Chapter 237

Danyerin was just too different from everyone else.

While others charged forward like trucks, Danyerin seeped in like a slow-acting poison.

Everyone has their own way of enjoying thrills, and it seems Danyerin is inclined that way. Maybe it’s because her life has often been on the line.

Anyway, Danyerin stayed up all night, chatting with me. Most of it was about her past.

“My mother was a wise woman. Some might belittle her as cunning, but wisdom varies with its use,” she said.

“Wisdom.”

“Yes. Wisdom. One of the essential virtues in life. I used to want to name myself after it, but that no longer matters.”

As she spoke, Danyerin occasionally stroked my cheek or touched my shoulder, trying to engage in contact frequently.

As if she wanted to study my body more closely, she smiled all the while.

Not just her hands but her legs too. She subtly rubbed my thigh.

She knew very well how to drive a man insane.

‘She probably… doesn’t have a boyfriend, does she?’

Danyerin had lived alone all this time. She had friends in the past, but they betrayed her.

The impact of that betrayal was far too great, causing her to firmly shut her heart. But that didn’t mean she had no companions at all.

First off, Danyerin is a beauty. Her figure, covered by clothes, is not at all the typical frail body of an Eastern person.

Above all, her biggest strength is her aura. A maturity that differs from Kara, and a uniquely enchanting vibe.

Moreover, she even has a touch of decadence, making her similar to a fox that’s perfect for captivating others. That has indeed happened a few times.

‘They all died, though.’

It wasn’t that I died protecting Danyerin, but rather that I was killed for failing to assassinate her.

The current prince—the crown prince of the Hwan Empire—is very power-hungry. He’s probably purging his siblings one by one to become the emperor.

Danyerin has experienced this since the past and has managed to survive to this day. Because of that, if you closely observe her actions, you’ll find a slightly prickly side.

“My dear, do you have an ideal type?”

“Ideal type?”

“The kind of person you like. If you wish, I can change myself to fit what you want.”

····· Is she being prickly? She seems more soft than anything, like she might melt away.

Even now, she’s wrapping her arms around my neck while looking up at me. It’s a posture typical of affectionate lovers.

Neither Eli nor anyone else has ever shared this kind of dynamic. The closest might be Grace hugging me.

A thirst for affection that I’ve been lacking. Since her mother died, Danyerin hasn’t received the proper affection she deserves.

“Um… breasts?”

“Breasts?”

“Yes. I like them big.”

Well, I guess I should answer. My ideal type has always been straightforward. I can say it without a hint of embarrassment.

If a civilized person said it, they’d likely receive creepy looks, but that’s not me. I can easily brush that off saying it’s just how it is.

In this way, sometimes being primitive is surprisingly comfortable. It’s a big advantage when it comes to instinctive or direct matters.

“Breasts… like this?”

Danyerin smiled brightly and took action. She took my hand and gently placed it near her chest.

It was such a natural movement that I couldn’t pull my hand back in time. Thanks to that, I could properly feel her soft touch.

Squishy—

“··· ···”

As expected, they’re quite large. Is it possible for such a size to exist on someone with the delicate frame typical of an Eastern person?

Even Eli had never directly touched them, but Danyerin had none of that. She simply gave me whatever I wanted.

Others approach cautiously, but she strides in boldly. It’s somewhat bewildering.

“Back home, it was only uncomfortable… I’m glad you like it,” she said.

“··· ···”

“Hmm~”

Did she read my expression? Danyerin let out a strange, airy sound as I was bemusedly holding her chest.

Then she stealthily moved my hand, placing it more towards the center of her chest.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

The heartbeat resonating between the deep valley of her cleavage finally jolted me to awareness.

My hand was practically buried in her chest, but Danyerin didn’t mind. With a beaming smile, she said:

“Can you feel it? You made it this way.”

“······Me?”

“Yes. In contrast, you…”

Danyerin placed her delicate hand on the center of my chest.

She then wore a slightly disappointed expression and spoke.

“Calm. Just like before.”

“··· ···”

“I guess you’re still lacking. That makes me like you even more.”

