Chapter 76

“Oh, Duke… Lionel!”

Clarette called out in surprise, and only then did Lionel smile again. He climbed on top of her, gently pressing down so she couldn’t escape.

Clarette looked up at Lionel, who was leaning over her, with nervous eyes. With his elbows on either side of her face, he coiled his body, making it impossible for her to get away.

Lionel looked down at her messy appearance beneath him with delight and asked,

“So, Clarette. What’s your answer?”

“Uh, was I supposed to answer?”

“…Could you think about the person who confessed so bravely?”

“I’m sorry. You spoke so well, I just thought I should agree…”

Clarette quickly tried to smooth things over before Lionel became more disappointed. She wrapped her arms around his neck, met his eyes, and answered clearly.

“Then, Lionel. From now on, you’re mine.”

Lionel actually hesitated at her unexpectedly bold words. When he didn’t reply, Clarette felt a little embarrassed and added,

“Of course… I’m yours too.”

That was answer enough.

Lionel kissed Clarette, who was shy after speaking, with tenderness. The kiss, which started out sweet, grew hotter as the two wanted each other more.

As Clarette parted her lips more eagerly than before, Lionel dove in as if he’d been waiting, exploring her deeply. Unlike when they hugged on the studio sofa, Clarette could feel his whole body pressing against her, making her breathe heavily.

Lionel’s solid, heavy body carefully pressed against her soft one. While his hands held Clarette’s back and nape, he freed one hand to start unbuttoning the front of her dress.

Clarette didn’t resist. When Lionel lifted his lips and looked down at her, she was unbearably embarrassed, but she bravely accepted his touch.

“Lionel, undressing me… You mean to do everything?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

His voice came back immediately, thick with heat. Clarette realized that, though Lionel was skilled at undressing her, his fingers were tense with restraint.

‘If this were the bedroom, he would have torn off all the buttons.’

In fact, Lionel was holding back a great deal. Whenever he’d been this excited before, his partner’s clothes never survived intact. In his heart, he wanted to undress her quickly and cover her body with kisses.

But this was Clarette. Surely this was her first time, and most likely she would carry this memory for the rest of her life. And with high probability, she’d remember this first experience at his side.

So he couldn’t afford to ruin it. If she showed even a hint of anxiety, Lionel kissed her cheek and lips with care, making sure his hands didn’t get rough as he undid the buttons.

Meanwhile, Clarette watched every moment as Lionel devoted himself to her, struggling to steady her trembling breath. She realized just how much Lionel had been holding back.

‘I didn’t know he wanted me this much. I never thought he’d look at me like this…’

His usual relaxed smile was nowhere to be seen; now he wanted only Clarette. So, rather than feeling embarrassed about showing herself to a man for the first time, she was more anxious about not being able to respond to his desire.

‘He must have expected a lot. What if he’s disappointed in me? What if he loses interest after wanting me so much?’

To Clarette, Lionel was a man full of masculine charm and experience. But she herself, compared to her age, knew nothing and was awkward. She wasn’t even sure if her figure was attractive.

But while she hesitated, Lionel finally succeeded in undoing the tight buttons of her riding dress. Clarette felt his hand slip inside her loosened top, gently exploring.

“Ah, mm, Lionel…”

Clarette awkwardly pushed at his arm, but Lionel didn’t move away, stroking the area near her chest. He soothed her with kisses as she whimpered, slowly pulling down her undergarment.

“There! There!”

Suddenly, the voices of women nearby startled them both into stopping. Clarette hurriedly covered her open front, and Lionel lifted himself off her to check their surroundings.

About ten paces away, maids were wandering around, baskets on their arms to pick fruit.

“Who… who is it?”

“Shh, it’s just the maids.”

While Clarette fixed her clothes, Lionel listened intently to the sounds nearby. Fortunately, the maids ignored the shade where they were and went to pick fruit in the sunny spot.

The interruption lasted barely a minute. But Lionel realized that was the end of everything.

“Your Grace, please… move aside.”

Clarette got up and quickly buttoned up what Lionel had opened. She tidied her tangled hair and sighed in relief.

Still flushed, Clarette smiled shyly at Lionel.

“It’s lucky we didn’t get caught. That would have been a disaster.”

Of course, it was truly fortunate they hadn’t been discovered.

But Lionel just felt bitter toward the world.

“Ah… d*mn it…”

He muttered like a sulky boy, burying his face in her shoulder and drooping. Clarette, flustered, gently patted Lionel.

“Why… why are you like this, Your Grace? Is it because we didn’t finish?”

Lionel was so frustrated he could hardly stand it. When would such a chance come again? And why didn’t Clarette seem disappointed at all? He looked at her with mixed feelings.

“Clarette, can I come see you tonight?”

“Oh, no.”

“No? Why not?”

Lionel was so disappointed that it hurt Clarette’s heart. But she drew a firm line.

“I’m not comfortable sleeping together in the mansion yet. You said so yourself—if people find out we’re seeing each other, I’ll be the target of all kinds of criticism.”

“That’s true, but…”

“Whether in the annex or the main building, if we sleep together, the maids will notice right away. Then rumors will spread instantly.”

In the past, Lionel might have lightly suggested, “We can just do it on the studio sofa.”

But this was precious Clarette. Of course, he’d always wanted to try it in her studio, too.

But until Clarette was comfortable, he thought it best to choose a place where they could relax. Thinking about it, trying to have their first time outdoors was probably not the best idea.

“…Alright, if that’s how you feel, we’ll do it your way. So, the mansion is off limits?”

Then maybe a hotel? Should I just forget the bothersome hunting tournament and take a trip to the southern sea?

Lionel was seriously reconsidering his schedule.

“Still, I understand your feelings now, Your Grace.”

Clarette brushed the grass from her skirt and stood, speaking to him.

“You see me as an equal lover, even though I’m a commoner.”

“Yes. Because I like you.”

At his sincere words, Clarette smiled happily. Their relationship was a secret, but now she felt confident she wouldn’t be hurt by what others said.

Because Lionel truly liked her.

“Oh. But even if it’s a secret romance, you can’t hold another woman’s hand or kiss her. Only do that with me.”

As Clarette started acting like a real lover, Lionel chuckled.

“Is this about earlier with Lady Jasmine? Did that bother you?”