Chapter 70: Melissa, Was It Really a Nightmare?


    He


    What? What did you say?


    As I turned my head towards him, I met his eyes gleaming like a cold me.


    When I froze without even resisting the windswept wind, I shuddered.


    Did he touch you?


    .


    Tell me what he did.


    n seemed to be holding back his anger. He was so angry that my shoulders shrank.


    Ah, he took my hand.


    and?


    .


    Speak clearly.


    Again, themanding tone. My instinctive intuition signalled me that if I went against him, I might die immobile in this room. Thats how overwhelmed I became.


    I answered with my eyes closed.


    O-on the back of my hand Lips.


    At that moment, I heard the sound of a heavy crystal ss being ced on the table. As I opened my eyes to the sharp sound, ns face, staring at me, filled my vision.


    His gaze was so intense and gloomy that the strength in my legs could quiver just by looking at him.


    Hand.


    He held out a big hand to me.


    H-hand, why?


    Its a hand thats already held before, so it shouldnt be too difficult.


    .


    If he is speaking of the victory ball, I couldnt remember what ns hand felt like at that time. Because I was that nervous.


    But I had no confidence to keep him waiting any longer. Eventually, my hand, which was trembling violently that could be easily noticed with a naked eye, was carefully ced on ns hand.


    The moment our hands touched, and before I was surprised by the cold hand, he grabbed my hand hard and dragged it towards him.


    Now what!


    After that, ns head bowed slowly, as if it were a set procedure.


    The cold and slightly rough lips, which touched the back of my hand, were cold, soon gently pressed itself down and let out a sweet breath.


    Al!


    It was a shock as if my heart was pounding and falling to the floor. Not knowing what to do, I trembled like a bird wet in the rain. All I could do was stare at his straight eyshes, forgetting to breathe.


    At that moment, n suddenly opened his eyes. I couldnt avoid the gaze or move my body, stiff as a statue. Like Im tied up with an invisible rope..


    .


    As if longing for only my gaze, the tenacious eyes were even lustful at a nce. Would it be an illusion if the hot desire I felt from n in my dream seemed to pass by at first nce in his eyes right now?


    No wonder my stomach was itching so much.


    n.


    I twisted my arm wildly to get my hand out of his grasp. But ns hand wasnt likely to let me go.


    n, now.


    The red lips that fell, whisperednguidly, with a small and soft sound.


    I thought it might smell like ink.


    That


    My fingers trembled as his lips tickled like a feather on the back of my hand. But it was only my wish that this would be the end.


    n spread out my fingers one by one, which were trying to shrink, and gently kissed each fingertip. It was five small, careful kisses.


    It was this hand.


    .


    For this moment, his smile was only mine. As I thought about it, my heart pounded to the point that I was flustered. I thought it wouldnt be strange if my heart exploded at this moment. I can die like this.


    On the other hand, I felt like I had finally understood a phrase from an old imperial myth. It is said that when the white and radiant male god of the moon smiled, spring finally arrived in the world.


    It is indeed strange that he, who resembles a colourless winter, makes me feel a wonderful spring on a midsummer night.


    When he finally put my hand down, I brought it to my chest as if it had been burned, and I smoothened it feverishly.


    n, I.


    If you get swept away, I wont be any different from the me Ive been in the past. Go ahead and say what you have to say, Melissa.


    I-Id like to write a letter. To my family and friends.


    .


    n just stared at me with emotionless blue-grey eyes and gave no answer. But his jewel-like eyes did not have the same anger at least when he had heard of Mr. Maurice.


    Thats why I decided to be a little more courageous. The maid wouldnt do me a favour to write a letter, but they wont be able to do anything if their master allows it.


    Please.


    I cant take the pen away from you. Try it on.


    The silent answer opened my eyes wide.


    Really?


    But you wont be able to send a letter.


    What? What does that mean?


    Meaning, I wont let you go.


    The words made me burst intoughter.


    Ha.


    This is definitely a joke. What the hell did I expect from this crazy guy?


    To forget that this man is crazy, I was blinded by the enchanting words of his handsome lips, and the kiss that was so desperate that I felt as if I had be his precious person. Am I crazy?


    I felt a surge of anger that I couldnt handle for a moment. It could be because of the bit of alcohol in me, but its alright?


    Are you kidding me? Does this all seem like a joke?


    Indeed.


