Dangerous Fiancee

Chapter 180

Yurt barely answered and gulped down the cold water he had reserved for himself. But he couldn't tell the guest why he hadn't changed clothes before crossing the border if he was so concerned.

He vowed for the 74th time that once he arrived in the capital, he would receive the full payment for his service.

***

It was still cloudy and hot in Milan.

It continued to rain everyday even after Marianne stayed overnight at the Imperial Palace.

The storm was so severe the first day, but the next day it died down. When she began to feel at ease, there was another thunderstorm filled with lighting.

On that stormy night, Marianne called Cordelli without exception and stayed up with her late into the night. She was not as scared as the first day, but she was still a little scared to sleep alone. So, like she did in childhood, Marianne chatted with her on the same bed until dawn before falling asleep.

When the rainstorm died down, she often visited the Imperial Palace to see the emperor.

Eckart always took time out to see her even if he was quite busy. Each time she met him, she pressed him to play a simple game with his hands on the pretext of helping him do rehab exercises such as chess, Othello game, poker, origani, hitting Petal, cat's cradle, drawing pictures, or making mud sculptures.

"Oh, dear. That's a mismatched card. "

She checked the cards she had turned over and put them down with a sullen look.

Flipping cards was also one of the rehab exercises she devised.

"Now, it's your turn, Your Majesty."

He extended his splinted right arm over the table. It was a simple game played mainly by young children, but he just followed as she told. He had no objection even if she played more childish and easier games. If she enjoyed the game, he also enjoyed it.

She skillfully turned the cards over and found pairs of diamonds, hearts, clover, and spades. His stack began to pile up in front of him. It was a simple game, but it made him use his memory well and concentrate because he had to find the exact shape, color, and number to make matches.

She had a serious expression, watching the remaining cards going away quickly.

Eckart chuckled unconsciously, while turning the cards over.

These days he learned something new while playing games with her. It was Marianne's strong determination to win. Although she admitted her defeat clearly, she pressed him to play the game again if she lost, even though she didn't bet anything.

"Um... I think I'm going to lose, as things stand now." While she was murmuring pitifully, he finally turned over the mismatched card.

"Oh! That's a mismatched one. My turn!"

Mariane quickly flipped the card again that Eckart turned over. Then, she began to carefully match the cards.

He looked at her earnest expression while she was immersed in the game.

When her dark green eyes glistened and rolled up and down to match the confused cards, she frowned like a child. Her red lips were curled a bit between the teeth and turned a bit white.

The light of the lamp, lit nearby, cast a dark shadow under her rich eyelashes. He looked closely at her lovingly sleek cheeks, cheerfully moving hands, and shoulders that softly shook with the cycle of her breathing...

"Wow! I've got them all matched!" She screamed, clapping with joy.

He came to his senses as if he woke up from a dream.