For the One Who Hates Me - Chapter 21

After their conversation, Aura decided to leave the East Forest first. Just before they parted, Aura held out one of the books she had brought to Isen.

“What is this?”

“I remembered you said you like novels from Zenia. So I brought one for you.”

Isen smiled widely as he took the book. “This precious book? Thank you. I think I’ll read it before I leave.”

“Right now?”

“Yes. There’s no need to save it for later.”

Aura picked up her picnic basket again. “I’ll be on my way, then.”

“Alright. Oh, sister-in-law.”

“Yes.”

“I think it would be great to meet again tonight. At the entrance of this forest, at midnight.”

“Alright. But, Prince.”

“Yes.”

“If you change your mind, don’t feel pressured to come. Neither you, nor I.”

“That won’t happen. Neither to you, nor to me.”

“…Then, goodbye.” Aura calmly walked out of the forest.

Isen leaned against the tree again. “Haa… What a nice day.” He was about to open the book but stopped. Maybe it was because things were going so well. He suddenly thought of his mother at Sutra Castle.

“You’re going to the palace with the duke?”

“Yes, Mother. I’m going to attend the coronation.”

“I should go with you… but I’m not well…”

“It’s okay, Mother. I’ll look for a good physician in the capital.”

Isen’s mother’s health had deteriorated from an illness she had contracted during her travels. The only one who could treat her was the magician at Sutra Castle. The problem was that the magician was a Lion’s man.

“You’re really only going for the coronation, right?” She held her son’s hand, looking worried.

“Yes. I’ll finish the coronation and come back. Then, Uncle Lion said he would give me territory and the magician of the castle…” Isen held his mother’s hand warmly. “Just wait a little longer, Mother.”

Sadness settled in Isen’s eyes, but he quickly shook his head. “I’m doing well. Everything will be fine.”

Late at night, Karl was sitting on the sofa in his office, drinking. The image of Aura he had seen at noon wouldn’t leave his mind. The picnic basket, the hat shielding her from the sun, the book she held so leisurely. Everything about her bothered him.

‘She really did it. She really did it.’ In his mind, he had run to her a hundred times. He wanted to drag that beautiful, impeccably dressed woman to the main palace and lock her in a room. Or in his arms. Just to see if she would still look at him with those indifferent eyes.

But Karl had let Aura go. He couldn’t figure out what she was going to do, and he had even become curious. After all, she had tried to punch him when he told her to approach Isen. ‘You bastard. Absolutely not.’ How relieved Karl was by that genuine hatred.

Karl clenched his fist, thinking of the fist he had grabbed. ‘A hand that had probably never hit anyone before.’ He thought he had a good grip on her then. He thought Aura wouldn’t approach Isen again. He wanted to separate her from the traitors, no matter what her motives were.

Karl slowly clenched his fist. Aura was slipping through his fingers. It was always like this. Every time he thought he had her, she would laugh and run away. A fugitive who could easily nullify any promise or threat.

“…What am I going to do with you?”

He wished there was an intangible prison. Or a prison that was only sweet and painless. If there was, he would lock her up without a second thought.

Knock, knock. A knock came out of nowhere. He thought it was an aide on night duty and looked at the door.

Screeeech.

The office door slowly opened. Karl’s eyes widened at the silhouette in the backlight. The silhouette belonged to Aura. She was wearing a long, thin nightgown with a housecoat over it. Her face was bare of makeup and her hair was down. It was what someone would wear right before going to bed. But Karl was curious.

The slippers she was wearing made a soft sound with every step. Did she really not know that every step she took revealed the curves of her body?

Karl asked calmly, “What is it? At this hour?”

“Looks like you’re drinking.” Aura perched on the armrest of the sofa. Karl gestured to his glass. “As you can see.”

“Hmm.” Aura picked up the glass and held it up to the moonlight. It looked like strong liquor. She emptied the glass without a care and put it back on the table.

Clink. The sharp sound of glass hitting glass echoed. Aura wiped her lips with her thumb and said to Karl, “I think the duke is the one.”

“What?”

“The one behind Isen.”

Karl didn’t react.

“The territory and the right to rule are what Isen was promised if the rebellion succeeds. He also mentioned something about his mother… It seemed important. If you look into that, you’ll be able to figure out what he really wants.”

