Chapter 4 (Part 3)

The cheerful dinner continued, and as it was coming to an end, Matthias mentioned wanting to have a drink with Anthus, but Yuliana firmly said no. Anthus, looking disappointed, promised Matthias they would drink together next time.

Selenia disappeared into a room with Louis, and Matthias returned to his office for some remaining work. Anthus escorted Yuliana to her room, holding her hand and whispering with an innocent face.

“Do you know how I came here today?”

“Teleportation?”

“Yes, I was curious if it worked well, and it worked very well. Would you like to try it, Yuli?”

“I still have work to do.”

Yuliana thought of the unfinished embroidery.

“You can just have a glass of lemonade at the Duke’s residence and then teleport back to the Earl’s residence.”

Yuliana hesitated.

“Actually, I didn’t want to part ways just yet… I was being a bit clingy.”

In the end, Yuliana took Anthus’s hand and stood in front of the teleportation device in her private training ground.

Holding his hand, she entered the teleportation space, trying to calm her racing heart.

“Close your eyes. Open them when I tell you to.”

She felt her hair stand on end and got goosebumps. She felt the rippling mana, and Anthus told her to open her eyes. Yuliana slowly lifted her eyelids and looked around. It was clearly not outside but inside a room. But…

“This is…”

“Welcome to Duke Rockbellion’s residence.”

Yuliana was too surprised to speak. She was amazed by the many flower petals spread out before her. Only the space to walk was left clear, filled with petals and softly glowing jewels.

“Do you like it, Yuli?”

“It’s beautiful.”

Yuliana gazed at the petals and sparkling jewels in a daze.

“I prepared this for you, Yuli.”

“It feels like seeing the starlight of the night sky inside a room.”

Yuliana touched the petals and jewels scattered around the room, enjoying the fragrant floral scent with each breath.

“I’ve never received anything like this before… It feels wonderful.”

“I’m glad you like it, Yuli.”

“Did you prepare this for me?”

“Yes. I wanted to see you happy like this…”

Anthus looked at Yuliana with a calm face. Yuliana laughed out loud.

“Duke Anthus.”

“Yes.”

“You are so cute.”

Anthus had heard many compliments about his looks but never about being cute.

“Why are you so cute?”

Unfamiliar and joyful feelings flooded Yuliana like a storm.

She felt like jumping. Her heart pounded, and she wanted to jump up and down. Eventually, Yuliana embraced Anthus in her excitement. Anthus gently stroked her back.

“Never hold back for the woman you love.”

Yuliana looked up at him.

“That’s what my father said. ‘Do everything you want to do for her. Then the one who prepared it will be happier than the one who received it’. I never understood that before, but while preparing this, I fully understood my father’s words.”

He had imagined Yuliana’s happy face while preparing the room. But seeing her actual joyful expression surpassed his imagination.

“I will work hard to make you feel this happiness every day.”

“Duke…”

Yuliana remembered Selenia’s words.

<Listen to your heart when it speaks naturally. That’s the time to confess.>

Her heart kept whispering that it was time to speak. She was sure this was the moment Selenia had mentioned, the perfect timing for a natural confession.

With a determined look, Yuliana released her arms from around Anthus’s neck and looked into his red eyes.

“Yan.”

Anthus’s nickname lingered in her mouth before coming out for the first time.

Anthus pulled her hand, causing Yuliana to stumble and fall back into his embrace.

“From now on, I will call you Lia instead of Yuli.”

Yuliana nodded. It felt natural. She could feel his heart beating rapidly.

“Lia, can I kiss you?”

“Only at times like this…”

Anthus held her chin.

“Times like this means when I use informal speech?”

“When you kiss me.”

Yuliana spoke, overcoming the blush on her cheeks.

Anthus’s hand around her waist tightened.

Their breathing grew heavy. The sound of their passionate and tangled kiss echoed in the room.

After a long kiss, Anthus felt like his body and mind were about to explode from the intense desire overwhelming him. He kissed Yuliana’s lips and cheeks repeatedly before pulling away.

“It’s dangerous to continue.”

Warnings of danger kept ringing in Anthus’s mind.

“Yan, you’re not dangerous to me.”

Yuliana approached Anthus, who had stepped back. His throat bobbed.

“I’m really going crazy.”

Anthus hugged Yuliana tightly, burying his face in her hair and shoulder.

The long nine years of unrequited love had come to an end. But from now on, the real challenge begins. Winning someone’s heart is a temporary effort, but keeping that heart is a lifelong endeavor.

“Thank you for accepting my heart. I will do my best.”

“I will do my best too.”

Anthus, while tidying Yuliana’s hair and dress, had tears welling up in his eyes.

“Why are you crying, Yan?”

“My heart is so full… I’m so happy… It feels like a dream… I can’t stop crying.”

Touched and sniffling, Yuliana gently stroked his cheek and wiped his tears with her thumb.

“Yan, you’re cute even when you cry.”

Anthus, whose ears had turned bright red, turned his head and covered his mouth with his palm.

* * *

The staff of Duke Rockbellion’s residence did their utmost to decorate for Anthus’s successful event. Anthus opened the door slightly and called for Ferrell, his face filled with happiness.

“Master.”

“Ferrell, bring the lemonade and refreshments that our Lia likes.”

Ferrell, realizing from Anthus’s use of Yuliana’s formal nickname that the confession had been successful, spoke with a voice full of emotion.

“Understood.”

Ferrell quickly placed the lemonade and refreshments on a trolley, knocked on the door, and left it in front. Soon, the door opened, and Anthus came out, pulling the trolley back into the room.

Yuliana drank the lemonade and enjoyed the refreshments. Anthus lovingly watched her eat.

“What did you do to your face, Lia?”

“My face?”

“I can’t take my eyes off your face.”

Yuliana, embarrassed by Anthus’s seductive deep voice whispering in her ear, lowered her head.

“You’re really beautiful.”

After finishing the lemonade and refreshments, Yuliana spoke to Anthus in a regretful voice.

“I have to go back now.”

Anthus pushed his hair back, trying to make his face more visible to her.

“Yan, I have a lot to do at the Earl’s residence, so I need to go back.”

“I want to stay with you a little longer.”

“I also feel very regretful… Let’s meet again tomorrow.”

When his charm didn’t work, Anthus clicked his tongue inwardly and changed his strategy, making a face like an abandoned puppy. But it still didn’t work on Yuliana.

“Alright.”

After escorting her back, Anthus returned to the Duke’s residence, never imagining that his nickname would sound so lovely and also so seductive.

Intoxicated by the richness that the nickname brought, Anthus stared at the lemonade cup Yuliana had left on the table and pressed his lips to the spot where hers had touched.

* * *

“I have urgent news, Master.”

“Speak.”

“As expected, Earl Lumichua, upon hearing that Duke Rockbellion had purchased Young Lord Beonar’s bonds, opposed the marriage with to the young Marquis Fedeurus.”

“He’s getting rid of the dirty oil.”

Anthus laughed.

“Keep monitoring the actions of the noble faction. It seems they are doing everything they can to bring a concubine to His Majesty Cloud.”

“Understood.”

“Ferrell, did you handle the bonds well?”

“Yes. I handed them over to some very fierce and ruthless people. Please take a look.”

Ferrell handed the prepared documents to Anthus.

“And the man named Laon who stalked our Lia?”

“He is imprisoned in the basement. As you instructed, he has not been tortured.”

“I will handle the torture myself.”

With a cold expression, Anthus began to review the documents handed to him.