Chapter 75
Chapter 75
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 75
Chapter Title: I Love This Woman
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Asherad felt Daphne's warmth. He could sense her unique scent and soft skin.
He placed his hand over hers, which was wrapped around his waist, and gripped it tightly. It didn't feel real. Why did you recognize me? How? Of course, there's no way you could know.
Her arms embracing his waist felt good. No, it wasn't just good. He was happy. It was natural to find the loyalty of a dog that loves its master endearing.
Asherad tried hard to think of it that way.
However.
He couldn't.
"Your Majesty."
The moment he spotted her from afar, she came running and threw herself into his arms—this woman, Daphne—he had to admit it.
It wasn't as a cute pet.
This woman was a puzzle.
I always find this woman difficult.
I wish for her misfortune.
Yet I wish for her happiness.
Her existence annoys me.
Yet she is endlessly lovely.
I have come to love this woman.
I love this woman.
Even knowing it was the greatest mistake of his life, even though it was a humiliating emotion that made him grit his teeth, Asherad decided to accept it willingly.
This woman would not leave his side.
She no longer thought of running away.
The moment he provided her with everything, she would gladly remain his. She wouldn't leave.
It would be that way.
He would make it that way.
Asherad removed the mask that had covered his entire face.
Then he took off Daphne's mask. Molten-gold blonde hair and bright blue eyes came into view. He gently cupped her cheek.
Asherad brought his lips to Daphne's face. She still wore a shocked expression.
"I want to kiss you."
As if she couldn't believe it, she rolled her eyes while looking at Asherad, who was asking for permission.
"Don't you want to?"
At his pleading question, Daphne shyly shook her head slightly. As she closed her eyes, Asherad kissed her deeply.
"Huh?!"
"No!"
He didn't care about the surprised voices of the people around them. He simply wanted to savor this moment he had desired more than anything, this moment of mad realization, sweetly.
It was a kiss he had always given, but it tasted especially sweet, and the man who had finally removed his mask didn't hesitate.
And...
"I have an announcement to make to all of you here."
* * *
Daphne wore a dazed expression. The afterglow of the Masquerade Ball hadn't faded yet.
What had made him so happy that he showered her with kisses? Asherad had shown her affection, but he had never expressed it in a public place like this, let alone invited her to such an event.
So why had he kissed her?
And why there, of all places?
"Liter Baron."
At the sound of Yohannis calling her, Daphne turned her head. Daphne Liter. That was the name given to her. And what she had been given was a barony.
At the Masquerade Ballroom, Asherad had declared he would grant her a barony. The formal ennoblement ceremony would take place later.
"You seem lost in thought."
Only then did Daphne meet Yohannis's eyes at his words.
"It doesn't feel real."
"Is that so?"
"Me, a noble? I never thought receiving a title would be this easy."
Yohannis responded stiffly to the bitterness in her words.
"A title is really just wordplay. If the nation's leader acknowledges it, then you're a noble."
Daphne looked at Yohannis's face. His expression was unreadable—what was he thinking? A title as wordplay? That wasn't something you'd expect from the heir of a high-ranking ducal house.
"Besides, the territory granted to you isn't particularly good. It's barely a village—too small to even call land—and in a remote place you'll never visit in your lifetime."
But having even that village was something, wasn't it? And if he kept saying the gifts she received weren't good enough, was he hoping she'd resent Asherad? Daphne looked at Yohannis curiously. He seemed to realize his mistake and added,
"Of course, I know this must be astonishing for you, Miss Daphne. So what I mean is..."
"No, it's fine. I'm more than satisfied."
"I was saying I wish they had given you something more proper when granting the title."
He said it awkwardly. The unfamiliar emotion of embarrassment on his stiff face was amusing, but the content was surprising too.
"To me?"
"Asherad should treat you better."
Yohannis replied stiffly. What kind of person was this man?
