Chapter 7. A Formidable Opponent

If I had actually bitten Aster’s face that night, I might have thrown myself into the artificial lake at the castle by now. It was a relief that I hadn’t gone that far.

I really need to quit drinking.

Still feeling embarrassed, I touched my burning cheeks and said,

“That was when I didn’t know you were a Blanche.”

“Is the fact that I’m a Blanche a major reason for wanting to break off the engagement?”

“Yes. I don’t want to have any ties with Blanche.”

When I answered without hesitation, Aster’s smile faded. After a moment, he asked in a somewhat cold and dark voice,

“Is it because of Paris Blanche?”

Why is he bringing up Paris Blanche out of nowhere?

I tilted my head, not understanding Aster’s question.

Of course, Paris was one of the reasons I wanted to break off the engagement. Just thinking about becoming family with that lunatic made my head throb.

“Well, it’s not entirely unrelated….”

As I scratched my cheek and mumbled, Aster’s eyes flickered slightly. He asked in disbelief,

“Really?”

“Of course.”

Paris Blanche was notorious in social circles for being a playboy. His biological father, the Duke of Blanche, was also a notorious womanizer.

A family without a legitimate heir born in a conventional way—enough said.

And his younger sister, Helen Blanche, had a knack for dating only young, handsome noblemen.

There was even a saying that if you met a nobleman with the same cufflinks, you should seriously consider whether you were one of Helen’s many suitors.

It was a wonder that such a decent man was born into that family. Though it was too soon to say for sure if he was decent.

There wasn’t much information about Aster Blanche in social circles. He had gone abroad to study at a young age and had only recently returned to the capital.

Aster might not be much different from the rest of the Blanche family. There wasn’t enough revealed about him yet, so I was still wary.

As I was thinking about this,

“You once said my face was your type.”

“What? I didn’t hear you.”

“Nothing. I understand your taste very well.”

When did we ever talk about taste?

I was bewildered by Aster’s suddenly cold demeanor. Then Aster said,

“I’ll try harder, then.”

Try harder at what?

I was starting to feel a bit confused. Then Aster brought up another topic.

“Anyway, we should discuss the date of the engagement ceremony.”

“Yes, I wanted to talk about that too.”

I clenched my fists, feeling that the moment had come. I had no desire to be involved with his family.

Regardless of how much I liked Aster, the relationship was awkward.

Even though we had spent a passionate night together, he was still a Blanche. With that blood running through his veins, he could easily brush off that one night.

So I was about to suggest calling off the engagement. Coincidentally, Aster and I spoke at the same time.

“I think we should call off the engagement.”

“I think the engagement ceremony should be after the debutante.”

“Yes, after the debutante… What? What did you say?”

Startled, I put down my teacup with a clatter. I felt the gazes around us.

The café was bustling, and the orchestra played endlessly, so they probably couldn’t hear our exact words, but they could certainly see our actions.

Since I had felt the subtle gazes since earlier, I covered my face with a fan and leaned in to whisper.

“What have you been listening to all this time?”

“I think it’s you who hasn’t been listening to me.”

Aster also leaned in, his face close to mine. The sudden proximity made me take a deep breath.

If looks had texture, his gaze would be hard. His steady eyes were unwavering. His silver eyelashes lay quietly over his red eyes, which seemed to burn with something.

As I stared at him, mesmerized, Aster whispered softly.

“I made it clear that I don’t intend to end this as a one-night mistake.”

“I also made it clear that this marriage is absolutely not happening.”

“Are you going to abandon me after taking my purity?”

“P-purity?”

You were a virgin?!

But Aster had been quite… skilled that night.

As the memory of that night resurfaced, my face heated up. I had assumed he wasn’t a virgin, but he was.

Strangely, hearing that gave me an inexplicable sense of satisfaction and embarrassment.

Mumbling in a slightly weakened tone, I said,

“Liar.”

“Now you’re doubting my purity?”

“Well, you are a Blanche.”

“I don’t appreciate being lumped in with the rest of them.”

Aster’s brow furrowed slightly in irritation. But it was only for a moment. Soon, he relaxed and said,

“But without a doubt, you were my first. If you doubt my purity, we can do it again.”

“W-what do you mean, do it again!”

And how would that prove anything!

Blushing furiously, I recoiled at Aster’s absurd logic. Aster chuckled, seemingly amused. His handsome smile was infuriating.

Then Aster changed the subject.

“I heard Francis is a family with a strong sense of responsibility. Is that correct?”

“Of course. Our family is honest, unlike the despicable Blanche family.”

The rivalry between the Francis and Blanche families stemmed from their differing values.

To the honor and duty-bound Francis family, the Blanche family was a disgrace to nobility.

“Good. Then this will be quick.”

“What do you mean?”

With a bright smile, Aster said something shocking.

“Take responsibility. I’ll accept marriage as compensation for taking my purity.”

“Why marriage? There are other ways to compensate….”

“You’re not thinking of money, are you? I have plenty of money, so that kind of compensation is unnecessary.”

How can he be so shameless!

I couldn’t believe this was the same gentle man from that night. At this rate, I’d end up in a wedding dress.

I racked my brain for a way out of this mess. Then a brilliant idea came to me, and I spoke.

“Alright. Since you know so much about my family, that’s good.”

Then I crossed my legs and propped my chin on my hand.

“Our family has always married for love. We don’t marry people we don’t love.”

“I see.”

This time, Aster didn’t refute immediately, seeming to agree. Watching his reaction, I continued.

“Even though it was an imperial decree, we don’t know each other well. To say we’re in love… we’ve only met three times.”

“Three times, huh.”

A crack appeared in Aster’s calm expression.

I couldn’t tell exactly where it came from, but I was busy trying to persuade him.

“As you said, we’ve only had physical relations. How can we get married based on that? You can’t decide on a lifelong partner so easily.”

“So, what you’re saying is that you want to date me?”

“Dating… is too grand a word. Let’s say we’re getting to know each other.”

From what I had gathered, Aster was someone I could reason with. If I defined our relationship as ambiguous and then, no matter how hard I tried, told him I couldn’t love him, he might accept it.

“One month. Let’s take one month to get to know each other. If, after that, we still don’t love each other, we’ll break off the engagement cleanly.”

If we don’t love each other, the marriage can’t happen.

Since I had already decided not to love him, this was the best way to naturally lead to a breakup.

Of course, this plan was only advantageous to me. If Aster refused, I planned to persuade him somehow. However, unexpectedly, Aster agreed readily.

“Alright. But I don’t like ambiguous relationships. Let’s have a real relationship for that month.”

It was I who felt uneasy because of this.

‘What’s he up to?’