Chapter 17: Cute Obsession

Edmund was very tired after finishing his meal with Odin.

This was because he had handled an enormous amount of work throughout the day.

There was a reason why he processed work at an unusually fast pace compared to normal.

‘That way, I’ll have time left to be with Clea.’

His life was very monotonous.

After finishing work late at night, he would eat, shower, and go straight to sleep.

Then after waking up, he would eat again, work, and sleep.

He didn’t particularly feel bored with this repetitive life.

After all, he had never experienced what fun was in his life to begin with.

It wasn’t that people around him didn’t try to teach him about fun things.

But by Edmund’s standards, none of those things were particularly appealing. He always felt it would be a waste of time.

Unless something extremely stimulating appeared before him, Edmund would probably continue working late into the night as usual.

That way he could attend to his duties without any issues the next day.

‘But you’re different.’

Edmund thought of one person.

Though nothing in the world had ever seemed glamorous to him, he found brilliance in her silver hair bathed in moonlight.

He saw beauty in a face that seemed carelessly adorned.

It was very interesting how new emotions suddenly arose in him who had lived without any feelings.

Edmund was beginning to understand which direction his emotions were heading.

“Will I be able to have you?”

Despite being the one who would become Emperor and possess everything in the empire, Edmund felt anxious for the first time in his life.

Because Clea seemed like someone who would leave without any attachments at any time.

She looked like she might disappear at any moment if he didn’t hold onto her firmly.

Edmund didn’t want to let Clea go.

No, he had no intention of letting her go at all.

But whenever he saw Clea’s occasional bitter expressions, Edmund’s heart grew cold.

At those times, he wanted to ask her.

‘Why do you make such expressions?’

With these thoughts, his steps quickly headed toward the Crown Prince’s palace.

Although he could walk leisurely since all his work for today was finished, he wanted to spend time with her as soon as possible.

At least when spending time with her, his mind was at peace.

Upon arrival, he searched for Clea.

However, what immediately caught his eye upon arrival was the disorderly state of the Crown Prince’s palace.

Edmund felt uneasy for a moment.

“Your Highness! This is terrible!”

And the words that reached his ears seemed to make his anxiety a reality.

“The lady has disappeared into the garden!”

* * *

Having succeeded in finding Clea, Edmund walked with her back to the Crown Prince’s palace.

Perhaps because his anxiety hadn’t subsided yet, Edmund held her hand tightly and wouldn’t let go.

“Edmund, please let go now.”

When they were alone, Clea called Edmund by his name.

Though Edmund was secretly pleased to be called that way, his response was cold.

“No.”

“Have you decided not to care about other people’s gazes anymore?”

Hearing his answer, Clea asked while being conscious of the surrounding eyes, as if finding it absurd.

Even though she wasn’t interested in this world, she had heard about it.

That the imperial palace was as lax as it was secure.

Though it seemed nonsensical, it was true.

People were always focused on the happenings in the imperial palace.

“Then why were you wandering around the palace?”

“I just felt stuffy and got lost after going out for a bit.”

“Then next time, come with me.”

“But you’re busy.”

Edmund was busy.

That was an undeniable fact.

Just the pile of documents in his office was enormous.

She didn’t want to disturb him when he was working even during his sleeping hours.

But Edmund, seeming displeased with Clea’s answer, furrowed his brow and said,

“At least in front of you, I’m not busy.”

“Aren’t you pushing yourself too hard?”

Clea looked up at Edmund worriedly after hearing his answer.

As their eyes met, the cold feelings between them melted away.

“Spending time with you is never a waste.”

“If you thought it was a waste, you wouldn’t have kept me here.”

Clea considered her situation.

What would she be doing now if it weren’t for Edmund?

She wouldn’t have been living on the streets.

Whenever Lloyd caused trouble, the Persi family had given her jewels and expensive items as gifts.

Rather than showing them off, Clea had sold them in places like the black market whenever she received them.

And she had saved all that money without spending a single penny.

‘Money enough to live off the interest for a lifetime.’

