“No. It’s nothing like that.”

Irina couldn’t tell him she was saving money to escape from home quickly. If she did, he would almost certainly suggest they marry soon so she could leave her house.

Now that her feelings for him had developed, marriage wasn’t a bad option. But she wasn’t yet ready to commit to living as Irina Pride.

Besides, “desperately”?

“I haven’t been working that desperately.”

She was bothered by the implication that she appeared miserly in his eyes.

“Look at your work schedule and tell me that again.”

Irina had no retort. Indeed, no one in the palace worked as much as she did.

“Fine. I’ll work in moderation from now on.”

Still, “desperately” was too much. As Irina slightly pouted her lips, Maverick’s eyes curved into crescents.

“I actually enjoy having you all to myself without annoying interruptions.”

Irina felt her already flushed cheeks burn hotter. She quickly turned her head so he wouldn’t see.

“Are you telling me to work or not to work?”

“I’m saying work moderately and rest. While playing with me.”

“…Dealing with you, Sir Maverick, is more exhausting than working.”

Irina subtly expressed her resentment toward Maverick, who made her heart race uncontrollably.

“I’ve never made things difficult for you.”

Irina’s brow furrowed at his confident tone.

“You’re always asking me for k-kisses and such.”

She stumbled over the word “kiss,” suddenly feeling embarrassed. She thought it was ridiculous to be shy now, but she couldn’t help it.

“And that’s difficult for you?”

Irina flinched at his lowered voice. When she glanced back, her eyes met Maverick’s, who looked hurt. He seemed to have greatly misunderstood something.

“Do you hate it so much when I ask for a kiss?”

“N-no. I don’t hate it…”

Irina was flustered and struggled to speak. Maverick stared at her silently, then suddenly grabbed her face.

His sadness had been an act. He had trapped Irina and now approached with a face full of delight.

“You said you don’t hate it, right?”

Maverick sucked on Irina’s lips with a quick kiss. Then he wrapped his arm around the neck of the surprised, frozen Irina and gently parted her lips.

When Irina hesitantly placed her hands on his chest, the corner of Maverick’s mouth twitched. He sucked on her tongue while gently caressing her ear.

Irina’s head grew dizzy from his soft, ticklish touch.

“You really do have a fever. You’re hot.”

Maverick stroked her cheek after breaking the kiss.

“Work less.”

The words “This fever is because of you” almost escaped Irina’s throat.

“If you didn’t have a fever, I’d pounce on you, but I can’t because you’re sick.”

Maverick licked the saliva left on his lips from their kiss, looking disappointed.

“Who, who said I would allow it?”

Irina jumped back in alarm, wrapping her arms around herself. Maverick’s gaze grew even more dangerous.

“Why do you tempt me so cutely when you won’t even let me hold you?”

“When did I ever!”

“Look in the mirror. See what’s on your face right now.”

Maverick pointed with his eyes to a mirror on the desk. Irina cautiously reached for it, watching him warily.

Her face was a bit flushed, but there was nothing special about it. Nothing was on her face.

“What’s supposed to be on it?”

“Look carefully. It’s right here.”

Maverick pulled a chair closer and moved beside her. Their reflections appeared in the mirror together. He tapped on the mirror to divert her attention, then firmly pressed his lips against her cheek.

It was just a trick to steal a kiss!

When Irina tried to push him away, Maverick grabbed her shoulders and pulled her into his embrace.

“Irina, has your fever weakened you?”

Maverick tilted his head.

“Before, you genuinely hated it, but now there’s no strength in your hands pushing me away.”

Irina’s shoulders twitched as his words struck home. Maverick’s lips parted slightly, and the corners of his mouth curved upward. Maybe she was too weak to resist because of her fever. Or perhaps…

“You’ve grown to like me, haven’t you?”

Maverick asked with a smile. But he couldn’t maintain his smile and soon swallowed dryly.

“You’ve come to like me a little, right?”

Embarrassed at being found out, Irina couldn’t even meet his eyes. When she gave no answer, looking troubled, disappointment shadowed Maverick’s face.

I had my hopes up, but I guess we’re still far from there.

His heart felt heavy with frustration. But he quickly changed his mindset and looked at Irina again.

