Chapter 13

Chapter Thirteen: [Extra 1] Uriel’s Obsession

“I’m sorry to have kept you waiting.”

The Crown Prince, Uriel Ivey Vesta, appeared in the drawing-room in a fresh and lively manner. However, he didn’t offer any greetings towards the Duchess, Sylvia-Anne Entwistle, or the Marquess, Seraphina Schiff Fairfax. Instead, he urged them to sit down.

Then, Uriel gracefully received his tea from the maid. On the other hand, Sylvia and Seraphina were eyeing him in suspicion.

“What seems to be the matter?”

“Your Highness, Seraphina and I haven’t met a certain someone lately.”

“Is that so?”

“We last saw her at the graduation party two weeks ago. Sylvia and I have sent several letters to her family but never received any reply.”

“The housekeeper told us that she hadn’t returned home since the graduation party.”

“Your Highness, this is a serious problem.”

“It’s considered shameful for an unmarried lady to stay over at someone else’s house, let alone for two weeks.”

“Even if she’s your fiancée, you’re being too selfish. You ought to be ashamed of yourself.”

“In short?”

“Where’s Lady Emmeline…!?”

Indeed, since the graduation party, the duchess—Emmeline Ella Arkwright—had disappeared.

As a result, various speculations began to circulate, some of which were absurd and deafening. One particular rumor even said that Emmeline had been kidnapped and sold. In the social circle, such rumors could prove fatal for a lady.

Most likely, those who resented the Duke of Arkwright were behind those rumors. They were plotting to strip Emmeline of her status as the Crown Prince’s fiancée.

“If it’s Emmeline you’re looking for, she’s sleeping soundly in my bedroom.”

It was such an unusual concept for those who had received the noble lady’s education. Sylvia and Seraphina were both stunned. Sylvia, who quickly regained her composure, protested while blushing.

“Even though it’s already past noon, that Lady Emmeline, who has been leading a fairly disciplined life until now, hasn’t woken up…!? Or could it be that she can’t…!? What kind of torment did that innocent soul go through…!?”

“Lady Sylvia, please calm down. We didn’t come here to ask such a question.”

“But, Lady Seraphina…! It’s been two weeks…!? Two weeks! Your Highness, you’re a brute…!”

“Hahaha, brute is a strong word. Although, I don’t exactly disagree…”

“Are you boasting right now?”

“Lady Sylvia, please calm down. We didn’t come here to have a heated debate. Well, of course, I also have a lot to say. However, there’s something more pressing. Lady Emmeline’s life is at stake.”

“That… That’s right. I was so upset that it slipped off my mind. I appreciate you for stopping me. It’s always nice to have the calm and composed Lady Seraphina around.”

After deeply exhaling, Sylvia apologized for her rudeness to Uriel.

“Now, that’s definitely unsettling. What do you mean by your previous statement? Since it’s related to Emmeline, I’d like to hear everything.”

“Then, I—Seraphina Schiff Fairfax—will explain to you…”

…Afterwards, Seraphina proceeded to recount every single one of the rumors amongst the aristocrats.

Upon hearing many rumors, which could only be described as nasty, the wrinkle between Uriel’s brows deepened. His extremely unpleasant mood was becoming apparent.

“…I see. No wonder you’re worried.”

“Since the rumors have already spread, there’s nothing we can do. At this rate, Lady Emmeline’s position will be at risk.”

“Is that so? Even though she spends all her time with me. Those who work in the Royal Palace can attest to that, especially those in charge of her. Not to mention, Emmeline is always present at the dinner table alongside the Royal Family. It has become a general knowledge that Emmeline is staying in my room. Of course, the Duke of Arkwright has given his permission. Many servants know that she hasn’t left the Royal Palace for two weeks. Above all, I’m also a witness. Yet, they still dared to sully Emmeline’s name.”

Instinctively, Sylvia and Seraphina felt a chill down their spines. Albeit smiling, the Crown Prince exuded an inexplicable terror.

“…Your Highness, what are you going to do?”

“Let’s see. For now, I’ll dispatch the shadow to locate the source of rumors. For the crime of dishonoring my fiancée, I’ll have them pay.”

The two ladies gulped.

That day, both Sylvia and Seraphina learned that when Emmeline was involved, Uriel had an entirely new side to him. At the unholy expression he was making, the two shuddered. On the other hand, they also felt sorry for Emmeline, who had to struggle at the hand of his possessiveness.

Four days later, a particular marquis family was caught.

Their list of crimes went as such:

The crime of deliberately spreading false rumors to disparage the Crown Prince’s fiancée.

The crime of using rumors to advocate the incompatibility of the princess candidate in an attempt to make their daughter the new Crown Prince’s fiancée.

The crime of attempting to poison the meal of the Crown Prince’s fiancée.

The crime of trying to create an established fact by serving as an aphrodisiac to the prince.

