I Don't Want To Be Loved

Chapter 111: Dimitri’s Change

Rihannan gave a bright, beaming smile. “I’ll be fine, uncle. Don’t worry and go. I’m sure mother’s missing you dearly too. And… please give this to Dimi as well.”

She passed the letters she wrote personally to the marquis. Though the letters a queen writes should have a seal of royalty before being sent, this letter was written beforehand and before she was pronounced queen.

The letter was also personal.

The one letter she sent to the Dimitri of the past became a problematic occurrence that labeled her as a spy sharing Arundell’s secrets to Chrichton. She needed to be careful, for her sake and for Dimitri’s sake.

This, too, would probably be the last letter she’ll send to Dimitri for the many months to come.

The marquis nodded his head and looked at the letter in hand. Rihannan noticed his expression turn sour when she spoke of Dimitri.

“Did something happen to Dimi? He didn’t come to the wedding ceremony, and on top of that, I know he was fuming with anger that he directed it towards you before coming to Arundell.”

The marquis sighed exasperatedly. “It’s not much of a big deal. It’s just… he’s changed a bit…”

“Changed?” Rihannan asked worriedly.

“After he was released from prison, he learned that it was you who’d been sent to Arundell instead of the princess. He began taking active interests in stately affairs and engaged in internal matters thereafter. It’s hard to see his face these days. And as you know, Dimi hates politics to an extreme degree and would always run off saying foolish things like becoming a pirate. I’m glad he’s had a change of mind, but on the other hand, I’m worried about him. Perhaps he might do something irrational because of what happened to you…”

Rihannan realized what the marquis had been worrying about.

Should Dimitri engage in the affairs of the state, he’ll gain political powers. However, there’ll be numerous conniving nobles who’d try to keep him down from gaining strength and power far too quickly.

“…Uncle, don’t worry too much. Though it may not look like it, Dimi is wise and I believe in him. He’ll be able to handle anything that comes his way. The royal family also has debt they owe to me and him. They wouldn’t dare to act too rashly.”

After she gave her farewell and sent him off, a sudden thought she never had came to mind.

After her passing death, she wondered what became of Dimitri at the time. What would he have done? Knowing now that he cared for her like she was his sister, he’d not sit idly by. It was not in his nature.

He would have done something.

She was sure of that.

***

“Rihannan.”

As the sky darkened and enveloped the sky, Igor came to visit her.

Rihannan laid on the bed reading a book for she had trouble sleeping.

She did not expect Igor to visit her.

Surprised, she stood up from the bed and said, “Igor? Why are you here?”

He walked towards her with big strides. He did not reply and immediately planted a kiss on her lips, his arms wrapped around her.

His kiss seemed as if it was the most normal thing in the world.

He kissed her.

Deeper.

His tongue coiled around hers and his hand went up to her cheek.

She closed her eyes and dedicated her lips to him.

The duchess’ words this morning came to mind, but for odd reasons, she did not feel like doing what the duchess advised her.

Even she was unsure where her own heart was treading towards.

Igor broke away from her lips and looked at her. He pulled her closer to him and asked with a smile, “What did you do all day today?”