VIP Early Access
Eksklusif untuk member VIP
Password Protected
Chapter ini dikunci dengan kode khusus
Chapter 27
“…….”
For a while, he could not bring himself to speak. His crimson eyes wavered like a candle flame before a precipice.
“Shall we see if you can enjoy it?”
“Stop.”
Just as Richard raised his hand to undo his belt, a freezing voice fell.
Еń ù ḿ а̀
“Ha…….”
Caelus pressed a hand to his forehead as if he had seen something he shouldn't have. After remaining like that for a long time, only one phrase escaped his lips.
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
“…You are truly, utterly mad.”
One could tell that those few words were packed with a wealth of meaning. The voice that was always chilling was now trembling ever so slightly.
With that, he whipped his head away.
“…….”
Е n̊úm̆а . і̇ d̈
As if he no longer wished to even associate with him, Caelus turned his back on Richard and pulled open the door to the lounge.
Creeak.
Along with the sound of the door closing, the sound of his footsteps grew distant.
***
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
And so the ball ended, and the next day dawned.
As soon as the sun rose, the place Richard headed to was once again the Czeska Ducal Mansion.
W̆ е̊ b n̂ о_v̄ е̃l̂ Е̇n̂ü.mа̇
‘Come find me at the mansion in a day’s time.’
It was to keep his promise to the Duke.
“Please enter, Young Lord Friedrich.”
the moment he stood before the entrance, the guards pulled the doors open to both sides. Richard gave them a light nod and stepped into the drawing room near the fireplace.
There, Duke Wilmar Czeska was already waiting. Wilmar’s shadow was cast neatly across the luxurious carpets laid throughout the room.
“I am glad you are not late.”
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
Wilmar wore a rare, soft smile.
“I have come as promised, Your Grace.”
Richard greeted him with formal courtesy.
“Indeed.”
Wilmar nodded and unfurled a scroll resting on the table.
“First, let us sit and talk.”
W е b̌ ṅ оvе̂l̄ Е̊n̄.ŭḿ a
He gestured with his chin toward the sofa opposite him.
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
Richard sat obediently across from him. He watched the scroll in the Duke’s hand intently.
“However, that is….”
“A contract.”
As soon as Richard expressed his curiosity, the answer came back.
W еbn õ_v̂ е̌l̃ Е n̆ um̆ а̀
“Ah. Of course, it is no ordinary contract. It is a magic contract, you see.”
Curling the corners of his lips, the Duke fluttered the scroll in his hand.
“Have we not decided to be in the same boat from now on?”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
“Then it is only fitting that we bind it with a contract.”
Thud.
Ẽǹu ḿ а̌ .і.d̆
He placed the unfurled magic contract onto the table.
“The contents of the contract are as follows.”
His dignified voice dropped an octave deeper.
“Richard Friedrich shall seduce Crown Prince Caelus le Legnantia. And.”
“…….”
“Wilmar Czeska shall support this entirely.”
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
Richard nodded as he slowly scanned the contract. This much was expected. Seducing Caelus was Richard’s goal, and using that to pull him down was the opponent’s goal.
“And.”
A brief, chilling silence passed.
“The two shall never betray each other’s trust.”
Violet eyes gleamed sharply in the dim light.
“In the event of a breach of contract, the party involved shall be subject to the ‘curse’ bound to this magic contract.”
Ẁ е̄ b n̆о̀ ṽе́ l .Ӗ n̂u m а̀
A violet hue that seemed ready to swallow the darkness itself. In the moment a shiver ran down Richard’s spine from the madness glimpsed deep within those eyes, the other man gave a bright smile as if nothing had happened.
“Is it not simple?”
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
“…Yes.”
Richard’s gaze turned skeptical.
‘A magic contract.’
A type of magic tool containing the mana of mages. These contracts can become extremely dangerous depending on how they are used. For instance… if a clause stating one receives a ‘curse’ for breaking the contract is included, as it is now.
E n u_m̄ ӑ.ї d
According to the rumors that have circulated thus far, those who broke a contract containing such a provision were said to be tormented by unbearable nightmares every night. They are not mere nightmares. They are nightmares that gnaw at a human’s mind like insects.
Those who were cursed were said to suffer from terrible hallucinations as the days went by, eventually becoming unable to distinguish between reality and dreams, and in the end, everyone—
Ended their own lives.
‘Thorough, aren't we.’
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
His water-colored eyes observed Duke Wilmar Czeska before him.
‘He doesn't fully trust me.’
Ŵ е̌b̌n̈о_v е̄ l̈. Е́nùm a
Proffering such a contract meant he was keeping the possibility of betrayal in mind. Even though he had shown a subtle sense of intimacy yesterday, saying they were alike and so on, he was not a Duke for nothing. Today, he was drawing a strict line, calculating without a single gap.
