Sparkling blue-green eyes. Lush platinum blonde hair cascaded softly over her delicate neck and shoulders.

The woman’s expression was no different from other women who looked at him.

Lias had been receiving such gazes constantly since childhood. It was a daily occurrence so familiar it had become tedious.

Yet Vaniel’s gaze didn’t feel uncomfortable or unpleasant. When those round, clear eyes stared at him, he felt a subtle pleasure.

In truth, Lias didn’t hate this engagement as much as others claimed. Having been born into nobility, strategic marriages were expected, so he had no aversion to arranged marriages themselves.

Three years ago, when this engagement was first arranged, Lias was angrier at himself for being unable to refuse than at the fact that he had to marry the daughter of the Emperor’s person.

But after thinking about it for three years, it wasn’t a bad outcome—giving up the powerless position of Grand Duchess in exchange for easily securing the Grand Duke position through a strategic marriage, though it was troublesome.

Moreover, while he hadn’t paid much attention before, after three years, even to Lias’s eyes, Vaniel’s appearance seemed quite appealing.

She didn’t seem talkative and appeared to have some social awareness, so as long as she didn’t bother him, she would be suitable to have by his side.

Lias put down his wine glass and loosened his neatly tied necktie.

“Please eat.”

“Yes.”

At his words, she snapped back to attention, picked up her fork and knife, and began cutting her meat.

Even while cutting meat, her wrist and knife angle were perfect, as if measured with a ruler. Her straight back and neck—movements ingrained as if from an etiquette book showed she had put in tremendous effort.

Of course, Lias had also learned etiquette and protocol as a noble’s son. But he had never seen anyone follow them this diligently.

Her smile was beautiful, but it seemed more like a habit than a genuine expression. The shape of her lips and perhaps even the angle at which she lifted the corners of her mouth always looked similar and devoid of emotion.

For a young woman barely twenty to be so obsessed with etiquette and protocol—deep in Lias’s heart arose a sadistic desire to strip away Vaniel’s mask and see her real expression.
He gazed intently at Vaniel as she ate quietly.

Skin white as jade. Delicate wrists and a slender neck that could be grasped in one hand.

‘Would she die if I applied pressure?’

Lias inwardly smirked at his frivolous thought as he slowly raised his gaze along Vaniel’s neckline.

Sensing his gaze, Vaniel’s cheeks flushed slightly, and her eyelashes fluttered.

–

Clang.

Setting down her knife and fork, Vaniel rose hastily and asked for permission.

“I’ll go wash my hands for a moment.”

Vaniel headed quickly toward the bathroom without properly seeing Lias nod his head.
Lias was quite satisfied with the sight of Vaniel hurriedly escaping.

From this, Lias discovered his preference. Rather than a stereotypical noble lady, a woman whose emotions leaked through the cracks was better.

* * *

Inside the bathroom, Vaniel looked at her reflection in the mirror and berated herself.

‘Why did I do that? Why did I do that! Vaniel…’

Under his persistent gaze, she suddenly felt the urge to escape. So without thinking of the consequences, she fled to the bathroom.

Vaniel felt embarrassed and regretful about her foolish behavior.

“Hah… I’ve really gone crazy.”

She disliked her flustered appearance in the mirror.

Vaniel turned on the faucet and washed her hands, calming herself down.

A moment later, when Vaniel left the bathroom and returned to her seat, she hesitated upon seeing the empty chair.

‘What’s this? Did he leave?’

When Vaniel looked at the staff standing in the distance, they pointed to one side.

She could see Lias’s back on the terrace connected to the restaurant.

Vaniel debated whether to return to her seat and wait for Lias or go directly to the terrace, then took a step forward.

As she opened the terrace door and entered, she smelled the strong scent of cigars.
Although Lias heard Vaniel enter, he continued smoking his cigar without acknowledging her.

Vaniel stared at his back as if entranced.

His figure standing in front of the railing on the terrace felt like an immense, unapproachable wall.

But Vaniel carefully went to Lias’s side and gazed at what he was looking at. The night in Tesse was beautiful.

The vitality of a metropolis filled with countless lights and the magnificence of the brilliantly illuminated imperial palace. The beautiful night view of the city seen from above.

Her heart raced and emotions welled up.

Vaniel thought she would never forget this moment of viewing the night scenery alone with Lias. This situation—silently looking at the same view together—felt like a dream.

May this moment last forever. Vaniel closed her eyes and made a futile prayer.

Lias looked down at Vaniel standing beside him with her eyes closed, hands clasped together.
Wisps of hair fluttering in the wind. Reddened eyes amid the lights. The line from her forehead to her nose and chin was beautiful.

