Side Story 1 (Part 1)

Spring has arrived in the Kingdom of Plen. 

It was the season when Plen’s social scene, which had been dormant throughout the winter, was most active—the beginning of the debutante season. For the next month, like flowers blooming and bees buzzing among them, young gentlemen would weave through the beautiful young ladies who had just come of age. 

Just like the Tanner couple, who had returned to the capital from their estate in time for the coming-of-age season.

“The road is quite rough today.”

Olivie frowned as she looked out the window from the rattling carriage. It was a road they traveled often, so she had set out lightly, but today the carriage was particularly shaky.

To the point of feeling uncomfortable.

‘I’m going to get motion sickness.’

She took a long breath, leaning her head back against the seat. She was worried that the headpiece she had put on for the banquet they were to attend immediately upon arrival might get ruined, but…

‘There’s nothing I can do.’

She thought she had to survive first, given how terrible she felt. It seemed this was making things even harder for her.

“It’s tough.”

“It’s probably because a lot of stones have washed down due to the rain.”

At Olivie’s complaint, Robin, who was checking documents, replied nonchalantly.

“Why are you suffering sitting there? Come here.”

“……”

Without taking his eyes off the documents, Robin lightly tapped the empty seat beside him as if inviting her over. At a glance, his words and actions seemed nothing but kind, but Olivie, the person involved, looked at him with a disapproving gaze.

Why, you ask?

“Not today, really.”

Because she already knew his mischievous intentions.

“It’s Fiona’s debutante, you know. We have to go to Foret as soon as we arrive.”

Why else would I be enduring this rough journey?

Reminding herself that she absolutely couldn’t give in to him today, she shook her head.

But Robin, who had placed the documents he was reading onto his thigh, took off his glasses at Olivie’s wary words.

“I didn’t say anything.”

Then he looked intently at Olivie, shrugged his shoulders, and tilted his head slightly. His expression didn’t change at all. At a glance, it was a very serious expression, but to Olivie, such an expression was even more annoying.

Because Robin Tanner was a devil in the guise of an angel.

So.

‘Don’t be swayed.’

She must not forget how many times she had been late to appointments because she was deceived by those angelic words and serious expressions.

How many times had he come close, saying he would fix her clothes, only to drag her back to the bedroom fully dressed? How many times had a discreet hand play in the carriage turned into something more, forcing her to redo her clothes, makeup, and hair?

‘So keep your wits about you, Olivie.’

As if making a vow to herself, Olivie straightened her posture. And as if that wasn’t enough, she sat with her back pressed against the opposite side of where he was sitting, crossing her arms with determination not to give in.

But then.

“Ahhh!”

With a rattling sound, the carriage lurched heavily to the left, and Olivie, losing her balance, fell forward as if she were pouring out.

“I’m sorry. Are you alright?”

“…….”

Perhaps due to the scream, the voice of the bewildered coachman came from behind.

However.

“…….”

Olivie was not in a situation to pay attention to that right now.

With just that one jolt, she had very unfortunately placed her hand on the whiskers of an angry lion… no, on Robin’s thigh.

“…….”

More precisely, a little above his thigh, where she could feel his hardness with her hand.

Olivie, who had inadvertently touched him, bit her dry lips.

‘I’m doomed.’

As if to confirm her thoughts, Robin’s gaze, which was fixed on her, had changed significantly from just a moment ago.

Until a short while ago, he was at least wearing the mask of a gentleman, but now…

‘It’s about to come off…’

At that ominous expression, Olivie unconsciously swallowed dryly. Then Robin placed the documents that were on his thigh beside the chair.

“It’s alright, drive carefully, Emory.”

“Yes, yes. I’m sorry.”

“Hmm.”

After giving a brief instruction to the coachman, Robin fixed his gaze intently on Olivie, pressing down on the documents beside the chair with his hand. At the end of their eye contact, Robin lowered his head.

“…….”

Olivie quickly shook her head in urgency at Robin’s gaze, which was fixed on the ambiguous spot between his solid thighs where her hand had landed, and she hastily withdrew her hand.

“This, this isn’t what it looks like.”

But.

“An accident… Oh my!”

“Be careful!”

Perhaps due to the road being pitted here and there because of the rain, the carriage jolted heavily once more, and unfortunately, Olivie’s body, having lost its support after withdrawing her hand, fell forward right in front of him.

“…….”

Of course.

It was between his thighs.

‘This time, I’m really doomed.’

She found herself in a position eerily similar to when she unintentionally had him in her mouth. The firmness of his manhood was unmistakably felt against her lips through the thin fabric of his trousers.

“Hmm.”

At that moment, Robin slightly spread his legs and let out a short sigh. Hearing the sound coming from directly above her, Olivie tightly closed her eyes.

It was clear she had crossed a river of no return.

Though it was a difficult situation to extricate herself from, Olivie decided to play it off, awkwardly smiling as she lifted her head.

“This is, well… it’s really shaky, isn’t it?”

“Are you doing this on purpose?”

But he didn’t seem interested in hearing her words, as he slowly removed his glasses and gently lifted her chin.

“Trying to turn me on?”

“No, that’s not…”

“If that’s the case, it seems you’ve succeeded.”

“No… haah.”

But her denial and head-shaking were in vain as his response came swiftly. His lips descended on hers, drawing a soft moan from Olivie.

His fingertips, which had been resting on her chin, moved to gently stroke her slender neck, eventually resting with just the right amount of weight on her shoulder.

“Haa.”

Even though they had been married for over a year, his gentle touch on her neck still made her lower abdomen tingle.

‘Feels good.’

As if her mind had instantly gone blank, Olivie took a deep breath.

Robin knew her too well.

He knew exactly where to touch to make her purr like a cat and dampen below, and how to make her heat up first and beg to be embraced.

‘Even now, look.’

Wasn’t it a gesture that knew all too well how she reacted to his cool fingertips? The whole sequence of actions—brushing her lips, caressing her chin, then gently stroking her neck.

It was everything she liked.

‘Ha, really.’

And he surely knew that this light skinship only made her crave more.

Olivie took a deep breath and bit her lip.

Olivie took a deep breath and bit her lip. The temptation to just give in to him as she was filled her mind. The rationalization that she wouldn’t be saying no, just arriving a little late, briefly crossed her mind, but…

‘Please, Lie.’

The last bit of reason held her back. With the help of that faint remaining reason, she barely managed to push him away.

“No, we can’t.”

“Hm.”

Though it was a weak force, Robin’s face showed displeasure as he was pushed back by Olivie.

His expression was filled with dissatisfaction, almost a bit sulky.

Almost to the point where she thought it was a little cute.

‘I’m crazy.’

To think Robin Tanner was cute.

Seeing this made Olivie realize how much she was indeed crazy about this stoic man, and she smiled, lifting the corners of her mouth.

“I really have to go.”

Then she lightly pecked his lips.

“Emily insisted I attend, even if I’m just a branch of the Tanner family going to Foret.”

It was something Emily had specially requested since she couldn’t attend this spring’s social season due to taking care of her child in the territory.

‘Sorry, Lie. I should really go myself, but Colin won’t let go of me.’

‘Can you go and congratulate them on my behalf?’

‘Since we’ve been close cousins since childhood, it weighs on my mind.’

It was a request from Emily, who had grown up nearby and had seen Fiona grow up from close by, making her feel particularly attached. Of course, even if it wasn’t because of her request, Olivie, now a member of the Tanner family, had to take care of such matters.

The Tanner family did not have a Countess.

‘I should take care of these things.’

Moreover, lately, her father-in-law, Earl Tanner, was gradually handing over most of the work to Robin.

In addition to confirming the heir, he intended to pass on the title in advance, so it was even more appropriate for her to personally manage these household affairs. Thus, she had prepared thoroughly to attend this time.