He clung to her lips for a long time as if they were his lifeline. Even Saena, who had been struggling against the overwhelming sensations crashing like waves, eventually grew accustomed and responded to his kisses.

Somehow, she couldn’t push him away when he kissed her. By this point, Saena realized… She probably didn’t hate this.

It was strange — even just holding hands with George Hollander had made her skin crawl, but somehow she felt she could do even more(?) with the Duke.

As they exchanged heated breaths for a long while, caught up in the mood, he gradually entangled her more. It was as if he was creating a prison for her with his body.

Though trapped between the bed and the Duke, she didn’t feel particularly anxious.

Perhaps because until now, the Duke had never crossed the line in any situation.

“Don’t go… Stay here…”

No, maybe it was because of words like these that he would never say in his right mind. The Duke repeatedly called Saena’s name and mumbled for her not to leave.

The desperation hidden in his words that seemed like pleading, the underlying warmth, and the subtle gentleness all mixed together to make her accept him.

It moved her heart somehow, realizing he wasn’t just the strong man he appeared to be.

Moreover, though he seemed to be operating on instinct as he explored her lips, he didn’t go further than that. His hands just continued to stroke her forehead and hair, and cup her cheeks.

Would it be silly to think that even in his unconscious state, he seemed to be protecting and considering her?

Though if he really wanted to protect her, he shouldn’t touch her at all…

“Don’t go…”

Hearing these words that he would never say in his right mind, she found it impossible to leave his embrace. So Saena continued receiving his endless delving kisses while panting.

At some point, she fell asleep without realizing it.

* * *

Saena woke up to a feeling both strange and familiar.

Other than when she was too young to remember clearly, she had never fallen asleep in someone else’s arms, yet she wasn’t sure how many times she had now been entangled with the Duke.

Today felt especially embarrassing because when she opened her eyes, he was already awake and watching her.

“……”

Realizing he must have seen her completely defenseless sleeping face, her face burned hot.

“Why, why are you looking at me?”

She covered her face with both hands and buried her head, but the Duke stroked her hair and placed a brief kiss where her forehead met her hairline.

“Nngh.”

That gentle action somehow made her more embarrassed, causing Saena to lower her head further.

“Why are you doing that? Let me see your face.”

“…No.”

“…Why not?”

“I haven’t even washed my face yet…”

The Duke’s chest shook slightly as he laughed.

“You look beautiful though.”

“…How can you watch someone’s sleeping face like that.”

“It’s true. I watched because you’re beautiful.”

Saena lowered her hands slightly to peek at him with just her eyes. His smiling face looking down at her seemed sincere.

“…And I’m sorry.”

The Duke said with a slightly embarrassed but tender expression.

“For… what?”

“For me, doing that to you again…”

He covered his eyes with his hand like he’s growing more embarrassed while speaking. Would it be strange to find that cute?

It’s not like the Duke attacked me alone.

No, well, maybe at first, but later I also… I can’t really say anything.

Meanwhile, because the Duke covered his eyes with his large hand, she noticed his lips that were left exposed.

Chu. The impulse to pop up and kiss those lips was very spontaneous.

“Hup…”

Even she herself was surprised.

Their wide-eyed gazes became entangled.

Just as the frozen Saena was about to creakily turn her head away, he caught and pulled her up as if wrapping around her body.

Their faces met at the same level.

His large palm cupping her cheek wouldn’t allow her to turn her face away.

“Is this… permission?”

“…Huh?”

“To accept my actions… isn’t that what you mean?”

“……”

“Let me confirm…”

It was true, that it was okay.

“With my body again.”

She had no intention of stopping his lowering head, after all.

* * *

Outside where the sun had risen, the weather had completely cleared as if the previous severe conditions had never existed. It seemed she could return home once enough snow melted.

She would have to wait for another chance to ride Morev again.

“…Are you going back?”

“I have to. I can’t impose on you forever.”

It was obvious she was taking up an enormous amount of his time.

Though she said she’d return quickly because she felt sorry, the Duke’s expression wasn’t very pleased.

“Impose…”

“……”

“Then do you want to pretend our kisses never happened this time too?”

Saena’s eyes flickered uneasily at his sudden, piercing question.

No matter how much she hated marriage, how could she do that twice? If she did, she’d deserve to be called trash(?).

“…No.”

He smiled at her embarrassed answer.

“Then, may I kiss you again?”

“…P-pardon?”

“I’m asking if I can consider us close enough to kiss whenever.”

That doesn’t seem like what he was asking before…

“Do you mean… like lovers?”

“I remember you said you’re against marriage, but you can still date, right?”

Though the situation got a bit complicated due to various incidents, it would be silly to forcibly pretend nothing happened.

