Chapter 52

“Goodness.”

Louise laughed a little, as if she couldn’t believe it.

Ding.

[Affection has increased by 1!]

Her eyes, gazing up at him, grew deeper and more luminous.

“You’re saying all the right things today. Did you just realize that?”

A happy curve formed on Louise’s lips.

Although it felt like they had been together for a long time, this was the first time Alec had seen such a tender and joyful smile on her face.

Looking at her blushing face made his heart feel strangely ticklish.

He thought it was fortunate they were both wearing masks.

Louise, who had been staring at him intently, spoke in a dreamy voice.

“You’re really lovely.”

“…”

Ding.

[Affection has increased by 1!]

Before Alec’s eyes had a chance to even waver, Louise lifted her heels and her face was suddenly right in front of his.

“…!”

Before he realized what had happened, she had already moved away from him, covering her mouth and laughing softly in her characteristically graceful manner.

“You’re so tall that it’s hard for me to initiate anything. There’s only so much I can do on tiptoes.”

“…”

Ding.

[Affection has increased by 1!]

His heart was beating so hard it felt like it might burst.

His wide eyes were frozen in place.

Did their lips just touch?

It had happened so quickly he wasn’t sure if he’d felt anything at all.

But his lips felt numb as if they’d been anesthetized.

Louise’s gentle voice sounded again.

“Could you help me try again? Because of our height difference, you’ll need to lean down a bit.”

“…”

Her eyes crinkled softly.

Ding.

[Affection has increased by 1!]

His eyelashes trembled slightly, and his lips parted a little.

He never imagined a woman would desire a kiss from him with such dignity.

Maybe it was because she used to be a high-ranking noble, or perhaps it was just Louise’s personality, but he felt compelled to follow her wishes.

Louise smiled at him and extended her arms.

When she tightly embraced his neck, Alec’s torso automatically leaned forward.

His eyelashes trembled again as her lips met his, this time more deeply.

“…”

Ding.

[Affection has increased by 1!]

It felt like a bolt of lightning had struck, leaving his vision completely dark.

His pupils were wide open, but he couldn’t see anything.

Louise’s body pressed against his much more closely than when they had danced to the dazzling music.

“…Ha.”

Her breath brushed against his lips as she sighed.

A kiss that shouldn’t happen.

But already, their breaths mingled, their inner lips meeting.

“…”

He was frozen, unable to move forward or back.

It felt like every cell in his body was holding its breath and standing upright.

His heart was beating so furiously he feared his veins might burst.

It had only been a few seconds since their lips touched, but it felt like an eternity had passed.

Her moist tongue brushed the inside of his lips.

“…!”

Ding.

[Affection has increased by 1!]

The sensation was shocking.

He needed to push her away.

Louise believed he was the real Alec.

When he thought about the repercussions if she found out the truth, he knew they couldn’t share such intimate moments.

But why was he hesitating?

Strangely, the thought of disappointing Louise strongly dominated his mind.

So far, he had been a disappointing husband, and if he pulled away now when she was feeling such happiness, it would be a great betrayal.

“…”

He struggled internally.

But eventually, Alec wrapped his arms around her waist. Closing his eyes, he pulled her closer.

As he leaned in further, Louise’s arms around his neck loosened slightly.

Their lips locked in a deeper kiss.

The beautiful music from the ballroom faintly reached the garden.

More enchanting than the music was the continuous system notifications.

[Affection has increased by 1!]

[Affection has increased by 1!]

[Affection has increased by 1!]

[Level has increased to 3!]

The notifications kept coming.

***

Julia smoothed her expression as she left the lounge.

There were plenty of men other than Owen, and even if Louise appeared stunning, Julia remained the queen of this social circle.

People’s hearts weren’t swayed by beauty alone.

Louise was nothing more than a pawn on the chessboard.

Sacrificing one lover was not much of a threat to her.

‘I’ll make sure she pays for daring to provoke me. How dare she tell Marcel about me?’

Soon, Louise would be dragged before her, slapped, and begging for her life. 

The thought improved Julia’s mood. She hadn’t known where Louise lived, but now Louise was coming to her.

Julia descended the stairs with composed dignity. The staircase connected to the ballroom dance floor. 

As soon as she appeared, people’s attention would shift to her. 

It wasn’t just because of her beauty but also because those who didn’t flatter her might find themselves in unfortunate situations in this social circle. 

Someone might spill a drink on their dress or trip and fall. 

As she descended, something felt different. 

She didn’t feel the usual admiring glances. There were no exclamations or compliments. 

Could it be that they didn’t recognize her because of the mask?

That couldn’t be it.

“Ahem.”

Scarlett, descending the stairs with her, seemed to sense Julia’s mood and cleared her throat.

Rose quickly explained the situation.

“People seem quite distracted today. Did something unusual happen?”

“…”

Julia’s eyes turned cold.

As Rose mentioned, people were excitedly chatting about something amusing.

She had gone to the lounge to cool off after seeing Owen dance with Louise, but what had happened in the meantime?

As Julia reached the bottom of the stairs, Belisa approached. Belisa was Owen’s wife.

“Julia.”

“Belisa.”

Belisa, looking thrilled, began speaking.

“Even with a mask, you’re still unmistakably Julia.”

“Did you just arrive?”

“No, I came a little while ago. But did you see it too?”

“See what?”

“An absolutely stunning couple appeared. Everyone is talking about them.”

“A stunning couple?”

Julia frowned inwardly.

Who could they be talking about?

Following Belisa into the crowd, she began to hear the admiring voices of the ladies.

“I’ve never seen such graceful and splendid dancing. It was like their bodies were one with the music.”

“No, the man’s body dominated the grand performance.”

“His dance skills were impressive. The man was tall and well-built, which added to the effect. Even with a mask, his charisma was undeniable.”

“It was thrilling to watch. The man toyed with the woman like a quiet snake.”

“Toyed with her? He completely bewitched her.”

“I hope they come back. I’d love to dance with someone like that.”

“…”

Julia’s face grew cold again.

Without turning her head, she asked Belisa,

“Who are those women talking about, Belisa?”

No one danced well enough to elicit such praise.

Julia couldn’t guess.

“Oh, Julia, you must have missed it. Actually…”

Belisa moved closer to Julia and whispered.

“I saw it myself. Louise showed up with a man who was absolutely stunning.”

* * *

Smack, smack.

I was dizzy from his kiss.

I had seen many changes in Alec, but I hadn’t expected even his kisses to be like this.

‘He’s not only aggressive but incredibly skilled…?’

The truly surprising thing was that as much as I craved him, he was equally thorough in tending to my lips and tongue.

TL NOTE: More advanced chapter of this story is already up to the site. Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories