Chapter 9

Day after day, Selina was so intoxicated by the pleasure she felt with Evan that even her work became difficult. Every time she met the Duke’s red eyes, even when she heard his languid voice, she would grow wet inside and have to squeeze her thighs together.

It wasn’t just nighttime activities that came to mind. Whenever Evan approached, her heart would itch for no reason. She liked it when he spoke to her, but it made her nervous too.

Then a small question arose. Or rather, it was a confusing feeling.

‘Why do I keep wanting the Duke?’

It wasn’t just his body. She wanted his gentle touch and his warm gaze as well.

After they joined bodies, she knew he would wash her and take care of her at bedtime. If she couldn’t sleep, he would caress her until she drifted off again. Even if it was just a gesture without emotion, her heart would beat faster.

So she would sometimes pretend to be sleepy and act spoiled, asking him to hold her, to kiss her.

Evan would gladly grant her requests. Afterwards, he would hold her tightly as they drifted off to sleep.

‘It’s almost as if he likes me…’

Thinking that, Selina quickly shook her head. It was a ridiculous thought. She and the Duke were only tied together because of the curse.

‘So what happens when the curse ends?’

Would they go back to how they were before? Would their relationship become businesslike and stiff again…? Would she only work as his aide?

Realizing this, Selina’s face fell. It felt as if a stone had settled in her heart.

‘Why do I feel like this? Do I really like the Duke?’

For Selina, who had always put work first, these feelings were unfamiliar. It must be a side effect of the curse.

So today, she volunteered to run an errand outside the office. She was supposed to borrow administrative documents from the Imperial Palace. Evan seemed reluctant, but when she said she needed some fresh air, he allowed it, albeit reluctantly.

He was too busy to follow her all the way to the Imperial Palace. Selina wanted some distance from Evan so she could sort out her thoughts. She needed to figure out what these feelings were.

Getting from Hayden territory to the Imperial Palace was easy. With the gate, it was a direct trip to the capital.

Selina, too, was able to arrive quickly with the gate permit Evan had given her.

The inside of the Imperial Palace was dazzlingly luxurious. But Selina soon regretted her decision.

She missed the Duke’s mansion. To be precise, she missed the space where Evan stayed.

Just then, a familiar voice called out from afar.

“It’s been a while, Selina.”

Selina instantly recognized the kind smile in front of her. It was Daisy, her fellow academy student.

“Daisy, how have you been?”

“Good, it’s really been a long time. Shall we catch up?”

Daisy was working as a librarian at the Imperial Library. She took Selina to the library’s garden.

Sitting on a bench in the garden, they caught up and chatted for a while. After a bit, Daisy spoke shyly.

“I’m getting married next month.”

“Really? Congratulations!”

“Thanks. Do you have a lover? Someone you like?”

For some reason, Evan came to Selina’s mind at those words. When she hesitated, Daisy burst out laughing.

“You do!”

“I’m not sure…”

“What do you mean, not sure?”

Selina sighed deeply and began telling her story vaguely, leaving out anything about the curse.

“There’s someone I keep thinking about. Even when he’s beside me, I’m curious about him. I like him, but it’s uncomfortable… I don’t know if I want to be with him or not.”

Daisy smiled as if she found it cute.

“There’s a sure way.”

“What is it?”

“Try imagining that man marrying another woman.”

“I can’t really picture it.”

“Then make up a suitable match for him.”

Selina pictured Evan marrying another young lady. If it was the Duke of Hayden’s family, he would surely wed a noblewoman of high standing.

Just then, Daisy pointed to a spot.

“Look over there, it’s Lady Osborne.”

“That’s right.”

She was a woman whose dazzling beauty shone no matter when she was seen. Her radiant blonde hair and emerald eyes sparkled like jewels.

“She became the Princess’s maid, so she must visit the Imperial Palace often. Looks like she’s returning to the mansion now?”

“I see.”

“Come to think of it, there’s no news about the Duke you serve, right? Isn’t Lady Osborne the perfect match for him?”