And I don’t really hate it…

“I’ll try not to beg you to marry me. For now, let’s date.”

“Beg? How could you… Usually women are more likely to do that, aren’t they?”

Constantine tilted his head slightly and asked.

“Will you beg me?”

“…What?”

“You could change my heart sufficiently without begging, you know.”

What is he even saying? Heart? What heart?

Her pupils shook wildly at the rapidly progressing direction of the conversation.

“I’ll try to become a lover you’ll be satisfied with. In many ways.”

In many ways…?

Though she wasn’t sure exactly what he meant by ‘in many ways,’ seeing his eager expression above his smiling eyes—something she’d never seen on the Duke before—left her speechless.

“I’ll… also be careful not to burden you, Duke.”

If this relationship were to become known outside, most people would say she hit the jackpot, or express that the Duke was wasting himself.

And though things had turned out this way, it would be awkward to cause unnecessary trouble for the future Duchess too.

“First ‘impose,’ now ‘burden’?”

But something seemed off about her word choice, as the Duke quietly repeated her words.

Then he said,

“Well then, let’s first sort out how we address each other.”

“What’s wrong with how we address each other?”

“How long do you plan to call me ‘Duke’? Won’t people find it strange if they hear you calling me that?”

What’s strange about calling the Duke ‘Duke’? If not Duke, what should I call him?

“It seems to emphasize our age gap more. Makes me feel more like a beast.”

“……”

He keeps saying that even though there isn’t really that big an age difference.

“Call me Constantine.”

In the end, the Duke asked her to call him by his name.

Constantine Kramer.

A name known to every noble in the Empire. But also a name no one could easily speak.

Perhaps that’s why it felt unfamiliar despite being a name she already knew.

“Go ahead.”

“…Pardon?”

“You can’t leave until you try saying it.”

It was an even stranger name to actually say.

Constantine. Though he was smiling, his lips were firm. His steady gaze also contained gentle insistence.

“Co…”

Saena’s lips moved.

But for some reason, the word wouldn’t fully form.

It’s just a name. Why did saying one name feel so difficult?

The Duke didn’t rush her, but he also wouldn’t let her go. He truly seemed determined not to let her leave until she said it.

“Co…”

“……”

“…onstantine.”

When his name finally left her mouth with difficulty, he grinned.

“Well done.”

Then he lowered his lips to briefly press against her forehead.

“Saena.”

She spoke his name. He spoke hers.

Like he’s demonstrating how it’s done, he called her name and this time pressed his lips to her forehead for a bit longer.

Constantine.

Saena silently mouthed his name again, too quietly for him to hear.

Is this why he wanted her to say his name?

How strange. Just that name on her tongue made him feel oddly closer than before.

* * *

Meanwhile, chaos erupted when she returned to the townhouse.

“Kyaang! Kyang, kyaang!”

Especially Yolly, who made an absolute fuss as soon as he saw Saena.

“Uwaaah–! Yo-Yolly?!”

“Kyaang! Kyang!”

Don’t dogs usually wag their tails happily when reuniting with their owners? This one didn’t seem depressed from missing his owner but clearly angry.

“How dare you leave me behind! I won’t let this slide!”

“How dare you separate me for so long!”

He was clearly throwing a tantrum with that kind of feeling.

Though he didn’t bite or scratch, it was somehow troublesome. His skill at being annoying by blocking her vision constantly and making her ears ring was impressive.

“Kyaang! Kyaang!”

“Okay, okay! I’m sorry!”

“Grrrr……”

“I’m sorry! I couldn’t help it because of the snow!”

“Grrr……”

“Oh, our pretty Yolly! Come here, want some kisses?”

“Kyaaang!”

“Okay! I won’t. I won’t do it!”

Whew, he’s impossibly picky.

He acts like he’s the master. Yet somehow she couldn’t dislike him.

Plus, like last time, he kept pressing his face and lips all over, which was terribly embarrassing.

He clearly seemed to be doing it knowingly.

She had washed thoroughly, but what smell was he picking up to act like this…

Saena had to scrub her entire body very thoroughly again and spend a long time soothing Yolly.

After finally getting a moment to catch her breath, practical matters started coming back to mind one by one.

She briefly discussed what had happened with her nanny (though she couldn’t yet mention becoming involved with the Duke), and sent messengers to her family.

She called Rupert to hear what had happened with Smila and the coachman, whether the hunter’s family who helped them received proper assistance, and gave a few more instructions.

The most important issue regarding the Prince… remained unresolved. It gave her a headache.

She would need to call Rupert tomorrow to ask if it would be alright to return to Delvon.

* * *