Chapter 92. The Yearning Man

As expected, many guests attended the Werner family’s perfume launch event.

I was now quite accustomed to the curious, friendly, or hostile gazes people sent my way, so I smiled warmly at everyone.

Enoch and I first met Mr. Nikolai Werner, the host of the party. The current head of the Werner family, he seemed to have passed down his sharp nose and well-shaped lips to his son, Felix.

Felix’s gentle eyes resembled his late mother’s more. I made sure not to accidentally bring up the late Mrs. Werner. Meanwhile, I was secretly anxious that Enoch might act rudely towards Mr. Werner.

“Thank you so much for coming in person despite your busy schedule, Your Highness.”

“I just came to check if my money is being used properly, Mr. Werner. So, how’s the business looking?”

The Werner family had absorbed part of the once-leading perfume company, Lotery, after its collapse. They had acquired the exclusive technology to perfectly recreate the scent of lily of the valley, which was Lotery’s specialty, and introduced a new lily of the valley perfume to the market.

Lily of the valley perfume had always been popular among the upper-class women of the capital, so the Werner family’s success was practically guaranteed.

“We are always doing our best and being cautious in managing the business so as not to let Your Highness down.”

“Yes, it would be a disaster if you became the second Lotery.”

“Haha, yes… Rest assured, the raw materials we handle are without any issues. Could you both please come this way? We have prepared something special for you, Your Highness.”

Something special? I exchanged a curious glance with Enoch. He also seemed surprised, like he was hearing this for the first time.

We walked side by side to the place Mr. Werner guided us to. There stood someone who appeared to be the Werner family’s perfumer, along with Felix. He gave me a somewhat awkward smile when our eyes met.

“Your Highness the Grand Duke, and Your Highness the Grand Duchess. It’s an honor to see you again.”

Felix’s extremely polite greeting was flawless. In contrast, Enoch had a mocking sneer on his face from the moment he encountered Felix.

“You better behave yourself today, Felix Werner.”

“…Of course.”

Mr. Werner, Felix’s father, widened his eyes as if to say, ‘What’s going on here?’

I briefly rubbed my forehead. As expected, things weren’t going smoothly. Typical Enoch Bayern. And Felix… he seemed to respond to Enoch’s warning with a strangely combative tone, or was it just my imagination…?

…Why do I feel like a shrimp caught in a whale fight? I felt a headache coming on but tried hard not to frown. Felix continued in a calm, emotionless voice.

“This time, to express our admiration for Your Highness the Grand Duchess, we have created a special, one-of-a-kind perfume just for you.”

When Felix lifted the crystal perfume bottle, the crowd that had gathered to watch let out a collective “Ooh.”

“This is a small token of our sincerity. It would be our greatest honor if you would accept it, Your Highness.”

Felix humbly presented the perfume bottle in its velvet case to me with both hands.

I hesitated for a moment, then carefully accepted it with a painted-on smile. The weight of the velvet case and the perfume bottle inside was surprisingly heavy.

People seemed curious about the scent of this special perfume, but I decided to postpone trying it out. Enoch didn’t seem to be in a good mood, and I had a strong feeling that spraying the perfume now would cause trouble.

Jasmine, who was waiting nearby, took the perfume and velvet case, and Enoch and I mingled back into the crowd to enjoy the party.

I was very worried that Enoch might do something indecent in front of Felix, as he had warned, but thankfully, he seemed to be restraining himself.

It felt like he was being considerate of me, which made me feel a bit grateful. I impulsively hugged him and kissed his cheek. My heart pounded with a fresh excitement.

“……”

Enoch’s reaction… was slow to come. He stared at me for a moment, then a vivid heat filled his golden eyes.

He soon grabbed my shoulders tightly, pressed his forehead against mine, and looked at me as if he wanted to devour me.

“…You’re getting more and more seductive.”

“I just… kissed your cheek, that’s all.”

“That’s what makes it seductive. You’re playing me like a fiddle.”

“When did I ever…”

Enoch grabbed my chin and gave me a short kiss. But it seemed that wasn’t enough for him, as he licked his lips with a look of longing.

