lips. As if they were lovers who had just been together.

When Rosetta looked at him suspiciously, he kissed her again and swept her off her feet. Rosetta giggled as he carried her to the bed and collapsed in her arms. Michael giggled, too.

Their sweet laughter tickled each other’s ears.

Michael was thrilled to feel like Rosetta’s lover in this moment. He’d brought Rosetta here with nefarious intentions, but for now, it was all good.

He wanted to be with her forever, and he felt like he would give anything to be able to love her forever.

“Rosetta, I love you.”

He could see Rosetta’s face light up with joy at his whispered words. In response to her honesty, Michael threw his arms around her and kissed her.

Her lips had never tasted so sweet, but right then, they were sweet enough to send his entire body into a frenzy of ecstasy. So much so that it would linger in his memory for a long time.

???

The Marquis of Mirse was puzzled when he read the message the messenger had brought. It was a one-sided notice. There was no indication of whether it was the Duke’s or the Duchess’.

‘Of course it’s from Rosetta!’

Because he had written words that would severely get on her nerves, her anger must have shot through the roof.

Although she had married Prince Michael and become a duchess, Rosetta was a young lady in her early twenties. She had just been married, so her inexperience must not have gone unnoticed. Such a young lady could cook with her eyes closed.

‘All I have to do is get her to sign the papers! I hate the fact that I have to woo her, but…. but I can do it for the future of our family.’

The first thing he needs to do is scare her and make sure she knows she’s worthless, and then he needs to soothe her and get her to sign.

Servants would be present, but no fool would dare to intrude on the conversation of high nobles….

‘It couldn’t be that the Duke summoned me, could it?’

The Marquis of Mirse had brought his daughter with him, but he did not intend to bring her to this meeting; she was immature and unable to conceal her feelings. It was clear that she would be more of a hindrance than a help in convincing Rosetta.

He brought her along just in case. Worst case scenario, he’d really have to beg her for her signature.

‘Stupidity catches up with her, thank God!’

Marquis Mirse chuckled, not even realizing who had sent the message. Seeing the Marquis in such a good mood, the Count clicked his tongue inwardly.

‘It would be better to just go to the Duke and grovel. It’s silly of him to be so naive.’

Apparently, the nobleman staying at the villa owned by his friend was like that. He doesn’t know what kind of person Prince Michael is in the eyes of the capital’s nobility, so he’s pretty sure they know their lord quite well.

Their lord was a sensitive, delicate, twisted man. When Rosetta wasn’t around, he was one hundred percent like that, which is why the vassals of the Duke of Arden were all so fond of her.

His hedgehog personality had turned into a mink, still chilly, but much softer than before.

‘Stupidity doesn’t save the day.’

The Count thought to himself as he sipped the green tea from the East.

???

They hugged and kissed and fell asleep. Just looking at each other, they laughed, kissed their fingertips, and fell asleep.

When she woke up, she was lying in her original bedroom, not in that room. She had changed into her pajamas, which she assumed was Michael’s handiwork.

“Are you awake?”

At the sound of the affectionate voice, Rosetta opened her eyes. She’d been hanging out with Michael all afternoon. Judging by the fact that the room was completely dark, it must have been night.

“I didn’t wake you because you seemed to be sleeping so happily. Aren’t you hungry?”

“I’m not hungry, but I’m going to eat dinner!”

If she doesn’t eat dinner, she’s always hungry, even in the middle of the night. Living with Michael, it was very important to eat three meals a day. Somehow, she doesn’t think they’ll be doing that tonight.

Michael was looking at Rosetta with a very calm and warm face. It seemed that spending time in that room had been good for him.

Rosetta didn’t know it, but the time in that room seemed to melt away one of the cracks in Michael’s hardened heart.

“What about you, Michael? Did you have dinner?”

“I’ve been with Rosetta all day.”

Or more accurately, he was just looking at Rosetta, who was sleeping blissfully in his arms. It warmed his heart just to look at her, and it was nice just to look at her.

“Aren’t you hungry?”

It’s said that if your body is muscular, you have poor fuel efficiency. Michael was a wizard and had a body that made knights swoon, so he had to be hungry.

“I was hungry, but I wanted to eat with Rosetta.”

Michael looked at Rosetta with a twinkle in his eye.

“Are you going to scold me?”

“Not scolding, but…. I’d like you to thank me.”

Michael tapped his lips together in a rather arrogant manner, as if to say thank you with his lips. Rosetta leaned in and kissed him gently on the lips. She’d always been kissed by Michael, so she knew how to kiss well.

When Rosetta lifted her head, Michael looked at her with a flushed face.

“Do you mind if we stay a little later for dinner?”

Rosetta nodded as he whispered, “You’ve made it more urgent…”

***

“Lady Carulias.”

Gritting her teeth against her still throbbing back, Isabelle stepped out of the cage. Her wrists were familiarly cuffed and she followed the guards through a few doors, and soon they were outside the prison building. In front of the building, the wagons that escorted the prisoners were parked.

The wagons were painted black, signaling that a prisoner was on board.