It was absurd that despite having money she’d never managed to save in her previous life, she would die before being able to use it all.

Still, she tried to be content with the fact that she could live a somewhat wealthy life while she was alive.

However, when standing beside him, Clea found herself growing increasingly greedy.

‘Couldn’t I stay by your side just a little longer?’

Cold emotions had always come first.

Some people pointed fingers at her, calling her too pessimistic.

At such times, Clea didn’t particularly deny it. Because it was true.

She loved what was rational and logical.

She didn’t like engaging in talk that was neither realistic nor constructive.

Perhaps because of her status compared to Aria’s, when she responded coldly, she was treated even more like a villainess.

But when she was with Edmund, even such trivial matters made her happy.

While she had only felt displeasure with Lloyd, she felt comfortable with Edmund who tried his best to consider her feelings.

“How long will I be able to stay with you?”

“Stay by my side as long as you want.”

“Is that possible? If rumors spread about our relationship, won’t the palace try to drive me out somehow?”

A woman who had fallen to commoner status was by the Crown Prince’s side.

Even being from the Odoi family was a minus factor, and now she had fallen to commoner status.

It was obvious how other nobles would react if they found out.

They would try to separate her from his side somehow.

Edmund seemed to realize what Clea was thinking, as he confidently said,

“I don’t care how others view us.”

“Edmund.”

“You are my top priority.”

“That’s such a foolish thing to say. But I like it.”

Clea smiled happily, which was unlike her usual self.

Though just moments ago her condition had been at its worst due to the incident with Oberon.

However, walking hand in hand with Edmund back to the Crown Prince’s palace made her tired mind and body feel very good.

“The wind is refreshing.”

“Indeed.”

“And the moonlit night is beautiful.”

“To my eyes, you’re more beautiful.”

‘I didn’t know he could say such things.’

Though Clea was caught off guard by Edmund’s continued smooth talk,

‘Let’s just take the good as it is.’

She turned her gaze back to Edmund without paying it much mind.

Edmund still wouldn’t take his eyes off Clea as he slowly approached her.

Under the moonlight, Clea didn’t push him away as he came closer.

“So can you promise me?”

When their lips met, she felt heat rise to her face.

His warmth against her cold face was so pleasant she was reluctant for it to fade.

Edmund pulled away slightly and asked.

Clea quietly looked at Edmund.

“Promise that you’ll tell me wherever you go.”

“What happened to saying you wouldn’t let me escape? Are you begging me now?”

Clea laughed hearing his request.

The arrogant attitude he had shown until recently, befitting someone who had everything, had completely disappeared.

Now he seemed very anxious somehow.

What could have made him so anxious?

Clea could tell without thinking too long.

How she had entered his heart.

She thought,

‘I clearly said I would have him.’

She had the silly thought that perhaps she was becoming his instead.

Though various complex thoughts arose, Clea shook her head completely.

“Can I take this as a confession?”

She smiled brightly and asked teasingly.

Having realized his feelings, there seemed no need to ask anything more.

But still, she hoped to hear it directly from him.

“…Then how will you answer?”

“What an unromantic confession.”

She was scared.

In the work she had read, Edmund had never shown such an appearance before the female lead.

The male lead had always been resolute, seemed fearless, and had no fear in revealing his feelings.

Clea was truly happy at the anxiety he was showing in this way, which was so different from before.

“If I say I’m happy, will that make you happy too?”

“Clea.”

Finding it strange to hear him call her name, Clea pulled away as they arrived at the palace.

Edmund held onto her tightly as she tried to pull away, not letting go.

“About what I asked earlier…”

His question about whether she would tell him wherever she went.

Though it seemed like jealousy, she still felt good about it.

Though it was hard to be confident about how long this relationship would last, she decided to tell a white lie.

‘If this is the price for stealing your heart, I should be prepared for that resentment too.’

Clea answered him while still smiling.

“Yes, I promise.”

Even after hearing her answer, Edmund couldn’t be happy seeing Clea’s smile.