Chapter 1.5

After leaving the bathroom, he dried her hair himself.

He even helped her put on her dress.

He was skillful at tying the complicated ribbons.

The dress was a little wrinkled, but not badly enough to worry.

“How about having lunch together before you go?”

“Ah, I’m not hungry—”

If she ate with him, she might get indigestion.

But before she could finish speaking, her stomach growled loudly.

She froze, mortified, while Feroza stared at her stomach and said,

“It seems your head and stomach aren’t communicating. There’s a restaurant I frequent, and the food is excellent.”

“…Okay.”

Her face burned with embarrassment.

She bowed her head deeply, and heard him chuckle softly.

Feroza looked at her for a moment, then suddenly took off his outer coat and draped it over her shoulders.

“What’s this for…?”

“To cover the marks.”

He wrapped her shoulders and led her out of the room.

The corridor was wide and empty, so it was quiet.

Only his heavy footsteps and her clicking heels echoed.

Feroza was more considerate than she expected.

His legs were longer, so he should have walked faster, but he matched her pace, showing good manners.

“Is there anything you can’t eat?”

“Uh, no, not really.”

Luckily, she wasn’t picky.

Having tried various foods in Ellie Archenna’s body, she didn’t seem to have any allergies either.

“That’s good.”

Feroza smiled at her, and his handsome smile made her heart flutter.

‘Please, don’t fall for his looks!’

He was the male lead.

There was no way someone like her—a mere side character—could end up with him!

She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to hammer her racing heart back into submission.

After a few deep breaths, she felt better and slowly opened her eyes.

Outside the palace, a large carriage awaited.

“I called for it earlier.”

When?

He’d been with her the whole time, and she never saw him call for anyone.

He opened the carriage door and offered his hand.

“Careful, Ellie.”

“Thank you…”

She answered in a tiny voice and carefully took his hand, climbing into the carriage.

The inside was very spacious.

She thought, only half exaggerating, that she could lie down and sleep here.

Even her family’s carriage wasn’t this big, so she looked around in amazement.

Feroza climbed in and, instead of sitting across from her, sat beside her.

Startled, she looked at him, and he tilted his head as if to say, “What’s the problem?” and gazed at her.

“Why… Why are you sitting next to me…?”

“Is there a law against it?”

“No, it’s not that…”

Don’t people usually sit facing each other?

Did this man have no sense of normalcy?

Flustered, her eyes darted around, and suddenly the carriage started moving.

“Ah!”

She was thrown backward and almost hit her head on the carriage wall, but Feroza’s large hand cradled her head.

“Are you alright?”

“Y-yeah.”

She mumbled, bowing her head.

She could feel Feroza’s gaze on her, but she was too embarrassed and self-conscious to meet his eyes.

“Ellie.”

“Y-yes?”

“Could you look up at me?”

Hesitantly, she lifted her head and met his gaze.

Feroza smiled gently, his eyes crinkling.

“You’re beautiful.”

“….”

“Do you have a fiancé?”

Would I have had a one-night stand if I did?

She was definitely not that kind of person.

She shook her head ever so slightly, and his face brightened.

“Then, do you have someone you’re planning to get engaged to?”

“No…”

Even if she lied, a little investigation would reveal the truth.

It was far better to be honest than to anger Feroza and face trouble.

Feroza’s smile widened at her answer.

“That’s a relief.”

“…What?”

A bad feeling crept up her spine, and her palms grew sweaty.

She quickly wiped them on her dress, but then heard something unbelievable.

“If you did, I’d have to kill.”

“….”

Who…? Me…?

Or that nonexistent man?

She couldn’t answer at all.

She just looked away, pretending not to hear, and heard Feroza chuckle softly.

Perhaps noticing her fear, he tucked her loose hair behind her ear.

“I’d never kill you, Ellie.”

“O-okay…”

“I only meant I’d kill your fiancé.”

Still, he was talking about killing someone, and smiling so brightly while saying it…

She swallowed hard and forced an awkward smile.

She just wished they’d arrive at the restaurant soon.

She wanted to escape this suffocating space.

Perhaps her prayer was answered, because the carriage finally stopped.

She smiled brightly and spoke.

“It looks like we’ve arrived at the restaurant!”

“So it seems.”

She hurried to stand, but Feroza raised his arm to block her in against the carriage wall.

Instinctively, she leaned back and opened her mouth.

“Why, what is it…?”

“I’ve wanted to kiss you this whole time.”

