Chapter 2 – The Swapped Groom (Part 4)

They say the devil beguiles the eyes. Sophia recalled a fairy tale she read as a child, about a protagonist who fell for the devil’s temptation and faced trouble. 

She thought Killian looked more handsome than Clive because he hid his wicked heart. With his cold beauty rather than warm charm, he felt like a devil.

So when her eyes met Killian’s, Sophia had to quickly turn her head away. Just meeting his gaze made her heart race, and her body felt like it would freeze.

Unable to withstand his gaze, she had no choice but to leave after two hours.

How can anyone date under such scrutiny?

The next date location was an outdoor café in the plaza. They chose a place where they could be seen by many, hoping that news of Sophia and Clive’s good relationship would reach the King, which would lessen the attention on them.

“I’ve been thinking, when we get married, we can’t continue living with the Loden family. So how about asking Duke Dveshi to prepare a house for us? Preferably a mansion.”

This time, their conversation was about marriage-related topics, unlike their previous small talk. Although Sophia still felt awkward around Clive, she was relieved that Killian wasn’t following them this time, making her feel more at ease than on the previous date.

However, the content of Clive’s words was not pleasing, causing Sophia’s expression to gradually harden.

Typically, after marriage, the bride’s side would prepare a dowry, and they would live with the groom’s family. Even when the groom wasn’t the head of the family, it was common in the Kingdom of Lux for the man’s side to prepare the house.

Therefore, Clive’s suggestion seemed very strange.

Why would he ask his father to prepare a house? Is he really an outcast child, or is he just thoughtless?

“I don’t think that’s something I can decide.”

In her heart, Sophia also wanted to live in a house prepared by her father. However, this wasn’t something she could decide on her own.

It could potentially offend Duke Loden’s pride and escalate into a big fight. So Sophia had to tactfully avoid the topic.

To think I have to become the wife of such a man…

The more she talked with Clive, the more bleak her future seemed. Still, she tried to engage with him with a smile, aiming to make it look like they were getting along well.

If rumors spread that their relationship was bad because she frowned, it would be disadvantageous for her, so she had to endure everything for now.

Stay calm, stay calm.

After calming herself, Sophia tried to continue the conversation with Clive, but seeing him whistle at a passing woman made her patience run out.

Isn’t this too much?

Even though she knew he was a flirt, seeing him show such disrespect made her not want to talk any further.

“Have you finished your tea? Let’s go.”

Sophia stood up first. She wanted to get out of the situation as soon as possible.

“Wait a moment.”

Clive stopped her as she tried to leave.

“What?”

He knelt on one knee, holding her wrist, and kissed the back of her hand.

“Go safely. If you allow it, I’d like to have a more passionate kiss. What do you think?”

“N-next time.”

Wanting a passionate kiss after looking at another woman? How shameless!

Despite having ogled other women while she was right in front of him, his suggestion of a kiss was appalling.

“No, I think today would be good. Do you know how pleasant a kiss can be? Once you try it, you’ll like it.”

“No, I’ll pass.”

“Once we try kissing, you’ll change your mind.”

Even though she refused, Clive leaned in with his lips puckered, determined to carry out what he had said.

W-wait? D-don’t come!

Too flustered, Sophia didn’t know how to react. Her eyes wavered anxiously, feeling so confused that her body froze.

She shut her eyes tightly, not wanting to see his vulgar face as he puckered his lips further.

No, I don’t want this! There’s no way I’d want to kiss a man I don’t even like!

It was unbearable. Just as she reached out to push Clive away, a cold sensation suddenly touched her lips. It was too hard to be a person’s lips.

Startled, she opened her eyes to see a massive sword sheath placed between her and Clive.

A sword?

The elaborate, jewel-encrusted sheath was clearly not for just anyone to use. As she turned her gaze to figure out what was happening, Sophia was so shocked she froze.

Killian was alternating his icy gaze between her and Clive.

