* * *
I stayed in Carlisle’s embrace, straining my ears to listen.
Upon closer attention, the footsteps weren’t from just one person.
Through the narrow gap in the bookshelf, I glimpsed several backs of heads and instinctively held my breath.
Among the group of men chuckling over an obscene illustration in a forbidden book, one opened his mouth to speak.
“Hey, did you hear? The story about Jerome being dead.”
My heart sank at the unexpected turn of events.
Carlisle, who had been silently watching my expression, wrapped his arm around my waist.
I tried to push him away, annoyed, but before I could, he kissed me abruptly.
His lips on mine left me frozen, and no matter how hard I shoved, his unyielding body didn’t budge.
I frowned in frustration.
“Yeah, shocking, isn’t it? Who’d have thought the day would come when that guy died on the battlefield? I thought if anyone would survive, it’d be Jerome.”
“His death seems suspicious, though. There are strange rumors floating around in the social circles.”
“Rumors? What kind of rumors?”
“They say Jerome’s death was essentially political retaliation by Carlisle. You know the gossip—how Jerome was allegedly colluding with Delmos for a while.”
When he still wouldn’t move, I dug my nails into his shoulder in frustration.
Instead of pulling back, Carlisle provocatively grazed my palate with his tongue and sucked on it.
Tears welled up in my eyes as I clenched them shut.
“Even so, killing an old friend so easily… it’s shocking.”
“Shocking? Hardly. That’s just who Carlisle is. Acts like a carefree noble in public but does cruel things behind the scenes. There’s a reason the late king favored him so much.”
Even as our bodies overlapped, I couldn’t hide my scornful gaze.
The implication that Carlisle allowed Jerome’s death for his own political power made my stomach turn.
At least it wasn’t because of me, I thought, with a bittersweet sense of relief.
But the fact that Carlisle could kiss me so nonchalantly while overhearing such a conversation made my blood boil.
When I tried to turn my head away, he grabbed me by the hair.
“Open your eyes.”
“…”
“Look at who you’re kissing right now.”
His voice, low and husky, pierced through me.
My gut told me that Carlisle was trying to make me accept Jerome’s death in his own twisted way, indirectly saying that I should focus on him now instead of Jerome.
This felt less like mere torment and more like some kind of shock therapy.
He might be right.
Trying to bring back the dead wasn’t something a sane person would do.
Slowly, I opened my eyes and stared at Carlisle.
Then, deliberately, I knocked a book off the shelf with my elbow.
‘Thud!’
My deliberate action seemed to have an immediate effect.
Carlisle raised an eyebrow, clearly understanding my intention.
The men, who had been engrossed in their gossip, grew silent.
“What was that? Did you hear something?”
“Is there someone inside?”
The sound of approaching footsteps reached us.
Entering the forbidden book section, reserved for royalty, was punishable by death.
This was an act of defiance, risking everything.
Carlisle glanced at my trembling hands and sighed.
He pulled a tablecloth off a nearby table and draped it over my head.
His strong arms locked me tightly in place as I struggled.
“Stay still.”
The footsteps stopped just outside.
Unable to see anything through the fabric, I listened intently.
A bewildered voice broke the silence.
“Y-you? Why are you here, brother?”
“It’s been a while, Remilton. How have you been?”
I narrowed my eyes at the familiar name.
Remilton, the third prince, was a character from the original story who constantly clashed with Carlisle out of rivalry.
Later, he would conspire with Delmos in a rebellion, becoming an antagonist.
Clearly flustered, Remilton stammered.
“When… When did you get here?”
“Hmm.”
Carlisle tapped my shoulder lazily with his finger, a habit he seemed to have when choosing his words.
From the freedom with which the others moved in this library, they were probably royalty as well.
Just as I convinced myself that Carlisle wouldn’t provoke royal ire without reason, his next words made me freeze.
“Since the part where you were talking about political retaliation.”
Carlisle’s voice carried a faint trace of humor, but the undertone of irritation was unmistakable.
The silence was deafening.
Clearly uncomfortable, Remilton coughed awkwardly before responding.
“There must have been some misunderstanding. I was merely repeating rumors from the social circles. Of course, I never believed for a second that you’d do something so cruel.”
“Is that so? I appreciate your understanding.”
“But… you’re not alone, are you? Who’s with you?”
Remilton’s sharp observation made my heart race.
When Carlisle didn’t answer immediately, he finally spoke in his usual calm, measured tone.
“If you’re so curious, why don’t you come over and check yourself?”
“…”
“Go on. Take a look.”
Though his voice remained relaxed, there was an underlying menace that silenced the room.
