I Grabbed the Tyrant’s Heart - Chapter 165
“Is it okay if we meet tonight?”
The intention beneath the hushed whisper was unmistakable.
“Tess, that-“
“-Sister!”
The tense atmosphere was broken by a resounding shout. My sister, who could even be angry at the Emperor, had made her entrance.
“Sister! Let’s go together!”
“Oh, what an interruption.”
Contrary to his words, Tess was all smiles. Was I mistaken, or did he seem annoyed?
“Back off from my sister, you scoundrel!”
“Oh my, Euseniel’s sister.”
Tess chuckled and moved towards Gael. After exchanging a few words, Gael’s face turned from pale to blue, then to a flushed red. The conversation I overheard was intriguing, to say the least.
“We’ll make great allies, Euseniel’s sister.”
“What’s that about?”
“It’s a secret.”
Tess playfully ruffled my hair with his big hands. When I looked at Gael, she was avoiding eye contact.
“Did you find Gael’s weakness? Or has she, like before, betrayed me for a doll?”
“The latter, maybe?”
“Who, who said I betrayed you!”
Gael was visibly upset, but her wavering eyes lacked conviction.
“So it’s the former? I don’t mind either way.”
“…”
“The point is, as long as you don’t interfere with me.”
Whatever Tess had told her, Gael didn’t object to Tess interlocking fingers with mine, despite her grumbling. I’d have to ask Tess about it later.
Even without Gael’s words, displaying affection in front of my sister would have been too much, so the three of us shared genuinely academic conversations about the Radiata.
“Euuuueeell! Euel, where are you!”
Father, who seemed to have just escaped the Chancellor, also appeared in the garden. The Chancellor following him looked significantly older than before dinner. And finally, Mother, who appeared somewhat resigned.
Upon hearing Father’s call, I reflexively jerked my hand away from Tess, only to grab it again. This caused Father to react dramatically.
“Euel, Dad disapproves! I oppose this marriage!”
I avoided Father’s intense gaze, which seemed almost tearful.
“I’m not thinking about marriage either.”
“Oohh, Euel!”
“But I do plan on dating.”
“Euel!”
Contrary to Father’s cry of despair, Tess’s hand holding mine tensed and then relaxed.
With my parents blatantly against it and their reasons being understandable, openly discussing my relationship with Tess wasn’t an option. If those eager for the Emperor to secure an heir started advocating for marriage, my parents’ worries would only intensify.
But I couldn’t outright deny our relationship and just hurt Tess.
So, I chose a slightly cowardly but time-buying approach.
“I won’t openly declare what our relationship is.”
Tess’s grip on my hand tightened once more.
“But if someone asks, I’ll say we’re dating.”
Father momentarily swayed with hope, only to stumble as the Chancellor had to support him.
The tension in my lover next to me gradually dissolved too.
Although Tess appeared tense, it was me who felt strained. I did not show it, but I longed for his familiar scent, the way he looked at me, and his strong arms.
Mother, who had initially opposed us outright, seemed to have resigned herself to the situation. She only watched us with worried eyes. Father, on the other hand, was being comforted by the Chancellor as his shoulders were shaking.
“So, please allow me to go to the imperial palace for sword training starting next week.”
“All this effort for training…!”
“If you disapprove, Your Majesty, you don’t have to.”
“…, that’s really good. Yes, quite excellent.”
Tess quickly affirmed, and Father eventually clutched the back of his neck. A variety of voices filled the garden. Even though Tess knew my parents disapproved of him, he kept smiling.
I know, the devil is an incredibly powerful being.
However, I neither want to lose Tess nor worry my parents. So, I have to prevent Tess from losing control, and even if he does, I must be able to subdue him.
I have no choice but to do what must be done.
* * *
“Get up, Tess.”
“Uuhh… that’s cruel, Euseniel.”
Tess was groaning in pain as he was covered in dirt on the ground.
We resumed our training, and I swung my sword with all my might, aspiring to be someone who could easily subdue even a berserk Tess. And here we were.
“Are you sure you’re completely spent? Get up.”
“It hurts too much to move.”
I reached out to help him up, but instead, he pulled me down.
“You, again!”
Had he been pretending to be hurt?
Holding me in his embrace, Tess whispered with his favorite smile.
“Let’s have a normal relationship too.”
“What?”
“Let’s do normal things. Not just sparring, but like others, maybe go flower viewing.”
Tess insisted firmly.
“Let’s go to the garden. It’s been a while since we’ve been to the greenhouse, right?”
“I hate being cooped up in the dark palace.”
“…You know you also brood in the dark, Tess?”
He looked surprised as if hearing this for the first time.
“Anyway, I don’t want to lie here like this, so let go of me.”
Instead, he tightened his grip and, as if he had been waiting, started planting kisses on my cheek.
“I’ll let you go after I’ve made my plans.”
“Is your goal to get caught by others?”
Him avoiding my gaze pretty much confirmed it.
I wasn’t trying to hide, but it felt embarrassing.
“First, tell me what you said to Gael before.”
“I will if Euseniel gives me a kiss.”
Tess narrowed his eyes and smiled happily. He hugged my upper body tightly with his arms and wrapped his legs around my lower body.
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