Chapter 5 Part 6

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“…Abel?”

What did I say yesterday? The probability of Abel coming to meet me was what?

“Did you wait long?”

What light walk – how could it be a light walk when Abel came?!

“No, not really…”

Abel, wearing a snow-white uniform matching his hair color with an amethyst brooch that shimmered like snow, approached with a smile as bright as sunlight.

“I was delayed by some business. It’s unexpected for you to call me first.”

Fragrant tea brought by the maids was placed on the glass table in the center of the rose garden, making pleasant glass sounds alongside sweet refreshments.

Why did Abel come here? No, of course I called him, but I never thought he’d really abandon everything to come to me…!

“You… what about the prayer ceremony?”

Right now, Abel should have been at the prayer ceremony, warmly waving to the empire’s people alongside Tia.

Yet here he was having a leisurely tea time in the garden!

As guilt washed over me for causing this impossible situation, my true thoughts spilled out unconsciously.

“So, you called me knowing everything?”

Abel smirked as if he had already known.

Behind him, the harsh midsummer sunlight shattered into white like a halo.

His white hair absorbed the red sunlight, emitting a heat like fire.

“Rosi, you really…”

I thought I heard a faint “are an interesting woman” buried in his quiet laughter.

“It’s not too late to go back.”

“If I passed your test, that’s enough.”

Abel answered leisurely, picking up his teacup more relaxedly than anyone.

After setting down his cup, Abel met my gaze and stood up.

Then approaching me, he gently knelt on one knee beside my chair and looked up at me.

Beyond his purple eyes, there wasn’t a trace of displeasure.

They only purely reflected me looking back at him with surprised eyes.

Abel slowly lifted my hand and placed a brief kiss upon it.

Not content with that, he pressed his lips briefly to my wrist, my palm, and each finger joint.

When I trembled at the ticklish and strange feeling, his crescent moon-like eyes curved pleasantly, embracing me warmly with affection.

This definitely seems like Abel is deliberately trying to seduce me… otherwise he wouldn’t go this far…

“Why did you come here?”

The unswallowed question burst out.

For a question to a man looking at me with loving eyes in such a sweet situation, it was quite mundane and obvious.

But sometimes, even when you know the answer, you need to hear it directly to be certain.

This was exactly such a time.

“Because you called.”

“Is that really all? …It doesn’t seem like it.”

“I told you, Rosiel. That I won’t let you go. I just came to keep my promise.”

The words he added subtly couldn’t have been more gentle.

Abel’s bright face, smiling like a child, was framed by his long white hair flowing this way and that in the wind.

When the thought struck me that he looked mysterious and beautiful, suddenly a danger warning from what little reason remained rang sharply through my mind.

Danger, this is dangerous!

Putting aside personality and everything else, what woman wouldn’t be swayed by a white-haired, purple-eyed beautiful man deliberately trying to seduce her?

In this life, I’m not even a villainess, just Rosiel. I’m completely defenseless!

…But he really came. The male lead abandoned the female lead and came to see me. Me, Rosiel, not Hertiana.

“Did you think I wouldn’t come?”

“…Of course-“

For a moment, an unfamiliar emotion swept over me like a wave, instantly consuming my mind.

An alien sense of fulfillment and satisfaction engulfed me regardless of my will.

“…I thought you would come. You like me, after all.”

When I continued speaking with a shameless smile, Abel’s eyes curved gently.

With a pleasant smile, Abel nodded softly.

“Yes, that’s right. Because I like you.”

Strangely, Abel’s answer felt so sweet.

My heart and mind were completely confused.

Perhaps I had chosen the wrong location.

The rose fragrance permeating this space was so intense, surely that’s why I was wavering.

For a moment, the past wounds received from Abel felt hazy.

The emotions felt as the original Rosiel and my emotions as an ordinary possessor mixed together, floating aimlessly through my mind and making my head spin.

As I was being pulled along by my increasingly confused thoughts, suddenly Hyle came to mind.

If it were Hyle, he could surely grab hold of this scattered heart and confused mind in an instant…

When I thought about how I wanted to see Hyle, the rose fragrance that had been vibrating fiercely enough to numb my nose seemed to subside a little.

“…It’s nothing much, I just called you to ask something.”

“Sure, anything.”

Abel, wearing a kind face that looked like he would smile at whatever nonsense I might say, nodded lightly with a bright smile.

“What did you talk about with the Cardinal at the Grand Temple?”

Finally grasping my reason, I revealed what I had been curious about without hiding it.

Having confirmed that Abel’s feelings for me were sincere, I intended to gratefully use those feelings.

Let’s consider this payback for abandoning me in my past two lives.

Even if it’s a plotted scenario in a novel, as someone who feels emotions, isn’t it okay to take such small revenge?

“…Rosi, you’ve been watching me all this time.”

At my question, the corners of Abel’s lips curved into an arc.

You’re smiling knowing you’ve been watched all this time?

“What’s so funny?”

“I’m glad you want something from me. Certainly… the Cardinal is orthodox and rarely comes out of the temple, so you couldn’t meet him directly to resolve your questions.”

The summer breeze carried a cool temperature as it gently blew. Roughly brushing back my windblown hair, I opened my mouth with a wry smile.

“You don’t think you’re my only option, do you?”

“If you’re referring to Hyle Feros as another option, I rather regret to inform you.”

Abel smiled brightly with knowing eyes.

Regret? For what?

Since Hyle is the young lord of House Feros, it shouldn’t be difficult at all for him to meet the Cardinal.

“Rosi, Hyle Feros can no longer meet with the Cardinal.”

“…What are you saying?”

“It’s obvious, isn’t it? How could someone who harbors immoral feelings for the future Crown Princess have a private audience with the holy Cardinal?”

For a moment, I had a dizzying realization.

That the Grand Temple might be about to fall under Abel’s control.

…Or perhaps it was already too late.

Immoral feelings my foot, that was just a groundless excuse.

No matter how much of a sinner House Feros might be, their name alone was enough to maintain a firm position wielding all sorts of power.