The sound of retreating footsteps echoed, and the door clicked shut.
Only then did Carlisle lift the tablecloth, his face calm yet sharp.
“What if they had actually looked?” I snapped.
“They wouldn’t have.”
“And if they had?”
“No one has ever defied my expectations. Except you.”
His oddly tender comment made me pause.
Judging by his composed expression, it seemed unintentional on his part.
Carlisle reached out, cupping my cheek as his thumb brushed my lower lip, wet with his saliva.
Somewhere in the background, the white tablecloth fluttered in the breeze.
His next words struck deep.
“You almost look like a bride under a wedding veil.”
It wasn’t a lie to say I felt uncomfortable around Carlisle.
I still hated and resented him.
He must have been aware of my hostility, yet he stayed by my side, ignoring my pleas for him to leave.
At times, I’d feel his gaze on me.
When I looked up, I’d catch him staring with an indifferent expression.
Despite wanting me to let go of Jerome, he never stopped me from seeking ways to resurrect him.
“Enough. Get up. It’s almost time for the dinner banquet,” Carlisle finally said, glancing at his watch.
“Just a little longer—”
“You can look again after the banquet. Let’s go.”
He grabbed my arm, pulling me to my feet.
I’d been sitting for so long that the sudden movement made my vision swim.
Staggering, I found myself face-to-face with Carlisle, whose concerned gaze caught me off guard.
“Don’t you want me to forget Jerome?” I blurted.
“I do.”
“Then why aren’t you stopping me? I’m wasting time trying to bring him back.”
Given his usual exasperation, I expected him to scoff and call me a fool.
But instead, he had brought me to this secret library and stayed with me the entire time.
I couldn’t understand why.
Carlisle’s gaze wavered briefly before steadying.
“Humans can live without money. They can survive without food.”
“…”
“But a human without hope dies quickly.”
My lips parted slightly at the unexpected response.
In the silence that followed, Carlisle pulled me along as if it were nothing.
It was only after we left the room and the red sunset streaming through the corridor caught my eye that I realized we had spent a considerable amount of time holed up in the secret library.
It puzzled me slightly why Carlisle, who should be busier than ever since ascending the throne, was spending so much time with me.
Nevertheless, I had come here for a reason, so I decided to bring up what I had prepared to say.
“I need to talk to you. If I could have a moment alone…”
“Lord Carlisle! Where have you been all this time? Are you trying to give me a heart attack?”
The trembling voice made me turn my head.
An elderly man, who appeared to be a chamberlain, rushed toward Carlisle, handing over documents that seemed to pertain to state affairs that had been neglected while he was away.
Carlisle, casually skimming the reports, replied in a flat tone.
“You’re overreacting. Even if you died now, it’d be a noble end.”
“That’s just cruel!”
This kind of work was usually handled by Luke, but for some reason, Luke was nowhere to be seen.
While glancing around in curiosity, I asked cautiously, as a thought crossed my mind.
“Where’s Luke?”
“He’s on leave.”
“Leave?”
“Yes. We can discuss this later; I’m busy right now. If you need anything, just tell this old man. Now, I’ll be off.”
Leaving behind the chamberlain, who was flailing about how one must use dignified language, Carlisle departed.
Adjusting his crooked monocle, the chamberlain turned toward me, clearing his throat and smiling warmly as if he hadn’t just been yelling moments ago.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lady Jeanne. I’ve been faithfully serving Lord Carlisle since he was but a young boy—”
“Not interested. Anyway, I’ll be going too.”
Cutting off his unsolicited introduction, I started walking away, but the chamberlain blocked my path, his eyes shining eagerly.
“Are you sure you’re not curious? I’ve watched over Lord Carlisle’s growth from the closest vantage point. If there’s anything you’d like to know about him—”
“Not curious at all.”
“Then why are you even here?”
“I was dragged here against my will!”
Flustered, I retorted, only to see the chamberlain look at me with wide eyes, as if he had stumbled upon a great revelation.
“Oh, I see. So that’s how it is. He ignored all the young ladies I carefully selected for him, yet here he is, drawn by appearances, after all. Men!”
“….”
“Lady Jeanne, if you don’t mind, may I touch up your hair and makeup a bit before dinner?”
Seeing the unhinged determination in his eyes, I let out a deep sigh.
Judging by his demeanor, he wasn’t going to back down until I agreed.
With a resigned expression, I nodded. The monocle on his face gleamed brightly.
“I also have a few things I’d like to tell you…”
* * *
When is he gonna tell Carlisle🫨
Tell hiiim