“Should we really date? Not temporarily, but as real lovers.”

So Angela was the first to speak before they parted. She felt she had to say it before the day ended.

“I was actually going to say that first, but I’m a step too late.”

Dion smiled apologetically and embraced her.

How long had he been waiting for those words? Dion was already wearing a satisfied smile.

He had been hiding his true personality all this time, accommodating Angela in everything, so he had quite a hard time acting considerate and kind.

Having never been loved by anyone or loved anyone himself, this was the only method he had to win Angela’s heart, so he was pouring in tremendous effort.

Now that they had developed into lovers, he didn’t particularly like having to continue this charade until marriage, but if he could live without worrying about money, he felt he could make this much effort.

Soon Dion lowered his lips first, and Angela naturally closed her eyes and kissed to commemorate becoming lovers.

It wasn’t the deep kiss they had shared in the forest before. It was a restrained kiss like a feather’s touch.

When their lips parted, a gentle smile flowed from Dion’s mouth. He looked so affectionate and caring, yet one corner of Angela’s heart felt heavy.

‘We could share a deeper kiss…’

The kiss with him wasn’t satisfying at all. It felt like something done merely for courtesy or atmosphere.

Perhaps because she felt a disconnect from the rude behavior she had seen before, Dion felt like a man wearing the mask of an affectionate lover who didn’t reveal his true feelings.

So she was filled with regret, wondering if that time had actually shown his honest heart.

It can’t be helped.

Since she didn’t want to just let this disappointing feeling pass, Angela immediately stood on her tiptoes, grabbed Dion’s collar, and covered his lips first.

“Mmph!”

Dion’s eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected action, but Angela pressed her lips forward.

She worried he might push her away, but instead Dion’s large hand slipped into her hair and pushed his wet flesh deep into her mouth.

“Mmm.”

He explored every corner of her mouth, then soon with wet sounds, their tongues intertwined and saliva mixed.

Angela’s actions always exceeded Dion’s expectations. He had tried to maintain appropriate distance, but he never imagined she would attack him first like this.

Yes, this is how Miss Huntley should be.

Far from feeling repulsed by such behavior, Dion found it interesting. Perhaps because of her commoner origins, the ways she differed from typical noble ladies kept arousing his interest.

He had no intention of approaching first, but if she approached, there was no reason to refuse, so Dion trapped Angela in his arms with fierce momentum and burrowed into her.

Damn.

Was it because the kiss was so sweet? They had only kissed, but strangely his lower body seemed ready to surge upward. The more he touched her, the hungrier he became.

Soon when his swollen member touched Angela’s stomach, Dion barely restrained himself from moving his hips.

It wasn’t time yet. He needed to show a more gentlemanly side. So he had to struggle to maintain his reason.

* * *

“Hey there.”

He was heading to his lodgings to rest briefly after finishing morning training. A familiar silhouette approached Dion.

Looking at the other person with drowsy eyes, it was his brother Baron Buckle.

“What? Why are you here?”

He spoke curtly like he wasn’t pleased, but the other person didn’t seem to care much. Instead, he laughed loudly and tried to hit Dion’s shoulder. Dion knocked his brother’s shoulder away with his hand.

“What, did I come somewhere I shouldn’t?”

Looking at his flushed cheeks and staggering gait, Baron Buckle seemed to have drunk quite a lot.

“I hear you’re doing well these days?”

Someone who had never visited first suddenly coming meant he must have something to ask for.

He had been hearing occasionally from Baroness Buckle that since he couldn’t gamble lately, he was sniffing around anything that might bring money.

However, since it wasn’t causing direct harm, Dion just pretended not to know. Whatever it was, he didn’t want to get involved if possible.

“You took all my money and now you say that? Give me back my money first, then talk.”

“Why should I give back money when you’re going to be rich? You can just give it to me.”

“What are you talking about?”

Dion knew what his brother intended by saying this, but deliberately pretended not to know.

“Who do you think doesn’t know? You’re dating that rich woman, right? I heard half commoner blood flows in her, but I guess money is the best after all.”

Baron Buckle spoke in a sarcastic tone.

“Shut up. If you’re going to talk nonsense, get lost. If you want to keep talking, hand over my money.”

How dare he insult whom?

Seeing his brother speak degradingly about Angela, viewing her only as money when he didn’t even know her well, Dion felt a surge of anger.

When he scowled and threatened, Baron Buckle’s body flinched.

“A money source is opening up, so let’s share it. Right? Let’s get along from now on.”

“Get lost. If you mention money in front of me one more time, I’ll blow your head off.”

Dion grabbed the sword at his waist and pretended to draw it.

“Hic. Pu-put the sword away. I-I’ll just leave.”

The Baron waved his hands frantically and ran away in a hurry.

“Crazy bastard! You’re not even human.”

Then he stopped at what he thought was a safe distance and hurled curses.

“Say whatever you want.”

That was exactly what Dion wanted to say to his brother. Who’s the one who’s not human?

The Baron thought it was a safe distance, but it was a distance Dion could catch up to instantly. So he almost ran over to throw punches but held back.

Beating someone who’s not human wouldn’t make them human anyway.

At the same time.

Is it almost break time?

Angela was heading to the training ground to meet Dion.

In her hands was a basket containing snacks, filled with desserts and ale she had prepared herself since early morning.

She thought Mrs. Seymour would scold her, asking why a noble would prepare things herself, but unexpectedly she said nothing. She just told her to have a good trip.

Seeing Angela humming while preparing various things, she couldn’t bring herself to tell her not to.

Will he enjoy it?

The afternoon sunlight was hot and dazzling, making it hard to open her eyes properly, but Angela’s steps toward the training ground were light. She hummed throughout her walk, imagining Dion enjoying the food.

Huh? Sir Dion?

What stopped her steps was the sound of two people talking like they were fighting. Since she heard a familiar voice, Angela naturally stopped walking.

Seeing Dion pretending to draw his sword and driving someone away, the conversation partner didn’t seem to be someone welcome. Rather, they seemed to harbor ill feelings toward each other.

Since it didn’t seem like the right atmosphere to speak first, Angela stood there waiting for Dion to notice her.

His deeply frowning expression softened the moment he spotted Angela, but instead a questioning look directed toward her.

“Why are you here…?”

“I brought some snacks for break time.”