“Is there anywhere you’d like to go?”

After becoming lovers, Dion’s behavior changed completely.

His cold first impression disappeared, and he tried to care for Angela by showing affectionate, polite, and considerate behavior.

For her sake, since she hadn’t been to many places, Dion took her to various places she hadn’t visited on his days off.

They strolled through the plaza together, and on nice days, they enjoyed leisurely afternoons riding a small boat on the river.

Sometimes they rode horses together across the meadows. Since Angela wasn’t yet accustomed to riding horses, she had to ride with Dion, but it was actually better than riding alone.

It was the first relaxed and peaceful time she’d had since coming to the capital.

“I’m sorry about before.”

“About what?”

As their time together gradually lengthened, one day Dion suddenly offered an apology with restrained and elegant manner. Unable to understand his sudden apology, Angela tilted her head to one side.

“I was very rude when we first met, wasn’t I? I’ve wanted to apologize continuously but couldn’t say it until now.”

“You mean trying to leave without saving me, or not believing my words?”

“Both. Actually, while doing knight work, it was the first time I’d seen a woman alone in a dangerous forest. You can’t imagine how surprised I was. At first, I thought rebels had left a beautiful woman in the forest to distract me.”

“Rebels?”

Angela’s eyes widened at the unexpected word.

“I went to the forest that day because I received a tip that those who committed treason were hiding in the forest. So I had no intention of saving you. Moreover, since you insisted you were a noble while wearing shabby clothes, I thought you were lying.”

“…”

‘Ah, so there was a reason he didn’t save me.’

Since she could feel sincerity in Dion’s voice, Angela finally understood why he hadn’t wanted to save her. From his perspective, Angela would naturally have looked suspicious.

But there was one thing she couldn’t understand, so she asked him.

“Why did you kiss me then?”

Dion hesitated like it was difficult to say.

“You can tell me the truth. I won’t get angry even if you say something hurtful.”

“Actually… I had regrets from that day, so I used helping you as an excuse because I wanted to kiss you. I had felt attracted to you. But I continued to think you were lying, so I was rude during our second meeting too. I’m sorry.”

“You felt attracted to me?”

Surprised by his words about feeling attracted, Angela barely heard the rest and asked again for confirmation.

“Yes. I’ve been continuously attracted to you since I first saw you.”

Attracted…

Those words about being attracted kept circling in Angela’s mind, and her previous resentful words toward him gradually faded.

The fact that Dion’s face turned slightly red also played a part in softening her heart. Especially his words about her being a beautiful woman made her heart race.

As a result, Dion’s apology made Angela gradually look forward to spending time with him, and she began to feel increasingly attracted to him, who had changed so much from her first impression.

“You look happy.”

Perhaps her happy mood showed on her face, because Mrs. Seymour asked with a satisfied smile.

“Do I look that way?”

“Yes. I’m glad you look happy.”

Seeing Mrs. Seymour’s expression made Angela feel unnecessarily sorry. She hadn’t been able to tell her it was a temporary relationship.

Since she sincerely wished for Angela’s happiness, Angela couldn’t bring herself to speak whenever she saw her face.

‘It would have been nice if we were real lovers. Then I wouldn’t need to deceive her about being temporary lovers…’

As a result, Angela increasingly felt regret about it being a temporary relationship.

‘If we look like natural lovers to anyone who sees us, couldn’t we be real lovers now?’

The more her regret grew, the more she thought it would be nice if Dion really became her boyfriend.

“Have you ever been to a village festival?”

Dion, who always asked Angela where she wanted to go, made his first suggestion.

“I went occasionally in the village where I used to live, but I’ve never been to one in the capital.”

“Then would you like to go see the festival together? This week is the period for the once-a-year festival held in the capital.”

“I’d love to.”

A festival… Since she’d never been to one since coming to the capital, Angela answered with excitement.

They traveled to the village by carriage.

When the carriage stopped, Dion got out first and extended his hand with restrained movements. Angela took his hand and got out of the carriage.

Since it was festival time, long tents stretched from the village entrance, and lanterns of different colors hung in clusters. Each street vendor was bustling with many people and looked lively.

“Wow!”

Angela looked around with wide eyes. It was incomparably larger and more splendid than the village festival where she used to live.

“Do you like it?”

“Yes, I love it so much!”

Perhaps satisfied with hearing the answer he wanted, a smile lingered at the corners of Dion’s mouth. Just looking at his face made Angela feel like a smile would naturally flow from her too.

Excited, Angela grabbed Dion’s wrist and looked around various shops.

Places selling sweet desserts, places selling handicrafts, places selling accessories – the shops all sold different items.

“That looks delicious. Should we try it?”

Dion’s steps stopped at skewers with honey generously sprinkled over sweet fruit. When Angela nodded, he immediately went and bought two skewers, handing her one.

Since it was her first time eating large strawberry skewers since childhood, Angela bit into it while reminiscing. The juice that burst in her mouth moistened her lips and dripped down her chin.

Dion immediately took out a handkerchief and carefully wiped her lips.

Oh.

Angela’s face reddened with embarrassment because she had forgotten her dignity as a noble in her excitement.

“You don’t need to be embarrassed. You actually look cute, like an innocent child.”

When Dion smiled brightly, Angela gave an awkward smile.

“Should we hold hands so we look like a couple?”

After eating several more sweet desserts, Dion extended his hand with restrained movements.

“Okay.”

Angela took his hand and walked down the street. It was the first time holding hands and walking like this, aside from being escorted.

‘Holding hands affectionately must mean he wants to get closer to me, right?’

Angela had to calm her heart that was beating frantically.

After that, they continued looking around various shops and watched street shows together, laughing loudly.

Then, when the night atmosphere ripened, Dion took her to a place where many people had gathered.

“Why are we here…”

Before Angela could finish speaking, there was a bang sound and cheers erupted from everywhere. Looking up at the sky with surprised eyes, she saw brilliant colors scattering in the air.

“Wow. It’s really amazing.”

Since it was her first time seeing fireworks, Angela felt overwhelming emotion just from watching.

“I knew you’d like it.”

Dion looked at her with a pleased expression as she smiled brightly like a curious child.

Dion’s face illuminated by the fireworks also looked more radiant and handsome than usual, making Angela’s heart flutter and feel regret about their temporary relationship.