IBDSID Chapter 130

130. Stay by My Side, Always

Overwhelmed by his sudden nearness, Roselia’s eyes flew open.

His scent engulfed her, stealing her breath, and his warm, rough breath spread across her lips.

That familiar, mind-numbing sensation made her flinch, instinctively leaning back, but his firm hand on the nape of her neck left no room to escape.

His strong arm wrapped tightly around her, as if afraid to let her go, and at last, she closed her trembling eyes.

She could have pushed him away—if she wanted to. But the sight of his bandaged arm held her back.

Even without that… she was already too far gone, swept up by him beyond reason or restraint.

His breath mingled with hers, rough and desperate.

She gasped for air as he devoured her kisses like a man drowning, gasping for life.

Their breaths tangled, lips meeting again and again, their minds blank from the intensity of it all.

When she finally became aware of herself again, her arms were wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer.

There was a brief pause, lips still pressed together, just breathing.

Only their harsh breaths filled the silence.

Why hadn’t she stopped him?

Because he was injured? Fragile?

No… Roselia knew the truth.

Even now, his arm around her back was loose—if she truly wanted to, she could pull away.

But she didn’t. Her hand stayed firmly behind his neck.

Her green eyes met his deep navy ones, and just that gaze made her chest tighten, her breath falter.

“If you don’t want this, say no, Roselia.”

Unlike the heat of the moment, Klaus’s voice was low, like a warning—offering her a chance to step back.

But Roselia already knew—

She was in too deep to turn away.

The feelings she had denied again and again had surged like a flood, rising from her chest, too much to contain.

Her lips, still damp from his touch, moved softly.

“I don’t want to stop.”

With that single phrase, Klaus felt something deep within him snap.

And without knowing who moved first, their lips met again, more desperate than before.

Pain didn’t register.

Only the fear of losing her in that moment consumed him, and Klaus clung to her with aching tenderness.

She returned his fervor without hesitation.

Breathing in her scent after so long, tears pricked Klaus’s eyes as he buried his face in her neck.

“Roselia…”

His voice trembled, filled with longing, and Roselia, swallowing her own rising tears, whispered back.

“I’m here…”

As if reassured, he held her like she might vanish, breathing heavily against her skin.

“Stay by my side. Always…”

Roselia couldn’t answer those words.

Instead, she cupped his flushed face in both hands and brushed her lips softly against his—light as a feather.

Klaus, arms tight around her, simply held her there for a long time.

* * *

Roselia sat in the carriage bound for the Imperial Palace, gazing blankly out the window beside Eva.

Her thoughts drifted back to Klaus.

There was no denying it anymore.

She had tried to reject it, to turn away and say it couldn’t happen—but she, too, had been shaken by him.

No… to be honest, her feelings were no different from his.

What still made her hesitate… was the ripple it might cause in the original story if she became too entangled with him.

“Haa…”

Roselia sighed deeply, prompting Eva to tilt her head in curiosity. After glancing out the window, Eva spoke up.

“My lady, I think we’re here.”

Just as Eva said, the carriage was entering the Imperial grounds.

However, instead of heading to the Empress’s palace as usual, it veered toward a secluded part of the estate.

Roselia tightened her grip on the letter Johannes had given her, eyes still on the window.

The carriage came to a stop, and Eva stepped down first, helping Roselia alight.

They had arrived at a shabby annex on the edge of the Imperial grounds.

In truth, it was the Imperial prison—where criminals of the court were held.

As Roselia approached, a guard stepped in front of her, spear raised.

Without a word, Roselia handed him Johannes’s letter.

Seeing the Empress’s seal, the guard stepped aside without complaint.

“You must be out before half a shichen has passed.”

Roselia nodded calmly and entered the building with Eva.

The prison had been converted so that cells lined the long corridor.

Walking to the end and descending into the underground level, Roselia spotted the figure she sought.

Nora, gaunt and disheveled, sat slumped in the corner, filthy and clearly neglected.

Roselia stood before her silently, gazing down with an impassive face.

Only then did Nora flinch and turn away, realizing Roselia’s presence.

“Nora.”

Roselia’s voice was calm, but Nora didn’t respond.

She simply curled into herself, facing the corner.

“I have something to ask you.”

“…”

As Nora kept her mouth shut, Roselia sighed, then spoke more firmly.

“It concerns your life.”

At that, Nora stiffened, slowly turning her head.

Then, without warning, she lunged at Roselia, grabbing the cell bars.

In an instant, Eva moved.

Where she had gotten it was anyone’s guess, but a dagger was in her hand as she seized Nora by the neck.

