Chapter 1.4

“Well, well, isn’t that Lord Kenwill?”  

Just then, the Marquis of Heathridge approached, leaning on his cane. He quickly scanned the faces of the gentlemen surrounding Andrea before curling his lips into a smile. Addressing one of the young men, the Marquis greeted him warmly, as if he were an old acquaintance.  

“Your Lordship, Marquis of Heathridge. It’s been a while. How have you been?”  

“I’ve been quite busy with trade matters. And your father? I hear he’s passed the business entirely into your hands. You must have a lot on your plate.”  

“Yes, he’s doing well. I still have much to learn, but I hope to achieve even a fraction of what you have, Your Lordship.”  

“Haha, you flatter me.”  

The Marquis laughed heartily and lightly patted the man’s arm. The young man, having been singled out by the Marquis, glanced smugly at the others around Andrea.  

“Have you introduced yourself to my daughter?”  

“Yes, we exchanged introductions. She’s a rare beauty. I was quite taken aback.”  

“Come by for a meal sometime. We can catch up properly then.”  

The Marquis extended his arm to Andrea. Awkwardly, she linked her arm with his, and as they began walking, he whispered to her.  

“What were you talking about with them?”  

“Nothing worth mentioning.”  

The Marquis nodded lightly.  

“Good. Continue to act like a doll. I’ll find you the most suitable match.”  

“Yes, Your Lordship.”  

The Marquis frowned slightly at her response. Realizing her mistake, Andrea quickly corrected herself in a small voice.  

“…Father.”  

Father. The word made Andrea want to bite her tongue. Regardless of the truth, to onlookers, the two appeared to be a close father and daughter. Those who approached to greet the Marquis all praised his affection for her.  

“His Lordship seems to cherish his daughter deeply. The Marquis’s Young Lady must be very happy.”  

Andrea allowed herself to be led around by the Marquis, exchanging empty pleasantries with others. She felt like an object on display, scrutinized by everyone’s eyes.  

‘Is this how people find their matches and marry?’  

Though Andrea resigned herself to her fate, she found it all rather dull and foolish.  

‘I just want to go back to my room and rest.’  

Overwhelmed by fatigue, Andrea closed her eyes briefly.  

It was then.  

“His Highness, Crown Prince Michael Cherleus Hecet, has arrived!”  

A shiver ran down Andrea’s spine. From the moment she heard his name, her heart began to pound as if it might burst. When she turned with a creak, she saw Michael descending the stairs, a relaxed smile on his face. His golden hair gleamed brilliantly under the chandelier’s light. 

He was as perfect as ever, though his aura had changed significantly. Age and experience had stripped away any traces of boyishness. If he had once been delicate and beautiful, he now exuded a sensual charm.  

Even after the Emperor’s entrance, Andrea’s gaze remained fixed on Michael. Everything else seemed blurry, and only he stood out clearly. Even the Emperor’s majestic voice brushed past her ears like the wind.  

‘To see His Highness again…’  

Simply laying eyes on him filled Andrea with overwhelming emotion. The complicated thoughts that had plagued her moments ago vanished entirely, replaced by a world flooded with light.  

‘…!’  

Andrea’s fortune didn’t end there. The Marquis began leading her toward the Crown Prince.  

One step, two steps.  

As the distance between them shrank, Andrea’s heartbeat grew louder. She clenched her teeth to avoid looking foolishly dazed. Standing beside Michael, the Marquis bowed respectfully.  

“Greetings to the Empire’s little sun.”  

Michael turned, his face lighting up with a radiant smile when he saw the Marquis.  

“Ah, Marquis of Heathridge. It’s been a while.”  

“Have you been well, Your Highness?”  

“I should be asking you that. You’ve been absent for so long, I was beginning to worry. Let’s meet more often.”  

Michael’s eyes curved into a crescent shape. He briefly placed a hand on the Marquis’s shoulder before letting it go, his casual demeanor even drawing a rare smile from the usually stern Marquis. Then Michael’s gaze fell on Andrea, who stood beside the Marquis.  

“And who might this be?”  

The Marquis spoke as if he had been waiting for this moment.  

