NRAL | Chapter 64

~Chapter 64~

A Lover for a Day

“…Yes, if that’s more comfortable for you, Your Grace.”

Eleanor paused for a moment but didn’t lose her composure. She had already decided to use not just his desires, but even his feelings—there was no room for hesitation now.

As if reading her resolve, he stepped closer without missing the opportunity.

“Karsian.”

His face, partially hidden under a hat pulled lower than usual, was as alluring as ever. His usually expressionless mouth curled up mischievously.

“Not ‘Your Grace’—Karsian. It’s only right you call me by name.”

If we’re pretending to be lovers, he whispered with a smile tugging at his lips.

Eleanor let out a dry laugh at his attitude, like he’d been waiting for this moment to take exactly what he wanted.

“Even lovers don’t have to use first names. I’ll try to keep things as formal as possible.”

“That’s a shame.”

“Stop talking and let’s go inside. Countess Annabel left the palace thirty minutes ago. She should be arriving any moment.”

At Eleanor’s urging, Karsian obediently started walking. His strides weren’t too long, making it easy to keep pace with him.

He’s adjusting his pace for me. It was a small act of kindness Eleanor wasn’t used to, and it left her slightly flustered.

“It must’ve been hard to plant someone in the palace.”

“Yes. They can’t be used long-term. If we get caught, it’ll be trouble, so we’ll cut contact after today.”

Just as he said, placing a spy in the palace was no easy task. But in this case, they were able to get the information more easily thanks to knowing Annabel’s schedule in advance.

It was known that the Countess usually got her dresses fitted on Mondays. Based on what Eleanor knew about her, she would definitely want to show off her new dress to her lover. But the Countess had once bragged that she spent every Monday with the Emperor—so this meeting must’ve been pushed back by a day.

Just yesterday, I wasn’t even sure she’d actually meet her lover today.

According to their report, today Annabel left the palace not in a grand, luxurious royal carriage, but in a small, ordinary one. Since she loved flaunting her status, the only place she’d go in secret like this was likely Hotel Mercedes.

As Eleanor clicked her heels toward the dazzling building, she looked up at its glittering exterior. She expected they’d head to the main entrance, but Karsian led her around to a different side.

There, a private entrance for members-only appeared. Karsian showed his membership card to the attendant, who quickly ushered them into the hotel.

The elite lounge, accessible only to a few members, lived up to its reputation. A chandelier hung with hundreds of crystals caught the eye, and the artwork on the walls was from one of the most sought-after painters—nearly impossible to acquire.

After briefly waiting on a luxurious leather sofa, a professional staff member in charge of VIP guests approached them.

“I’ll now take you to your reserved room.”

“Wait, is the room on the west side?”

“Yes, that’s correct. Is there a problem?”

Eleanor raised her voice by a pitch. I’m Kiara, I’m Kiara, she reminded herself silently.

“I prefer rooms on the east side. A famous fortune teller told me good luck would come from the east this year. So please change it.”

Raising her chin haughtily, she made the demand like she was Kiara Portsmouth. Pleased with her own acting, she leaned her head against Karsian’s arm.

Though they were just pretending to be lovers, ironically it was Karsian—who had suggested this act—who tensed up as soon as her skin touched his.

Get it together. Eleanor gave the inside of his arm a sharp pinch to send the message. Fortunately, it seemed to work, and he spoke up.

“Would it be possible to switch to an east-side room?”

“I’m very sorry, sir, but that room is already in use. As you know, there are only two top-floor suites, so it’s difficult to make changes.”

Tch. Eleanor clicked her tongue inwardly.

Annabel must’ve already arrived. The moment she got word that a small carriage had left the palace, she had contacted Karsian and rushed out—only to still be too late.

“Hmph, even famous hotels aren’t that impressive. Can’t believe changing a room is so difficult.”

“I apologize, ma’am.”

Scoffing, she leaned further into Karsian. The staff’s eyes briefly turned to her, but thanks to the elaborate scarf she wore, all they could see was her dark brown hair and small chin.

“This is so annoying. My legs are killing me. Just show us to the room already.”

“Yes, of course.”

Even though she was a mystery guest giving arrogant commands, the staff member kept a perfectly polite expression—clearly a true professional when it came to handling VIPs.

“We’ll take it from here. You can go.”

When they reached the signature elevator of Hotel Mercedes, Eleanor dismissed the staff with a wave.

Then she looked up at Karsian and, gathering all her effort, spoke in a coy voice.

“I don’t want some common hotel staff to guide me. I want you to lead me… in lots and lots of detail.”

Did that come off flirty enough? It was something she wasn’t used to, so it felt awkward—but as always, Eleanor gave it her best.

“…Yes, I will do that.”