“Ellen, do you think there’s anyone on that balcony?”

“…I don’t know.”

“Let me kiss you.”

“Here?”

“No. Since you don’t like being seen by others, we’ll draw the curtains over there.”

“Doing this at someone else’s party seems a bit…”

“You started it.”

“What did I do…”

Enoch ended up dragging me to the balcony. As soon as we arrived, he locked the door firmly and drew the curtains roughly before pouncing on me.

He was like a beast in heat. The fact that he didn’t care about time or place made it even more so.

I struggled to keep up with his barrage of kisses. His kisses were rougher than usual today. He bit my lips and sucked so hard that my tongue felt numb, making me groan in pain.

After being tormented for a while, I finally had a chance to catch my breath. Enoch looked at me with burning eyes. He pressed closer and whispered in a gravelly voice.

“…When I see you.”

“……”

“I want to devour you whole. I’ve been feeling that urge more and more lately.”

I couldn’t quite understand what kind of urge he meant. Seeing my confusion, he grabbed my chin and smiled wickedly.

“It annoys me when you look at me so innocently.”

…What am I supposed to do? Should I just close my eyes?

“I want you to yearn for me as desperately as I do for you.”

“……”

Hearing that, I suddenly realized that there was a clear difference in our personalities.

He was intense and passionate. So, his love manifested in that way.

But I preferred quiet and calm things. Burning like the sun didn’t suit me.

Therefore, I couldn’t give him what he wanted. At least not now.

“Um, that might be difficult. I’m sorry.”

“Huh…”

“But I’ll try. It’s purely a matter of my personality.”

“Try? How will you try?”

He roughly ran his hand through his jet-black hair, looking somewhat irritated. His eyes showed a hint of impatience.

I felt sorry for him. Even though it was a mutually beneficial deal, the once-noble Grand Duke of Bayern had changed so much because of my magic…

“I’ll be more… proactive…”

“Proactive?”

“…Yes.”

“What exactly do you mean?”

“Do I have to spell it out?”

I felt my face heating up as I blinked rapidly. I couldn’t believe I was saying this.

Enoch’s expression kept changing. His initial irritation gradually faded, and eventually, a mischievous glint appeared in his eyes. He was definitely thinking something wicked.

“So, specifically.”

He lowered his head and deliberately blew air into my ear as he pressed me.

“How will you be more proactive?”

“Well…”

“Will you finally get on top of me?”

“……!”

Is this man really insane? How could he say such things outside!

My face felt like it was going to explode. I pushed him away with all my might and hurriedly escaped from the balcony. Behind me, I could hear Enoch’s annoying laughter.

I opened the fan hanging from my waist and fanned my burning face. My face must have turned as red as a tomato. Worried that someone might see me like this, I hid behind the fan and looked around.

But… the atmosphere at the party seemed a bit strange.

Did something happen? Tilting my head in puzzlement, someone hurriedly approached me. It was none other than Countess Haywood and her close lady friends.

“Your Highness! Here you are. Where is His Highness the Grand Duke…?”

“Oh, Enoch is still on the balcony…”

“I see. Your Highness, the thing is…”

Countess Haywood looked very flustered for some reason. And she seemed concerned about me. Her voice lowered to a whisper.

“Could you look over there for a moment? At 11 o’clock…”

I followed her gaze. And I saw Melissa, dressed in the latest fashionable gown of the capital, looking glamorous.

That alone wasn’t particularly surprising. The Palmen family had decent business acumen and owned land in the south, so it wasn’t strange for them to be invited to high society parties.

Moreover, Beatrice Palmen, the matron of the Palmen family, would be eager to marry her niece into a good family…

So, what surprised me wasn’t seeing Melissa here.

It was the person accompanying Melissa.

“How could Miss Besnard be with her…”

Countess Haywood muttered, looking uncomfortable.

Yes.

Melissa was with Angela. The two were laughing casually, as if they were very close.

“……”

I closed the fan and smirked slightly.

This is a bit unexpected. No, ‘ridiculous’ would be a more accurate term.

Is this the best they can do to attack me?

‘Melissa, really…’

I couldn’t help but laugh.