Danyerin’s hand that once rested on my chest slowly ascended, heading toward my cheek.

Her warm hand brushed against my cheek softly. Then Danyerin smiled and said:

“I will make your heart race. Stronger than anyone else. I promise.”

“··· ···”

“You’ll soon understand the thrill of relationships like never before.”

It felt like she was outright declaring that she’d engage in an affair. Well, to be honest, it looks like a full-blown affair.

Last time, didn’t Grace catch onto us? Just thinking about it sends shivers down my spine.

Fortunately, it passed without incident, but the moment she maintains an ambiguous atmosphere, it’ll be easy for others to catch on too.

“······Is that okay? Won’t it hurt?”

“Normally, it would hurt.”

It would be one thing if I just got hurt, but if I got stabbed, I’d have no excuses. Danyerin agreed with that.

However, what followed was so audacious that it left me speechless.

“But it wouldn’t matter if one more person joined in, would it?”

“··· ···”

“There’s a difference between being bold and being secretive. Because of my past, I like secrets.”

That doesn’t seem right. Isn’t it just because she wants to enjoy herself?

Even with my suspicious gaze, Danyerin maintained her smile.

As shameless as she is, that’s part of Danyerin’s charm. She’d have to try hard to keep a straight face even with a steel plate on her.

“Anyway, aren’t you fine after getting stabbed? Just take a hit and get over it.”

“··· ···”

“I’m more than willing to take a hit too.”

I was almost speechless in disbelief. She knew very well what she was getting herself into.

Of course, she said it half-jokingly. Right now, her priority is the political battle, not the affair.

With Yeohye gone, the only threat to her life for the time being is Lee Yeon-joo.

But since we’ve started meeting every night, the chance of failing to assassinate Lee Yeon-joo has risen significantly.

‘I’ll have to make her suffer the moment I attempt the assassination.’

I’m also thinking of reporting this to Danyerin so she can meet with Lee Yeon-joo. After that, everything should sort itself out.

With one knot untied today, I can slowly work through the remaining knots.

I blinked a few times and lowered my head to face Danyerin. She’s perpetually enchanting.

“Danyerin.”

“Just call me Yeon-joo comfortably. Or you can call me Partner.”

“······Partner?”

For the record, I didn’t say it in the common language. It seems to be in Hwan Empire’s tongue.

Danyerin nodded at my question and then uttered something ridiculous.

“It means someone you can trust between lovers. A lifelong companion, or something similar.”

“··· ···”

“You should call me that when it’s just the two of us.”

I think I’ll just stay quiet. I couldn’t bring myself to say the word Partner.

It feels like a toxin sinking into my body, but its power is comparable to an 8-ton truck. This is simply how her character is.

“Oh, by the way. In the morning, you should head back to your room. Stay by the bed until Lady wakes up.”

“Not the hospital?”

Originally, I planned on returning straight to the hospital. I didn’t want to give the impression that I caused another incident.

In response, Danyerin smiled at my confusion and said something completely incomprehensible.

“In situations like this, trust is crucial. If you give trust, they’ll have fewer suspicions.”

“······?”

“You look confused. Just try doing as I say.”

I didn’t quite understand, but…

“You’ll have a really amusing reaction.”

It seemed like it might be fun, so I decided to hear her out.

******

It had only been a day. Just one day, but every minute felt like an hour.

Grace tried everything to get some sleep that night, but sadly, she couldn’t drift off.

It felt emptier than ever with Sivar, who had always been by her side, gone. At the same time, her past nightmares returned.

With no one she could firmly rely on, it felt like she was forcibly stripped bare. The sensation of that incident gradually resurfaced.

‘······This won’t do.’

In the end, she had to take a sleep aid to fall asleep. With no human sleep meds, she had no choice but to use drugs.

Fortunately, after today, Sivar would return tomorrow. But there was still something weighing on her mind.

‘Please don’t separate us just for suspecting I’m a demon?’

For Grace, that would be the worst-case scenario. Things had already heated up with the competition.

She had to secure Sivar first to gain any advantage. The other competitors were just too strong.

