<Chapter 8> Thirst  

After that day, Kiern moved the engagement ceremony schedule forward. It was decided that Kiern and Abigail’s engagement ceremony would be held at Rose Hall, newly built on the site of the old royal palace.

Elizabeth wanted to leave before the engagement ceremony, but because the date was moved up, she couldn’t. Kiern was cruel to the end. It was clear he wanted her to witness the engagement ceremony. It was certain when he moved up the ceremony after she said she would leave in a month.

Elizabeth had no right to refuse his notification. A person with many sins had no right to refuse. She could only guess that this was his answer to her confession.  

And since that day, Elizabeth deliberately avoided Kiern. Kiern also never sought her out first. Naturally, an unspoken rule formed between them.  

Not to seek each other out.  

To live as if they were in different places even while staying in the same castle.  

Living as if they were separate in the same space was easier than expected. Agaphel Castle was large enough that their paths didn’t have to cross if they wished.  

But she couldn’t avoid the Ingrid Club meetings. Otherwise, it would be admitting discord between them.  

When the regular meeting day came, Elizabeth sighed deeply. It wasn’t because it was hard to see Abigail, but because it was hard to see Kiern.  

Today’s meeting place was Prairie Castle. Elizabeth had just finished preparing to leave.  

Kiern was waiting in front of the carriage. He casually extended his hand. Elizabeth felt uncomfortable riding alone in the carriage with him and shook her head.  

“I’ll take another carriage. You go ahead.”  

“Leaving separately is even stranger.”  

Kiern grabbed Elizabeth’s hand as if telling her not to be stubborn. Reluctantly, she got into the carriage. She hated him for acting gentlemanly, all dressed up.  

As soon as she entered the carriage, she squeezed herself into the corner, putting as much distance as possible between them.  

Being alone in a confined space was awkward and tense. She wanted to poke out her eyes that kept glancing at him.  

Meanwhile, Kiern sat comfortably, looking at the stiff Elizabeth. He smiled lazily and said,  

“Do you know that the more you guard yourself, the more I want to tease you?”  

“……You won’t, though.”

“Who knows. I’m not as gentlemanly or nice as you think, so I can’t say what I’ll do.”

“Don’t do anything. ……Please.”  

Elizabeth’s wary words made Kiern chuckle.  

His gaze felt suggestive. Elizabeth licked her lower lip, feeling thirsty. Watching her, Kiern spoke.  

“You say not to do anything, yet your eyes are asking me to do something. What are you going to do about that?”

“I never did.”  

“Really? Then maybe you can’t control yourself. Is that why you’re hiding?”  

At Kiern’s sharp words, Elizabeth lowered her head and mumbled.  

“I just thought it would be painful for you to see my face.”  

“It’s painful for you to see me, isn’t it? Because it reminds you of your mother’s disgrace.”

“That’s not it.”

“Isn’t it? Can you really be sure?”

Kiern smirked and stretched his leg, touching her foot. In the narrow carriage, their knees bumped with just a slight movement.  

When Elizabeth pulled her legs back, he frowned, dissatisfied. Then he leaned forward, closing the distance before she could react.  

As he came close enough to kiss, Elizabeth closed her eyes tightly without realizing it. And immediately regretted it.  

She could have avoided it, but her reaction of closing her eyes first made it seem like she wanted something, just as he said. Kiern continued with a mocking tone.  

“Why did you close your eyes?”  

“This is…….”  

“You said it wasn’t. If it’s not, open your eyes and look at me. Let me confirm.”

Every time Kiern spoke, his breath tickled Elizabeth’s nose. His voice was half playful, half sarcastic.  

Even though it wasn’t a forced command, she couldn’t refuse. Elizabeth slowly opened her eyes.

Then blue eyes looked at her as if they would devour her. One hand gripped the windowsill, and the other rested against the carriage wall where Elizabeth leaned.  

The distance was very close. Only the sound of creaking from the carriage and the sound of hooves filled her ears. Elizabeth, with a tense body, sharply asked.

“Are you satisfied now?”  

“…….”  

“Stop doing this. You don’t even have feelings for me anyway.”  

At Elizabeth’s reproach, Kiern chuckled.  

“You don’t necessarily need feelings to do this. If I have to, I’ll do it anytime.”

It sounded like something he could say to Abigail too. No, since they were about to be engaged, kissing was natural. They could do even more.  

But she didn’t want to hear it from his mouth. She hated the thought of seeing it even more.

As Elizabeth trembled with humiliation, Kiern backed away with a satisfied smile.  

“How boring. Not even fun.”  

“…….”  

“Don’t worry. I always remember that you’re Stella’s daughter.”  

With that, Kiern turned his gaze to the window, as if he had lost interest.  

The fact that Kiern specifically called her ‘Stella’s daughter’ hurt Elizabeth. Even though it was a known fact, it saddened her.  

To him, she was just the daughter of an enemy; she hadn’t even established herself as a friend. It felt like she was being dragged into the abyss.  

The carriage quietly passed through the city and headed for Prairie Castle. Elizabeth composed herself. So she could smile as if nothing was wrong, so she could endure that place.  

* * *  

A few days later, Theo Kabil came to see Elizabeth with a bouquet. It was the first time since they parted without a goodbye at their last meeting.  

Since she had been so indifferent, she thought he had taken the hint and given up. Just when she thought it was over, he showed up, leaving Elizabeth at a loss. Theo handed over the bouquet and explained.  

