Villain, Let Me Touch You!

Priscilla’s intent to eliminate Rienna wasn’t just a fit of rage.

It was because of what Chloe had whispered as she hurriedly left the banquet last night, citing urgent business:

“I’m not certain, but… I think Lady Rienna is the one His Highness will imprint on.”

Even as she spoke, Chloe had repeatedly emphasized her uncertainty, but it didn’t matter.

Priscilla had already resolved to kill Rienna, even if there was only a chance.

“Your Grace, that won’t be easy. Lady Rienna isn’t just a mere personal physician. She’s the crown prince’s fiancée. And the Queen stands behind her.”

The aide knew that silence would have been the wiser choice, but his mouth moved on its own — pure survival instinct.

If things went south, he’d be buried along with her.

“Shut up and just help me. Start by finding this person.”

Priscilla shoved a piece of paper toward him with a name written on it.

Milchin Dorvance.

It was a name Chloe had mentioned in passing.

***

“The Imperial Consort reached out to me. Chloe, how did you know she would contact me?”

Milchin Dorvance chuckled as he watched Chloe remove her robe.

“I told you, didn’t I? Her Grace and I are rather close. This is your chance to get into her good graces and receive a title.”

“Aren’t you afraid of me?”

Milchin — he was a serial killer. But Chloe was the only one who knew that.

He never killed with his own hands, always staying just outside the reach of the law.

And yet, the scent of death always clung to him.

His eccentric appearance only added to the reasons why people avoided him.

His eyes were chilling, his habits unsettling—he preferred dark, damp places.

Something about him reminded people of an animal. A reptile, to be exact.

A snake.

He was destined to live a lonely life. But after falling ill for a few days, a name had been imprinted onto his body.

The wheels of his fate had shifted course.

“Your body bears my name. So what is there for me to fear?”

This was the path he was meant to take.

Chloe, with a smile so breathtaking it almost felt unnatural, reached across the table and brushed the back of his hand.

A tingling pleasure rippled from where her fingers touched.

Just a little more. If she would just touch him a little longer… The more he craved it, the more his gaze lost focus.

“Go on, then. Do as you please. Once you receive your title, my parents will accept you.”

“Then… you’ll stay by my side?”

“Of course. Your name will be imprinted on my body, too. I’ll never leave you.”

Chloe grasped his hand firmly.

A fire ignited inside Milchin, surging through him, tightening in his core. Chloe gently stroked his hand.

“I’ll make sure of it.”

His undergarments were already damp.

***

“Your Highness, are you really not going? Should I really report this to His Majesty?”

Vincenzo barged in right in the middle of breakfast.

Helios irritably put down the napkin he had been using to wipe his mouth.

“Don’t make me repeat the obvious. It’s just an inspection of the hunting grounds.”

“It’s a direct order from His Majesty! An important guest is coming from Byzantian, and the Sun Knights were specifically assigned to inspect the hunting grounds!”

“Did you hear that order alone? I heard it too. And did I say I wasn’t handling it? I’m sending the knights.”

Vincenzo let out a long, exaggerated breath through his nose, his nostrils flaring in frustration.

Helios, however, paid no mind to his grumbling and calmly continued his meal.

“Lady Rienna, please, help me convince him.”

Vincenzo turned to me, practically clinging. I had planned to ignore him, but the way his eyebrows drooped in desperation made it difficult.

I had already gathered the context from their conversation, so I spoke up.

“You should go. It’s only two days.”

“No. What if something happens to you in the meantime? What if you collapse? Fall? Get hurt? What if I can’t get to you in time?”

I, too, felt uneasy about the situation Helios described. But I had a plan in place.

“Vincenzo, would you mind covering your ears?”

Once I saw Vincenzo block his ears, I covered my lips and whispered to Helios.

“Make sure to do it thoroughly before you go.”