If You Take the Enemy Prince as Your Knight Chapter 112

“Taste is the process of selecting the value of an object. Inevitably, one has no choice but to rank things. The most beautiful thing, the sweetest thing, the most delightful thing, the most fragrant thing. All of those were given to the prince. I had no choice but to yield. That was the proper conduct befitting an illegitimate child of a count’s family who knew his place.”

 

“…”

 

Now I understand. What I had been hearing was not Regen’s story, but in fact Emilio Hwibrik’s own story. And the theme running through everything was clear. An inferiority complex.

 

Emilio released the fallen leaf he had been holding between his fingers. As the leaf fluttered down like beating wings and fell to the ground, his hand was already clutching a handful of my platinum-blonde hair.

 

“Did you know? Whenever I look at Your Highness, I keep thinking of that friend.”

 

“Why?”

 

“Because I think… if that friend were still alive, he would have liked Your Highness.”

 

“…”

 

…What? At the moment, my thoughts froze, and a whisper slipped into my ear, secretive like a murmur.

 

“I told you, didn’t I? We have the same taste.”

 

“…”

 

“Do you think taste in women would be any different?”

 

My eyes widened to their limit. I couldn’t possibly hide my agitation.

 

Fortunately, if it could be called fortunate, Emilio wasn’t looking at me at that moment. Though he politely pressed a kiss to my hair, his gaze was directed past my shoulder, straight at Regen. A dark shadow lingered in his ash-gray eyes, opened fiercely as if glaring.

 

“But now that friend is dead.”

 

“…”

 

“I might finally have the chance to possess what I like the most.”

 

I was certain. That muttered remark was not meant for me.

 

At that moment, I had to scrape together every ounce of patience I had just to keep from turning around toward Regen. The fact that I succeeded was nearly a miracle. I took a deep breath, as if replacing every bit of air inside my body with new air. Only after barely calming my confusion and agitation could I smile like the flower of the imperial palace.

 

“Lord Emilio.” I crafted the gentlest voice possible. “That sounds as though you’re saying you like me.”

 

“That is correct.”

 

I succeeded in drawing his gaze back toward me. His ash-gray eyes were unpleasant. The emotions filling them were nothing but impure desires that sought to make me into a trophy. It seemed Emilio, intoxicated by his desire for conquest, had decided to play the conqueror.

 

Straightening his back proudly, he spoke arrogantly. “It would be best if we spoke frankly. I know what Your Highness is thinking right now.”

 

“You know what I’m thinking?” I could not remain meek when he provoked me so openly. So I tilted my chin as if amused. “Let’s hear it, then.”

 

“You wish to escape the imperial palace, don’t you? By using me.”

 

Half correct. I had no desire to escape the palace. But the part I denied was the part he got right.

 

“Using you? Please say that I wish to receive Lord Emilio’s assistance.”

 

“How pleasant that sounds. Shall I simply take you outside the imperial palace?”

 

“It would be even better if it were beyond the border.”

 

“That too is pleasant to hear. Then would you like to go to Lohengrin?”

 

“My, I never expected such an offer.”

 

Honestly, I was surprised. According to the original plan, I should have been threatening Emilio Hwibrik right now. I had intended to pressure Emilio, who would be confused upon learning Regen was alive, by bluffing that I knew he had secretly smuggled out a member of the Lohengrin royal family. But now Emilio was favorable toward me without any need for threats. I could now be certain of the reason.

 

“You must truly like me.”

 

A deep inferiority complex toward Regen that he wished to resolve by possessing me.

 

“Yes. You’re my taste.”

 

Come to think of it, my plan had already gone off course the moment Emilio brought Regen along. But in the end, the situation had turned more advantageous for me. There was no reason to break the proposal Emilio himself had already shaped.

 

“Then the specific details—”

 

“You’re looking for an escape route in a strange place.”

 

“…!”

 

Startled by the sudden interruption, I turned my head. A familiar face appeared between the shrubs.

 

“Sir Dominic.”

 

The crimson eyes glaring this way were unusually fierce. His chest rose and fell roughly as if he had run all the way here, making his presence seem twice as violent.

