TLDOWN 54

CHAPTER 54………..

Keep Your Word

“Eh? Then what…?”

However, Lea could not continue speaking. The moment she felt the heat radiating from Akkia, a sense of déjà vu washed over her, as if she had felt this before.

‘Could it be… a side effect…?’

For an instant, Lea froze at the thought that it resembled the symptoms of the new drug’s side effects.

Since that night, how many days had she spent holed up in her room, wringing her head in worry?

And yet, here was this situation again. Lea’s nerves were taut; she could clearly feel beads of sweat trickling down her spine.

“You said you’d take responsibility.”

He muttered in a low, cavernous voice. Sliding his left hand from the desk that separated them, he wrapped it around her waist.

“You have to keep your word.”

Tight, as if to trap her.

“Th-That…”

His arrogant attitude seemed to dare her to answer.

Yes, he had said he would take responsibility. But that responsibility was only as a pharmacist regarding side effects.

Was she trying to avoid the fiery gaze of the man before her? Or denying the subtle heat that was beginning to creep through her own body?

Unable to even meet the man’s eyes reflected in the spotless glass, she finally averted her gaze.

“Lea.”

When Lea remained with her head lowered, Akkia lifted the hand resting on the desk.

Slowly, he cupped her cheek and lifted her head. Once again, she met the man’s lust in the mirror-like glass.

‘A starving beast.’

Indeed, the man’s face now resembled a carnivorous animal starved for days. She was like a herbivore placed before such a predator.

Even after he had repeated her name several times, Lea gave no response, prompting Akkia to speak first.

“You need to answer.”

Each movement of his lips sent a shiver down her neck. His hot breath, the faintly rough press of his lips—

Even the faintest hairs on her skin stood on end from the dizzying sensation.

Like a child begging their mother for candy, he urged her, as if demanding the answer he wanted.

With each word he spoke, Lea felt her mind growing dizzy. Unable to bear it, she pulled away from his embrace and met his gaze.

“…Alright.”

Avoiding the Duke’s heated gaze, she answered. At last, when Lea spoke, he looked down at her with an expectant glint in his eyes.

“I’ll quickly fill the bathtub. If you immerse yourself in cold water, then surely…”

But that wasn’t the answer he wanted, it seemed. His furrowed brow even before she finished speaking was proof.

“No.”

• Thud.

Before he could finish speaking, Akkia grabbed Lea’s wrist as she tried to leave the room.

“More importantly…”

He drew her into his embrace. His nose, so close it seemed they could touch, brushed against hers.

Even in the quiet darkness, his intense desire was palpable.

When her gaze fell on his lips, moist and full at the tip of his sharp nose, Lea’s lips went dry.

“I think this will be more effective.”

Ignoring the shock in her wide-open eyes, he crushed his lips onto hers—relentless, as if to swallow her whole.

The small room, once filled only with silence, was soon suffused with sultry breaths and wet sounds.

‘I need to stop this.’

She had to push the Duke away and leave the room immediately.

She knew that. But why…

‘Do I not want to stop?’

Unlike reason, her instincts urged her to cling to him more. Like that night, it whispered as if a devil coaxed her to plunge into the depths with him.

‘…No.’

Barely holding onto her reason, Lea exhaled and spoke.

“Ha… Wait a moment. I can’t—anymore…”

She spoke half-lidded, pleading.

“Not enough.”

The Duke, whose eyes blazed with desire, leaned toward her lips again—but then he stopped.

“…Duke?”

Sensing something was off, she gently opened her eyes. The Duke was staring at the door with alert caution.

Confused, Lea called out to him—but then she heard someone’s footsteps brushing past her ear.

“Duke, someone’s outside—”

“Shh.”

Placing a finger gently over her lips, he signaled her to be quiet.

‘Who could it be…?’

There should have been no one else in the mansion but them. Yet the distant footsteps were now approaching.

Finally, as the heavy footsteps stopped at the door,

• Thud!

The Duke, standing by the door, forcefully flung it open. And there stood—

“Duke…!”

“Rikel?”

Startled by the suddenly opened door, Rikel clasped his chest and asked,

“I couldn’t find you in the room, so I looked around. But…”

He looked alternately at the two, clearly puzzled.