“You only need to leave a thumbprint with your blood.”
The Duke handed him a dagger.
“…….”
Richard met his gaze silently. This was a test. If he did not leave his print here, he would surely appear suspicious.
‘Well….’
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
Richard hid a twisted smile.
‘I have my ways of getting out of it.’
He hadn't lived through dozens of lives for nothing. There were already three or four methods that came to mind.
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Receiving the dagger from the Duke, Richard sliced his fingertip thinly without hesitation.
Sli-ice—
Е n̂ům̈ a . і̆ d̊
Using the beaded blood as ink, he pressed his thumb firmly at the very bottom of the contract. A red mark blurred over the document.
“At last, we are truly in the same boat.”
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
Satisfied, the Duke rose from his seat with a curl of his lips.
“Well… now that the signing of the contract is over,”
The Duke’s eyes curved like a fox’s.
“Would you care for a tour of the mansion?”
W е b nо̃v e l Е̂ n̂ũ m̊ã
It seemed he wanted to build an intimacy that went beyond being mere contract partners. Since there was nothing to lose by gaining his favor, Richard nodded.
“It would be an honor if you would show me around.”
And so, the Duke introduced the rose garden, the pond, and the library one by one. It felt as if he were someone new who had just moved into this mansion.
‘…What are these paintings?’
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
While looking around various places, Richard paused in a certain room. A room filled with an endless array of portraits resembling the Emperor. It was as if he were cursing the subject.
‘He doesn't seem sane.’
W ēb́ n оv е̃l Ӗ n ǔ mа̇
Richard frowned and passed by the room. As expected, he seemed like a strange man. After entertaining such trivial thoughts for a moment, Richard reminded himself of his original purpose for approaching the House of Czeska.
The Empress’s remains.
To keep his deal with the Emperor, he absolutely had to dig out the location of the remains from the Duke.
“…Your Grace.”
Richard, who was walking down the hallway behind the other man, suddenly stopped. If he aimed for the location of the remains too overtly, the Duke would catch onto his true intentions. Therefore.
“Your Grace….”
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
Like a tiger stalking its prey, carefully. Creeping in.
“May I ask for what reason you were in love with Her Late Majesty the Empress?”
“…….”
Suddenly, the Duke’s footsteps stopped.
“An interesting question.”
A faint sound of laughter leaked from between his lips. The Duke turned around slowly to look at Richard.
Е̊ ǹ.um̊.ӓ
“You….”
“…….”
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
“What do you think is the reason for falling in love with someone?”
Richard blinked slowly. It was a difficult question. He was not ignorant of love, but to him, love was something so natural and obvious that it was hard to assign a reason to it.
“To put it simply, one could give reasons such as falling in love at first sight, or being happiest when with that person. However.”
The Duke slowly raised his head.
E n umа̃ .і d̊
“I do not think so.”
The light of the chandelier reflected coldly in his violet eyes. He closed his eyes and murmured softly.
“Love resembles hatred.”
***
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
‘Duke!’
‘…….’
Е nŭ m̄а. і d
‘Duke Czeska!’
‘…….’
‘Wilmar Czeska!’
The sharp shout of the Emperor, Lyos, rang out, cutting through the air of the ballroom. A desperately outstretched hand gripped Wilmar’s arm.
‘…….’
Wilmar turned around slowly. His face was frozen like ice. Eyes that held no emotion, no warmth, and not a single shred of agitation.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
‘……Your Majesty.’
The smile he wore was merely formal. His voice was as cold as it could be.
‘Do you have something to say?’
At those words, Lyos’s face distorted suddenly.
‘Is it because of Elika that you are doing this to me?’
‘…….’
Ёnu mа . i̊d
‘Because you have feelings for her?’
The Emperor’s hands trembled. The tremor dwelling in the fingertips that gripped him was not anger, but fear. The fear that he might lose his dear friend.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
‘…Wilmar.’
He spoke in a whisper.
‘If you wish… I will even get a divorce. So—’
‘Your Highness.’
Е̌ num̂а̄. ǐd
Wilmar cut him off. His gaze had cooled completely, and there was not a single fragment of wavering in his tone. Without even sparing a sidelong glance at the Emperor, he moved his feet.
‘I have no idea what you are talking about.’
‘……Wilmar!’
Lyos’s cry rang out once more. But Wilmar did not look back.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
Twenty-five years ago. There was an irreversible story where two men and one woman were intertwined.
Konten Bab Belum Tersedia
Bab ini belum memiliki konten teks atau sedang dalam proses penyuntingan.