He was the heir to one of the highest noble ducal houses, yet he volunteered as her escort, hoped for her to receive a higher title, was Asherad's friend but subtly protected him while sharply criticizing him when needed.
She still kept her guard up because he was Asherad's friend, but Daphne had come to like this man. Not romantically, as a man.
He had simply become someone she could rely on.
"Still, Viscount. It's thanks to you that I can hold on."
"Pardon?"
"You're the only one who says things like this to me."
Daphne spoke with a bright, genuine smile.
"Meeting you was a stroke of luck, at least."
At her words, Yohannis fell silent. Whether he was displeased, angry, or embarrassed, he turned his head away.
* * *
"Your Majesty, I'm so tired."
Daphne grumbled, furrowing her brow. But Asherad, seated in the chair, smiled.
"You need just one more outfit."
"Please."
It used to be just a few fittings, but now they had practically moved the entire dressing room. The dresses the maids brought were impressive.
"It's to commemorate you becoming a noble."
"Sigh..."
Daphne made a pouty face and put on the aqua-colored dress this time. She heard it was imported fabric with a luxurious sheen and light material, but to her, they all looked the same. Having to change clothes non-stop since dawn—what misfortune was this?
"You look perfect! Ahh, you're so beautiful no matter what you wear!"
There it was again! The dressing room staff's professionalism.
Every time Daphne tried on an outfit, they praised her with all their might.
At first, she blushed and thanked them, but after about thirty times, it didn't move her anymore.
As Daphne nodded off, Asherad chuckled and pulled her head into his embrace. His chest was broad, warm, soft, and comfortable. Half-asleep, Daphne dozed against him.
"Oh my, oh my... Get it together! We have so much more to fit!"
As expected of the empire's top dressing room staff—they were all professionals. The moment they sensed the odd atmosphere, they whisked away the dress.
"Your Majesty! Of all the dresses we've tried so far..."
"Buy them all."
At his quiet words, the designer suppressed a cheer of joy and vanished.
With no empress in the empire and Kallista in seclusion, they hadn't had much business. Daphne's room finally fell quiet.
"Daphne."
"Yesss..."
Daphne answered weakly. Asherad stroked the hair of the one in his arms. He lifted the limp Daphne and sat on the bed, laying her across his lap instead of putting her down.
A heavy fragrance enveloped her. Lying on his lap, Daphne looked up at him. His smiling eyes reached out to stroke her hair.
The ticklish yet gentle touch made her eyes close on their own. She shouldn't sleep... She couldn't just fall asleep carelessly...
"Sleep."
Asherad said tenderly. She shook her head. She had to finish the fittings and learn mathematics. It was a tiny village, but Yohannis had said she needed math to manage the territory granted to her.
"That's why I said I want to sleep more..."
It was a whiny complaint she wouldn't have made before. Asherad let out a low laugh at it.
"You don't have winter clothes. Planning to go around naked?"
"..."
"Going naked is only allowed in front of me."
Daphne flinched. She was starting to wake up a bit. It was because she vividly remembered how hotly Asherad had held her. Her chest still stung. Trying to hide her agitation, she buried her face away.
"Your ears are red."
As if teasing, his cool hand toyed with her ear. She buried her head more stubbornly.
"So cute."
Daphne's eyes widened at his chuckling words. It was because of the immense affection dripping from them. Affection so vast it overflowed.
Hearing that voice so sweet it made her tongue ache, Daphne bit her lip.
It was a peaceful, warm time, achingly lovely.
For a moment, Daphne's eyes welled up. But she closed them as if sleepy, then opened them.
"Your Majesty."
"..."
"Why are you being so good to me lately?"
She chuckled lightly and rubbed her face against his lap. Hoping her tears wouldn't stain his clothes, she clung to his knee. Asherad's hand went to her forehead.
"Of course."
"..."
"Because I love you, Daphne."
Ah, he's dodging the answer by just saying he loves me, like always. Daphne dismissed his straightforward, sincere reply as not genuine, just like always.