 

“How unlike you, Your Highness.”

 

“…”

 

“Are you even aware you’re doing something you’ll regret?”

 

My brow furrowed automatically. Showing Emilio such a pathetic scene had never been part of my plan. Emilio, meanwhile, appeared to find it entertaining.

 

“It seems that the gentleman is also a significant reason you wish to leave the imperial palace.”

 

I appreciated how consistently he misunderstood. Thanks to that, I could ignore him and deal only with Dominic. “This has nothing to do with you. Why don’t you continue on your way?”

 

“You are my destination. More importantly, where has your usual witty and charming eloquence gone? There are ears other than mine listening. You should answer with a bit more sincerity, shouldn’t you?” When he finished speaking, Dominic’s gaze shifted past my shoulder. It was obvious who stood where his crooked smile was directed.

 

Today, everyone seemed desperate to pick a fight with Regen.

 

“You’re just going to watch that?”

 

“…”

 

“Aah, were you ordered to?”

 

Damn Dominic. Too much unnecessary information was flowing toward Emilio. If this continued, that disaster of his mouth might ruin my plans.

 

At that moment, Dominic’s eyes flashed as he strode toward me. Just as my heel nearly stepped back unconsciously, Regen intervened and blocked him. The veins twitched in Dominic’s hand, gripping Regen’s shoulder, as if trying to shove the obstacle aside. Of course, Regen stood firm like an unmovable wall.

 

“Don’t threaten Her Highness. Step back.”

 

“I didn’t threaten her. And save that look for that b*stard instead of me.”

 

“…”

 

“Hah, fine. Your Highness Rosasia, listen carefully from there.” Dominic leaned past Regen’s shoulder and met my eyes, growling. “I’m your escape route. Don’t get foolish ideas.”

 

This situation irritated me.

 

“Lord Emilio, it would be best if we continue our conversation later.”

 

“Yes. I shall await your message, Your Highness.”

 

“Please leave first. Sir Dominic might harm you.”

 

“My thanks for your consideration.”

 

Emilio disappeared completely among the crimson fall shrubs. Only Regen, Dominic, and I remained in the quiet garden. The chirping birds and the refreshing sound of the fountain did nothing to calm my sharpened nerves.

 

“Sir Regen, step aside for a moment.”

 

I stood directly before Dominic. He looked down at me with a face that seemed to have much to say. First, I needed to fix this incorrect difference in eye level.

 

“Rosas—ugh.”

 

I yanked sharply on the tie around his neck. Strangling him would have been more satisfying, but merely grabbing his collar instead made me remarkably merciful for a tyrant’s daughter. Staring into his slightly unfocused crimson eyes, I spat the words out. “Dominic Mizekal. Do you want to be played that badly?”

 

“…What do you mean by that?”

 

“You don’t get it? Because you always show your emotions so transparently, His Majesty plays with you. Quite amusingly.”

 

“…”

 

His crimson eyes widened as if swelling.

 

Seeing my words sink in, I added a warning. “Before you start talking about being my escape route or whatever, learn to manage yourself first. Otherwise, I might end up using you too.”

 

Dominic’s face twisted violently. Thinking I had scratched his pride enough to bring him to his senses, I was about to release his collar. But then, with an expression I had never seen before, he met my eyes and spoke.

 

“…me.”

 

“Use me.”

 

“…”

 

…Has he lost his mind? That uncharacteristically tender expression felt like it was turning my insides upside down. When all he ever did was get in my way. And all he ever did was irritate me.

 

The look on his face felt like it touched something inside me, and it filled me with intense rejection. This wasn’t an emotion I should feel toward Dominic Mizekal. So I sharpened my tone more than necessary. “Use you? How could I, when you’re so frightening?”

 

“Frightening?”

 

“What if you slash my face again?”

 

“…!”

 

This was a taboo between Dominic and me. Bringing up a past from ten years ago proved extremely effective. Dominic’s eyes flew wide open, and he froze so completely that even the rise and fall of his chest disappeared. He seemed to be reliving the memory, so I decided not to interrupt.