Julius (4)

After realizing how possessive I was, I planted the seed of a rumor in high society myself.

I didn't announce it outright. Instead, I carefully controlled what information got out, so the rumor would quietly and gradually spread from person to person: 'The Duke of Ashford's son is keeping his lover close and doting on her.'

“W-why would you do something like that...?”

Seeing the bewilderment in her eyes—she truly had no idea—I asked her in return.

“Why do you think?”

I want you to be happy. I want you to end up with the person you love.

And yet I'm closing off your other options, as if to take that choice away from you.

(...You don't dislike me. You like me as a person. You find me attractive, too. And unless I'm flattering myself, you may even see me as a man.

But that's not enough... I want more. I want all of Riko's feelings.)

“Um... w-why do you think...? Hahaha...”...