~Chapter 31~

“Let me confirm it, Rey.”

At his desperate voice and pleading expression, Lovelace almost gave in. But her reason still held strong.

“What are you saying? Keep your promise.”

“It’s just a kiss.”

The large man whined like a child begging, and her heart softened. She barely managed to push Larvihan’s hands away and stepped back.

“Why are you doing this? You said you’d wait.”

“I want to wait. But if the method is wrong, don’t we need to find another?”

“When I kissed you, the power didn’t return.”

Each word sank into Lovelace’s mind. Her face went pale.

Larvihan was the man called a madman in the novel. If something wasn’t useful to him, he killed it on the spot.

The only reason he treated Lovelace well was because she held his power, and he could take it back through touch.

But what if it didn’t work?

‘Then Larvihan has no reason to be good to me.’

He might give her some time while searching for another way… but if no way was ever found?

Her vision darkened.

“If it’s impossible, then I should end it quickly.”

Why did that sound like a death sentence?

“Are you afraid?”

He added “afraid of kissing,” but to Lovelace, it sounded like “afraid of dying.” His hand cupped her cheek as she froze.

“You don’t have to… but—”

“Do it!”

If kissing didn’t work, finding another method quickly would be better for her safety.

Besides, he would only keep pestering her. Better to just take the lead herself.

‘It’s only for the power. Not because I enjoy kissing him. Not because I remembered. Not because I suddenly feel hot. …Not at all.’

“Rey, if your heart isn’t in it, you don’t have to.”

Larvihan gently tilted her chin upward. His black eyes glimmered with desire as he studied her true feelings.

Avoiding his heated gaze, Lovelace whispered, “It’s fine.”

It was true—she was excited. She realized she liked Larvihan. She didn’t hate his teasing jokes. She was even happy that he begged for kisses.

Larvihan tempted her with all his strength, and she surrendered. She had to admit it now.

He brushed her messy hair back.

“What should we say before a kiss?” he asked softly. He promised he’d say whatever words she wanted to hear.

“…That I like you.”

“I like you, Rey.”

But the way he said it, so easily, felt untrue. Her heart ached as though only she had been sincere.

At the brink of their kiss, she realized both her feelings and his lack of them.

His hair brushed her cheek as he leaned in, sending a spark through her. Their eyes locked, and she knew—she could never resist him.

“I… I—”

“You don’t need to answer.”

His words melted into the space above her lips as his mouth covered hers.

Larvihan kissed her carefully at first. She clutched his shirt tightly, unable to move.

The gentle kiss deepened into waves. His tongue invaded, pressing her back until her spine hit the wall.

Breathless, she still couldn’t push him away. His touch grew bolder, his hand sliding up her waist.

“Larvihan!”

She struck his back with both hands. He finally pulled away, his dark eyes blazing like fire.

“Why…?” he asked hoarsely, dazed.

“Th-that’s enough. You confirmed it.”

She turned her head, but his grip wouldn’t let her escape his gaze.

“I think… I need more.”

His tongue traced her lips. In the end, she allowed him again.

Knock, knock.

“Some… someone’s here!”

Lovelace shoved him hard. He stepped back this time.

“Count, are you inside?”

It was Judith.

“Yes, I’m here!”

Relieved, Lovelace rushed to open the door. Judith stepped in and froze at the heavy heat filling the room.

She spotted Larvihan in the corner, shirt collar loose, his aura oozing menace and seduction.

‘Terrible timing.’

Judith forced a smile.

“Here’s the report Becky and Nora wrote. You said you wanted to see it as soon as it was finished.”

“Thank you, Judith. Stay and look it over with me.”

How do you even face someone after a kiss?

Lovelace, inexperienced in romance, pulled Judith closer to break the tension.

“Judith must be busy, Rey,” Larvihan cut in.

“Me? I’m not busy—oh wait, very busy!”

Under his sharp stare, Judith quickly handed the report over.

“Judith? Judith!”

Lovelace called as she fled, but Judith bolted down the hall.

“It’s quiet now. Let’s continue, Rey.”

Larvihan approached. He pried her hand from the doorknob and shut the door with a slam, trapping her inside.

She turned away, but his lips hovered right before hers. She squeezed her eyes shut—yet no kiss came.

When she opened them, Larvihan was simply staring at her, his expression twisted with conflict.

If he couldn’t reclaim his power… what then?

Nikolai and Arwen were after her.

If they swayed her before he got his strength back…

Better to kill her than let that happen.

His hand closed around her slender neck. Her lashes trembled.

Kill her?

He chuckled softly and let go.

“Larvihan?”

She opened her eyes. The man who had nearly dragged her to bed now sat back on the window ledge.

“Kissing isn’t the way.”

So he wouldn’t do it anymore? Relief and disappointment mingled in her chest.

“…Then find another way.”

“I will.”

He turned his gaze out the window.

Lovelace recently revised the bet she had made with Larvihan. She knew he would win too easily otherwise.

She declared to him:

“I’ll win with my own strength.”

“How will we decide the winner then?” he asked.

“If I pass the bill with my own power—without your help—you’ll grant me a wish.”

“And my winning condition?”

“If I fail to get it passed within two months, then you’ll pass it yourself. That way, you win.”

Though reluctant, Larvihan accepted her proposal. Lovelace had chosen to stand on her own in the territory and build her position without relying on him.

Small bits of help were inevitable, but she wanted the decisive things done by her own hand. She refused to become a trained pet.

“I’ll think and act for myself. Even if one day Larvihan abandons me, I’ll survive.”

“All done!”

She had just fastened the first button toward winning the bet. The proposal to revise the criminal law was finally complete. Lovelace threw up her hands and shouted with joy.

“Well done, Count,” Judith said.

“Give it to Nora. Tell her to review it.”

Freed from her thoughts, Lovelace slumped over her desk. Judith placed a sweet snack before her.

Though she often scolded her mistress that eating at the desk wasn’t good, Judith still brought treats there whenever Lovelace looked especially exhausted.

“You haven’t been eating well lately. Do you have worries, Count?” Judith asked gently.

Lovelace didn’t answer, just closed her eyes.

“You haven’t been sleeping either… Oh? Are you asleep? If you sleep here, your neck will hurt later.”

Judith fussed with concern, then brought a thin blanket and draped it over Lovelace’s back. Quietly, she left the office.

The door shut. At the sound, Lovelace stirred awake from her light doze. Slowly blinking, she thought of Larvihan.

She hadn’t seen him around the mansion for days. It wasn’t that he never came—he was still teaching Paolo, giving him assignments and checking them.

He even left her messages. The reason she had finished writing the bill proposal was because of his constant prodding.

But unlike before, he no longer came to visit her directly. And she understood why.

“Still—that’s no excuse to avoid me!”

Suddenly, anger flared.

He had been the one to tempt her first! Shouldn’t he at least give her time to adjust?

Lovelace jumped up and rang the bell.

“You’re already awake?” Judith entered.

“Where’s Larvihan?”