'No, what if someone enters?
Why didn't he even close the door...!'
I blamed him for being careless, closed the door and quickly looked away.
One would think I wouldn't be embarrassed by this after several years of marriage.
However, throughout our marriage, he always dressed nicely in front of me.
So, I never really saw his body during our entire marriage.
'Even the day I gave birth to Damian, I was so drunk that I barely remember it!'
Seeing his body clearly in the bright light was incredibly provocative, making me forget my anger towards him and feel completely lost.
“I-I'll be back later!”
As I quickly turned the doorknob to leave, Eric's hand covered mine.
When I turned my head, he was standing right behind me.
“Cornelia.”
Up close, his appearance was even more impressive.
His blond hair was slightly damp, his broad chest was exposed through the open robe, and his abs were well defined.
I unconsciously turned my head to the door, trying to push the handle to escape.
But his strong hand did not move.
“Eric, let go of my hand now.”
At that moment, I felt his warm breath against my ear.
“It seems you have something you want to say to me...”
When I turned my head, I saw his fierce blue eyes staring at me as if he were about to devour me.
“Let's sit down and talk for a while.
I have something to tell you, too.”
A moment ago, when someone opened the door without knocking, Eric was simply annoyed.
But the fact that Cornelia was the one who did it made him very confused.
'Why is Cornelia in my room...'
Finally, he felt his heart racing and acknowledged his feelings.
Honestly, he felt good.
Just the fact that she came looking for him.
'I don't know what she wanted to talk about, but the fact that she came to me first… maybe that means I'm not as disgusting to her as I thought.'
However, she quickly turned her gaze as if she saw something she shouldn't.
“I'll be back later.”
The moment he saw her turning her back to leave again, a heavy echo reverberated in his chest.
Thump-!
Eric felt a rush of anxiety, and his heart sank.
'No...don't show me your back.'
He had thought he would never see her again, just like the day she left.
But now that he had a second chance, he didn't want to lose her.
He was afraid.
If he let her go now, there might never be another chance to see her again.
So, Eric instinctively grabbed the door.
But now that he was behind her, dark impulses surged within him.
He felt a strong desire to hug her tightly and confine her inside the room.
‘But if I did that… she would really run away.
That would be terrible.'
Eric tried to calm his vile desires and chose his words carefully to keep them there.
“It seems you have something you want to say to me...
Let's sit down and talk for a while.”
Even after speaking, Eric was worried that she might refuse.
Then it happened-
“Move.”
Seeing her face twisted with annoyance, Eric felt an overwhelming sense of despair in his heart.
'So she really doesn't want to see me.'
As he wallowed in self-pity, she said, "What kind of conversation do you expect when you look like this?
Change your clothes first."
Only after hearing that did Eric remember that he was still in his robe.
'For me to have welcomed her while looking so ridiculous...'
Although he kept his distance from her, she was his first love.
He didn't want to appear unattractive, and was always careful to dress smartly in front of her for fear that she would discover his humble upbringing in the slums.
However, what about now?
He was standing in front of her with nothing but a robe.
Overwhelmed with embarrassment, Eric quickly turned and headed to the dressing room in the corner of the guest room.
'I'm sure she already finds me disgusting… and now I've shown her such a ridiculous appearance.'
Besides, how hideous must the scars visible through the robe look to someone who was raised so gracefully?
His expression hurt with those negative thoughts.
“So, what did you want to talk about?”
I looked at Eric, who was back dressed appropriately.
'He should have dressed like this from the beginning.'
Just a moment ago, I wasn't sure where to look, but now that he was completely covered, I felt like I could at least talk to him while looking at his face.
So I got to the point.
“Looks like we need to go to the capital.”
“To the capital?
Why...”
“It doesn't concern you.”
A sharp response escaped my lips without my realizing it.
Understandably, the Emperor's illness was a top-secret matter.
If it became known that he was bedridden, it was very clear how the traitorous elements hidden within the empire would react.
Moreover…
'Maybe you are also one of those traitorous elements.'
Then I spoke to him coldly.
“Didn't you say earlier that you would do whatever I asked?
That's why I'm here.”
At that, he raised the corners of his mouth and looked at me.
“Yes, well.
So what are you going to make me do?”
Despite my obvious intention to use him, he seemed very happy.
'Yes, I must look funny to him.
Damn.’
But now, I needed to go to the capital, and I had to take my baby with me for safety.
It was a shame, but I had no choice but to tell him about my request.
“It's simple.
Accompany me anonymously and protect my child in the capital.”
When I answered, he frowned slightly.
Seeing this, I clenched my hands tightly.
'Of course that must be annoying.'
I was determined to keep my head down, but without realizing it, I felt a surge of defiance and added, “If you don’t want to, you can refuse.
If you don’t go to the capital, that’s okay too.”
At that, he shook his head and opened his mouth.
“It's not that.
It's just...”
After a moment, he spoke to me in a calm voice.
“You're asking for something natural.”
"natural …?"
“Yes, it is my duty to protect you and your child.
There is no need for you to ask.”
At his incomprehensible words, I subconsciously clenched my hands.
'What is he planning?'
As if to answer my doubts, he gave his reason: “After all, I am still… your husband.
Protecting you and the child is my responsibility.”
I let out an empty laugh at that stereotypical answer, which would be amusing to others.
'If I had heard this before, I might have been satisfied.'
Satisfaction?
I would have been so emotional I would have cried.
But now, I was too tired and broken to let such clear words affect me.
‘Then he intends to hide his true intentions.’
Anticipating his intentions, I feigned a smile and replied, “Oh, is that so?
How reassuring.
The Empire’s Grand Sword Master will personally protect us.”
In response to my sarcasm, he lowered his gaze as he looked at me.
Seeing this, I repeated to myself coldly.
'Yes, I still can't trust him.
So, once I find out who is behind this, I will get rid of him.'
I wasn't expecting anything in the first place, so there was no disappointment, but I didn't want to see his face any more.
“I'm leaving now.”
As I was about to leave the room, he grabbed my hand.
“What's wrong?”
Even though he caught her unconsciously, Eric felt that the coldness of her voice was like a stab to his heart.
'True, I have no right to hold your hand.'
Eric let go of her hand and said to Cornelia, “You need to tell me when we are leaving for the capital.”
Cornelia answered coldly, her irritation evident.
“Tomorrow afternoon.”
After saying that, she quickly left the room, as if she didn't want to talk anymore.
As Eric watched her retreating image, he realized that he still hadn't said anything to her.
In the end, he let out an empty laugh.
'No, it's not that I couldn't say anything; I didn't say anything.'
Just a moment ago, she was clearly smiling.
But her look still held the same disappointment she had shown him before.
'And if you find out who's behind this, you'll push me away, saying that you don't need me.'
Even though Reinhardt was below him in rank, he was not an easy opponent.
He was pretending to be obedient to the Emperor while dealing with the corrupt elements, but in the end he was no different from the real power behind the system.
‘Not only did he manage to bring the emperor’s nobles to his side, he also convinced the neutral nobles.
Make them against Franz.'
He was a person skilled at manipulation and deception.
If he tried to hurt her and that little guy while Eric was away, there would be no way to stop him.
'That's why I can't tell you.'
Eventually, Eric positioned himself where he could see her room through the window and took Cornelia in with his blue eyes.
Only then did a wave of relief wash over his anxious, racing heart.
'I want to be by your side, even if it's like this.'
He knew it was his own selfishness.
It was just a justification for wanting to stay close to her.
But he couldn't stop anymore.
'I will stay by your side and protect you.
Even if you hate me for the rest of your life.'
As long as she could live and stay safe, that was enough for him.