Kissing Selina hadn’t been in Calix’s original plan—it was impulsive, yet calculated all at once. The terrace was a place where nobles often retreated to rest, but it was also infamous as a rendezvous spot for secret lovers. Calix had decided that if someone happened to witness an intimate moment between him and Selina, a useful rumor would surely make its way through the banquet hall.

But there was one thing he hadn’t accounted for.

“J-just a moment…”

Selina’s lips, soft and sweet as the first bloom of a flower, were more tender and inviting than he’d expected.

“Mmh…”

Each time a trembling m*an slipped from her lips, Calix found himself losing control, instinctively deepening their kiss. Her breaths, her scent, the trembling sounds that escaped her whenever he pushed her boundaries—all of it made it harder for him to restrain himself.

“Please… that’s enough…”

That must have been why what was meant to be a brief kiss quickly spiraled beyond what he’d intended. The moment her pale skin—hidden beneath a veil of translucent lace—was exposed, all sense of restraint slipped away, and he buried his face against her chest, forgetting every pretense of caution.

Click.

Suddenly, the terrace door swung open. A pair of women, fans raised to their faces, stepped in—only to spot the two of them. Flustered, they hurriedly backed out.

He’d gotten exactly what he wanted—an audience for their “affection.” Now all he had to do was compose himself and act as if nothing had happened.

But Calix couldn’t seem to let go of her, still lost in the haze of their kiss, frozen as before.

“W-what on earth…?”

Overcome with mortification, Selina pushed him away at last.

Fortunately, this time he let himself be gently pushed aside, taking a step back.

“I-I don’t understand how doing something like this is supposed to reassure anyone.”

She whispered, her voice thin and trembling. She couldn’t believe what they’d done—especially here, where anyone might see them. Her heart pounded in her chest, loud and frantic, as if she’d just committed some terrible sin.

“You were standing with your back to the door, so at least your face won’t have been seen.”

Calix said smoothly, a composed smile on his lips as he picked up the chemise that had fallen to the floor.

A moment later, his hand came to rest near the bare curve of Selina’s chest, where the fabric had slipped away. Instinctively, she flinched and drew back from his touch, prompting Calix to tilt his head and ask quietly,

“Are you planning to go back like that?”

Selina glanced down at herself, mortified. Without the chemise, the neckline of her dress exposed her curves so starkly she felt n*ked. There was no way she could return to the hall looking like this.

Hesitantly, she reached her hand out to Calix.

“P-please give it back. I’ll do it myself.”

“It won’t be easy on your own.”

He replied, but handed her the chemise all the same, as if to say, Go on, try if you’d like.

Taking it from him, she turned her back and tried to tie the ribbons herself. But no matter how hard she wrestled with the delicate strings, she couldn’t get them to stay in place. If anything, the dress only became more twisted and awkward with every attempt.

‘How am I supposed to do this?’

She was quickly growing desperate, fighting with the tangled ribbons, when—

“Come here.”

Calix said, gently turning her to face him.

“I—I can do it myself.”

Selina insisted, her voice trembling. He only smiled.

“Perhaps. But it’s best to have these things tied by someone who’s done it a lot.”

At his unexpected words, Selina bit her lip.

‘Of course—he’s probably been in situations like this many times before. That’s why he can act so shamelessly in a place like this.’

The thought stung more than she wanted to admit. Compared to him, her inexperience felt painfully obvious, and she was embarrassed by how flustered she had been by every little touch.

“…Please, go ahead.”

She managed, trying her best to sound unbothered.

She wanted to look just as unfazed as Calix, as if none of this was new to her either.

His hand glided down the nape of her neck again, this time gentler than before. With practiced ease, he straightened the dress and tied the ribbons in place.

“There.”

He said, stepping back. Unlike Selina, who’d fumbled with the ties for ages, Calix finished it in a heartbeat and extended his hand to her.

“That took longer than I expected. Let’s head back now.”

Selina hesitated, staring down at his outstretched hand.

“A-are we… going back together?”

Her dress might be fixed, but if they returned to the hall side by side, wouldn’t it be obvious they’d been alone on the terrace together? The thought of everyone’s eyes on her made her cheeks burn.