“……”

Daisy was right. The legitimate daughter of the Osborne Duchy marrying Duke Hayden—no one could deny they’d make a perfect couple.

In contrast, Selina was…

‘A relationship born out of necessity because of the curse.’

The definition she gave herself scratched deep in her heart. The cold reality made her mind feel numb.

* * *

Selina returned to the Duke’s mansion, arms full of the documents she’d fetched.

Was it because of what Daisy said? Somehow, anxiety surged within her. In her uneasy state, she headed straight for the office.

“The Duke is not here right now.”

The Hayden family’s butler blocked Selina’s way.

“He’s not here… Did he go out on business?”

“He went to the Osborne Duchy. To visit Lady Osborne.”

The name ‘Osborne’ made Selina’s mind go blank. She urgently asked the butler, who gave her a gentle smile.

“What brings him there…?”

“Well, he took a ring set with a magic stone. It was so beautiful!”

Thud. Her heart sank. Did he go to Lady Osborne with a ring? If so, there could be only one answer.

‘A proposal.’

Selina couldn’t withstand the shock and her legs gave out.

“Oh dear, are you all right?”

“I-I’m fine. I’ll just go upstairs now…”

Selina couldn’t bear it any longer and retreated to her room. She collapsed onto the bed and silently shed tears.

* * *

How many hours passed? The room was completely dark, with the lights left off. Even late at night, Evan hadn’t returned.

Several times, the butler suggested she eat, but Selina could only shake her head weakly.

And another fact made her even sadder.

‘I’m not burning up anymore.’

The old woman’s curse had ended. She thought she’d rejoice at being freed, but she wasn’t. The thought that she couldn’t be close to Evan anymore made her tears flow without end.

Selina finally realized her own heart.

‘I like the Duke. I love Evan.’

No matter how many times she cried it out, it was useless. Evan had already gone to find his match, and hadn’t come home even late at night.

Selina was surprised at herself for wishing to be with him under the excuse of the curse. At the same time, she felt miserable. She was disappointed in herself.

Just then, Selina’s door burst open. Bang, the sound echoed, but she didn’t lift her head.

The hurried footsteps belonged to Evan. Uncharacteristically, he was breathing heavily as he rushed straight to Selina.

“You skipped dinner—what’s going on?”

Evan turned on the magic lamp nearby. He was immediately startled to see Selina’s face soaked with tears.

“What happened? Did someone at the Imperial Palace bother you?”

“……”

A vein appeared on Evan’s forehead. He was furious, wondering who had made her cry. He tried his best to suppress his anger and looked at Selina gently.

“It’s okay, tell me.”

He would burn anyone who hurt her.

But the words that came from Selina’s mouth were unexpected.

“The curse is broken.”

“What…?”

She murmured with empty eyes.

“I’ll leave the mansion tomorrow morning. Thank you for everything. I’ll also resign as your aide.”

Now that she understood her own heart, she couldn’t keep working here. It would only ruin her.

“……”

“……”

Silence hung between them. Evan seemed so shocked he couldn’t speak. Finally, he managed to ask in a trembling voice.

“You’re… leaving me? Because the curse is broken?”

“This is the right thing to do, isn’t it?”

Ha. Evan let out a low sigh, then chuckled softly.

Ha ha……

He roughly ran his hand through his hair. His usually neat appearance was now disheveled.

“So, in the end, all you needed was my body?”

His voice sounded angry, and Selina looked up.

His red eyes blazed fiercely. He looked like a beast who had lost his mate, filled with despair.

“What will you do after leaving me?”

“What?”

“Are you planning to marry someone else?”

His face was full of hopelessness, as if he might shatter at any touch.

Seeing his expression, Selina’s eyes widened, sensing he might cry at any moment.

Evan’s hollow voice continued.

“I didn’t even know… I thought you cared about me too. I was a fool.”

What was he saying…? Selina stared at him, dazed.

Why was the Duke acting like this?

‘As if he loves me…’

Strange thoughts kept popping up. Even though she knew they were just false hopes.