“The Pride family is hosting a party to celebrate my birthday. I’d like you to come.”

“A party?”

Irina was somewhat surprised. A party at the Pride household meant meeting the Duke and Duchess of Pride.

Despite being engaged for six months, Irina had never seen the faces of the Duke and Duchess of Pride. She had thought she should at least greet them once, but Maverick had insisted it wasn’t necessary.

‘You can do that when you decide you want to marry me.’

She had let it go, finding it ridiculous how determined he was that they would definitely marry no matter what. But now it was time to think seriously about it.

Just imagining it made her feel breathless. She was already nervous—how much would she tremble when she actually met them?

Maverick misunderstood Irina’s stiff expression as reluctance to attend his birthday party.

“Wouldn’t it be too lonely and sad if my fiancée didn’t come to my birthday? Picture me wandering aimlessly alone at the party without a companion.”

So he put on a pitiful face to stimulate her guilt and gain her sympathy.

“As the guest of honor, all eyes will be on me. But I’ll be alone throughout the party.”

“Sir Maverick, I haven’t said anything yet.”

Irina reminded him that she had neither refused nor accepted, as he continued to grumble.

“Then let’s say you’ll be my escort, and for now…”

“I’m telling you, I haven’t made any decision yet.”

Irina cut off Maverick as he tried to rush the conversation.

“You don’t need to prepare a birthday gift separately. Just give me your time.”

That’s the most expensive thing, isn’t it?

Maverick whispered in Irina’s ear. Irina pushed his face away with her hand, her face flushed.

“Fine. I’ll go, so please step back a little. You’re making my fever worse.”

When Irina finally gave the answer he wanted, Maverick grinned and moved away.

“We’ll need to get you fitted for a dress first.”

“Are you going to give it and take it back again?”

“Again? When have I ever done such a thing to you?”

Maverick looked at Irina as if he had no idea what she was talking about. Irina laughed in disbelief.

“Have you forgotten? The handkerchief you promised to return to me.”

He had given her his handkerchief without her asking. Then he took it back, saying he would return it later, but still hadn’t. She didn’t necessarily need it back, but the fact that he had taken it was what mattered.

“You could return it now.”

When Irina extended her hand, Maverick firmly shook his head.

“I can’t return that because you did something too adorable. Instead, I’ll buy you ten new handkerchiefs.”

His attitude while refusing was truly majestic.

“You don’t need it anymore now that the jousting tournament is over.”

“I do need it. Whenever you refuse my kisses, I kiss it instead as a poor substitute.”

“What?”

Irina’s eyes widened in surprise. No wonder he wouldn’t return it—he had been secretly doing such things.

“I won’t need to do that today.”

Maverick smiled, slowly lifting the corners of his mouth.

“Return it right now.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t take the dress back. Oh, and whatever the Duke and Duchess of Pride might say to you, don’t pay it any mind.”

He changed the subject.

Irina glanced sideways at the shameless man. Though his nonchalance was frustrating, for some reason, he looked especially handsome today.

“I’ve been wondering for a while—why won’t you let me meet them?”

“Because they’ll just say unnecessary things to you.”

“So you mean they disapprove of me and…”

“That’s not it.”

Maverick cut her off sharply, but Irina couldn’t let go of her doubts.

Setting aside his feelings for her, which she didn’t fully understand, objectively speaking, there was a huge gap between his status and hers.

‘If I were the Duchess of Pride, I would absolutely oppose this.’

Moreover, she was currently postponing the wedding indefinitely. There was no way they would view her favorably.

Irina’s worries only deepened.

On the day of the party, Irina finally understood why Maverick had so definitively said that wasn’t the issue.

“We want to see our grandson soon.”

That was the first thing the Duke of Pride said after being introduced to Irina. The Duchess beside him supported her husband.

“A grandson to continue the Pride lineage.”

“The sooner the better.”

“I’ve already prepared medicine known to be good for women, so be sure to take it with you today.”

The couple pressured Irina, telling her to have a child—they didn’t care whether it was a boy or girl. Startled by their forcefulness, Irina stepped back, and Maverick positioned himself in front of her, blocking the ducal couple.