The in-depth planning of the marquis family was quite surprising. However, figuring out the rest was relatively easy.

Afterward, the marquis family was charged with committing a grave sin toward the Royal Family, especially the Crown Prince. The marquis was deprived of his title, while the eldest son was let go. The marquis’ daughter, who tried to serve the aphrodisiac, was sent to the monastery. All the properties of the marquis family were confiscated.

The family, which was downgraded into commoners, was separated. After being sent to the mine, the father and the eldest son were imprisoned for attempting to escape. Afterward, they died mysteriously in prison. It was unknown whether or not it was the work of the Royal Family’s shadows.

On the way to the monastery, the marquis’ daughter was reportedly attacked by bandits. In the aftermath of the collision, she fell along with her carriage into the valley. A guard was dispatched to the bottom of the valley to confirm her body. The shadows were also rumored to be the cause.

As for the mother and the second son, the two stayed at their maternal grandparents’ house. However, the family’s embarrassment forced the two to stay in a secluded room.

Thus, the whole series of disturbances had been resolved unbeknownst to Emmeline.

“…Nnn?“

“Emmeline, it’s fine for you to sleep.”

“…Lord, Uriel? What time is it, now…?”

As Emmeline awoke from her slumber, Uriel dropped a sweet and gentle kiss on her lips.

“It’s eight o’clock in the morning, but you don’t have to wake up. No one will get mad at you.”

“But…”

“We did a lot last night. I’ve been assisting my mother properly, so you can take it slow.”

When she heard the words’ last night’, Emmeline turned fiery red.

“Fufu. You seem fully awakened; I’m glad. Now, accept my endless love.”

“Eh? Ah! Kyaaa…!“

From above the thin silk night robe, Uriel slowly caressed her twin mounds. By that point, Uriel had relentlessly touched her to the extent that her body remembered him. Still, the shame never disappeared.

Emmeline twisted herself and tearfully looked up at Uriel as if to escape from the ongoing stimulation.

“Lord… Lord Uriel, what of your duty…?”

“…After seducing me with that look of yours, you’re telling me to go to work?”

“Se… Seduce!? I would never…!”

“Were you unaware of it? How dangerous.”

“Lord Uriel, I don’t understand. Also, I’m thinking of going home…”

“…Why?”

As Emmeline looked up towards Uriel, who seemed to be in a bad mood, she thought of her mother.

“I haven’t returned home for a long time. I have to show my mother at least that I’m safe.”

“Aren’t you writing a letter?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Then, she knows of your safety. Therefore, don’t say you’re leaving.”

Ever since, when was that a problem? Emmeline was at a loss.

“Moreover, my brother, Jasper, will get married soon. If I don’t return to my parents’ house soon, won’t it be difficult for you, too?”

“That’s…”

Emmeline wasn’t on bad terms with her older brother’s fiancée. However, it was unlikely that their relationship would remain the same after the wedding. She didn’t want to burden her brother and his fiancée, who had waited until her graduation, any more than she already had.

On the other hand, Emmeline would also like to meet her mother—whom she hadn’t seen in a while—and be spoiled.

“Since my brother is about to get married, it’s important for me to return—”

“…I see.”

“…!?”

Once again, Uriel closed the distance between them. He sucked on her neck, causing a tingling and dull pain.

As he traced his fingers on the reddish marks, Uriel chuckled.

“Previously, I suspected your need to go home to stem from shame. However, if such is the case, then it can’t be helped?”

“Eh?”

“Since you’re determined to go home, all I need to do is leave my marks on a prominent place so you can’t leave, right?’

“…Eh?”

“It’s your fault, Emmeline. I’m truly sad to hear that you’re going back. Despite how much I love you, are you going to leave me? Can you bear the thought of being separated from me? It’s impossible if you were to ask me. Now that I know of your warmth, are you telling me to sleep alone? After all the time we’ve spent nurturing our love in this room, how would I survive a night without you?”

“Eh, that’s… Lord Uriel…?”

“Aren’t you being too cruel, Emmeline?”

“That… That’s… Nnh…!”

He sucked on her neck once again. Both the angles and the spots were changed a dozen times. In the aftermath of Uriel’s relentless onslaught, red flowers blossomed in her nape, her collarbones, her breasts, and basically any other places the dress couldn’t hide.

“Nnn… En… Enough…”

“I’d like to embrace you as it is, but it’s almost time for me to go to work. How unfortunate. Then, won’t you let me have a taste?”

Emmeline quivered when he caressed her chest.

“Wait… Wait! Waiiit…!”

“I can’t.”

As declared, Uriel dallied with Emmeline until the last minute before heading for work with satisfaction.

The maid called by Uriel blushed at the innocent sleeping figure of Emmeline, who had countless marks of possession blooming on her snow-white skin.

As Uriel had expected, Emmeline couldn’t come home that day.