‘…What should I do?’

Selina stood by the door to the terrace, awkwardly gripping the handle. She had been certain Calix would be in the banquet hall—so why was he out here?

“S-sorry. I didn’t realize anyone was here.”

“It’s fine. I wasn’t planning to have the terrace all to myself anyway.”

Calix replied, gesturing with a tilt of his head for her to come in.

But Selina couldn’t bring herself to be alone with him.

“No, that’s all right. I’ll just head back to the hall—”

She turned to go, but a firm hand caught her, gently pulling her back.

Looking down at her, Calix spoke in a teasing tone,

“If anyone saw, they’d think you were running away from me.”

“It’s not like that…”

She fumbled for an answer, flustered at the thought that he might have seen right through her.

“I just thought it was time for me to head back, that’s all.”

Calix pulled a watch from his pocket and checked the time.

“A few minutes’ delay won’t hurt.”

He tapped the railing beside him, as if inviting her to stay.

With little choice, Selina reluctantly took her place by his side.

‘I really didn’t want to see him right now…’

Being near Calix again brought the contents of her father’s letter sharply to mind.

‘…This is the worst.’

Unable to meet Calix’s gaze, she clenched her fists. After all, he was the man who had offered her a way out of the Empire. Now, however, she was expected to deceive and betray him. Overwhelmed by guilt, she stared out at the scenery instead.

“You look good in your ceremonial dress.”

He gestured towards her outfit and took a slow drag from his cigar. Selina had changed out of her ornate wedding dress into a much lighter muslin gown with soft, puffed sleeves — the kind that were currently popular among the nobility. The fabric was so sheer and the neckline so low that it threatened to expose her at the slightest misstep. Only a thin chemise offered any modesty, and with just a tug on the ribbon, everything could be revealed. The dressmaker’s intent was all too clear.

“Th-thank you.”

Selina murmured, placing a hand over her chest and bowing her head. With so many guests at the banquet, her attire made her feel exposed and on edge.

With a wry grin, Calix spoke around his cigar,

“Are all imperial gowns like this? They seem friendly on the surface, but they’re hiding rather questionable intentions beneath.”

Selina blushed, flustered by the double meaning, and quickly turned away. Her reaction made Calix misread the situation. Removing the cigar from his lips, he added,

“I almost forgot—you mentioned you weren’t feeling well earlier. Sorry, I should have been more considerate.”

He began to stub out his cigar, but Selina shook her head quickly.

“No, it’s not because of the smoke! I just… I didn’t choose this dress on purpose, so please don’t misunderstand.”

When she blurted out the truth, Calix’s lips curved up in a faint, teasing smile.

“That’s a shame. I was hoping you’d meant to wear it for me.”

His gaze lingered on her, warm and heavy as curling smoke. Flustered, Selina rushed to change the subject.

“The tobacco you smoke, Your Grace—it smells… unusual. Most cigars I’ve encountered were much harsher, but this one…”

Calix flicked the ash from his cigar and asked,

“Unusual?”

“It has a kind of bittersweet, woody scent. Almost like something you’d smell in a forest.”

Hearing this, Calix smiled,

“It’s infused with herbs that only grow in Thalia. That’s probably why.”

“You can add scent to tobacco?”

Selina asked, her curiosity plain.

Amused by her wide-eyed interest, Calix asked playfully,

“Does it really fascinate you, Lady Selina?”

“Yes, a little…”

Calix held out the cigar, as if inviting her to try it for herself.

Selina had heard cigars were expensive, and this one, infused with rare scents, must be even more valuable. But curiosity won out over hesitation, and she reached toward the cigar.

At that moment, Calix pulled his hand back.

“You’re a handful, you know that?”

He said, shaking his head with a slight smile. He stubbed out the half-finished cigar on the railing.

“But you were the one who offered to let me try it.”

“Would you do anything just because I told you to?”

“Not anything! I was just curious…”

But Calix cut her off, his tone unexpectedly firm.

“Curiosity isn’t a good enough reason. If something isn’t good for you, don’t do it.”

Selina couldn’t help but pout a little—after all, he’d just been smoking it himself. Calix seemed to read her thoughts and chuckled softly.

