“I got hurt on the way, so I came back.”

“You got hurt? Where?”

“My b*tt. I bumped into a nobleman on the street.”

“What? You ran into a noble? Are you alright?”

Anna’s eyes widened. She fussed over Rona, checking her from head to toe as though something serious had happened.

“Why? Is it bad to bump into a noble?”

“Of course it is. If you cross the wrong one, you could get whipped until you’re covered in blood! But judging by your reaction, you must’ve met a decent one.”

“He even said I should come see him if I got seriously hurt.”

“What? No way! Are you serious?”

“Yeah.”

“Liar.”

“I’m not lying.”

Anna’s worried gaze vanished, replaced by suspicion. She seemed to think Rona was making it up.

‘How dare she think I’m lying?’

Rona felt wronged enough to want to drag Anna with her to the Count’s estate right then. But really, there was no reason to bring her to such a nice place.

Rona was about to say which noble family it was, but Anna cut her off, pushing her gently toward the door.

“If you’re going to talk nonsense, just go buy the flour already.”

“I’m not making this up.”

Anna shoved her out of the bakery, which annoyed Rona for a moment, but the feeling didn’t last. Remembering what had happened made her heart flutter.

‘Getting whipped… That almost never happens to someone like me. He must have liked me and wanted me to visit, right? Could it be that the Count fell for me at first sight?’

‘Of course I’m different. I shine all on my own!’

The more she thought about it, the more convinced Rona became that Count Leonard had taken an interest in her.

Rona walked with a spring in her step, but soon stopped. She moved to a corner where no one was around and checked the spot where she’d fallen earlier. It still stung, but she found no bruise.

“I can’t go to the Count’s estate like this…”

Realizing the injury wasn’t serious, she felt disappointed. If she showed up now, they might think she was faking it.

There was only one thing to do. She had to make the bruise worse. Right there, Rona sat down hard on the ground.

“Ow!”

She landed with a loud thud. It hurt enough to bring tears to her eyes. She checked her b*tt and saw a big, dark bruise forming. Her lips twitched with satisfaction.

“This should do it.”

She wanted to visit the Count’s estate right away, but she couldn’t skip work at the bakery. Luckily, her day off was coming up in two days, so she decided to go then.

Her bruise throbbed, but a triumphant smile spread across her lips.

* * *

At that moment, Ariel was enjoying a tea gathering with other young ladies.

“You’re still getting along well with Count Leonard, right?”

“Of course. It’s just that Lucas has been so busy lately, we haven’t seen each other much.”

“We have to understand when they’re busy with work. But really, Lady Jiles, you have such good taste in men. Who would’ve thought Count Leonard, who used to look so frail, would grow into such a fine man?”

Everyone in society knew how devoted Ariel had been to Lucas.

More and more young ladies wanted Lucas for themselves as he became more attractive, but none dared approach him. They only regretted not recognizing his potential sooner.

Of course, that hadn’t always been the case. Some had tried to get close, but Lucas always kept his distance.

‘He keeps his distance from me too, though…’

Ariel couldn’t admit it to the others, but she felt that Lucas drew a line even with her.

He always treated her with perfect manners, but that only made him seem more distant. Maybe others thought he cherished her, but Ariel felt otherwise.

Oblivious to her feelings, Lady Wimz brought up something that made Ariel uneasy.

“I’ve heard even His Majesty the King has started to take notice of Count Leonard.”

“Oh, really?”

No one, not even the Marquis, ever told Ariel anything about Lucas. She always heard about his achievements from others.

Lucas wasn’t much of a talker, and he never boasted. He always did his work quietly, and Ariel could only watch from the sidelines.

“I know you two are close, but don’t get too comfortable. There are rumors that even the Princess has her eye on Count Leonard.”

“….”

Ariel couldn’t respond. That rumor only fueled the anxiety that had been growing inside her.

She often found herself staring at Lucas, amazed at how much he’d grown. But whenever she realized she wasn’t the only one watching him, her heart felt heavy.

Sometimes, she missed the days when Lucas was weak and no one paid attention to him.

Ariel opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Sensing her discomfort, Lady Wimz quickly changed the subject.

“Shouldn’t you two be thinking about marriage soon?”

“Yes, we’re planning for either this year or next.”

Ariel finally managed to calm herself and smiled again.

She wanted to marry on a bright, breezy day like today, but it couldn’t happen overnight. Even if they started talking about it now, the earliest would be the end of the year.

That would be fine. She’d be happy to marry at the end of this year or early next year, but since Marquis Jiles hadn’t shown any intention of moving things forward, even that wasn’t certain.

She was pushing for it as soon as possible, but convincing the Marquis would take more time.

“So, has your relationship with Count Leonard progressed at all?”

“Ah, not yet.”

Ariel stammered, embarrassed by the question.

Some of the young ladies’ eyes grew wide. Ariel had declared she would demand more than a kiss from Lucas, so they assumed she had succeeded.

“Not yet? Didn’t you say you’d ask for more than a kiss?”

“He turned me down.”

Ariel forced a smile.

“Really? Count Leonard must really care for you, Lady Jiles.”

It sounded like a compliment, but Ariel only felt lonelier.

Is being cherished really a good thing?

Lucas’s gentlemanly manners set an example for all men, but his fiancée, Ariel, felt dissatisfied.

Lady Mori had spent a passionate night with her fiancé just last night…

When the young ladies gathered for tea, they often shared secrets they couldn’t tell anyone else. They spoke freely about their love lives and even traded tips, all while promising to keep things confidential.

Ariel could never join those conversations. She knew the theory, but without any experience, she couldn’t pretend.

“Count Leonard’s integrity is admirable, but it’s a shame you can’t enjoy the thrill before marriage.”

“You’ll do it after marriage anyway, so is there really any need for that thrill?”

“Oh, Lady Burken, you just haven’t experienced it yet. Do you know how exciting it is?”

Lady Wimz boasted, and Lady Burken fell silent.

Ariel wasn’t the only one who hadn’t slept with her fiancé. Other young ladies with fiancés who shared Lucas’s values were in the same boat.

Still, every time she heard that another had finally succeeded in seducing her fiancé, she couldn’t help feeling anxious.

“Why not just go for it physically?”

At that moment, Lady Wimz made a bold suggestion.

“Go for it physically?”

Ariel had never considered such a daring approach. She and Lucas always respected each other’s boundaries.

“Yes. There’s no need to be so proper between lovers. In fact, showing your vulnerable side to him is what makes you truly a couple.”

“My vulnerable side?”

“Oh, you don’t have to pretend you don’t know. You’ve had s*x education, haven’t you?”

“I-I have.”

“Then you know. Men are weak to a woman’s advances. So why don’t you take the initiative, Lady Jiles?”

“What if he turns me down…?”

“Don’t give him the chance. You just have to seduce him completely. I’ll teach you the tricks. You can practice what you’re missing.”

Ariel hesitated for a moment, then nodded. After all, learning something new couldn’t hurt.

A sly smile spread across Lady Wimz’s lips.