Chapter 2.2

―Click.  

Adele stood up and headed straight to the small cabinet in the corner of her private office.  

Inside the cabinet, which she hadn’t opened in years, was a gift from the Knight Order’s commander to mark her fifth year of service.  

Since Adele didn’t enjoy drinking, she had stored the bottle—worth a commoner’s monthly living expenses—intending to send it somewhere useful.  

―Clink.  

Shaking the bottle, Adele decided that the most “useful” place for it right now was her own mouth.  

“Everyone should’ve gone home by now.”  

By this time, everyone except the knights on watch, including the commander, would have left the building.  

Having worked here for eight years, Adele knew every corner where the knights tended to slack off during patrols.  

The spot she chose was a storage area far from the main building, where security was particularly lax. A large tree stood next to it.  

Although Adele had repeatedly reported this issue to ensure proper security, it was always temporarily fixed and then neglected again—a source of great dissatisfaction for her.  

But tonight, it would serve as her private drinking spot.  

Walking along a familiar path, Adele struggled to uncork the bottle.  

With no one around to see, and having left her high heels behind, she didn’t have to worry about tripping.  

Taking a swig straight from the bottle, Adele let the liquid linger in her mouth as she moved.  

“Ugh.”  

The sound she made was far from ladylike, but the strong alcohol demanded it.  

“A noble lady? Who cares?”  

Adele kept walking, taking sip after sip.  

The night air was refreshing, and the path was smooth. Even without a snack, the strong liquor went down surprisingly well.  

When she finally reached the tree, she swayed slightly. Tonight, even the alcohol tasted sweet.  

“Ha…”  

The rising heat from the drink left her slightly breathless. Leaning carelessly against the tree, she looked up at the sky. The bright full moon illuminated the surroundings, making the darkness seem less oppressive.  

Taking another swig, Adele allowed herself to enjoy the lightheaded sensation.  

“…”  

But even this wasn’t enough to dissolve the knot of frustration and anger lodged in her chest.  

Of course, what she was doing now was already a rebellion of sorts.  

Wandering around at this late hour, dressed so casually—her uniform buttons undone for comfort, and her shoes left behind.  

This alone gave her a strange sense of liberation, as if she were committing a forbidden act.  

Just then, a shadow fell across the bright moonlight.  

…A person?  

“Adele Limier?”  

The voice wasn’t unfamiliar.  

“Huh?”  

Adele frowned.  

The figure blocking the moonlight chuckled softly and stepped aside to let the light shine on them.  

Squinting at the man, Adele immediately recognized him.  

“Duke.”  

“So, you’ve decided to drop honorifics for now?”  

The man laughed, but Adele decided not to bother with such trivialities.  

Even under the full moon, the Duke, Chereph Riat, was stunning.  

His golden hair gleamed like strands of pure gold, and his crimson eyes sparkled like glass, drawing attention from men and women alike.  

His tall frame, broad shoulders, and solid chest—evident even beneath his clothes—made him a flawless sculpture.  

His exceptional swordsmanship, among the best in the Empire, was undoubtedly a result of his robust physique.  

How many women had cried beneath that chest?  

Adele knew all too well the countless rumors surrounding Chereph.  

He never turned away a woman who came to him, nor did he cling to those who left. Yet, he never kept more than two women at a time—a curious balance.  

And thanks to his alluring crimson eyes, scandals followed him wherever he went.  

So much so that:  

‘Something’s going on between Duke Riat and the head secretary of the Knight Order.’  

‘What?’  

Even standing near him had once sparked baseless rumors that Adele and the Duke were romantically involved.  

After enduring harassment from Chereph’s admirers, Adele had distributed a response manual to her subordinates.  

[Under no circumstances should you approach Duke Riat.]

Performing her duties as an aide inevitably led to physical contact, which always turned into scandal. There was no way around it.  

He was annoyingly handsome.  

“……”  

Adele tilted her head slightly, fearlessly meeting Chereph’s gaze as he loomed over him, and took a sip of her drink.

His drowsy-looking eyes slanted slightly downward, and the tear mole just below one of them was so perfectly placed that it seemed like the final, deliberate touch of a meticulous artist. But the true highlight of that face was his mouth—the way one corner of his lips curled up into a crooked smile.

She didn’t need any snacks.  

Seeing that face in the mirror every day must be electrifying…

Wait.  

As Adele’s mind wandered with these idle thoughts, a sudden realization struck her.  

Come to think of it, this man, Chereph, was the perfect candidate.  

Married? No.  

A partner? None.  