It seemed she wasn’t the only one feeling awkward. Karsian’s reply to her was especially curt. But only Eleanor noticed the subtle change—others, like the staff member who had only heard of the Duke of Royster’s coldness through rumors, didn’t find anything odd and quietly stepped away.

“You just go upstairs and turn left.”

“Didn’t I say I can find my way?”

Even as the staff turned away, Eleanor twisted her fake hair between her fingers like she was bored of the polite directions.

But inside, she was full of guilt toward the staff. How on earth did Kiara manage to act like this all the time?

Only after stepping into the small elevator and pulling the door shut did Eleanor finally stop acting.

“Phew, I finally got rid of them.”

“You act very well. It was like watching a real actress.”

“Was it that good? Thanks. I heard Your Grace is good at all physical things—but I guess acting isn’t one of them.”

“…I won’t deny it. I guess I’m not good at everything.”

Karsian quietly agreed. He wanted to say he wouldn’t have been so clumsy if he’d been acting with anyone else, but there was no need to make excuses.

“Anyway, it looks like the countess is already here. So our plan to see her face as she arrived is ruined.”

“Do you have another plan?”

“Yes. I’m going to eavesdrop from outside the door.”

Even the most modern hotels don’t offer perfect soundproofing. No matter how thick the door, it’s still just a door. If she listened carefully, she might be able to catch some of their conversation.

Despite her clearly unethical suggestion, Karsian simply nodded without saying anything.

He didn’t even ask why she wanted to dig into the Countess’s private life, or what she was planning. He simply followed her requests as if he had no curiosity at all.

He was the perfect person to use. And yet, his perfection always made Eleanor feel guilty.

The elevator slowly creaked to a stop at the top floor.

Eleanor led the way, turning right and carefully stepping down the hallway.

Finally, she stopped in front of the room where Countess Annabelle was with her lover. She glanced back at Karsian, suddenly aware that what she was about to do might look ridiculous. She had told him her plan, but seeing it in action was different.

‘Today might be the day he stops liking me.’

Well, maybe that wouldn’t be such a bad thing.

Biting her lower lip, Eleanor pressed her ear against the door without hesitation.

Just as she thought, the room wasn’t completely soundproof. She could faintly hear Countess Annabelle’s voice.

But it sounded far away, so the content was hard to understand.

“…think so… need to go…”

“There’s no nee… servant… okay…”

What are they saying? Eleanor frowned and pressed her ear harder against the door.

“It’s okay, I’ll just…”

Maybe because she was focusing, the voices became a little clearer. The man’s gentle voice began to grow louder.

“I’ll quickly stop by the lounge.”

No—it wasn’t because of her focus.

Annabelle’s lover was approaching the door.

Oh no…!

Eleanor quickly backed away from the door. She tried to hurry away, but there was no way she could reach the elevator in time. They’d definitely suspect something.

She couldn’t risk drawing the Countess’s suspicion already. Frantically, she looked around for a place to hide.

“This way.”

At that moment, Karsian grabbed her and pulled her toward him.

The force was so strong, Eleanor’s body felt like it flew.

Thud. Clack.

The sound of a door closing and opening echoed down the hall.

“I told you to just send a staff member. What if someone sees your face?”

“I’ll cover it well with a scarf. But I have something in my bag with my family crest. I can’t trust anyone else with it. I’ll be quick, darling.”

Countess Annabelle and her lover spoke casually, completely unaware that anyone had just been spying on them.

Not far from where they stood, in a small janitor’s closet filled with cleaning supplies—

A man and woman stood squished together in the narrow space, no room to move, bodies pressed close, looking in opposite directions.

Thump, thump.

From their touching skin came warmth—and the loud beating of a heart.

Gulp. Eleanor swallowed dryly without meaning to and slowly raised her eyes from the door crack.

At that moment, in the quiet darkness, their eyes met.

In the dim light, Karsian’s red eyes shimmered as he looked at her. Whether it was burning desire or guilt, something deep boiled inside them.

At that moment, Karsian looked like he was in pain. He was biting his lip so hard his jaw jutted out, and the tension in their pressed-together bodies was clear.

Even so, his gaze held something precious and tender—as if he were looking at something he dearly loved.

Eleanor suddenly felt embarrassed.

‘Those were the eyes of someone in love. Fierce and pure.’

Hilda’s voice suddenly echoed in her ears.

Is that what people look like when they love someone?

She had been engaged before, but had never truly had a lover. So she didn’t know.

Between the two of them, it was Karsian who looked away first. Slowly, he turned his head and fixed his gaze on a corner of the tiny storage room.

As the footsteps faded, only the sound of their hearts beating broke the silence.

“…I think they’re gone.”

His unusually quiet voice broke the stillness.

“It’s better if we leave before they come back.”

Karsian clearly avoided looking at Eleanor as he reached for the closet door.

Just as his long fingers touched the handle—

A pale hand pulled him back.