Chapter 139 - North Korean rabbit

Chapter 139

What Hilia remembered of marital relations was, of course, just that.

Her memories with Ludwig were uniformly dreadful.

If she showed even a hint of refusal or dislike, verbal abuse and violence would immediately fly her way.

"Don't cry! Why are you making such an irritating fuss!"

"You can't even be grateful that someone like me pays you any attention...!"

Moreover, Ludwig and Evangeline would perform explicit acts right before her eyes and mock her.

For Hilia, matters between men and women held not a single good memory.

Naturally, contact with men was merely a catalyst that evoked unpleasant memories.

Yet, she did not reveal this openly.

The experience gained through multiple regressions had taught her that such things were weaknesses.

'Because weaknesses... must be hidden.'

No matter who was present.

She thought she had hidden it well. So, Arpad couldn't possibly know.

But as her married life with Arpad lengthened and their relationship deepened beyond her expectations, she realized.

She thought she had hidden it quite well, but she hadn't.

Arpad knew of Hilia's fear of men.

Though she only came to realize it not long ago.

He had been considerate each and every time.

Precisely, like now.

It was strange and incomprehensible why he wasn't getting angry or pressing her.

'If he wants me... shouldn't he press me more or get angry?'

At her words, Arpad asked with a slightly dazed expression and a bewildered tone.

"Why I'm not getting angry?"

Seeing Hilia nod, Arpad forcefully suppressed the anger that surged up.

His current rage was not directed at Hilia.

He had to suppress it properly.

"Because there's no reason to get angry?"

Hilia still wore an expression of not fully understanding.

"Hmm, when a man wants a woman, isn't it natural that he should do as he pleases? I thought the woman just had to follow."

"Absolutely not."

"Of course the man's pleasure and enjoyment come first."

Arpad felt like a teacher instructing a child.

It felt quite unfamiliar to have this feeling in front of Hilia.

'She acted as if she knew everything, yet she says such absurd things...'

He inwardly cursed the culprit who had made Hilia harbor such nonsensical thoughts.

There was only one. Among those around Hilia, the one capable of instilling such fear of men.

Moreover, the one who could make her hold such ridiculous prejudices.

'It's only that bastard Ludwig.'

He gritted his teeth silently.

Though the bastard was already ruined, he felt anew that the punishment had been far too insufficient.

Simultaneously, he spoke as gently, kindly, yet firmly as possible.

"That is absolutely not true. A man and woman should be happy together."

"......"

"I want you to reach out your hand to me purely because you want me."

Hilia, who had fallen silent for a moment, spoke with a dazed expression.

"It doesn't suit you."

"Why?"

"Because you're talking as if you have no greed at all."

At that, Arpad laughed brightly.

"This is actually a case of being very greedy, I'd say."

"Is that so?"

"Of course. Because I want you to want me, the man, not out of a sense of duty or fear. I want to monopolize your heart, your sincerity, even your desire."

This was sincere.

In fact, considering the attitude and violence Arpad showed towards others, Hilia's prejudice might be correct.

He had never shown consideration for others or restrained his own actions for someone else's sake when he wanted something.

He felt little aversion to ruining others or taking lives.

Even if he avoided it by calculating the negative consequences.

But only one person was an exception.

He sincerely did not wish for Hilia to be with him out of fear or any other reason.

He wanted her to choose him entirely of her own volition.

And he wished she would simply be happy by his side.

All these emotions and thoughts were a first-time experience for Arpad.

Moreover, though he himself denied it, these values were also greatly influenced by what he had witnessed growing up.

Regardless of his innate temperament or disposition, the first marital relationship he saw and learned after his birth was that of his father and mother.

Theirs was not a political marriage but a love match.

The Emperor still missed the late Empress.

Regardless of what Arpad thought of his father, the role of a husband and marital relationship as he understood it should be like that.

And, crucially, Arpad liked seeing Hilia's smiling face.

Arpad spoke these words with nothing but sincerity.

"I just want you to smile in front of me. I want you to be only joyful and happy. In any matter with me."

At those words, Hilia seemed both relieved and moved. Seeing moisture glisten at the corners of her eyes, Arpad swiftly kissed away her tears.

Hilia spoke in an uncharacteristically tiny voice.

"...Thank you."

Even seeing her moved to tears like this made his heart lurch.

He never wanted to see her crying or in pain.

Like that utterly nonsensical figure from the dream...

Or, shedding bloody tears, pressing a golden-glinting dagger to her own throat...

"...?"

Arpad stiffened like stone.

The vision that had just flashed through his mind was terribly vivid.

As if it were a memory that had once truly been his.

'What is this?'

Arpad had quite a few similar experiences.

He often had strange dreams, and now he saw visions even while awake.

Moreover, not long ago, something even more absurd had happened.

"Seeing that the ring you chose has returned to you, it seems it was destined to end up this way after all."

His father had clearly said that he himself had chosen Hilia's wedding ring.

He had no such memory.

If Hilia hadn't subdued his madness, he would have seriously pondered it.

Whether he was truly going mad.

But he wasn't.

Even during the Crimson Month, except for the first two days spent with Hilia, his madness had not risen at all.

It wasn't madness.

Then, what in the world was this?

* * *

Recently, Yulken's work environment had been very smooth.

Because the mood of his sole, immensely influential superior was exceedingly good.

A situation where simply saying 'in a good mood' couldn't fully describe it.

Arpad seemed to be literally walking on clouds.

The starting point, surprisingly, was from the middle of the Crimson Moon period.

'Originally, Crimson Moon was a time when we had to hold our breath and get through it.'

If one made even a slight mistake, incidents involving bloodshed and ominous rumors would often circulate.

Each time, Yulken would pray, 'Please, let this time pass without any incident.'

But this Crimson Moon, Arpad's condition was excessively good.

He carried out his duties very soundly, with no trace of madness in sight.

Moreover, his expression was so relaxed that anyone could see Arpad was in a very good mood.

Yulken, of course, and all the palace attendants of the Crown Prince's Palace, inwardly cheered.

And they became convinced.

'It's thanks to Her Highness the Crown Princess!'

'Our Crown Princess has finally... His Highness the Crown Prince...!'

'As expected of the Crown Princess blessed by the great Artanus!'

This rumor was quietly spreading, centered around the Crown Prince's Palace.

Yulken was actively striving to spread this rumor in all directions.

Because it was an opportunity to instantly erase the fear, wariness, and distrust towards Arpad.

That's how it was.

That's how it was!

But what in the world was this sudden bolt from the blue now?

The moment Yulken arrived at work and saw Arpad sitting coiled in his office, radiating murderous intent, he closed the door right away.

"I am not feeling well today and will take my leave early."

Then, a low voice, as if asserting his mood was truly low, caught the secretary's ankle.

"If you're confident you can handle the aftermath later, go ahead and leave like that."

"......"

Years of experience were sounding alarm bells.

This was dangerous. Truly dangerous. If things went even slightly awry, it wasn't just a matter of life being at risk.

Shedding tears profusely, Yulken had no choice but to enter the den where an angry dragon lay coiled.

Arpad was not holding back any negative emotions, revealing them all.

Rage, fury, jealousy, and so on.

Cold sweat trickled down Yulken's spine.

'Why is this man suddenly acting like this?!'

To Yulken, who wanted to cry at this sudden calamity, Arpad, with a force as if risen from hell, asked.

"Where is that Ludwig bastard now and what is he doing?"

Romance, Fantasy,