Aura slowly got up from the armrest and sat next to Karl. She tilted her head. “Why aren’t you saying anything? I got the information you wanted.”

Her ivory blonde hair fell. Aura smiled and asked, “Don’t you trust me?”

Her face, tinged with the pale moonlight, was flawless like a statue. Karl stroked Aura’s neck with his thumb. Was it because of the alcohol? Her skin was surprisingly warm.

Karl opened his mouth. “You hate me so much, and yet.”

“…”

“How can I trust you when you appear before me like this?”

Aura’s Adam’s apple slowly rose and fell. Karl’s hand slowly moved up and cupped her cheek. It was a gesture that contradicted what he had just said. Aura leaned her face into his hand.

“Then how about this? Isen wants a map of your military forces.”

A military map. It made sense. With a military map, it would be easy to attack the royal family.

“There. I’ve done my part. Now you can go and negotiate with Isen.”

“…”

“If Isen decides to give up the rebellion, will you forgive him?”

“If it’s possible.”

“What is that feeling, then? Familial love?” Aura asked mockingly.

“If I kill any more royals, the public will turn against me. It’s not because he’s Isen.”

“I suppose you’re right.” Aura poured more liquor into the glass. Karl stopped her from grabbing it. “Don’t drink anymore. It’s strong.”

Aura slowly blinked and looked at him. She grabbed his cheeks and pulled his face close to hers.

“You’re so boring, Karl. I went to all that trouble for you, and you don’t even give me a single compliment.”

“I don’t know. You just look so strange to me.”

“I do?”

“You’re acting as if you want me.”

Aura’s eyes narrowed. A laugh, almost a whisper, touched his lips. “Well, maybe I’ve come to like you a little bit too.”

And she met his gaze. As if to ask, ‘Now what are you going to do?’

Karl felt something snap inside him. He grabbed her hand and led her to the bedroom.

Bang! Karl closed the door and then took off her robe. He stood her in front of a full-length mirror.

“You tell me, Aura. You answer me.” He wrapped his arm around her waist. His overwhelming size, the large hand on her waist, and the two pairs of eyes glaring at each other in the mirror. It all felt so suffocating.

“Tell me the truth. What did you talk about with Isen?”

“I got information from Isen, and in return, I gave him a novel.”

“A novel?”

“A very interesting novel. I’m sure Isen will like it.”

Karl held her waist even tighter. The outline of her body became even more pronounced. The two pairs of eyes in the mirror gleamed coldly.

“There’s a limit to how much you can mess with a person, Aura.”

Aura met Karl’s gaze in the mirror. His eyes held so much: suspicion and confusion, wariness and displeasure, and… mixed in with all of that, desire.

“Aura, answer me.” Karl leaned down. His breath touched her temple. “Can I trust you?”

“Karl.” Aura slowly turned around and grabbed his collar, pulling him down. “You can’t trust me anyway. But…” Karl leaned into her.

“Even if everything I say is a lie, and everything gets messed up because of me…” she whispered. Her lips were about to touch his. “Can you stop now?”

Hearing that, Karl thought, ‘When did it start?’ When he wrapped his arms around her waist? When he took off her robe? Or when he dragged her into the bedroom? No. It was the moment she opened the office door and her shadow appeared. He had already lost to her then. And he wasn’t disappointed to admit his defeat, just like always.

“No. I can’t stop now.” Karl kissed Aura. Her lips parted without resistance. Her soft tongue tangled with his. So gently, as if she had been waiting.

Her long arms wrapped around Karl’s neck. Karl kissed her and lifted her up. He sat on the bed and put Aura on his lap. Their breaths were ragged. Aura stroked Karl’s soft hair and looked at him through her half-closed eyes. His eyes were beautiful up close. Hadn’t she thought so the first time she saw him? That he was a beautiful darkness.

Karl relentlessly kissed her lower lip. Aura shook her head, feeling numb, and Karl chased after her.

“Ugh…” She moaned and finally managed to pull away from him. A smile spread across Karl’s face. Aura impulsively kissed his temple. Karl flinched. “It’s just… your eyes are pretty.”

“Hah…” He laughed, as if the situation was absurd. But when the laugh was over, he seemed to lose his composure. His hand slid under her nightgown.

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