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Before Larisa, who waited with a faint smile as though she was deeply curious about what he had to say, Pavel hesitated to speak. Though he had made up his mind quickly and acted just as fast, he wasn’t sure if she would take his words at face value…  

However, there was no time to hesitate. It would be rude to stand there fumbling in front of Larisa, who was patiently enduring his sudden intrusion.  

“I heard the news.”  

“News? What news?”  

“…That you are getting married, Lady Larisa.”  

At his words, Larisa didn’t respond immediately. Instead, her eyes simply widened. 

What did this mean? Was she wondering how I knew?  

But he could never tell her how he found out. She would surely see him as vile and despicable if she knew…  

Larisa stared at him intently for a moment before replying.  

“And so? Did you come to a banquet you never bother attending just to congratulate me?”  

“That’s not it.”  

“Then what?”  

Would this be overstepping?  

What right did I have to interfere, as if I was someone important to her…?  

But Pavel’s lips were already speaking the words he wanted to say.  

“…Don’t do it.”  

“Don’t do what?”  

“That… marriage. Don’t go through with it.”  

Once the words escaped, they wouldn’t stop.  

“That man is unworthy of you, Lady Larisa. There’s already such a significant age gap between you two. And from what I hear, he already has two illegitimate children. How could the Marquis Lochrain even consider such a match for you…?”  

He was so caught up in listing all the reasons why Larisa shouldn’t marry that man that he didn’t even realize he was openly criticizing her father. When he finally noticed, he clamped his mouth shut in shock.  

Larisa’s smile deepened, as if she found his reaction amusing.  

“And so? What am I supposed to do about a marriage my father has arranged?”  

“…”  

“It’s the will of the family head. What power do I have to oppose it?”  

“I can help you.”  

Pavel clenched his fists tightly. Yes, this was what he had come to say. He had pushed through the crowd at the banquet, enduring the stares of people who looked at him like he was some curious animal, just to find Larisa.  

Her father… truly, he wasn’t in his right mind. The Earl of Craig, the man Larisa was rumored to be marrying, was fifteen years older than her. Despite never having been married, the man already had two children born from his affairs with maids—or perhaps even more.  

And though Pavel didn’t mention it in front of her, there were also whispered rumors about the man’s bizarre proclivities. To pair such a worthless man with Larisa… it was unthinkable.  

“Tell the Marquis that you’re currently in a relationship with me. That way, this marriage proposal will be dismissed immediately.”  

“Ah…”  

Larisa let out a soft, curious sound, her tone laced with amusement. She took another step closer to Pavel. As she approached, Pavel felt his back stiffen.  

Ever since he was young, he had always tensed up whenever he stood in front of Larisa. As a child, he didn’t understand why. But as he grew older, the reason became all too clear. His mouth went dry, and his fists clenched even tighter.  

Before he realized it, Larisa was standing right in front of him. Though she was a head shorter than Pavel, the pressure she exuded was immense.  

Tilting her head slightly, Larisa looked up at him. Her lips parted ever so slightly.  

“Lord Pavel Ainsley, I trust you won’t pretend not to know.”  

“What…do you mean?”  

“About me.” 

She said softly.  

Her smiling face and voice seemed pure, but the words she spoke were anything but.  

“I’m sure you’ve heard the childish nickname they’ve given me—the Black Lily of Lochrain, who neither stops those who come nor holds back those who leave.”  

“…Just because someone frequently engages in relationships doesn’t mean they should be forced to marry someone unworthy.”  

“Perhaps my father decided my market value has dropped?”  

At those words, Pavel’s expression betrayed a hint of hurt as he replied, 

“Please don’t speak of yourself that way. Lady Larisa, you deserve to meet someone who respects you and treats you well.”  

“Oh, someone like you, Lord Pavel Ainsley?”  

The sarcasm in her voice was unmistakable. Pavel couldn’t respond immediately, but the resolute determination in his eyes didn’t waver as he spoke again.  

“I understand that I may not meet your expectations. But the proposal I’m making now is solely for your benefit.”  

“Being in a relationship with you, you mean?”  

“Pretending to be in a relationship… would be a more accurate way to put it.”  

Finally, Larisa’s expression shifted to one of genuine interest as she tapped her chin lightly with her fingertips.  

“Pretending, you say?”  

“Until you find someone you truly want as your partner, I’ll act as your shield.”  

Did this man even realize what he was saying? 

Larisa looked at him, amused, as he spoke with such unwavering conviction.  

He was a man completely unaware of his own reputation. Pavel saw Larisa as someone precious and noble, but in reality, society’s opinion of her was far more extreme.  

In the social scene, Larisa was both a Queen who dominated trends and a scandalous woman who neither stopped men from approaching nor held on to them when they left.  

Even in an era where free love was becoming more accepted, Larisa’s behavior was seen as excessive. After all, her partners seemed to change with the seasons, and there had been a couple of rumors about her juggling multiple suitors at once. Yet, her beauty, flawless manners, and elegant demeanor managed to suppress such criticisms.  

