I Slept with the Villain Holding My Hand

 

✿

 

He hadn’t done anything yet, and he had no impure intentions, but his face burned with embarrassment because he felt like he was caught.

 

“Oh, I…”

 

Reukis, who couldn’t take out his outstretched hand with his fingertips flinching, finally shut his mouth.

 

His face was revealed because he wasn’t wearing a mask.

 

Although the other person was drunk, if she remembered his face, it could lead to some disturbances later.

 

As soon as their eyes met, Reukis bowed his head and thought that he should abandon Kalix and return to his mansion.

 

At that time, Merria lightly squeezed his left hand on her shoulder.

 

Surprised, Reukis tried to take off his hand from her shoulder, but Merria didn’t mind, reaching out her other hand and putting it on his face.

 

“Why? You can’t sleep again?”

 

It was a friendly voice as if she were dealing with a child who was struggling to sleep.

 

Something blue began to flow from Merria’s hand.

 

At the same time, Reukis felt the darkness, which was always shaking to eat his body, calmed down like a windless lake.

 

‘What…’

 

Reukis was so embarrassed at the situation that he couldn’t even blink.

 

It was true that only his closest aide knew, about the day that ‘Tragedy of the Grand Duke’ happened.

 

Reukis’ dark magic outburst left one more scar beside the death of the Grand Duchess. He had to live with boiling heat and insomnia due to the aftermath of the explosion.

 

To deal with the strong darkness, he had to endure and deal with his nerves always on the brink of exploding.

 

Reukis slowly raised his head, which he had bowed after a long silence. His trembling eyes turned to Merria.

 

Reukis gently accepted her touch, like a man in bondage.

 

Soon afterward, as if she had finished caressing his cheeks, her pretty lips, with her hand retracted, were softly bent.

 

“Are you okay now Derek?”

 

It was a voice that was sweet like her soft smile.

 

Reukis, who got better as she said, nodded slowly, even though he didn’t know who Derek was.

 

‘Who’s this woman? Are you a witch?’

 

A suspicious woman who got rid of his sickness that neither the priest nor the wizard could fix.

 

His vigilance towards her which happened for a while did not last long.

 

My head became hazy, as the fatigue that had accumulated over the years was healed, and found the peace that came after a very long time.

 

Reukis’ eyelids gradually became heavier.

 

Instinctively, I didn’t want to miss her touch, so I held her fingertips slightly.

 

It was like a child with a cold, looking for his mother’s hand.

 

When her hands got tangled, Merria, who had pulled him closer familiarly, laid Reukis next to her.

 

“This sister’s gonna show you a secret, a kiss.”

 

Merria tapped her index finger around her lips and pressed it.

 

Reukis, whose head was dizzy when he first experienced such comfort, stiffened like a stone.

 Hmm…  

The woman with her sweet voice came close to his face in an instant.

 

And then…

 Chuu— 

She grabbed Reukis’ cheeks and kissed him briefly.

 

Then Merria, who kissed him on the nose, forehead, and cheeks, bowed down as if she were satisfied.

 

He patted the confused Reukis on the head and burst into laughter as if she found his reaction cute.

 

Reukis, who couldn’t even guess what was going on, buried his head in the bed.

 

“Good night.”

 

Reukis, who was captured by the calming touch and affectionate stroke of her hand, eventually closed his eyelids, unable to overcome sleep.

 

It was a warm sleep where no nightmares or burning headaches existed.

 

✿

 

“Your Highness, it’s Kalix.’’

 

Reukiss, who recalled last night, was out of his mind, ignoring the voice from outside.

 

On the day he met Merria, Reukis, who had fallen asleep, was awakened by Kalix, who returned to the lounge after a while.

 

But the side of the bed next to him was already cold.

 

Reukis, who couldn’t overcome his sleepiness and missed Merria, was deeply discouraged.

 

It was very difficult to find a woman I met at a party that didn’t reveal her identity or name in this large capital.

 

That woman must have taken the potion as well, so it would be difficult to find her by the color of her eyes or her hair color 

 

The only clue was her voice and a mysterious ability that I had never seen.

 

‘I’ve had enough rest. I’ll be attending all parties of my age starting today, so I could check all of the young aristocrats and find you.’

 

‘Until then… ! Just see…’

 

Kalix, who seemed to have seen the change in Reukis, was a little annoyed, but finding Merria was the first thing to do. 

 

Since that day, I have attended most of the parties in the capital to find her.

 

Was it because I had to hide my return, so I only observed the ladies from a distance?

 

No matter how hard I searched, I couldn’t even meet a woman with a similar atmosphere.

 

As the memories of her gradually faded, I even thought that it was an illusion created by my suffering.

