“Maybe.”

Whether that reporter knew the man he wrote about had holed up right in the capital’s headquarters or not, Kyle gave a short, dry laugh.

“So, as long as no one finds out I’m your fake lover, I win?”

He nodded once. His blue eyes flickered beneath the light, and the woman’s bright smile reflected in them.

“Alright then. If I lose, I’ll give you whatever you want, Captain. Let’s put it in writing.”

As soon as Kyle inclined his head, Maude strode to the table by the window, grabbed a pen and paper, and began to write. The pen moved quickly at first, but slowed around the second clause. Her eyes drifted toward Kyle.

The man sat on the sofa opposite her, staring out the window—probably looking at the trees and wildflowers, just like that night at the Founding Festival. The faint rustle of the zelkova leaves carried through the air.

That calm yet noisy sound of summer fit him somehow, and there were still so many things about this man she wanted to know, which was why, before she could stop herself, a question slipped out.

“What did you mean earlier—when you said I had to take responsibility?”

Kyle rose to his feet. And before Maude could even process it, he was walking toward her—slow, deliberate steps, closing the distance until his breath brushed against the back of her neck.

“Because you’re the one who threw me into society,” he murmured, “as if I were some product to be sold.”

“T-that’s not—!”

It was true, but not entirely accurate. The words stung with unfairness. She did feel a twinge of guilt for dragging him into a world he clearly hadn’t wanted. But to say she had to take responsibility for that? Absolutely not.

Kyle’s low whisper slid down her skin.

“So you should take responsibility for me, Miss Maude.”

His breath lingered at the nape of her neck as he leaned over to look at the contract.

‘Too close! Way too close!’

Maude screamed internally as she scooted her chair forward, trying to put some distance between them while pretending to stay calm. Kyle’s lips curved faintly. For someone who pretended to be composed, she was rather easy to fluster.

So she was one of those sheltered types—pure and softhearted, the kind who believed love could solve everything.

Kyle pressed a hand against the back of her chair, stopping her from moving away.

“You’d better get used to being this close. It’ll look more convincing.”

Maude only nodded stiffly. As Kyle reached for the paper in her hands, she slammed her palm down on it, pinning it to the table.

“What now?” he asked, surprised.

“There’s something I want to add.”

“Add?”

Maude smiled slyly. Kyle tilted his head, intrigued.

“If either party breaks the terms and exposes the fake relationship, the guilty side will pay damages. How’s that sound?”

Kyle’s grin deepened. 

“Fine by me.”

The clause was clearly aimed at him, and he knew it. Still, amusement tugged at the corner of his lips. ‘Well, well.’

“I’ll be counting on you to give it your all, Captain.”

“Give it your all.”

“Yes. Your best—so we look like a real couple.”

The firmness in her voice made him chuckle. She really did know how to throw his own words back at him. Though, honestly—what did she expect him to do? Play the perfect lover with a woman he barely knew?

Kyle’s cool gaze met hers.

But it didn’t matter. She had already made up her mind—to give this bet everything she had, and to win. He liked that about her. The moment he realized she wasn’t just another woman dreaming of love, he felt oddly satisfied.

“I hope,” Kyle said, with a short bow, “that my best will meet yours halfway.”

“Then here’s to a fun bet,” Maude replied brightly, extending her hand. “And a perfect deal.”

A woman who looked as if summer itself had shaped her. Kyle’s eyes caught the glimmer of green in hers, like sunlight through leaves.

He took her hand without hesitation. After all, when this bet ended, they’d both walk away with exactly what they wanted.

Kyle decided he’d use her—as much as he needed to—until then.

And thus began a fake romance that felt all too real.

***

Contract Terms (Duration: 1 Year)

1. Neither party shall disclose the terms of the contract to others.
2. Neither party shall have another romantic partner during the contract period.
3. Both parties shall do their utmost to appear genuine.
4. Should either party’s betrayal expose the falsehood, the betrayer shall pay damages.