But Calix, utterly unbothered, brushed off the worries running through her head.

“If we were to go back separately, wouldn’t that seem even stranger?”

His crimson eyes crinkled at the corners, as if he found the whole situation amusing.

“I made eye contact with those ladies a while ago. By now, I’m sure rumors are already spreading through the hall—that the impatient Duke of Thalia couldn’t resist and laid his hands on his wife.”

“You… you did all that on purpose?”

He smiled, intertwining their fingers and gently pulling her hand into his.

“Precisely. Which is why I need to walk in with you.”

The warmth of his hand threaded through hers sent another wave of heat rushing to her face.

“We wouldn’t want anyone getting the wrong idea, would we?”

Flustered, Selina looked away, wishing she had a fan of her own—at least then she could try to cool her burning cheeks.

And so, as newlyweds, Calix and Selina walked back into the banquet hall together. Every head turned to watch them, a few nobles eyeing them with mischievous, knowing looks. Some lifted their glasses, pretending not to stare as they took in the couple’s disheveled appearance; others hid their mouths behind fans, but their eyes followed the pair intently, eager for gossip.

‘The rumors really must have spread already.’

Selina unconsciously clenched her gloved hand tighter. Sweat began to dampen the inside of her glove, her palm clammy with nerves. Just then, Calix draped an arm over her shoulder and leaned in to whisper by her ear.

“Forgive me for leaving you alone, but I have to go pay my respects to the esteemed guests from the Empire.”

Following his gaze, Selina saw a group of dignified gentlemen waiting some distance away, clearly expecting Calix’s attention. Though she’d spent her life in the Empire, she didn’t recognize any of them, but Calix seemed to know them all.

“Go ahead.”

She replied softly, giving him a little nod. Calix left her side, and Selina drifted toward the edge of the hall.

Leaning her back against the wall, she watched as dozens of people congratulated Calix in the center of the room. Noble couples were waltzing gracefully beneath the grand chandelier. Suddenly, Selina remembered a conversation she’d overheard among the maids back at the Marquis’s estate:

“Do we really need to teach Lady Selina social etiquette? No one talks to her anyway, do they?”

“And what’s the point in teaching her to dance? No one will ever ask her, and she’s not even any good. We might as well skip it.”

At the time, she had agreed with them — she had never wanted those lessons in the first place. Why learn something you’ll never use? However, having seen real society in action, she now felt differently. She felt like an ugly duckling, alone on the lake and surrounded by graceful swans.

Even Maya, who had always stood by her side, was nowhere to be seen. Selina was truly alone — everyone glanced her way, but nobody approached her. You’d think people would be curious about the Marquis’s daughter, but nobody tried to strike up a conversation. The sweat on her palms turned cold.

“It shows, doesn’t it…”

Suddenly, she recalled Iden’s words as she was being dressed:

“I bet everyone here can tell you’re different from the rest, just by looking.”

The fear of being found out and exposed as different was overwhelming. Out of habit, Selina found herself nibbling her fingernails.

Just then, someone spoke, their voice cutting through her anxious thoughts.

“Lady Selina Ilios Axell—no, you’re the Grand Duchess now, aren’t you?”

A man stepped in front of her and bowed his head lightly. Startled by his sudden appearance, Selina drew her shoulders in, and the man gave an awkward little cough, apologizing at once.

“I’m sorry. It seems I startled you.”

“N-no, it’s fine. But, um, may I ask—?”

Shaking off her daze, Selina managed to focus and look up at the man before her. He had jet-black hair and thick, dark brows. His eyes, deep and dark as a moonless sky, were set beneath long, narrow lashes, giving his gaze a piercing, wintry sharpness—almost as if he belonged to the midnight itself.

‘If Calix is the sun, then this man is the night.’

His expression was tinged with a quiet shadow, so unlike the radiant warmth of Calix. With impeccable form, the man bowed once more, extending a gloved hand toward her.

“My name is Waldemar, commander of the Hartenberg Imperial Army.”

He introduced himself, his voice as cool as his demeanor.

“Oh…”

“If it’s not too much to ask, may I have this dance with you, Madame?”