“What are noble people doing on the street in broad daylight? Do you know about public indecency laws?”

Embarrassment washed over her. Of all people, why did it have to be him?

Though Killian had a right to be angry, she felt wronged. Sophia wanted to explain that she was about to be forced into it, but Clive spoke before she could.

“What brings you here, someone who usually only moves within the palace?”

“I had some matters to attend to. But you, Brother, are…”

“Alright, alright. I’ll be careful.”

Interrupting Killian’s words, Clive frowned deeply. Still in shock, Sophia couldn’t register their conversation.

The thought that she almost had her first kiss outdoors, and in front of the Knight Captain, filled her with shame. Moreover, that Knight Captain was a member of the Loden family.

“Were you always such a frivolous woman?”

Killian even threw a disparaging remark at her.

“What?”

Sophia was so taken aback that she couldn’t think of any rebuttal.

“A necklace at the banquet, and now a kiss in public…”

“What necklace?”

Unaware of the situation between Sophia and the young master of Valkeres, Clive looked puzzled at Killian’s words.

“It’s nothing.”

Sophia answered, shooting Killian a sharp look.

Why is he doing this to me?

Previously, he had sent cold stares from afar, but now he was openly insulting her. Sophia felt discomfort.

Why should I endure such humiliation from that man? I know he dislikes me, but isn’t this too much?

If only he had arrived a little later. She would have forcefully pushed Clive away. Of all times, he showed up just before she could do so… His timing was the worst.

The necklace was a last request from the young master of Valkeres, and the kiss was something she was almost forced into against her will.

There was no reason to endure such insulting words as being called a frivolous woman, so Sophia defiantly shouted at Killian.

“What does it matter to you if I’m frivolous or not? Why should I hear such things from you?”

“I’m not criticizing you for kissing your fiancé. Just be mindful of the place, as there are many eyes watching.”

At that moment, Sophia’s face flushed red. She wanted to argue more, but since he wasn’t wrong, she had nothing to say.

The fault was Clive’s for trying to kiss her without consent, but arguing about it wouldn’t change anything.

“I’ll be careful.”

Though filled with a sense of injustice, to him, she was nothing more than a woman trying to kiss Clive in broad daylight. 

So, Sophia said she’d be careful and didn’t say anything more. There was no need to.

Immediately parting ways with Clive, Sophia continued to fume until she arrived at the mansion in the carriage. 

Even after the carriage stopped, she couldn’t calm down and didn’t step outside until her feelings settled.

If she mentioned the unpleasant incident today, it would only provoke a fight between families, so she had to hide it as much as possible. 

That’s partly why she was engaged to Clive in the first place.

After a long while, Sophia finally got out of the carriage and headed straight to her room. Emily followed her in and asked,

“Miss, how was your day?”

“It wasn’t bad.”

Sophia forced a smile as she replied. Only after confirming the door was completely closed did she confide in Emily about the day’s events, speaking in the smallest voice possible to avoid anyone overhearing and reporting back to the Duchess of Dveshi.

“Sir Loden behaved like that again?”

Emily looked incredulous at Sophia’s words.

“Yes. Isn’t it too much? I don’t understand why he’s rumored to be upright and polite.”

Sophia couldn’t comprehend why her brother Liam was close to Killian either. Emily, lost in thought for a moment, tilted her head as if puzzled.

“Why?”

“It’s really strange.”

“What is?”

“Sir Loden’s attitude is too excessive.”

“It’s probably because he dislikes me.”

“No, it seems more like… Could it be that he’s interested in you?”

Emily’s eyes narrowed suspiciously.

“If you’re going to talk nonsense, just leave.”

Killian had a childhood friend he had long been infatuated with, so the idea of him being interested was absurd.

It was more likely the opposite. The very notion of a Dveshi family woman being tied to his family must have been unpleasant for him. That’s why he nitpicked her every action.

The more she thought about it, the more unpleasant he seemed. Sophia hoped she wouldn’t have to deal with him anymore in the future.