Signed: Maude Hablein, Kyle Rizewell

***

‘Did he plan all of this from the start?’

The next day, Maude watched from her window, unable to hide her astonishment.

Ever since the Captain showed up and gave her that bouquet, the front of the coffee house had been full of gentlemen copying his gesture—presenting flowers to ladies with identical smiles. The place had turned into a colorful greenhouse of blossoms.

It was, she had to admit, brilliant marketing. His gift had done wonders.

Myrtle: The Whisper of Love. The Grand Duke loves.

Love, huh…

A smile touched Maude’s lips as she stared down at the day’s tabloid on the table.

***

The atmosphere in the Empress’s Palace had been strange lately. Especially after Rhaion was abruptly reassigned to Bergen, everyone was walking on eggshells. No one wanted to draw Celeste’s attention.

Because to be noticed… was to die.

The palace felt like it was sinking into a thick, dark swamp. Even the occasional screams echoing from Celeste’s chambers sent shivers through the halls.

And today, her hysteria had reached its peak. She crushed a newspaper in her hands, threw it to the floor, and screamed, her voice slicing through the silence.

“How dare they…!”

Celeste glared down at the crumpled paper, her eyes blazing.

It couldn’t be a coincidence. She was sure of it. No—this had to be intentional. Just like the words peeking out between the folds of the wrinkled page—

‘The Grand Duke loves.’

Could it be true? No, impossible…

Her nails scraped against each other with a soft crack. Celeste knew love better than anyone—its hunger, its madness.

Her terror-filled eyes flickered with the memory of the sea she had once crossed—the black wolf that prowled the waters. The sailors had called it a Sea Wolf—a strange predator that split the freezing ocean with eyes like the deep abyss itself.

Now she understood. The wolf’s cub had grown into a full-fledged beast, raised by the sea itself. A wolf of the tides, with eyes that burned blue and wild with fury.

A twisted laugh broke from her throat.

It wasn’t too late.

That man—he had never faltered, not even when drowned in the filth of his own pleasures. There was no way he’d fall so easily now.

She staggered toward the table, grabbed a glass of wine, and downed it in one go. It was the only way to endure.

There had never been anything she wouldn’t do to get what she wanted. And yet—no matter what she achieved—the memory of his contemptuous gaze haunted her, consuming every thought.

Berren’s emperor, and the princess of Evria—their heir, their perfect son. Kyle had returned.

If she played it right, she could use Maude’s wounds as an excuse to push the succession battle. Everything depended on this.

But Rhaion… was at a disadvantage in every way—temperament, competence, even reputation. Which was why she needed Maude. The Hablein name and wealth were essential to securing his position—and his heart.

That union must never, ever fall into Kyle’s hands.

The air in the room grew thick with silence. Celeste stood at the window for a long moment, gazing down at the garden below.

“They say wolves mate for life,” she murmured.

“Yes, Your Majesty,” said Helene, the chief maid, keeping her voice low and her head bowed. She was used to this—thinking and judgment had long become meaningless acts. Obeying quickly was the only way to survive.

“But if you kill the mate,” Celeste whispered, her tone icy, “there’s no choice left, is there?”

Everyone in Berren knew the rumor—that Celeste had ordered the death of the late Empress Renéee to claim Emperor Leopold for herself.

“But this time,” Celeste added, “I can’t kill her. I still need her.”

Helene immediately dropped to her knees, forehead pressed to the floor.

“Assign someone to watch them,” Celeste said quietly, her voice soft as a blade.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“And tell my father—the Nowood matter must be taken care of. Quickly.”

A cold light flickered behind the billowing curtains.

“Yes.”

“Now go.”

Helene bowed once more and left the chamber.

As the door clicked shut behind her, she glanced back through the narrow gap. And in that fleeting moment, she saw it— the shadow of a beast, black as the abyss, lurking in the darkness that would never end.