Could a rugged man's smile be this beautiful?
His smile drew a perfect line as he covered his eyes with his black leather-gloved hand.
He was overwhelmed by pure joy. Her actions, always defying expectations, awakened an unfamiliar sensation that tingled to his fingertips.
"Ah. Diana."
His eyes, peeking through his slightly parted fingers, were alluring. Diana stepped back hesitantly as she gazed into his deep blue eyes of unfathomable depth.
This man. He may look like a predator, but hasn't he been disregarded all this time? To smile so happily after hearing all that.
She looked at Rodrick with concern and made a reasonable suspicion.
His father's words seemed to have been uttered more than just once or twice.
A cursed one destined to die anyway. It seemed that the madness passed down through generations in the family was expected to manifest in one of the brothers.
A role destined to disappear anyway? But what to do? I need to live with you.
"Diana."
Her pink eyes looked at him as she felt the touch of the leather glove on her cheek. The corners of his mouth were still raised, showing no signs of coming down.
"Is this your answer to my proposal?"
Suddenly, she had such a thought. How could someone who built such an iron wall change like this?
She couldn't help but be suspicious when his expressionless face, which had been full of displeasure, crumbled. After all, this man had no attachment to life.
"Rodrick, do you want to live?"
"...Well."
As expected. Right?
"But I'd like you to live."
Her long eyelashes fluttered as she felt his thumb gently caressing her cheek. He's sincere. This man is not lying.
The dark red, swirling curse slowly absorbed into her through his hand.
"..."
The madness he experiences is vicious and cruel. He said he had to endure pain that felt like his whole body was screaming, unable to suppress the urge to kill.
Would he be at peace while she was absorbing the curse? Is that why his attitude has become so gentle? Either way, it wasn't bad for her.
No, it's very good.
"Is that so? I'd like you to live too."
"So, did you go to see the Duke?"
Hmm, I was going to bring up the engagement to Duke Schwartz.
Since the proposal was mentioned, it seems we'll get married. Of course, I could always refuse later.
I even boldly said we'd live together for a hundred years. I was aware it was an impulsive statement. But what could I do when I was angry?
I kept getting upset as they talked about his death.
"That's right. I need you, and your family's power too."
"You need my body more than me. You like touching me, don't you?"
Diana raised her gaze slightly and lifted the corner of her mouth haughtily.
"So, do you dislike it?"
"How could I?"
Honestly, she had no thoughts of marriage. Even in her previous life when she wasn't sick, she thought she'd do it when the time came.
Was she optimistic? If her match didn't appear, she didn't have to do it.
But, he appeared just like that?
And in the same situation, a perfect man with a terminal life who even feels a sense of kinship.
With this appearance and this body, he's even good at fighting. His voice is nice too. Consideration? You can tell by how he takes care of his younger brother. There are no scandals since he avoids women like the plague.
Hmm, husband material approved.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
Diana, who had been resting her cheek in his large hand, grabbed Rodrick's chin.
"Is it okay for me to desire you?"
His lips deepened, seemingly slightly surprised by her sudden words.
"As much as you want."
Do as you wish. His words were muffled between their touching lips.
Wow. Chills. Felice, who had just left the office, shuddered as he saw the couple's actions.
No matter how much he respected and loved his brother, he didn't want to see his own sibling like this.
Felice retreated quietly, careful not to disturb them.
Sister-in-law, please just give birth to a nephew quickly. So he can inherit the family head position. Fighting!
Felice clenched his fist again, cheering for Diana.
[This is the timeline separator]
"Ah-"
"Ahng-"
Noel, following Diana's lead, opened his mouth wide and took a bite of the macaron, wearing the happiest expression in the world.
Sitting on Diana's lap, Noel swung his floating legs happily.
"Is it delicious?"
"Yes!"
Diana, smiling as she looked down at the child, was displaying an elegant demeanor.
"My lady, shall I bring more tea?"
She raised her hand at the tense maid.
At her gesture to leave, the maids and servants bowed deeply and left.
Rodrick, who had been watching her elegantly crafted appearance with interest from across the room, uncrossed his legs.
In reality, the maids had trembled at the sight of Rodrick sitting prominently in the room, but they also recognized Diana, who exuded no less grace than Rodrick, as a presence not to be ignored.
Those of lower rank didn't even know her name or which family she belonged to.
This was because Duke Schwartz, who had investigated the Beatus family, found their concealment of her absence suspicious and controlled the information for her safety.
A lady whose family and name were unknown. They could have treated her like an outsider, but the direct acknowledgment from the family head had a strong impact.
Along with the family head's order to serve her without lacking, they thought she must be a high-ranking noble based on her demeanor.
"Do you like the room?"
"Yes, thank you, Rodrick."
As his prospective fiancée, she had moved to the room next to Rodrick's.
He judged it safer that way. It was to prepare for any potential spies or assassins.
'Please protect us siblings. It seems that the Beatus family has kidnapped and imprisoned us.'
When she said the culprit was someone from her family, Rodrick fell into thought for a moment. No one knows about her absence.
Then wouldn't it be alright to keep her here like this?
He had such a crazy thought that he could keep her in the castle under the pretext of protection.
"What about the Black Rose? What happened?"
Search "seduce" at redcatty [.] com to read ahead up to chap 70.