“All that curiosity—maybe it’s because you were raised so sheltered.”

“It’s not that I was raised sheltered, it’s just… I was so closely guarded, there’s a lot I never got to learn.”

In reality, it wasn’t overprotection at all. The marquis had merely locked her away in the convent and left her there.

Calix pretended to take her words in stride, feigning a playful seriousness.

“Well, as your new guardian, I suppose I have a lot of responsibility on my shoulders.”

Then he looked at her and his expression softened.

“So, are you feeling better now? Is your illness gone?”

Since the Marquis had always said that she was too unwell to participate in society, he probably thought that her ‘protection’ was due to her poor health. It was no surprise that Calix thought the same.

“Yes. I’m perfectly fine now.”

“You don’t mind the smell of smoke?”

“Not really. Strong smoke can be overwhelming, but if this is similar to what you had earlier, I think it’ll be fine.”

Selina nodded, and Calix’s lips curved in satisfaction, as if her answer had pleased him.

“Then that’s good.”

She was about to ask what he meant by that—when his large, steady hand tilted her delicate chin upward.

“I believe curiosity should be indulged, but only up to a point.”

“What do you—”

Her question never made it out.

He closed the distance between them and claimed her lips in a searing kiss.

Surprised by the sudden heat, she instinctively clamped her mouth shut. But he drew back just enough to murmur softly,

“Open your mouth.”

Almost before she could process his words, he cupped her cheeks, coaxing her lips apart. As her mouth yielded, he deepened the kiss, his tongue slipping past her defenses and exploring her hungrily.

“Wa-wait—”

She tried to protest, but he didn’t allow it.

“No.”

He breathed, holding both her wrists as if to steady her.

“We’d better finish this quickly so you can get back.”

He echoed the excuse she’d used moments ago with a sly smile before kissing her even more passionately.

The bittersweet taste of tobacco overwhelmed her senses, making her feel faint. The deepening flavour seemed to seep through her entire body, making her head spin and her heart race. The thrill started deep in her stomach and spread until she could barely keep her balance.

Desperately trying to stay upright, she found herself forgetting how to breathe. She instinctively held her breath, only for Calix to break away with a ragged gasp.

“Don’t forget to breathe.”

“Haa…”

She managed to gulp down air—only for him to capture her mouth once more, his kiss even rougher, more demanding than before.

“Mmh…”

A helpless m*an escaped her lips as she clung to his collar. He pulled her closer by the nape of her neck and held her tightly against him.

Each time his tongue touched the inside of her mouth, Selina found herself making soft, shameful sounds — noises that she could hardly believe were coming from her own lips. Embarrassed by her desperate little whimpers, she squeezed her eyes shut, too flustered to face him.

Lost in her very first kiss, clinging to his arms and completely swept away, she was oblivious to everything else.

Until footsteps sounded.

The sound of someone’s shoes echoed, approaching the terrace. In an instant, Selina snapped back to herself.

“S-someone’s coming.”

She whispered, her voice trembling as she shook her head at Calix, silently begging him to stop.

But he didn’t seem the least bit bothered.

“Even better.”

His lips, which had been insistent on her neck, began to trail lower, slowly descending along its sensitive curve. He didn’t stop until he reached the deep neckline of her dress, pausing just above the sheer chemise that covered her chest.

“Imagine what people would think, seeing how close this political marriage has made us.”

He murmured, his lips hovering shamelessly close to her bare skin.

“Those hoping for peace might finally be reassured.”

And then, as if to prove his point, Calix nipped at the ribbon of her chemise and looked up at her from beneath golden lashes. The heat rising in her chest made her dizzy, and Selina instinctively reached out, grasping his hair in a frantic attempt to push him away.

“Please… that’s enough…”

She managed it, her voice quivering with emotion.

But that only seemed to urge him on. The loose ribbon slipped easily free, and the gossamer chemise that had barely concealed her slipped away and pooled at her waist.

Her pale skin, usually hidden from view, was exposed to the cool air — and to him. Calix pressed his lips to her newly revealed skin, his touch simultaneously gentle and possessive.

Clack.

At that moment, the terrace door swung open.