“The Grand Duchy isn’t this glamorous. The bright lights of night are tempting not only to humans but also to magical beasts.”

At Lias’s low voice, Vaniel slowly opened her eyes and gazed at him.

“I know. Hiss, the capital of the Grand Duchy, isn’t as splendid as the imperial capital Tesse. But Hiss isn’t inferior to Tesse. It has its own charm.”

“Have you been to the Grand Duchy?”

At Lias’s question, Vaniel’s expression hardened.

Vaniel lowered her head, avoiding his gaze.

“A long time ago… when I was young, my mother stayed with me and my siblings at a monastery in Hiss for a while.”

While saying this, she was anxious about whether he would remember her, yet she hoped he would recognize her.

However, contrary to Vaniel’s concerns, Lias seemed uninterested in her words. He extinguished his cigar and nodded casually.

“I see.”

Vaniel didn’t continue and bowed her head.

A memory she alone remembered, unable to even show her feelings. A corner of her heart felt lonely.

Then suddenly, a large hand appeared before her eyes and lifted her chin.

Lias’s blue eyes met Vaniel’s blue-green eyes.

“Why are you crying?”

Vaniel’s heart raced wildly from shock.

“I’m not crying.”

She truly wasn’t crying. She just wanted to.

Their gazes intertwined deeply.

A seductive fragrance seemed to shimmer from those deep, intense blue eyes.

The locked gazes. The captured chin. Strange sensations rushed in, bewildering her.

As the silence lengthened and Vaniel stepped back, trying to free her chin. The hand holding her chin moved to her nape and pulled her close.

Their lips collided, and a hot flesh entered her mouth.

Vaniel squeezed her eyes shut and clutched Lias’s collar.

The flesh that entered her mouth swept through every corner and touched deep into her throat.
When Vaniel could no longer hold her breath and began to struggle, Lias gently bit her lower lip before separating.

Though the kiss ended, Vaniel couldn’t release his collar and remained with her head bowed against Lias’s chest, panting.

Vaniel couldn’t raise her head. She knew without looking in a mirror—her face must be burning red.

Seeing Vaniel trembling in his arms, Lias was reminded of a small rabbit he had raised when he was young.

Lias smiled slightly as he grasped Vaniel’s shoulders and removed her from his embrace.

“If you’re like this just from a kiss, what will you do after we’re married?”

“……”

“I don’t want to mess around with other women after marriage.”

“Are you saying I need to make an effort to keep you from taking lovers?”

Vaniel raised her head and snapped at Lias’s absurd statement.

During their engagement period, Lias had continuously changed women.

Every time the Grand Duke changed women, the news was a great wound to Vaniel.

Of course, there was no legal issue with dating others during the engagement period, and most nobles behaved promiscuously under the excuse of being unmarried.

But that didn’t mean they were faithful only to their spouses after marriage. Nobles could have lovers if both spouses agreed. Having lovers after marriage was also part of noble culture.

Moreover, Vaniel knew well that she couldn’t oppose Lias having lovers after marriage.

“I know I’m in no position to refuse if Your Grace takes lovers.”

“Why do you assert that I will take lovers?”

“Then you won’t?”

Lias was at a loss for words.

“Let’s decide on this matter after marriage.”

“Yes. Let’s do that.”

He’s not saying he won’t. Vaniel pouted her lips.

Lias and Vaniel left the terrace and returned to their seats.

Vaniel’s cheeks were still red from the lingering sensation of the kiss.

Still, the atmosphere had lightened compared to before, and she hoped to grow closer to him.

-Tap tap tap

As Vaniel was happily imagining what to talk about next, she turned her head at the sound of approaching footsteps.

A man in a black suit with dark circles under his eyes approached with quick steps. The man gave Vaniel a brief nod and whispered in the Grand Duke’s ear.

When the man finished speaking, Lias rose from his seat.

“Something has come up, so I’ll leave first.”

‘Already? He’s leaving?’

Her elated mood plummeted. She wanted to stop him but couldn’t.

Vaniel slowly stood up and bowed gracefully.

“…Yes, Your Grace.”

Despite Vaniel’s dejected greeting, he left without looking back and disappeared from her sight.

With Lias gone, Vaniel felt empty. What had just happened seemed like a dream.

‘Was it just a game?’

‘The kiss we shared.’

‘Did it mean nothing to him?’

Her emotions had been in turmoil all day. Vaniel’s heart ached, and her mind was in chaos.

After sitting alone for a while, Vaniel broke away from her thoughts.

She picked up her bag, rose elegantly from her seat. Straight neck and back. Steps neither too fast nor too slow. Vaniel left the restaurant with a gentle smile and eye contact to the staff who opened the door for her.