Chapter 10

Her glossy red hair cascaded in waves below her chest, shimmering as it moved. Her amber eyes appeared exceptionally clear today. While she might not be a peerless beauty, her looks were certainly not lacking anywhere she went.

But what kind of style would the Duke like?

Hazel pondered deeply as she donned a dress with a square neckline. The Princess also had red hair like Hazel, but her features were larger and more striking than Hazel’s.

‘Does he prefer a more glamorous appearance? What kind of person could the Princess possibly be seeing for Duke Kaiden to feel dissatisfied with her?’

From Hazel’s perspective, Kaiden’s unrequited love was nothing short of a golden opportunity. However, she also felt a pang of pity for him, as it seemed he had endured considerable emotional turmoil.

“Sophie, what happened with that Calix you mentioned last time?”

“Oh, come on, Miss! Why are you asking about that?”

“Well, you even took a day off for a date with him, so why didn’t you tell me?”

“Do I really have to say it? Honestly.”

Sophie blushed as if embarrassed, and Hazel squinted her eyes, poking her side teasingly.

“So, are you two dating?”

“Yes.”

“Have you held hands and kissed, then?”

“Oh, really! Miss, you’re saying such things so early in the morning!”

Sophie, now as red as a beet, fanned herself with her hands as she finished arranging Hazel’s hairpiece.

Calix was an older man by two years who ran a blacksmith shop in the market and had long been a supplier of tableware for the Erban Marquisate. It was surprising that after knowing each other for so long, they had suddenly fallen for each other recently. Life truly was unpredictable.

“I’m just curious because it’s amazing how you suddenly became a couple.”

“It still feels like a dream to me.”

Sophie’s freckled cheeks were flushed with a rosy hue.

“Tell me how you two started dating.”

“Well, the other day, I went on an errand, and it suddenly started pouring rain. I got completely soaked, and Calix took me to his house, gave me dry clothes, and even made me potato soup. After that, he started to look different to me.”

“Really?”

Should she make Kaiden get drenched in the rain and then feed him potato soup? But since she couldn’t predict when it would rain, that seemed too reckless.

“So, what made Calix start liking you?”

“Well… don’t tease me.”

“Okay, just tell me comfortably.”

“When I was all wet and cold, I asked him to hug me… and then we kissed…”

Sophie lowered her head, clearly embarrassed. Listening to someone else’s love story was always entertaining. Hazel shook Sophie’s shoulders enthusiastically in reaction.

“Sophie, you’ve grown up now, kissing and all. So, how was the kiss?”

“Oh, Miss, you’ll be late! You should hurry and leave.”

When Hazel teased Sophie, her face turned red like a carrot again. Sophie adorably pouted, saying she’d never talk to Miss again.

In any case, Hazel realized that even long-time acquaintances could quickly become lovers if the right opportunity presented itself. She decided to create such an opportunity for herself—whether it be through a kiss or potato soup.

Knock, knock.

As Hazel knocked and stood in front of the door, it opened to reveal Kaiden, dressed in a black shirt buttoned up to his neck. The shirt fit perfectly over his broad shoulders and relatively slim waist, reminding her of that night. He had been reading a book, as evidenced by the glasses he wore, which gave him an intellectual air that suited him well. It was easy to understand why so many young ladies couldn’t stop praising him.

‘98.9 points really is something else.’

Hazel fiddled with the book on the table. Its title, *Magic Stones and Mind Control*, and its thick volume seemed perfect for putting someone to sleep. It was a far cry from the flashy titles Hazel usually read, like *The Virile Dragon Prince’s Circumstances* or *The Duke Next Door Has Exhibitionism*.

“Hazel, do you want to read that book?”

“Oh, no.”

Hazel shook her head vigorously, rejecting the idea. She knew it would just take up space next to her bed.

“But, Your Grace, where are we going today?”

“I was thinking of going to the Obir Dessert Boutique.”

“Do you mean the newly opened dessert boutique?”

Kaiden nodded as he removed his glasses. It was a place Hazel had been dying to visit.

The Obir Boutique was a hot new café among young ladies. Its centerpiece was an artificial lake and a greenhouse, and at night, it was adorned with glowing magic stones, creating an interior that resembled a sky full of stars. It was a very popular dating spot.

