traitor chapter 19

Diana didn’t even flinch at the pathetic threat. She merely stepped back, unwilling to look up at him. Even that small movement drew Leonhardt’s gaze. His face, contorted with what appeared to be anguish, followed her every move. He gritted his teeth, glaring fiercely. 

“I said it would end with one vial if you gave up the Scribe early.”

Diana scoffed at the continued threat. “So, you meant that if I wanted to stop after four vials, I should spread my legs for you?”

“I said, give up the Scribe.”

“You think this kind of threat will make me bend to your will and offer you my Ruby? That’s no different than kneeling and spreading my legs!”

The moment she raised her voice, a screeching, earsplitting sound echoed. He was gripping the bars of the cell, crumpling the metal, his shoulders trembling. Grinding his teeth as if gathering his patience, he took a ragged breath, then finally erupted. “Damn it! What’s so important about the damn Scribe?!”

Diana’s brows furrowed, a bitter smile playing on her lips. The knight, who had always been excessively courteous to her, had finally resorted to violence. The sight of his savagery stung. Was this his downfall, or the true face beneath the mask? “How have you held back your desire to defy me? You’re quite good at making threats. I imagine all that feigned loyalty made you sick.”

At her self-deprecating words, his expression crumbled further. “I am loyal to you, Your Majesty.”

“You say that while I’m in this state?”

“If you release the Scribe, you will regain a portion of my loyalty.”

Diana reached through the bent and broken bars, grabbing him by the collar. To come this far and insult her by offering only partial loyalty. Pressing her forehead against the bars, she pulled the arrogant traitor closer, their eyes meeting. Thanks to his compliance, his golden eyes were clearly visible, burning with emotion. She held his gaze, the tension thickening as the distance between them narrowed.

Unlike his ragged panting, she breathed slowly, deliberately, projecting an air of composure. He smelled of cruelty. Blood and medicine. And underlying it all, the heavy scent of a man.

Diana offered him a soft smile. “In truth, it wasn’t the Scribe you wanted. You wanted to inject me with the truth serum, didn’t you?”

Leonhardt’s lips tightened as he slowly, deliberately controlled his breathing. She waited patiently, but no denial came.

“How dare you,” she chided, but he remained silent. Instead, he swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing, as if his throat was dry. He seemed almost anxious.

Diana’s smile widened, her eyes crinkling, as she loosened her grip on his collar. “Fine, I’ll let you.”

To her surprise, her ready agreement left him looking shocked. His eyes widened, his lips parting slightly. Then, his jaw trembled as he spoke. “Did you… Did you think I would actually inject you with the truth serum?”

“You speak of loyalty so easily. Bring the serum.”

“I…!”

“I said I’ll let you! I’m giving you a chance to question me. Is the Empire’s Commander-in-Chief foolish enough to miss such an opportunity? How could someone who hadn’t even considered this dare to take up arms and commit treason?!”

His agitated outburst abruptly ceased. His troubled gaze darted back and forth.

Silence fell, brought on by a man consumed by impure desires. The conversation was erased, leaving only the sound of their breathing. A strange stillness.

Only Diana noticed that the Scribe’s pained moans had ceased. She listened to the subtly quieted rhythm of Ruby’s breathing, then slowly slid her hand from Leonhardt’s collar. She knew what she had to do. She had to create a distraction. Slowly, her hand trailed down his clothing, her fingers slipping into the opening of his coat. He inhaled sharply. Her slender index finger touched the hollow of his throat. His chest swelled as if about to burst, the sound of clinking chains filling the air. Beneath her fingertips, she felt the frantic beating of his heart.

Her eyes lowered to his rapidly rising and falling chest, then slowly lifted to meet his. She smiled sweetly, and a flush crept up his neck. “You don’t even need the truth serum, Leonhardt.”

Diana slid her finger upwards, undoing a button. She slipped her entire hand inside the opened coat, pressing her palm flat against his chest. The throbbing she had felt with her fingertip now spread across her entire hand. His emotions, pounding like a drum, were almost tangible.

“Since when?”

“What…?”