Flower of Steel - Chapter 104

Such nonsense made me scoff. On my side? On my side, my arse! You dumped me when I trusted you and sided with Elise, who bullied me. How could you say that you’re on my side?

“Piss off, you sick a*sh*le.”

Kyles glared because of my rather harsh tone. He then clenched his hand that grabbed my wrist harder and ordered, “Stop resisting. I’m the only one who kept a flawed girl like you by my side.”

I was so flustered that I stupidly asked without realizing, “…What?”

“Flawed. Honestly speaking, who would ever date you when there are so many bad rumors and flaws revolving around you if it wasn’t for me?”

I was not only flustered but also enraged by his unbelievable words. As my face froze, he seemed to discover that I was afraid and continued, “But I can look over those flaws because I love you.”

“You love me?” I asked.

“Yes. The things that happened with Lady Schuteiner… You got it all wrong. I’ll explain.”

I didn’t want to listen to Kyles’s insane nonsense any longer. I can’t understand how he insults me while saying he loves me. No, he still has feelings for Elise, so I don’t get why he keeps doing this to me. Stupid a*sh*le!

“Are you blabbering about love while insulting me? Hah, if I were you, I would at least not speak crap. Piss off. I don’t want to see you anymore.”

“It’s only a misunderstanding!”

I became furious at him for trying to repeat the same pattern. Right, if he were sensible enough to be talked to, then he wouldn’t have held me here using force. If he tries to be forceful, I won’t take it any longer.

“Let go of me!”

I kicked his shin with my boot and was freed with him moaning. Hmph! Weak son of a b**tch! Insulting me while telling me you love me? You say insulting me is love. That’s nonsense.

“Marina! Please! Don’t go!”

I heard his voice trying to stop me from behind, but I hurried away without looking back. It’s disgusting and sickening. I felt like I was dumped in filthy and muddy water and had gotten out.

***

After I broke myself away from Kyles and ran away, I was aimlessly walking toward the Crown Prince’s palace when someone grabbed onto my clothes. I was shocked and tried to break free until I heard a kind voice.

“Marin, are you alright?”

Rian. It was Rian. A sigh of relief escaped from my mouth. As soon as I saw his blue eyes, a strong sense of something squirmed from within.

“You don’t look good, Marin.”

What is it? Why is he looking at me with such eyes? I stared at his eyes for a while, then felt awkward and looked away. Then, I replied, “Yeah, I’m alright. I’ll be off.”

Trying to return to my office, I turned away from him, but he still held onto my clothes. Unlike Kyles, his touch was careful not to touch me directly.

“I’m sorry for grabbing you like this. You don’t look so good, Marin.”

His kind voice made me feel complicated. I had many mysterious enemies threatening me and Kyles who was clinging to me. However, I couldn’t tell him about this either. I had to deal with these problems.

“It’s nothing,” I answered.

“Nothing…” Rian repeated.

His eyes turned a bit cold. They looked like the ones from that day. The day when Hillain was attacked I saw the kind Rian’s true self. I felt guilty with his cold-looking eyes staring at me, but I replied as if I was completely fine.

“Yes, it’s nothing.”

After hearing my answer, he looked at me without any emotions for a while. Then, he suddenly smiled and said, “It must be if you say so. Things must have happened that I don’t know about. I respect your choice, Marin.”