Chapter 10.2

If this relationship was nothing but bitterness, she should’ve been able to end it easily.
So why couldn’t she say the words? Rosaline bit the inside of her cheek.

And then, cold water was dumped over her head, in the form of Synox’s next words.

“…Do you think I’m doing this because I chose Aria Rensier?”

“What?”

“If I hadn’t gone to her that day—”

“Stop talking.”

Yes, Rosaline liked Synox.

But that didn’t mean she was the kind of person who accepted everything a man said, just because she had feelings for him.

And she definitely wasn’t going to put up with that kind of nonsense.

She stepped forward and shoved her hands against his chest, pushing him with a mix of disbelief and fury.

“How little must you think of me to say something like that?”

He thought she was upset because he had chosen Aria? She had been relieved and thankful that her sister was safe. Did he really think she’d be angry that the one in danger hadn’t been her sister?

He must’ve seen her as the kind of person who would wish misfortune on her own sister. He would not have dared say that otherwise.

And in that moment, Rosaline realized it. There was only one reason Synox thought he could speak to her that way.

Because he knew she liked him.

…Sure, she wasn’t innocent either.

Even knowing he loved Aria, she’d clung to him and had even asked for his body.

If she really thought about it, she’d given him the opening. But still, that didn’t make it feel any less disgusting.

Rosaline took a deep breath.

“I truly think it was for the best that you went to my sister that day, Lord Aphlenta.”

Whether Synox Aphlenta or anyone else around her believed her, she didn’t care. It didn’t change the truth.

Maybe it was the rush of emotion, but her vision dimmed for a moment before returning.
Rosaline stumbled slightly. Synox reached out and caught her by the arm. His large hand, wrapped in silk gloves, closed tightly around her wrist.

“If I had known you’d be the one to suffer, I wouldn’t have gone to Aria Rensier.”

Hah, a hollow laugh slipped from her lips. So, this was meant to be comforting? Like handing a piece of candy to a crying child? He couldn’t have picked a worse way to try and soothe her.

Words like that didn’t bring her comfort. They only added to the insult.

Rosaline glared at him, eyes sharp as glass. She spoke slowly, each syllable laced with scorn.

“No matter what would’ve happened to me, Lord Aphlenta, you should have gone to my sister.”

This was a man who had lived nearly a decade with eyes for Aria and Aria alone. Wouldn’t it be idiotic to expect anything else from him?

Of all people, Synox should understand that better than anyone. Yet he stood there, brows furrowed, staring at her with a frown.

Why was he looking at her like she’d just slapped him? Rosaline bit the inside of her cheek.

He was the one who had practically slapped her with his words, and yet he wore the face of someone grievously wounded. His expression twisted, not in anger, but something far softer and fragile. Almost like… hurt.

Rosaline pulled her wrist from his grasp.

“That’s enough, Lord Aphlenta. I think you understand what I’m saying by now.”

“…”

“So please, just let me—”

And then, her vision went black.

In that instant, just before she lost her balance, Synox caught her by the waist.

“You need help now, Miss Rensier.”

His voice was low, almost coaxing, like calming a frightened child. Rosaline squirmed, trying to push out of his arms.

“W-why do you even care?”

She had pride, damn it. She didn’t want to just collapse into the arms of the man she had just been arguing with.

But then—

“You don’t want to lose your sight, do you?”

…And just like that, all her strength drained away.

Without another word, Synox scooped her up in his arms.

He began retracing the path she’d so wearily taken moments before, his long strides unfaltering. And despite everything, being in his arms made her body feel a little lighter. Enough that Rosaline couldn’t deny the truth of her condition anymore.

Would it always be like this from now on? Seeing Synox only because of her body’s condition?

“This has to be the last time.”

That’s what he had said the last time they slept together.

Even though she knew she was in no position to protest, the words had stung so bitterly, they made her want to cry. Rosaline quickly wiped her cheek.

Clack.

In the rush to dry her tears, she didn’t notice the fan slipping from her hand and falling to the floor. Synox noticed it only in passing, casting it a brief glance, but he didn’t stop walking.

Just before opening the door to the lounge reserved for the Rensier family, he spoke quietly by her ear. His tone was calm, but what he said left no room for misunderstanding. Today won’t end with just a kiss.

“I’ll keep it as close to normal as possible,” he added, “So think of this as something other than receiving help, Miss Rensier.”

But unless she were a fool, there was no way she could forget the conversation they’d just had in the hallway.

Click.

The lounge door shut behind them. Synox, still holding Rosaline in his arms, moved toward the sofa. As he leaned down to set her down, she turned to look at him.

“Let’s do it from behind today.”