Loose-lipped? No.  

On top of that, his title was absurdly high. No matter what kind of trouble he caused, it wouldn’t leave a single blemish on his career.  

Adele’s eyes sparkled.  

The man, who had seemed like a mere ornamental jewel, now looked like a very tempting apple.  

“What are you doing here alone?”  

“Your Grace. I have a request.”  

Adele licked her dry lips with a tongue that tasted faintly of sweetness. She didn’t notice, but Chereph’s eyes darkened slightly.  

“Do I look like a genie from a lamp, here to grant wishes just because I appeared under the moonlight? That’s troublesome.”  

He leaned closer to Adele.  

“So, what’s your wish?”  

His deep voice, pleasant to the ear, asked as if coaxing her gently.  

“Are you good at it?”  

Chereph chuckled audibly at Adele’s rude and abrupt question.  

“At what?”  

“In bed.”  

Adele wanted to spend an unforgettable night—with an unforgettable man.  

Chereph’s lips curled higher. The rationality that had been restraining Adele like iron walls had long since melted away under the influence of alcohol.  

Even before her debut in society, Adele had abandoned any illusions about love or relationships.  

Love was like a legend, and relationships were obligations.  

Having grown up feeling uncomfortable with physical contact, she hadn’t fought so hard to live a life where nothing was under her control, only to end up in an unwanted relationship.  

Especially not with an old, pot-bellied Marquis.  

If that were the case, I’d rather…  

“I want my first time to be with someone who’s good at it.”  

The thought of the man before her came purely from the rebellious impulse fueled by the alcohol she had consumed.  

“Adele Limier.”  

“Yes.”  

“You’re quite an amusing woman.”  

Despite his words, Chereph didn’t seem inclined to move. He crossed his arms.  

Well, to him, it probably sounded like the drunken nonsense of someone he’d barely spoken to before.  

Adele, holding the half-empty bottle, wobbled as she stood up.  

But I’m serious.  

Chereph’s crimson eyes followed her intently.  

Her small feet, clad in thin stockings, moved toward him.  

When Adele reached Chereph’s face, she took a hard sip of the liquor before setting the bottle down.  

She reached out with her now-free hand, gently pulling Chereph’s neck toward her. As he lowered his head to her level at her prompting, he whispered.  

“You’ll regret this.”  

Despite his words, Chereph kissed her as if to devour her lips.  

Even though Adele had been the one to make the request, she was startled by his sudden approach and opened her eyes wide.  

The cool scent of Chereph mixed with the smell of alcohol. His tongue lightly intertwined with hers through her slightly parted lips.  

It was hot.  

Without realizing it, she swallowed the liquor she had been holding in her mouth.  

It wasn’t just strong liquor—it felt like poison.  

Chereph wrapped his arms tightly around Adele’s waist, exploring her even more deeply.  

“Mm…”  

When she tilted her head back, overwhelmed, he paused briefly before diving in again.  

It was as if she had forgotten how to breathe; she only remembered to inhale when their lips parted.  

Neither could tell who had initiated it.  

—Screech, bang.  

The sound of a door closing.  

They kissed each other feverishly, pulling and pushing as they went.  

Not in such a bright place.  

Perhaps that thought crossed her mind, as Adele pushed him into the old storage room.  

Chereph, who had naturally pulled her along by the waist, followed her into the darkness.  

—Bang!  

Adele, pressed against the wall, turned her head and placed her hands on Chereph’s shoulders.  

Chereph, lightly brushing his lips against her slender neck, smiled. It was the smile of a ravenous predator.  

The moment their eyes met.  

Is this really okay?  

For just a brief moment, Adele hesitated.  

“……!”  

Chereph swiftly and skillfully dominated her, leaving no room for second thoughts.  

The strong liquor left only a faint buzz, and the floating sensation was replaced by the new, unfamiliar feelings brought by Chereph’s lips and hands.  

“Ah!”  

Chereph’s hand gripped her chest over her clothes, then slid inside, kneading gently.  

Adele, who had been awkwardly watching his face, suddenly widened her eyes.  

“It’s standing.”  

With those whispered words, Chereph’s fingertips brushed against her n*pple.  

Adele’s face flushed red in an instant.  

Chereph’s short nails teased her ar*ola before circling her n*pple.  

Each time her chest was stimulated, Adele’s grip on Chereph’s shoulders tightened and loosened.  

Everything was a first for Adele.  

Being this close to someone without formalities.  

Having someone touch places no one else ever would.  

Feeling someone’s lips on hers was entirely new.