For now, she pushed down her anxious feelings and tried to sleep. Tomorrow, she would go to the hospital to meet Sivar.

“Hello.”

“··· ···”

“Are you awake?”

But why was a familiar face right next to her as soon as she opened her eyes?

No, it wasn’t just familiar—it was a face she desperately wanted to see. Grace felt the sleep dissipate instantly.

She blinked or rubbed her eyes, checking several times, yet it remained the same.

Bright red eyes like a rabbit and a sweet, innocent face. Lastly, a big figure that looked ready to envelop her.

“S-Sivar?”

“Yes. It’s me, Grace.”

“H-How… ? No, more importantly, why are you here… ?”

Grace shot up and looked around. It wasn’t the hospital but her familiar dormitory.

So why was Sivar here? Her mind wasn’t processing well.

“I missed you.”

“Y-Yeah?”

“Grace, I want to hug and sleep with you. That’s why I’m here.”

In the midst of her confusion, Sivar spoke softly. Grace momentarily froze at his words.

She couldn’t imagine such a phrase coming from Sivar. He usually expressed affection (or a lack thereof) quite rarely.

If he’s going to say something, he’d rather show it through his actions. Hadn’t he done that with others as well?

“S-So… you mean you came to sleep with me… instead of staying at the hospital?”

“Yep.”

“When?”

“Early yesterday morning. While Luna was sleeping.”

Grace processed this again. He must have snuck out to come to her.

It seemed he’d come after taking a sleep aid. When you take that, you fall into a deep sleep, so he probably didn’t hear anything.

“Ah…! Sivar!”

But it didn’t matter. Grace clasped her hands together with joy.

Sivar had snuck out just to be by her side. Just knowing this made her heart swell with happiness.

No, it felt more than just happiness—it felt like she had the whole world at her fingertips.

It was like having a cat that never allowed herself to get close come to her on its own.

“Are you serious? You wanted to sleep by my side?”

“Yes. I was lonely.”

“I was lonely too! Come here, Sivar!”

Grace spread her arms wide, pulling Sivar into an embrace.

Given their size difference, it felt less like she was pulling him in and more like he was enveloping her.

Still, it seemed fine to her, as she held Sivar close and shook her face around.

If there was anyone in the world who felt the happiest right now, it was her. She was sure of it.

“This is great! You’ll be sleeping next to me for the rest of your life, okay?”

“Yep.”

“Hehehe.”

With that promise(?) secured, Grace’s face turned all mushy. She felt like she was melting in happiness.

The sense of accomplishment of getting ahead of others. Moreover, the unique sweetness of love.

Having all of this felt like a middle finger to the emperor. It felt like she had practically gained everything.

Knock knock knock—

At that moment, there was a knock on the door between them. Grace peeked her head out, still hugging Sivar.

She was slightly annoyed, feeling like someone was going to ruin this great atmosphere, but happiness buried all that annoyance.

“Who is it?”

“It’s Danyerin from the next room. Can you let me in for a moment?”

“Sure~ Just a sec~”

Grace pulled Sivar along as she got up. Somehow, it naturally turned into a back hug position.

When she opened the door, Danyerin stood on the other side, still in the Eastern-style pajamas she wore yesterday.

“Um? Why is Sivar here? I heard he was in the hospital.”

“Well, isn’t that curious? I wonder why? Hehehe.”

Danyerin asked with a puzzled face, and Grace smirked mischievously.

But what Grace didn’t realize was that Danyerin was currently acting.

“Since the bodyguard has left his post, there’s no one to have breakfast with me. If you have the time, would it be possible?”

“Of course! Sivar is really good at cooking! Come on in!”

“Thank you.”

As Danyerin walked through the door, she stole a glance at Sivar.

Sivar stared blankly at Danyerin, who came in so naturally.

Tap—

While passing by, she subtly touched his butt. It was an overt gesture.

Plus, since Grace was giving him a back hug, she was completely oblivious.

“Goodness…”

Yes, she truly was a frightening woman.

[Your Faith Rises!!]

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