 

Reukis had a gloomy day like a man who was cursed by an evil sorcerer.

 

Even at night, the butler who couldn’t see the haggard Reukis like this anymore, raised his voice as he wandered to find her.

 

“Master, I couldn’t let you go like this! If you go out today, I’ll find a new Master and leave!”

 

At the end of the butler’s plea that he should rest, Reukis was forced to sleep.

 

In the meantime, Kalix got information from the maid that Reukis used to like desserts.

 

Kalix thought it was a good opportunity to change his mood, so no one could stop him.

 

“As far as I know, there’s a limited edition cake available at a famous store in the capital, If you’re asleep for a while, I’ll be right back and bring you cake!”

 

Reukis slowly rose from his bed.

 

You don’t do what I ask you to do, and you go around buying cakes.

 

Reukis, who wore a light shirt and pants, left the room after taking the sword he had placed on the bedside intending to do personal training.

 

When I opened the door, I saw Kalix, who carefully carried the cake with the maid, in the reception room.

 

“I saved you from the battlefield a few times, and you’ve followed me this far.”

 

Reukis has already had enough of Kalix’s perseverance and loyalty.

 

Originally, Kalix was an Imperial apprentice knight, Kalix participated in the war because it gave him enormous gains in the promotion test.

 

Usually, the first time you go to war, it’s worth being discouraged, but Kalix overcame it with his unique determination.

 

Even if he wears a sword well and does not care about others, he was a person who behaves well, so I took him.

 

So, in a dangerous moment, I saved him a few times during the war.

 

He suddenly insisted that he would follow Reukis, who was returning to the capital, saying he would give his allegiance.

 

The butler was quite pleased with the loyal Kalix and began to treat him as Reukis’ aide.

 

Kalix did not give in to Reukis’ cold eyes and recommended the cake.

 

“The line was cut off in front of me, but I managed to get the last piece. It was the most famous place in the capital city. Try it, Your Highness.”

 

“Are you doing everything you need to do Kalix? But you’re taking a break like this?”

 

Reukis fiddled with the handle of the sword and asked, “I’m going to drag you to the field right now.”

 

The maid, who had finished her work, went outside.

 

Though not aware, the competent Kalix found that everyone had disappeared and took out the papers from inside his chest.

 

The proudly raised corners of his mouth were uncomfortable, but Reukis accepted the papers without a word.

 

The content of the documents was a list of nobles in the capital city that Kalix bought from the Information Guild.

 

“These are the young ladies of the family who are expected to attend the party that day.”

 

Reukis, who was flipping through the papers, gave me a short appreciation.

 

“It’s more than I thought.”

 

Thinking about finding Merria among these, I felt like I was already tired.

 

Kalix nodded in agreement with the remark.

 

“Yes, rumors that his Majesty Altheon would return soon spread, so it took some time to gather information as there were many young girls who came to the capital recently. Portraits of some ladies were not available, but they are said to have been unraveled in as much detail as possible based on the information collected.”

 

“I know. Get out.”

 

Kalix quickly stepped out of the room as Reukis relaxed.

 

I didn’t forget to try the cake until the end.

 

Reukis, who was frowning at Kalix’s persistent appearance, slowly turned over the documents.

 

There were endless documents of personal information and portraits drawn by experts.

 

I carefully examined the papers, drawing in my mind the image of her that I saw that day.

 

Soon his hand stopped.

 

Reukis pulled out the documents and read them carefully.

 

________________________________________________________________

“

Serinia Rackester

“

Family:

Rackester, Duke

Age:

23 (approximate)

Special Notes: Working as an Intermediate Researcher at Crowley Academy.

________________________________________________________________

 

He stared at the portrait of Serinia, which was drawn on the side.

 

A noble lady, an aristocrat in her twenties, with white skin and bright red eyes, and long pinkish platinum hair.

 

Except for the hair color and the eyes, it fits all the conditions well.

 

The woman I saw that day had normal brown hair, but since Kalix and Reukis drank potions, she must have, too.

 

On the other hand, if you were a competent researcher at the academy, it was also possible that you know how to deal with dark magic.

 

Her eyes felt a little different, but she had the most similar atmosphere among the young ladies I have ever seen.

 

Half-confident, Reukis called Kalix, who was waiting outside the door.

 

“Kalix, find out if there’s a person named Derek related to Princess Rackester.”

 

Reukis called in the butler and said he would like to visit Rackester’s residence as soon as possible.

 

I wanted to see her face with my own eyes.  And I wanted to ask.

 

Was the woman who disappeared suddenly Serinia? If yes, how could you control the darkness?

 

Please, as soon as possible, I want to meet you.

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