“Why are you two here…?”

Annoyed by Rikel’s dazed reaction, the Duke ran a hand through his hair.

“Follow me.”

His gaze was sharp, almost lethal—if one could kill with eyes, it would have been those of the Duke just now staring at Rikel.

❀ ❀ ❀

The next morning, an awkward atmosphere hung between Lea and the Duke at the large dining table.

‘Ugh, it’s distracting.’

She found herself repeatedly glancing toward the Duke.

Even the tempting aroma of soup did little to stir her appetite.

The moment she woke, memories of last night’s events with the Duke resurfaced, making her silently scream.

Had Rikel not arrived in the middle of the night, she shuddered to think how it might have ended.

‘What is this…?’

The important thing was, she did not dislike the Duke. Being with him, even kissing him as last night, did not feel wrong.

Whether it was the new drug’s side effects causing a strong desire, or genuine feelings for him, she could not tell—her mind was confused.

She remembered the sensations they shared last night. Thinking of the passionate kiss, she realized she was touching her own lips.

‘I must be crazy… thinking about this while eating…!’

Lea hastily withdrew her hand, only to meet Akkia’s gaze across the table.

He studied her with a curious expression, watching her emotions flicker.

Feeling as if he could read her mind, he spoke first.

“I plan to visit the National Library this afternoon.”

“The National Library? Why there?”

The National Library in the capital was the largest in the Croatea Empire, run directly by the royal palace and containing both ancient and newly published works.

She had wanted to visit it to better understand the side effects of the new drug, but had not yet had the chance since arriving in the capital. Today, she finally had free time.

“I want to investigate the side effects quickly. I’ll be back soon.”

She thought it better to get fresh air outside rather than stay cooped up in the mansion with the Duke all day. If she could also find a solution to the side effects, it would be ideal.

“Very well.”

As the Duke spoke, lowering his spoon, a knock came at the door.

“Someone’s here? I’ll go see.”

Lea, grateful for the interruption in their awkward breakfast, felt her face brighten. The Duke chuckled quietly, bemused.

“Is this the residence of Duke Hydern?”

“Yes, but may I ask who you are?”

Opening the door, a stranger bowed to Lea.

“I come from the royal palace. May I ask if you are the pharmacist, Miss Lea?”

“Yes, I am Lea.”

“Then I have found the right person.”

Before she could fully react, Akkia approached her side.

“And who are you?”

“Duke, I was sent by Marquis Rodrigo from the royal palace.”

He handed a letter bearing the royal seal to the Duke.

“It is an imperial command.”

“……”

“The Emperor orders Duke Hydern and Miss Lea to appear at court immediately.”

.
.
.

Startled by the Emperor’s sudden command, they left breakfast unfinished and walked toward the palace.

“Why would His Majesty summon me as well?”

“You’ll find out when we get there.”

Following the servant’s quiet lead, Lea whispered to Akkia.

“Shall we wait here for a moment?”

The servant went inside briefly and returned. As they were about to follow him, he spoke again:

“Pharmacist, would you like to wait here for a while? His Majesty wishes to speak with the Duke alone first.”

Hearing this, Lea stopped. She looked up at Akkia, who nodded slightly, signaling her to wait.

The servant, having escorted the Duke to the audience chamber, approached Lea and asked gently:

“It seems their conversation may take some time. Would you like to tour the palace in the meantime?”

“The palace?”

“Yes. Perhaps the royal library or anywhere else you wish.”

Lea pondered for a moment. She had wanted to visit the library but knew she would be occupied for hours once she started reading.

Then she remembered the herb greenhouse she had visited before but could not properly explore. This seemed like a good opportunity to see it properly.

“Then, instead of the library, may I visit the herb greenhouse?”

“The herb greenhouse?”

“Yes. As a pharmacist, I am interested in herbs. Last time I visited, I was in a hurry and couldn’t look properly.”

The servant’s eyes widened in surprise but then nodded at her.

“Very well. His Majesty said you may visit anywhere you wish. I will guide you.”

“I would appreciate that…”

Lea smiled warmly at the servant.