“I’m really sorry about last time. I wanted to contact you immediately, but I was so busy that I only managed to come now.”  

“I received a message from your secretary. I heard you encountered a Kraken in the middle of the sea and suffered great damage.”  

“Yes. It wasn’t the season for Krakens to appear, but we were in trouble. Fortunately, with emergency magic tools, we managed to save some ships.”  

Elizabeth had never seen a giant sea monster like a Kraken in her life. She had heard it looked like a giant octopus, and just imagining encountering one in the middle of the sea made her shiver.  

Planning to leave for the Kingdom of Brittany, Elizabeth asked Theo.  

“Then is the sea route dangerous for now? Trade routes and travel routes might be different.”  

“For now, all routes, whether trade or travel, will be dangerous. If a Kraken attacks at night, it’s easy to be shipwrecked. Once the captains get the news, all sea routes will be closed. No one will want to go to sea.”  

Elizabeth was troubled by this unexpected obstacle. She had already paid for the passage.  

The most common route to the Kingdom of Brittany was by sea. But according to Theo, the sea routes would soon be blocked. Then, everyone unable to travel by sea would flock to the land route, making it difficult to get tickets.  

‘I should buy train tickets before the prices go up. I can’t be stranded trying to save on travel expenses.’  

Since the invention of trains improved with mana stones, sea routes had become the cheapest travel option. Planning to live frugally after leaving Agaphel Castle, she had chosen the cheapest fare, narrowly avoiding danger.  

Elizabeth was grateful to Theo for the valuable information.  

“Thank you, Sir Theo. I like the bouquet too.”  

“I’m glad you like it. To be honest, I thought of you every time I saw red roses, Lady Lua.”  

“Probably because of my hair color.”  

Elizabeth touched her hair and smiled bitterly. It reminded her of what the Duchess used to say before she passed.  

The Duchess liked Elizabeth’s red hair. Even when asked not to, she would personally tie her hair.  

‘Madam, if you keep doing this, the head maid will scold me.’  

‘I do it because I want to. I’ll handle any complaints.’  

‘Still…….’  

‘I’ve never seen red hair as beautiful and lush as yours. It’s like a rose. Especially with those golden eyes, you’re like a perfect rose.’  

When they were alone, she would call her Rose, showing how much she adored Elizabeth.  

That was the kind of person she was. The Duchess that Elizabeth knew.

Elizabeth was deep in thought while conversing with Theo. Just then, Kiern, who had returned from work, spotted the two.  

With the engagement preparations in full swing, he had been out often, and it seemed even an ant had managed to sneak in.  

Seeing Theo with reddened earlobes through the open window and Elizabeth smiling brightly in front of him made Kiern uneasy.  

Especially knowing that Elizabeth hadn’t smiled in front of him recently. Despite knowing she would be uncomfortable, Kiern entered the drawing room.  

After all, he was the master of this house. He had no reason to accommodate Elizabeth, who found him uncomfortable.  

“Oh.”  

Theo, who noticed him first, stood and greeted him politely, while Elizabeth stiffened but didn’t turn around.  

Her shoulders trembled slightly as if hoping he would leave. With elegant steps, Kiern approached them and gave a nod.  

It was only then that Kiern noticed the bouquet of roses next to Elizabeth and curled his lips in displeasure.

Apparently, her suitor was gentlemanly, unlike him.

* * *  

“You pretended not to, but you kept meeting him all along, it seems huh.”

After Theo Kabil left, Kiern asked provocatively. Elizabeth’s expression had soured rapidly since Kiern arrived, and she couldn’t even remember what she talked about with Theo.

If Theo hadn’t sensed the cold atmosphere between them and left quickly, Elizabeth might have sought water again.  

Elizabeth stopped her steps to leave and turned to Kiern. He was leaning back on the sofa, looking at her.  

His indifferent gaze seemed solemn, like a judge in court. Just a moment ago, he had pretended not to care about their conversation.  

Now, asking about her relationship with Theo didn’t make sense. Elizabeth clasped her trembling hands and sharply retorted.  

“It doesn’t matter to you whom I meet.”  

“It doesn’t matter. But this is Agaphel Castle, and in the absence of the Duke, I’m in charge. Shouldn’t I at least know who comes here?”

Elizabeth couldn’t respond and bit her lip. She was surprised because she assumed he would have heard about it.

Of course, the one who blocked this news in the middle was Stella. Elizabeth and Kiern had both fallen into her trap.

“……I’m sorry. I thought you knew.”  

“Another one of your mother’s doings, I suppose.”  

Kiern naturally thought of Stella and laughed cynically. He uncrossed his legs and stood up.  

Elizabeth stubbornly looked at the floor, waiting for him to pass. But Kiern stopped in front of her. Lifting her chin, he spoke.  

“Smile.”  

“…….”  

“Don’t look so gloomy.”  

“…….”  

“It makes me feel like I’m the bad guy, and it’s a crappy feeling.”  

“……I’m sorry.”  

Elizabeth bit her lower lip and apologized. Seeing her still not smiling, Kiern felt his blood run cold.  

He felt constantly chased. It was a thirst he felt every time he saw Elizabeth preparing to leave, slowly organizing her surroundings.  

“Do well.”  

With just those words, Kiern brushed past Elizabeth.  

He didn’t realize he felt an inexplicable sense of betrayal towards her for planning to leave him alone in hell.