Chapter 7
“Huh?”
When I said that, Hares looked at me as if wondering how I even knew.
“Then maybe I should also check what kind of person Lady Lotesier is, instead of you. So don’t meet her until I’m done, okay?”
People only understand how something feels when it happens to them.
How’s that, huh?
I asked him confidently, crossing my arms. Hares frowned.
“Well, she did ask me on a date…”
“Then don’t go!”
“That’s not what I mean.”
I tilted my head. “Then what?”
“I never said I’d actually go on a date in the first place.”
“She asked, right?”
“Yeah.”
Hares looked away, scratching his hair in frustration.
“It just… seemed like you didn’t really like the idea.”
“Didn’t like who?”
“Not her specifically — just, the situation. You didn’t seem comfortable.”
Cold sweat ran down my back.
‘How the hell did he notice?!’
His instincts were too sharp — animal-like, really. And after knowing me for years, he could read me easily.
“Well…”
I couldn’t admit anything, so I mumbled vaguely.
Then Hares grinned and said,
“Who am I supposed to hang out with if you’re gone? I’ll stay single until you get married.”
So that’s how it is, huh?
I sighed but forced a small smile.
“Then why won’t you let me go on dates if you’re planning to marry me off someday?”
“You think I’d just let you go on a date with some suspicious stranger? You need a chaperone.”
“We’re the same age, idiot.”
What kind of chaperone is that? You don’t even have dating experience yourself!
I glared at him, and he chuckled, covering my eyes with his hand.
“Don’t look at me like that. I’m still older — my birthday’s earlier.”
“Wow, one month earlier. How impressive.”
“Even a one-minute difference counts,” he teased. “I’m still your elder.”
We bickered again, like always. And just like that, the tension melted away.
So he wasn’t planning to go on a date with Eve after all — not yet, at least.
‘Right. In the novel, their date wasn’t even shown. It just said Eve asked him out, and afterward, Killian kept her under watch.’
That must be why, in the story, Hares and Eve didn’t become close until a year later — gradually, over time.
Killian had allowed her to attend social events, so they couldn’t avoid each other completely, but nothing deep happened right away.
“…But what if I never get married because of you?” I muttered.
Hares dropped his hand, thought for a second, and grinned.
“Then I just won’t get married either. We’ll call it loyalty.”
“…You’re insane.”
I said it under my breath, but I couldn’t meet his eyes.
Because when I did, his smile looked so bright — like summer sunlight filtering through green leaves.
To me, Hares had always been summer: warmth, desire, and the heat that filled my whole heart.
And that’s why… I could never stop loving him.
My eyes burned again.
Before he could see my face, I quickly turned and started walking away.
“Where are you going?”
“To dance.”
“With who?”
“I don’t know. Anyone.”
My thoughts were too messy to think straight.
If I stayed here any longer alone with him, I might accidentally let something slip — some hint of how I really felt.
So I ran away.
…But there was one thing I forgot.
“Why are you spending the night at my house again?!”
“Well, you won’t tell me what time or where your date is tomorrow, so I have to keep an eye on you.”
Right. Hares was the type who never let go once he caught his prey.
He knew my house better than I did — and he even had a spare key.
When we got home after the ball, it was already past one in the morning. All the servants had gone to their quarters, so he ended up unlocking the door for me.
“Ta-da! Let’s go in, Pig.”
I stared at him, completely dumbfounded.
“Are you actually crazy?”
“Hey, we used to sleep together naked when we were kids. Why are you acting shy now?”
“That was when we were five, you lunatic!”
“So what’s the difference? Anyway, got any comfy pants I can borrow? I think I left some here.”
He spoke casually, like staying over was the most natural thing in the world.
I clenched my fists.
“Oh yeah? So nothing’s different now?”
“Right. Also, I’m hungry. I’ll grab a pie from the pantry.”
“Do whatever you want!”
Hares rolled up his sleeves, unbuttoned a few buttons on his shirt, and strolled into the kitchen like he owned the place.
I sighed, shaking my head.
How could he be so relaxed? We were under the same roof — alone.
Then Killian’s words echoed in my mind.
‘If you dress up properly, you’ll surprise him. Show him a charm he’s never seen before, and he’ll start seeing you differently.’
He was right.
I mentally went through my collection of nightgowns.
Of course, I couldn’t wear anything too revealing — I didn’t want things to get awkward.
Killian had said I looked best in something “cute and lovely,” not overly seductive.
Luckily, I owned plenty of pajamas — staying home was my specialty.
So I picked one that was modest but still… nice. Something I wouldn’t be embarrassed to wear in front of Hares.
He’d probably stay up eating snacks or playing cards anyway. Maybe we’d argue again — as always.
After a quick bath, I applied rose oil to my hair and skin so I’d smell good, then went downstairs.
And what did I see?
“…Are you naked again?”
Hares was lounging in the family room — shirtless — waiting for me.
“I just took a shower. Should I put it back on? I mean, it might bother you—”
“Forget it. Here, wear these pants!”
Bother me? More like distract me completely!
His body was the exact opposite of mine — hard lines, broad shoulders, muscles carved under tanned skin.
I hated that I couldn’t stop looking.
What would it feel like to touch that? To feel his heartbeat under my palm?
My face burned red.
So I threw the pants right at his face.
“Hey! What was that for?!”
“Just put them on!”
I tried to sound calm, but my voice still shook slightly.
Hares sighed, stood up — and started changing right in front of me.
“You— what are you doing?!”
“What?”
He tilted his head innocently.
“At least go somewhere I can’t see! If Hina saw this, she’d kill you!”
“She’s at our cousin’s house tonight.”
Of course he’d mention that. I groaned in frustration.
“That’s not the point! Do I have to* see everything?!”
This shameless man!
We hadn’t shared a room in years, and I’d forgotten how utterly unbothered he was by anything.
“Close your eyes, Pig. I’ll tell you when you can open them.”
“Ugh!”
He was so annoyingly calm that I actually did what he said.
…Not that it helped.
Even with my eyes shut, I could still see — just faint shapes, shadows. Enough to know that, well, he was definitely built.
“Ahhhh!”
I screamed out of frustration — mostly at myself.
Hares sighed. “I told you to close your eyes if you didn’t want to see.”
“I didn’t look!”
“You can open them now. I’m done.”
When I did, my cheeks were still burning hot.
He was folding his old clothes neatly, as if nothing had happened.
Why does he have to be tidy on top of everything?
“You hungry?” he asked casually. “You barely ate anything at the party.”
“…A little.”
“I made some sandwiches. Come eat.”
He patted the seat beside him like it was the most natural thing in the world.
I bit my lip.
Why does he have to be so kind? Why does he always know exactly what I need — before I even ask?
If he treated other people the same way…
What would I do then?
