Chapter 3.2

As time passed, Michael began to notice something. Andrea’s gaze was always on him. Like a sunflower turning toward the sun, her face followed his every move.  

When he first realized this, how did he feel? Perhaps a bit amused. It was enough to wash away the subtle annoyance that had been building up.  

But that was all. The stolen glances, the flushed cheeks whenever their eyes met—it was obvious she liked him. And yet…  

‘Why is there no follow-up?’  

Michael tilted his head in confusion. He was so accustomed to this type of attention that he could easily predict the next steps. Usually, they would gradually close the distance, pretending it was accidental, or sometimes they’d be bolder.  

But Andrea made no moves, not after a month, not after two. Seasons changed, yet Andrea’s behavior remained the same. What began as an intriguing spectacle for Michael gradually turned into irritation.  

‘Are you planning to just stay there forever…?’  

It was a sort of provocation. On the night of the masquerade ball, Michael deliberately took her usual spot by the pillar.  

But that night, Andrea didn’t come to that spot. Instead, she chose a new place—right in the center of the hall, where Michael always stood.  

‘Interesting.’  

Michael recognized Andrea immediately, even with her black rabbit mask. And he quickly realized that she, too, had found him.  

The moment their eyes met, a thrilling shiver coursed through his veins. Michael’s lips curved into a slow, satisfied smile as he straightened his posture and turned fully toward her.  

Click, click.  

Andrea approached at a pace that was neither hurried nor slow. He noticed her biting her lower lip nervously.  

‘Why does she look so determined?’  

Michael barely suppressed a laugh. He could guess what kind of resolve had brought Andrea to him, and he found it quite satisfying. Enough to wash away all his previous irritation.  

‘Hmm. Should I pretend not to notice?’  

What had suddenly given her the courage? What excuse would she use to start a conversation? 

Michael’s curiosity sparkled in his eyes as he waited for her first words. For some reason, his mouth felt dry, so he wetted his lips with a sip of wine.  

But then…  

“Let’s go to the balcony.”  

“Ah, the balcony.”  

This, he hadn’t expected.  

Michael was slightly taken aback by Andrea’s unexpectedly bold approach. The relaxed curve of his lips faltered ever so slightly.  

Was she incapable of moderation? Or was I misunderstanding her intentions? Did she even know what “going to the balcony” typically implied?  

In those brief moments, Michael’s mind raced. Was it the mask? Or the slight buzz from half a glass of wine? For some reason, the usually transparent Andrea was unreadable tonight.  

“And then?”  

“Draw the curtains…”  

“Ah.”  

Growing impatient, Michael urged her on.  

“Draw the curtains, and then?”  

Andrea hesitated for a moment before lifting the corners of her lips into a faint smile.  

“Do I really have to say it out loud?”  

Her innocent smile clashed with the provocative nature of her question. Under her mask, her blue eyes sparkled like jewels, and Michael found himself holding his breath.  

There was no way he could resist such temptation. He willingly succumbed to her provocation.  

“…No.”  

Perhaps “succumbed” wasn’t the right word, but he didn’t have the luxury to choose better phrasing. Those eyes staring at him were breathtakingly beautiful.  

“Indeed, words aren’t necessary.”  

Click.  

The dull sound of a door locking was accompanied by heavy breathing, filling the room with a sudden heat. Andrea’s fingertips, which repeatedly grasped and released Michael’s wrist, were burning hot, as if heated by fire.  

Biting down hard on her unusually red lips, Michael let his hand glide over her slender nape, which always drew his gaze. Her pale skin, unable to withstand the rising heat, flushed a soft pink, further stoking his excitement.  

However, he couldn’t simply act on instinct. Michael wasn’t exactly the best of men when it came to his reputation, but he did know how to adjust his pace to match his partner’s.  

One could usually tell by kissing how experienced their partner was in such escapades. But for some reason, he couldn’t be sure of anything when it came to this woman. She seemed clumsy, yet too bold for someone inexperienced…  

But the moment Andrea’s trembling hands lifted her skirt, Michael’s composure evaporated in an instant. His mind, which had been tangled with thoughts, turned blank, as pale as Andrea’s thighs.  

‘…Ha.’  

How could something be so beautiful?  

Her delicate ankles, her trembling knees, her softly rounded thighs, and the small hands clutching her crumpled skirt—Michael’s gaze traveled slowly upward. The sight of her fluttering eyelashes, caught between shame and fervent desire, made Michael’s vision blur.  

“Damn it.”  

For the first time, Michael lunged forward with the urgency of a boy encountering a woman’s body for the first time. s*x was a battle for power. Losing composure meant ceding control to the other. Yet, he found himself utterly swayed by her every gesture.  

Fortunately, Andrea seemed equally lacking in composure. When his hand parted her tightly closed mound and rubbed the wet flesh back and forth, she writhed and groaned, unable even to open her eyes.  

