Chapter 10.6

While Claire was in the middle of a conversation with Lorella, Rexion entered the office.  

“He seems eerily calm even after his brother’s embezzlement was exposed. Don’t you think he might have revealed it himself to aim for the Ducal position?”  

Lorella whispered softly, her eyes filled with curiosity as she observed Rexion, who looked completely composed despite the situation involving the Radner family.  

Based on her earlier encounter with Rexion, Claire felt that Lorella’s words might hold some truth.  

It didn’t seem like he had revealed the embezzlement on a whim—he probably had the evidence but had been waiting for the right moment to expose it.  

Could it be that he revealed it now because of me?  

Claire couldn’t dismiss the thought. The timing of the incident felt too coincidental, making her wonder if it might be connected to her.  

After finishing her conversation with Lorella, Claire sat down to handle her work. She picked up some documents that could serve as an excuse and headed toward Rexion’s office.  

[Knock, knock.]  

When she knocked and entered, she saw Rexion working with a calm expression, just as Lorella had described.  

“Are you busy? I have something I’d like to ask….”  

Claire cautiously spoke, gauging his reaction.  

“You must have many questions for me. Feel free to ask anything.”  

“You’re the one who exposed Secretary Radner’s embezzlement, right? Why did you choose to reveal it now?”  

Encouraged by his words, Claire asked without hesitation.  

“Why does the timing matter? Just think of it as him paying for deceiving you.”  

“For deceiving me?”  

“Yes. For proposing to you even though he didn’t love you. And also….”  

“And also?”  

When Rexion paused, Claire couldn’t help but echo his words. She understood that he had exposed the embezzlement partly because of her, but was there another reason?  

“I wanted to hear your gratitude.”  

“….”  

Claire was speechless. He had acted entirely on his own, yet he wanted her to thank him?  

To be honest, Helion’s arrest had nothing to do with Claire. As Lorella had mentioned, the situation was actually more advantageous for Rexion.  

“Alright. Thank you. Is that enough?”  

Claire gave him a curt thank-you, but Rexion’s expression showed clear dissatisfaction.  

“Is my gratitude insufficient?”  

Claire tilted her head.  

“Yes, it’s insufficient.”  

“Then what do you want me to do?”  

As if waiting for her to ask, Rexion tapped his lips twice with his finger.  

A kiss? Here, in the office, while others were working outside?  

“Here? What if someone walks in?”  

Claire whispered sharply, worried that someone might overhear.  

“It won’t take long, so no one will come in during that time.”  

Rexion, who had been seated, stood up.  

His tall frame cast a shadow as he walked up to Claire, momentarily intimidating her. Hesitating, Claire grabbed his collar, stood on her tiptoes, and lightly pressed her lips to his.  

She intended to keep it brief, but Rexion suddenly wrapped his arm around her waist and deepened the kiss, his tongue slipping into her mouth. The force of his passion made her head tilt back as if she were losing her breath.  

What was supposed to be a quick kiss grew deeper and more intense.  

Claire tried to push him away, but his solid chest wouldn’t budge. With one hand cradling her head and the other pulling her waist closer, there was no way to escape.  

“Mm….”  

The intruder in her mouth teased sensitive areas, drawing out every breath she had.  

Claire wanted to shout that kissing in the office was forbidden, but the relentless kiss broke down her rationality.  

Their tongues intertwined, and she found herself lost in the sweetness of the moment, unable to think of anything else.  

Just then, a knock sounded at the door, followed by it opening.  

“Oh my goodness!”  

Claire and Rexion quickly separated.  

Rubbing her lips with the back of her hand, Claire turned toward the door, only to see Lorella standing there, her eyes wide with shock. 

“I….”  

Claire wanted to ask Lorella to keep it a secret, but she was so flustered that no words came out. Lorella, still wide-eyed, spoke first.  

“Glause’s embezzlement is less shocking than what I just witnessed. I-I won’t tell anyone, so… just continue whatever you were doing.”  

Looking as though she had seen something she shouldn’t have, Lorella hurriedly left the office.  

Claire, her face bright red, glared at Rexion.  

“You said it wouldn’t take long!”  

“It’s not as though I asked for anything extreme. A kiss doesn’t take much time, does it?”  

Rexion looked at her with an innocent expression, as if he were the one being wronged.  

Sigh.

Instead of replying, Claire let out a heavy sigh. She recalled how he had kept saying “just once more” during their first intimate encounter and realized she had been foolish to trust him.  

“It doesn’t matter if people find out, since we’ll be a couple eventually.”  

While it was true that they weren’t planning to keep their relationship secret, Claire still felt embarrassed that a colleague had witnessed their kiss.  

Looking at Rexion’s unapologetic face, Claire couldn’t help but feel exasperated.  

“We’re not a couple yet.”  

Claire spoke in a dissatisfied tone.  

“Then let’s become a couple now. Will you go out with me?”  

As though he had been waiting for this moment, Rexion knelt on one knee and kissed the back of her hand.  

“I have something I want to say before answering.”  

Claire considered accepting his proposal but decided she needed to confess something first, even if it was embarrassing.  

“Go ahead.”  

Rexion smiled warmly.  

“Actually, I was mistaken.”  

“Mistaken about what?”  

“My first love.”  

“Wasn’t your first love my brother?”  

Rexion’s eyes narrowed as he tilted his head.  

“I thought so. But I was wrong.”  

Rexion tilted his head further, confused by her words.  

Taking a step closer to him, Claire leaned toward his neck, her face brushing against his skin.  

She felt a pleasant, fresh scent envelop her.  

“Yes, this scent. It’s the scent of the man I fell for. I don’t know why I didn’t realize it earlier. Even as I lost consciousness, I felt comforted by it.”  

Thinking back, Claire felt frustrated. Helion didn’t have this scent, yet she had convinced herself he was the one who had saved her.  

The misunderstanding was mortifying, but now it seemed like a funny memory she could laugh about.  

Rexion’s dark eyes sparkled with joy as he listened to her words.  

“Does that mean you’re accepting my confession?”  

“Yes, of course. There’s no reason to refuse.”  

“I love you.”  

Rexion whispered in her ear as he embraced her.  

“I love you too.”  

Claire smiled as she looked at him.  

“I want to hold you right now.”  

His voice was seductive, his gaze fierce like that of a predator. Claire wanted to give in to him but knew she couldn’t.  

“Not now. We’re still working.”  

Upon hearing her rejection, Rexion’s eyes filled with disappointment.  

“Then at least tell me you love me.”  

He buried his face in her neck, urging her. Claire could feel something firm pressing against her leg, but she managed to keep her composure as she spoke.  

“Alright. I love you.”  

Though Claire suspected Rexion’s persistent affection might continue, she felt certain that she could fall for him completely, even for a lifetime.