MHHC Chapter 34

Tell Me

"It was all a joke."

"...Are you sure it was really a joke?"

"I wouldn't take a risk that might hurt Adele."

"......"

"So don't tremble like that. I know what you're worried about..."

Despite his reassurance, Adelheid's expression remained troubled. He continued in a soothing tone.

"I'll do whatever Adele asks... So don't make that face. For now, let's... start with pronunciation."

"Pronunciation will be difficult to fix in just a few days. For now, it would be better to focus on learning just the few types of greetings you'll need immediately at the banquet."

The pronunciation used by nobility was complex and refined, unlike that of commoners. Even Adelheid had taken a long time to master it skillfully.

Valentin already struggled just to form words. Smoothing out all his pronunciation in a short period was impossible. As she pondered where and how to begin, Valentin made an enthusiastic suggestion first.

"Teach me from the beginning."

"From the beginning? But—"

"I have to at least try."

Adelheid gazed quietly at his earnest eyes, then nodded.

"Then I'll find a proper etiquette instructor for you. If you're to lead the victory ceremony, you'll need to learn dancing as well."

He raised one eyebrow as if asking what on earth she was talking about. As though to prevent her escape, Valentin seized both her wrists firmly.

"What... Of course... you should teach me, Adele."

"M-me?"

"It's too late now to borrow someone else's help. Are you going to abandon me?"

Abandon him? That was an accusation without foundation. Adelheid had to rack her brain to persuade him.

"I won't be sufficient for you. I stopped etiquette lessons five years ago. I'm far too inadequate to teach you the capital's latest trends or how to skillfully lead conversations."

"It's fine."

"I've never taught anyone before, so I don't know how to efficiently correct pronunciation either."

"That's fine too."

"All the dances I know are for noblewomen. I'll be far too inadequate to teach Your Highness... no, Valentin."

But no matter what excuse she offered, Valentin consistently replied that it was fine. He persuaded her by saying that since he was already far more inadequate than she was, there would be something to learn no matter what she taught.

"I won't be too much trouble. I can learn quickly."

"But—"

"You said you'd help me. So I could fulfill the contract."

When he finally wore a cold smile and insisted stubbornly, Adelheid nodded with the resignation of someone forced to swallow mustard. She was accustomed to receiving blame alone, but she feared that Valentin might also become a target of criticism because she had taught him poorly.

"Then if there's any pronunciation you find particularly difficult, I'll help you practice greetings focusing on that. It would be even better if I found someone to observe while I'm teaching."

"No one else is necessary. We can start right now."

"Alright, but first please let go of my wrists."

"I'll let go once you tell me."

Adelheid thought he was teasing. But his eyes were utterly serious. She gazed at him with half-lidded eyes as if gauging whether he was sincere or not, then gave up and opened her mouth like a sigh. She had learned over the past few days that when Valentin was like this, it was better to give him what he wanted than to match his stubbornness.

"Try saying 'Tell me' concisely."

"Tel'le mi."

"A bit better. 'Tell me.'"

"Tel' me."

Even after several repetitions, Valentin's pronunciation showed no sign of improvement. He spoke with a sullen face, as if making excuses.

"I still don't really understand. Moving my tongue is especially difficult..."

"Watch the shape of my lips carefully. 'Tell me.'"

His body was tilting closer and closer. His head was angled. It wasn't that he was conscious of anything—it seemed that leaning in bit by bit to hear the pronunciation more clearly had somehow led to this.

Perhaps...

"You're too close."

By the time Adelheid finally whispered this with flushed cheeks, his nose was already almost touching hers. Valentin's breath broke and mingled over her cheek.

He didn't retreat even slightly at her timid refusal. Instead, he met her gaze even more assertively.

Adelheid felt naked yearning in his eyes. In that moment, strangely, hot heat seemed to bloom from within her.

"......"

Adelheid was not ignorant of what happened when a man and woman faced each other this way in the end. She had seen servants hiding behind the stables a few times, pressing their lips together, pulling each other into tight embraces. Sometimes the man would seize the woman with rough hands.

Would they... end up like that too? Then should she refuse her 'husband' as the right thing to do? Or since she had already given this life's body as payment for the contract, should she act as he desired?