He spoke calmly, without blushing, and leaned in towards her.

Her body trembled, and she squeezed her eyes shut.

Soon, a soft sensation touched her lips.

‘This really shouldn’t be happening…!’

In her head, she kept telling herself it was wrong, but her body wouldn’t listen.

To be honest, she didn’t dislike it.

He spoke so sharply, but perhaps because he was so handsome, her heart pounded wildly every time he came close, which was a problem.

As she opened her mouth just a little, his tongue immediately slipped inside.

“Mm…”

He explored every corner of her mouth, tasting her.

He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close, pressing his lower body against hers.

She was startled by the sudden, thick sensation and opened her eyes wide.

She hastily pushed against Feroza’s shoulder, and he obediently pulled away.

“N-no, not here…”

“Then does that mean it’s okay somewhere else?”

His sly voice made her face burn so hot she thought she might cook.

She shook her head, and he chuckled, planting a quick kiss on her cheek before stepping back.

She finally managed to get out of the carriage and entered the restaurant, which was completely empty.

She tilted her head, wondering if the place wasn’t open, but then someone came running from inside.

Judging by his clothes, he seemed more like the manager than a regular staff member.

Her guess was right—the man bowed ninety degrees toward Feroza and greeted him.

“Welcome, Your Grace. As you ordered, we’ve blocked all other customers from entering the restaurant.”

“Good.”

Now she realized the restaurant wasn’t closed; Feroza had simply rented out the entire place.

The interior was huge and luxurious, and he had rented the whole thing?

She couldn’t help but be amazed by Feroza’s immense wealth.

After giving the manager some cold instructions, Feroza turned to her with a gentle smile as soon as the manager left.

“Ellie.”

“Y-yes?”

“Shall we go?”

“Ah, yes.”

As she linked arms with him and headed to their seats, she began to think carefully about the original story.

The original Feroza was also kind and considerate.

But only to the heroine! To other women, he was practically a block of wood.

‘I’m not the heroine, so why is he being so nice to me…?’

Besides, the novel she’d entered was supposed to be all-ages!

There wasn’t a single steamy scene described in it.

So she had no idea Feroza would be so big, or that he’d be so good at s*x.

Just thinking about what happened a few hours ago made her face burn again.

Before he could see, she quickly fanned her face with her hand.

Luckily, Feroza seemed not to notice and changed the subject.

“If there’s anything you want to eat, let me know.”

“No, I eat anything, so please order whatever you’d like, Your Grace.”

She meant it.

She didn’t have any particular likes or dislikes, so she was someone who could eat anything.

“Then, how about lamb steak?”

“Oh, I like that.”

He looked into her eyes, as if trying to see if she was telling the truth, then called for the manager.

The manager, who had been watching them anxiously from afar, rushed over as soon as Feroza called.

“Would you like to order?”

“Course A for two. The main dish will be lamb steak.”

“Understood. Please wait just a moment.”

The manager bowed even more than necessary, then hurried away.

There was no one else around—just the two of them.

Feeling awkward, she rolled her eyes around the room, and soon heard Feroza’s voice.

“Ellie.”

“Y-yes?”

She jumped in surprise.

He gazed at her quietly, then smiled softly and spoke again.

“Please call my name, just once.”

“Huh? How could I possibly call you by name, Your Grace?”

He wasn’t just any noble—he was a Grand Duke.

Calling a Grand Duke by name could easily cost her her head.

But Feroza began to coax her gently.

“I promise you won’t get in any trouble, so don’t worry. There’s no one here to hear except me.”

“B-but…”

“I swear on my name that nothing bad will happen to you, Ellie.”

He even swore on his name, and her heart wavered.

Even though it was a verbal promise, it was enough.

But when it came time to say it, the words didn’t come easily.

Still, Feroza waited patiently, and finally, she squeezed her eyes shut and blurted it out.

“Fe, Feroza!”

She expected him to say something, but there was no response.

She slowly opened her tightly shut eyes and looked ahead—he wore a dazed expression.

Then, a bright smile spread across his lips.

But the words that came out were anything but pure.

“Well.”

“W-what is it?”

“I’m aroused.”

She tilted her head, then quickly realized what he meant, and nearly fainted.

As she flapped her hands in panic, Feroza seemed to find it amusing and laughed in a low voice.

“I didn’t know hearing my name would make me this happy…”

“…Today is the last time.”

“We’ll see…”

The way he dragged out his words made her uneasy.

She avoided his gaze and just waited for the food to arrive.