Her other hand, holding the blade, reached between the bars, pressing the cold steel to Nora’s throat.

Eva’s eyes, sharp and cold, were nothing like the playful girl Roselia usually knew.

“Eva, don’t kill her!”

Roselia’s sharp cry made Eva growl lowly, still glaring at Nora.

“She tried to touch you, my lady.”

“She couldn’t have reached me through the bars.”

“She’s the one who pushed you down the stairs, isn’t she?”

Eva’s voice dripped with fury, and Roselia sighed.

“Eva, I came here to talk.”

“…Can’t I cut off just one arm first?”

Eva’s chilling tone startled Roselia, who gently placed a hand over her clenched fist.

“Eva.”

Only then did Eva let go, slowly releasing Nora, who stumbled back, coughing.

Still glaring at Roselia, Nora’s eyes burned with hatred.

“My life? You think Prince Alphonse will let me die? I’m of the bloodline!”

Roselia watched her coldly, then spoke calmly.

“If Prince Alphonse intended to save you, he already would have.”

At her flat words, Nora’s expression twisted.

Roselia’s gaze grew sharper as she continued.

“Who brought you to Prince Alphonse? You expect me to believe he found you on his own? If he could’ve, he would’ve done so long before.”

Nora’s lips curled.

“Why should I tell you that?”

With her face twisted in defiance, Nora scoffed.

Roselia stepped closer to the bars, expression cold as ice.

“I told you—your life is at stake.”

Recalling the feel of the blade at her throat, Nora swallowed dryly.

“…A man with silver hair came to me.”

“Silver hair…?”

“He didn’t seem like a Raphelios noble, but he was wealthy—well-dressed. He told me you’d deceived me.”

Nora sneered.

“He was right, wasn’t he? You did lie to me to get close.”

Roselia’s brows furrowed.

Silver hair. Not a Raphelios noble. A man who knew her secrets…

Grand Duke Rubelio immediately came to mind.

As Roselia fell deep into thought, Nora suddenly clung to the bars.

“You’re not going to kill me, right? I’m not going to die here, am I?”

Roselia took a step back, silent.

“For now.”

As she turned to leave, Nora screamed.

“Let me out! I’m supposed to be Crown Princess—!”

Without a word, Roselia exited, her expression cold, Eva following close behind.

“You’re not planning to save her, right? She deserves to die! She hurt you and the Duke!”

Eva clenched her fists tightly, shaking with anger.

Roselia gently laid a hand over her fist, smiling faintly.

“I have no interest in taking in rabid birds with bared fangs.”

Eva blinked, then realized the meaning of her words and sighed in relief.

Trailing after Roselia with a cheerful bounce, Eva looked for all the world like a loyal puppy.

* * *

Roselia visited Pelton Port for the first time in a while.

She was there to meet with Marquis Bellog to check on the progress of their trade operations.

As she arrived at the port, she spotted a large number of Bellog Trading Company workers already hard at work.

The port bustled with merchants from Benuve and Mule, negotiating deals and unloading goods.

Amidst the activity stood Bellog himself, inspecting items one by one as they came off the ships, speaking animatedly with the merchants.

“Marquis Bellog!”

At Roselia’s call, Bellog turned and waved with a bright smile.

“You’re here, Lady Roselia. Perfect timing! Today, we received the latest shipments of artwork from Benuve and Mule. More importantly, are you alright? Are you recovering well?”

At his cheerful energy, Roselia returned a light smile and replied calmly.

“I wasn’t seriously hurt to begin with. But it looks like quite a lot of goods came in today. Isn’t today the official start of trade between Benuve and Mule?”

“Yes, that’s right! To be precise, it’s the first official trade through our Bellog Company.”

Looking pleased, Bellog swept his gaze over the bustling merchants and workers before something seemed to strike him. He turned back to Roselia with sudden excitement.

“Oh! And I have some excellent news!”

“Excellent news?”

As Roselia tilted her head curiously, Bellog puffed up with pride and declared confidently:

“We’ve received word that the continent of Zelos wishes to join in on the trade.”

“Zelos…?”

Zelos was the region across the Western Sea—almost no proper exchange had been possible due to the sea barrier.

For them to want to join trade…

Roselia’s eyes narrowed in thought, trying to make sense of it, when Bellog’s attention was suddenly caught by someone in the distance.

“Ah, speak of the devil! Here he comes now—the representative of the Zelos delegation we were to meet today. That’s Lord Hyeon.”

Roselia turned her head.

There, a tall man with long black hair stood, gazing at her with the same detached, indifferent expression he wore the day he warned her not to attend the banquet.