"......"

Suddenly she recalled the memory from a few days ago when he had bitten her lower lip. Though there had been desire, it had been instinctive biting like an untaught young animal. Why did that stinging pain come to mind now, of all times, when she was receiving Valentin's full attention?

Adelheid bit down on her lower lip as if to suppress that sensation, her trembling gaze dropping downward. Then Valentin hastily released her wrists and grasped her chin, lifting it up.

"Don't bite."

"......"

"T'ell me everything."

"Tell...me..."

The moment she unconsciously parted her lips to correct his pronunciation, Valentin pressed his lips against hers urgently. Rushing in without missing the opening, he was shockingly hot.

His rough lips swallowed Adelheid's small, soft lips completely. The instant those vulnerable, tender parts sweetly met, body temperature shot up as if holding embers. A low cry broke from Adelheid's throat.

As if to soothe her, he put strength into the hand supporting the nape of her neck. The leisurely exploration felt unfamiliar. Breath... grew ragged.

In the quiet library, the sound of entangled lips echoed endlessly. The moment she realized that dizzying sound originated from her own actions, her entire body flushed beyond any possibility of growing hotter.

It felt as though she might completely lose herself. Adelheid clutched Valentin's arm haphazardly. Otherwise it seemed she would wrap her arms around Valentin's neck of her own accord and respond actively.

"Adele..."

When he finally slowly pulled his lips away, he sighed as if barely swallowing lingering tremors. An expression of rapture rose to his face.

"You're so sweet I can't think straight."

She was the same. Her mind was completely blank. The creature 'he' was—he should have been ignorant of human desire. Then was this instinct? Or was it proof that he had grown considerably accustomed to his current body?

At least, Valentin seemed unfamiliar with yearning he was experiencing for the first time in his life. Not knowing what to do with his robust body, he furrowed his brow with his hands barely resting on Adelheid's slender shoulders. Yet he couldn't bring himself to apply pressure for fear she might break.

His restraint could be felt throughout his entire being. In his sharp eyes, his chiseled nose, his slowly moving lips, his urgent throat...

The moment their gazes met as she stole glances at his sensuality, Adelheids chest rose and fell with shallow breaths. Valentin carefully grasped her fallen hair and slowly opened his mouth.

"Tell me."

It was a terrible temptation. An impulse surged through her—to give him anything he wanted. Not knowing he might inflict some irreversible harm upon her, she nearly nodded unconsciously.

A man pleading so desperately looked that pitiful, that innocent, that harmless, even that pure.

"Mm? Adele, please..."

The moment he drew a bit closer to her, Adelheid reflexively pushed away Valentin's arm that she'd been holding. He was pushed back with surprising docility. As if there had been no need to exert such effort to refuse him in the first place.

Not even knowing what had startled her more, she answered hurriedly.

"N-next time. I'll tell you n-next time."

Her stammering voice sounded foolish even to her own ears. Valentin's eyes narrowed.

"When next?"

"Whenever... I-I don't want to here. Later..."

She felt tears welling up. Her nervousness made her way with words even more hopeless. Her excuses were so crude a three-year-old child could crush them. If she didn't want to 'here,' they could simply move locations immediately, and if she said 'later,' he could demand she set a date and time.

But Valentin let her go.

"Don't tremble, Adele."

"I-I..."

"I won't do what you dislike."

Adelheid looked at him again with some surprise. He simply smiled quietly and caressed Adelheid's cheek. As if treating something most precious and cherished above all else.

"I'm sorry."

Yet that distorted gaze alone looked somewhat forlorn.

It was the moment she came down after hearing from the butler that he urgently sought her in the grand banquet hall. The butler, head housemaid, and servants who had long served the house had already taken their positions, waiting for her.

When Adelheid's eyes widened in puzzlement and she tilted her head in confusion, Yanik strode forward and respectfully held out a wooden box to her.

"The master commanded that this be delivered to Your Grace."

Valentin did? Adelheid looked with surprised eyes at the wooden box Yanik held out. There were two boxes in total. One was new, the other very old.

Adelheid gazed with dubious eyes at the old, flat box placed on top.