And compared to her, what about Pavel? He was the head of the esteemed Ainsley Ducal House. At the young age of twenty, he had already become the Commander of the Kingdom’s Knights, a testament to his unmatched strength. His striking appearance and stoic demeanor made him the object of admiration for countless young ladies.  

What truly drove people mad with curiosity, however, was the fact that he had never been in a relationship. He was like a mythical flower blooming on a cliff—unreachable and unattainable. Many believed that winning over such a man would be the ultimate triumph in the social world.  

And yet, here he was, saying such absurd things.  

“A shield, you say.”  

“It would only be a pretense. I promise I wouldn’t do anything that might make you uncomfortable…”  

“What exactly do you mean by ‘uncomfortable’?”  

Larisa raised a single finger and slowly traced it down Pavel’s chest. Her eyes sparkled with an unreadable intensity as she gazed at him.  

“Do you mean something like this?”  

“Lady Larisa, I—hm.”  

“Or perhaps… something like this?”  

As if moving closer in an instant, Larisa wrapped her arms around Pavel’s waist. Their bodies were nearly pressed together, and Pavel’s ears turned red—so much so that it was visible even under the dim lighting. He raised a fist to his mouth, coughed awkwardly, and spoke.  

“Lady Larisa, could you… step back a little? Just a little?”  

“You said you were going to date me.”  

“Well, that’s….”  

“I don’t do fake relationships. So, if we’re going to do this, let’s make it real.”  

Or not at all.  

At Larisa’s words, Pavel’s Adam’s apple moved noticeably. His hand hovered helplessly in the air. Larisa tilted her head and asked again.  

“But if I date you, Sir Pavel, will I really be able to marry the person I want? Are you sure?”  

“At the very least, you won’t end up marrying some ridiculous individual.”  

“Hmm, but I don’t like just pretending. It’s boring.”  

Not that I have anyone I’m seeing right now anyway.  

Larisa’s tongue lightly brushed over her lower lip. For some reason, Pavel couldn’t tear his eyes away from her.  

“If we’re going to do this, let’s not fake it—let’s make it real. But when I find someone I truly want, we’ll break up without hesitation.”  

“Of course. I’ll absolutely follow your wishes. That was my intention from the start….”  

Larisa gave a subtle smile and rose slightly onto her toes. Their faces drew closer together. If Pavel lowered his head just a little, their lips would touch.  

In a barely audible whisper, she murmured. Her red tongue moved between her plump lips, clearly visible.  

“Then, from now on, since you’re my lover, you’ll do whatever I ask, right?”  

“…If that’s what you want.”  

“Really? Whatever I want?”  

Larisa’s whisper was utterly seductive. Pavel struggled to steady his dizzying thoughts—though it wasn’t very effective—and nodded.  

“Yes, anything….”  

Pavel answered as if entranced. At that, Larisa’s eyes sparkled.  

“Then first, call me Larisa.”  

“…That’s, ahem.”  

“Lovers call each other by their names, affectionately. Pavel.”  

When Larisa called his name first, Pavel felt his face grow hot. Hearing his name spoken so sweetly by her lips was almost harmful to his heart. Since he had already agreed to do whatever she asked, calling her by her name was naturally something he had to comply with.  

He opened and closed his lips a few times before finally managing a small voice. It was so soft that it was hard to believe it came from a knight commander who usually barked orders at his men.  

“Larisa….”  

“Mm, that’s much better.”  

She released her arms from around him and stepped back, extending her hand. Her gesture, asking for an escort, brought Pavel back to his senses. He quickly placed her hand on his arm. Following Larisa’s light steps, Pavel walked beside her as if bewitched.  

When the balcony door opened, all the eyes in the banquet hall turned toward them. The sight of the two emerging, looking so calm and affectionate, caused a faint sigh of disappointment to ripple through the crowd.  

Disappointment wasn’t allowed. Larisa, wearing a gentle smile, looked up at Pavel.  

“Pavel.”  

Even in response to her soft voice, Pavel reacted sharply. The moment their eyes met, Larisa asked him once again.  

“You said you’d do anything I asked, right?”  

“If it’s your wish, anything.”  

“Then kiss me right now.”  

At her words, Pavel froze like a marble statue. Larisa raised one eyebrow at him.  

A kiss? They had just barely spoken a moment ago. Though it had been his suggestion to pretend to date—or rather, to actually date—he had not anticipated anything like this kind of physical contact. 

What was I supposed to do now…?  

At that moment, the small hand resting on his arm suddenly grabbed hold of his collar. With a gentle but firm pull, she tugged him closer. Pavel, unable to resist, lowered his head as she guided him.  

And then, something warm and soft touched his lips. His mind went completely blank.  

Before he could even react, her tongue slipped between his lips, catching him entirely off guard.  

The moment their eyes met again, Larisa’s gaze sparkled with a mischievous glee, like that of a devil.  

And so, Pavel Ainsley shared his first kiss with Larisa Lochrain, right in front of a crowd of onlookers.  

Naturally, everyone present saw Pavel’s face and ears flush a deep, fiery red.