Her long eyelashes quivered, tickling his heart. Impulsively, Michael lowered his head and pressed his lips against Andrea’s.  

“Mm.”  

Her hesitant but cautious response, intertwining her tongue with his, delighted him. The clumsiness she displayed with every move stirred a strange excitement within him. It was a feeling so cliché that he almost laughed at himself, yet his lips curled upward.  

As he embraced her small, slender body and gently stirred the depths of her loosened form, soft moans of pleasure escaped from her slightly parted lips. Was this what the Sirens’ song that lured sailors to their doom sounded like? Enchanted, Michael delved deeper into Andrea’s warmth.  

Thud. Thud.  

Each time their lips met, their masks clashed, covering half their faces. The interruption caused a faint crease to form between Michael’s brows. Annoyed, he instinctively reached out to remove Andrea’s mask. But then—  

“…?”  

Andrea pushed him away with surprising force, a gesture that could only be described as desperate.  

Caught off guard by her unexpected reaction, Michael raised an eyebrow. At some point, they would have to face each other without masks. Only then could their connection tonight lead to something more.  

‘Wasn’t that what she wanted?’  

Though momentarily bewildered, Michael quickly composed himself and resumed where they had left off. He could understand her hesitation. She might still feel shy. Women often felt embarrassed about the faces they made when experiencing pleasure.  

But when she froze and flinched every time his hand approached her mask, a peculiar suspicion began to creep into Michael’s mind.  

He had thought she was using the masquerade as an excuse to muster her courage. But now, it seemed that wasn’t the case. It felt more like she was pretending not to be herself, pretending to be someone unknown, indulging in a single night’s escapade. She had no intention of revealing her identity or confessing her feelings to him.  

‘Ha. So she plans to pretend this never happened?’  

Realizing Andrea’s intentions, Michael let out a silent, bitter laugh. What was this filthy feeling of being chewed up and discarded? He had naturally assumed there would be a next time, and now he felt embarrassed for having gotten ahead of himself. It was as if he had become a fool, eagerly anticipating something only to be left hanging.  

Michael stared at Andrea’s small face, completely hidden behind her mask, with a look of dissatisfaction. He felt an urge to call her name—Andrea Heathridge—and see her flustered reaction.  

As his gaze deepened, Andrea looked up at him with a puzzled expression. Her wide, innocent eyes seemed out of place given the situation. In that moment, Michael felt his irritation melt away. Being this beautiful was a talent in itself.  

Michael let out a soft chuckle and lightly bit Andrea’s lips before letting them go. Fine, tonight wasn’t the only night. Even if Andrea’s cute little plan was meant to be a one-night escapade, the two of them would inevitably cross paths again. Considering how often she attended imperial events, there would surely be opportunities to discuss tonight’s events.  

For now, he decided to focus on the trembling body in his arms. Michael relished the sensation of her soft, supple flesh yielding beneath his hands. Burying his nose in her slender neck, he inhaled deeply, letting her sweet, delicate scent fill his lungs. It was a fragrance he could never tire of.  

But Andrea’s stamina couldn’t keep up with Michael’s enthusiasm. After several climaxes, her slender body grew weaker and weaker. Eventually, Michael scooped up her limp form, as if lifting a damp cloth.  

“It’d be troublesome if you passed out.”  

Andrea tightened her arms around Michael’s neck. Her flushed lips pressed against his neck like a seal, as if she didn’t want to part from him. Amused by her reluctant gestures, Michael asked in a teasing tone, 

“If you’re unsatisfied, shall we go again?”  

At his words, Andrea’s half-asleep eyes flew open. Truly startled, she shook her head and stammered, 

“I don’t think… I can. I’m too exhausted…”  

Ah, that’s kind of cute.  

Instead of teasing her further, Michael gently laid her down on a soft sofa. He had been half-serious about going another round, but he had no intention of indulging himself with a woman who couldn’t even open her eyes properly.  

Running his fingers through Andrea’s hair, he spoke in a soft voice. 

“I’ll let you off today, but next time, I won’t.”  

Andrea obediently nodded.  

“Mm, okay…”  

“I’ll strip you bare, down to the last thread.”  

“Mm.”  

Was that a response or just a mindless groan? 

After a moment’s thought, Michael decided to interpret it however he pleased.  

“I’ll do everything to you that I’ve only imagined in my head.”  

Michael pressed a long kiss to Andrea’s lips before pulling away.  

“Answer me.”  

Andrea nodded weakly. Satisfied, Michael’s smile deepened as he coaxed the response he wanted from the half-asleep Andrea.  

“Good girl.”  

Michael didn’t know what Andrea truly wanted from this night. But one thing was certain—this wasn’t a one-night connection. There was so much he wanted to learn about her.  

“Let’s meet again. Definitely.”