    Heughed low once again. It was a moment when the beautiful face looked terribly hateful.


    I cant let you do stupid things again, Ive been trying to save you.


    do stupid things?


    I was dumbfounded. I felt like I was about to cry, so I had to bite the soft flesh in my mouth. n, on the other hand, was drinking again with a clean face that had not changed a single colour even though he had been drinking quite a bit.


    Such a noble and elegant scoundrel. I wanted to flip the table over right away if I could. There was even an urge to pour juice over his noble face.


    Youre. just happy to bully the weak. Its funny to someone like you.


    The weak?


    n, who put down a crystal ss on the table, wiped the corner of his mouth with a white napkin. When he put down his napkin, his lips were smiling.


    Whats the definition of weak?


    Its


    There is one thing you overlooked, the underdog is me, Melissa. So I want you to have pity on me.


    Ha, this confidence.


    I didnt want to fit in with his nonsense any more. I said with my teeth clenched.


    As expected, I hate you.


    I dont believe it.


    I hate you so much. I hate you. Get me out of here right now..


    Then n smiled quietly.


    It will be hard to conduct business when you cant lie.


    what, are you kidding me.


    You have to write, too.


    That suits you, Melissa.


    n whispered. I lost all my fighting spirit due to the sweet breath that came with the deep scent of alcohol.


    My mind was all white. Like the sky on that winter day with unprecedented heavy snow.


    Ha.


    I cant stand him at all. What should I do? Ive only seen n with these eyes and this voice in my dreams. Am I too drunk? Or is he?


    I managed to move my lips, squeezing out thest bit of strength.


    Dont be mistaken that everyone will love you.


    .


    n, leaning his chin towards me, was smiling with pleasure at all my words and actions. The sight of the light reflecting on his white skin without defects was just wless and sublime, so it was inevitable to helplessly draw attention.


    When I finally had the urge to kiss his gently curving eyes enthusiastically, I closed my eyes as if I had given up. I felt terrible about myself.


    No


    He, n Leopold, must be the devil trying to mess me up. In order to get him out of my mindpletely, I have to constantly reflect on how much I hate him.


    So that he can quickly get rid of his twisted interest and finally let me go.


    I want you to.


    But my voice was so small, as if pressed down by something, and I was trembling pitifully.


    I hate not being able to speak.. I hate it


    Really? Why do you hate it?


    n leaned slowly toward me. As if to tease me, his voice was as small and soft as mine. Its like trying to soothe a child..


    I clenched the hem of my clothes until my fingertips turned white. Even if its a fight that I cant win, I can scratch him. If only he could be a little sick because of me.


    With that kind of heart, I moved my lips.


    The night youe in my dreams, I shudder all day I hate it terribly.


    n was silent for a moment. It was only for a moment, but I couldnt even feel his breath.


    n had a subtle face as I looked carefully sideways at him while quivering. He looked ck.


    Did it hurt? Did my words finally hurt him?


    I was nervously gauging his feelings at a distance that was close to my face, and his petal-like lips finally moved.


    His voice was secretive as he was telling a secret story, but it had a very fine smile on it.


    You must have dreamt of me, Melissa. Many times.


    .


    And when I heard what he said that followed, I had to regret every moment of today.


    What did we do in the dreams?


    That


    My mind was pushed to the edge. I dont think so, but its as if hes caught me in my head..


    The phrase Thief hitting on his thumb* suits this situation, isnt it? My face med up. It must have been ridiculously red. I hastily covered my face with my hands.


    (T/N: its an idiom, meaning to do something foolish which makes you get caught.)


    Huh? I cant hear you well. (n)


    Nightmare. It was a terrible nightmare, you in my dream.


    In the pitch ck darkness, as his sigh-likeughter filled my ears, small goosebumps crept down the nape of my neck.


    It was irritating beyond words.


    Ah.


    A trembling groan came out from my gritted teeth. Now I was just afraid. To either look at him or not, deciding that alone was hard work.


    When I lowered my head with my face covered because I was no longer confident of saying anything, I felt a gentle touch on my hair, which still had a little moisture.


    Of course it was ns hand.


    Think about it.


    .


    Please. Now I didnt even have the heart to ask. With my eyes closed, I was praying earnestly that the mansion would fall down, or if that didnt happen, I would just lose my consciousness like this.


    At that moment, his lips approached my ears and whispered like a dim mist of water.


    Melissa, was it really a nightmare?