“My daughter. She recently came of age. Why don’t you introduce yourself?”  

“Andrea Heathridge. It is an honor to meet you, Your Highness.”  

Andrea clutched her skirt and curtsied slightly. Beneath her voluminous dress, her slender legs trembled. Michael’s eyes gleamed with interest as they lingered on her small face. After a brief silence, he curled his lips into a smooth smile and spoke.  

“Ah, the famous one.”  

Thump, thump, thump.  

Andrea’s heart pounded so hard it felt like it might explode. She could feel the blood rushing to her cheeks, making them burn.  

‘He… knows me.’  

Andrea didn’t know whether to be elated or despair at the certainty that the rumors he had heard about her were likely unkind. But at least for this moment, everything felt like a dream.  

Even the name “Heathridge,” which had felt like an ill-fitting shoe, now filled her with gratitude. It was, after all, the ticket that allowed her to see Michael and stand before him.  

“……”  

As Andrea slowly lifted her lowered lashes, Michael’s vivid green eyes locked onto hers. He had been watching her the entire time, his gaze unwavering.  

‘Am I imagining things? Just now, it felt like…’  

Andrea sensed a subtle unease in his gaze. To her, Michael had always been the kindest and most elegant person. Someone who couldn’t pass by a crying girl without stopping, who greeted everyone with a warm smile, and who crafted beautiful sentences with graceful words.  

But just now, she felt an instinctive fear of him. It was as if she were a rabbit standing before a predator. Andrea gently rubbed her arms, trying to shake off the goosebumps.  

‘Am I imagining things?’  

Andrea’s eyes trembled slightly. She tried hard not to show her confusion and forced the corners of her lips into a long smile. In response, Michael’s lips curled into a swift, picture-perfect smile. He spoke to Andrea with an angelic expression.  

“Congratulations on coming of age, Marquis’ Young Lady. I suppose we’ll be seeing each other more often now.”  

“Y-Yes, thank you…!”  

Michael gave her a slight nod before striding away. It wasn’t until he had walked about ten steps away that Andrea finally exhaled the breath she had been holding. Her heart pounded violently, as if she had been running and suddenly stopped.  

‘I was so nervous, I can’t even remember what expression I had. I hope I didn’t make any mistakes.’  

Andrea pressed her trembling hand against her chest, trying to calm her racing heart. Her mind swirled violently, like tea being stirred vigorously with a teaspoon.  

Just then, the Marquis’s blunt voice pulled Andrea back to reality.  

“I need to discuss business matters with them. Spend some time alone for a while. Mind your conduct.”  

“Yes.”  

As the Marquis walked away, Andrea anxiously craned her neck, searching for Michael. She didn’t need to look far; he was easy to spot at a glance. He was a man who seemed to carry the sun within his chest, radiating brilliance.  

Michael was never alone, always surrounded by people. His every movement—his laughter, the way he raised his eyebrows, or tilted his head back—captivated Andrea.  

Holding a transparent wine glass, he swirled it in his hand before bringing it to his lips. His lips parted slightly, and the crimson liquid flowed into his mouth like blood. His prominent Adam’s apple moved dramatically as he swallowed.  

‘Ah…’  

Andrea’s mouth went dry. She shifted her weight uncomfortably, unable to keep her legs still. The fire that ignited in her chest spread through her veins, consuming her entire body.  

Why? 

At that moment, Andrea recalled the moans of men and women she had heard countless times in that old house. When those sensual, erotic sounds overlapped with the image of Michael, her stomach clenched tightly.  

Startled, Andrea clapped her hands over her cheeks.  

‘I must be crazy. How could I…?’  

Andrea was deeply shaken, appalled that she had entertained such indecent thoughts—especially about Michael. The realization that she had been aroused by those thoughts filled her with unbearable shame. This was not a good sign. Hoping or expecting anything would inevitably lead to disappointment.  

‘Pull yourself together.’  

Andrea chose to block Michael entirely from her line of sight. If she continued to look at him, she feared her inappropriate desires would be exposed for all to see.  

As Andrea turned away in a hurry, she didn’t notice the gaze fixed on her back.