Chapter 112: Eugene’s Declaration
The room fell into a deafening silence. Both Noir and Eugene just stared at each other; one was astonished, the other was displeased.
Eugene loomed over Noir, there was no ounce of shame in his face after calling Noir his intended. He was not jesting, and it was something that Noir dreaded the most. On top of it, Eugene said it with the kind of solemn, unwavering tone that sounded more like an oath than flirtation.
Noir blinked, the words caught in his throat. Then, at last, he found his voice.
"I’m a man," he said flatly, leaning back in the chair to put some space between them, though there was hardly any left.
"Whatever engagement you had with Eleanor—that’s not happening. Because Eleanor doesn’t exist. She never did. It was just a name, and you said you knew it already."
Eugene stared down at him in silence, then tilted his head slightly, his expression softened. He nodded his head and answered at last, "Indeed."
Noir’s breath caught. "Then, why does it seem like you are still hoping for it to happen, Your Grace? Or were you just jesting?"
"Yes, and no, Your Highness."
That quiet, assured confession made the air still. Noir’s pupils shook. Eugene’s answer was clear and direct, that even if he wanted to fool himself, there was no getting away from it.
Eugene’s eyes did not waver. "I have known that deadly secret of yours for years already. If I am opposed to this engagement, I would have declined it—"
"Then, why did you accept it? Was it because it was the emperor’s order? The Duke of Lewellyn can refuse, and the emperor won’t be able to touch them even if it displeases him so. I don’t believe that your father was threatened, or you."