However, going there alone with the Duke could lead to rumors about his breakup with the Princess or attract numerous rivals. That would be troublesome.

“There’s another place I know. Would that be alright? Is there a specific reason you want to go to the Obir Boutique?”

“I don’t mind. Let’s go wherever you want, Hazel.”

“But why a dessert boutique all of a sudden? You don’t like sweets, Your Grace.”

“I like chocolate cake. I can even make it.”

“You can make chocolate cake, Your Grace?”

The idea of Kaiden and chocolate cake seemed like an odd combination.

During their time at the knight academy, he had disliked sweets so much that he gave all the candies and cookies gifted to him by young ladies to her. Back then, Hazel had eagerly accepted them, unaware that they were confessions of love from the ladies who admired him. This had earned her their jealousy, leading to a brief period of ostracism.

Perhaps her lack of interest in the Duke until now could be traced back to that experience. Regardless, Hazel decided to focus on the fact that spending time with the Duke increased her chances of a passionate night. With that in mind, she took his arm and climbed into the carriage.

They sat opposite each other, close enough for their knees to touch. Each time the carriage swayed slightly, their knees brushed, causing Hazel’s toes to curl. Whether it was because of Sophie’s words or her anticipation of touching the Duke’s body, she wasn’t sure.

“Hazel, are you uncomfortable?”

“Oh, no!”

Hazel quickly looked up, startled by Kaiden’s question.

She knew what lay hidden beneath his modest black shirt. Beneath his composed attire was a body sculpted with defined muscles and flawless skin.

“Your Grace, may I touch your arm?”

Evan often offered his arm for her to feel after training, so she thought it wouldn’t be a big deal. Besides, Kaiden hadn’t refused outright.

“My arm?”

“Other men show off and let people touch them. Don’t you like that, Your Grace?”

Kaiden hesitated, pondering her words. Worried she might be referring to Humohr, he moved closer and sat beside her, bending his arm slightly.

“Go ahead.”

Hazel beamed and poked his bulging bicep with her finger. It was as solid as a log wrapped in thick bark, her finger barely making an impression. She then wrapped her hand around his arm, feeling the muscles flex and ripple under her touch.

“Your Grace, could you take off your shirt for a moment? I want to see your muscles move.”

“…… Alright.”

Kaiden, who had been hesitating while furrowing his brow, began to unbutton his shirt.

At that moment, there were only the two of them inside the carriage, and Hazel, whose curiosity had not been satisfied, felt her chest tighten at the thought of touching the arm of a stern man. After all, wasn’t it just an arm? Even Philip touched arms every day.

Tap. Tap.

Kaiden avoided her gaze in embarrassment as his shirt opened wide, while Hazel exhaled warm breaths at the sight of his expansive chest revealed once again. It was a body that earned a solid 98.9 points, enough to bring a pleased smile just by looking at it.

When she poked his biceps with her fingers, it felt different from when she had touched it through the shirt. The taut skin covering his muscles slightly gave way, allowing her fingertips to feel the firm layer of muscle beneath. As her palm swept from his shoulder to his elbow and back again, she could feel the contours of his muscles rising and falling.

“Hazel, is this enough now?”

Hazel shook her head from side to side and lowered her hand to explore his waist. His waist, devoid of any excess fat, narrowed as it descended, and the muscles above his navel protruded evenly into six defined sections. Below that…

There lay the Duke’s thick and long p*nis, which couldn’t be swallowed in one bite nor grasped fully with one hand.

“Your Grace, you know…”

Kaiden, managing his slowly rising heartbeat and body temperature, replied, 

“Yes, what is it?”

Every time her small, soft hands brushed over his body and grabbed at him in chunks, it felt as though his nerves were being squeezed along with his flesh. Though he didn’t show it outwardly, every time her hands swept over his waist, he felt a rough groan threatening to escape his throat, forcing him to clench his teeth tightly.

“Doesn’t this hurt?”

Hazel pointed to the tension swelling beneath his belt buckle. While Kaiden could suppress his groans, the gradually rising er*ction was beyond his control.

“It’s fine.”

“No, you said this kind of thing hurts.”

“I said it’s fine.”

Kaiden slightly furrowed his brows and firmly pressed his lips together.

“Well then, let me just check if it’s really fine.”