Chapter 14
Wednesday was a war from the morning. Perhaps because it was my first time attending a social club, Ilina fussed over me excessively, dressing me up beautifully.
No, it probably wouldn’t matter anyway—sweat might ruin everything…
This time, the gathering was held at the marquis’ villa.
Surrounded by a lush forest, the villa felt like a vacation retreat. Red-flowered trees and white rocks dotted the landscape.
I showed the invitation Adel had given me to the guards and stepped inside the villa.
The cool breeze played with my hair. Watching the men whose eyes met mine blush or spill their drinks without caring about their dignity was entertaining, but I had other matters to attend to and pushed that amusement aside.
I approached Ash, who was sitting arrogantly among the young ladies.
“Hello.”
His startled reaction lasted only a moment. The red-haired young man quickly composed himself.
“Nice to see you again, Anastasia. Are you feeling alright?”
Acting so familiar! If I had known, I should have just given him my last name instead of asking him to call me by my first. But now, it would be petty to refuse.
“I’m fine, thanks to your concern.”
He glanced at the young ladies around us.
“Sorry, I’d like to have a brief conversation with Anastasia. Could you wait?”
Oh, just now you really sounded like a flirt…
When Ash asked for their understanding, the surrounding ladies glanced at me and moved to another table.
Soon, he stood and pulled out a chair. I accepted his gesture and sat down.
Perhaps because Adel and I were close, he seemed to show more interest. He probably already guessed whose invitation I had brought.
Ash, sitting across from me, continued the greeting.
“You’re being very polite. I heard you coughed up blood at the festival that day.”
I feigned surprise.
“Oh my, you knew that?”
“Anyway, I was at the festival too. It was chaos, wasn’t it?”
I couldn’t help but admire his expression, which mixed concern with playful mischief. Indeed, he was handsome. And now, Ash was deliberately acting friendly toward me.
It was obvious he was doing this to watch Adel closely, perhaps hoping I’d reveal something he could use.
I resisted the temptation, thinking instead of the Duke Magnus, the opposite of Ash: mature, charming, and somehow capable of making Adel anticipate the future.
“Duke, I’ll just imagine your face for now. No need for your personality, so don’t speak.”
Timing it right, I focused back on the conversation with Ash.
“I don’t see Miss Florences here today.”
“Olga isn’t very social. If she knew Duke Magnus would be here, she might have attended, but…”
The maids brought tea, and I said innocently,
“You must think highly of Adel.”
“Why wouldn’t I? Everyone does.”
“And you?”
I asked abruptly, and Ash let out a faint laugh.
“You mean what I think of the Duke? Well, I’m not in the mood to discuss Duke Magnus with you right now. We finally meet, so let’s talk about something more enjoyable.”
The maids stepped back, and I brought up my main point.
“Then how about a gift? I prepared a present for you.”
Ash’s eyes widened.
“I’ll admit it. You surprised me this time.”
Of course, he should be surprised. I handed him a frame.
“Here.”
With an expectant look, Ash accepted the frame.
Inside the vintage rosewood frame was a drawing I had made of Ash’s face.
After looking at it, Ash’s expression darkened rapidly.
He seemed confused at first, then horrified, muttering in a menacing voice:
“…Are you challenging me to a fight?”
This guy…
Seeing my expression, Ash seemed to realize something and said,
“Did I just say that out loud?”
“Yes.”
I answered coldly. Ash tried to explain.
“I meant it as a compliment: the painting is so skillful and whimsical it frustrates and plunges viewers into pessimism. Did you draw it yourself? I hate to admit it, but it’s… mine?”
“Of course.”
Ash kept marveling.
“Really… wow, your skill is extraordinary. No tutor would dare try to teach someone with your aesthetic sense. Even if a brave soul volunteered, I would truly respect them. Upon waking, I’d bow for that poor tutor, applaud them at lunch, and pray each night that their nightmares end.”
Cut the sarcasm, man!
I feigned indifference and asked,
“And what reward will you give me?”
“Reward?”
Ash looked at me as if I were speaking nonsense. It was clear he was grateful just for not tearing the painting apart immediately.
I smiled and reminded him of a noble custom he seemed to have forgotten.
“You wouldn’t just accept a lady’s gift and not reciprocate, would you?”
“Of course not. As a noble, if you receive something from a lady, you must repay it. I was too stunned to think clearly. What would you like? Flowers?”
Something… felt off. Ash was normally obsessed with beauty, but his reaction to my face seemed muted. Even when I smiled at him.
I worried his optic nerves were damaged and almost held up a finger to check, but I stopped. Instead, I tossed out a casual remark.
“Let’s have an arm-wrestling match.”
Ash was silent for a moment.
I stared at him, waiting for a response. Finally, Ash tilted his head slightly.
“…Wait. I think your painting shocked me so much it affected more than my sight—it even messed with my hearing.”
This guy… He flattered Olga with empty words, but why is he so harsh to me? Does my beauty not work on him? No way. Could my drawing really be that shocking? Seriously?
I recalled when I first met Ash. Back then, he had been very friendly. Completely different from now. Somehow, this made me even more irritated.
“I think I heard you correctly.”
By now, I was getting annoyed. Ash might have taken it as an insult, but I had spent twenty minutes drawing that picture.
It was my effort.
I replied coldly, and Ash’s eyes shifted, the green in them rippling.
“Are you really saying you want to arm-wrestle me?”
“Of course.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re insufferable.”
Feeling no need to impress him, I spoke bluntly. Ash laughed in disbelief.
“Quite bold of you.”
“What else does a person about to die have to show but courage?”
Hurt by Ash’s sarcasm, I decided to get a little twisted.
Of course, he probably intended to console me, but Adel had said she would hang the drawing in her bedroom!
As our conversation drew attention, the ladies peeked curiously.
Among them, one black-haired beauty stood out.
Unlike the pure and cheerful Olga, she radiated a sultry, dreamy aura.
She looked a year or two older than me and flaunted her figure in a tight black dress.
Our eyes met briefly, and she quickly turned away, startled.
As I regained focus, Ash sneered and began to deliver his sharp words seriously.
“I’ve heard you often cough up blood. But if you want flowers instead of spit in your coffin, shouldn’t you behave properly?”
You mean spit in my coffin? I was speechless.
“Who said I’m giving you a ticket to my funeral?”
Ash, who hated being ignored, stiffened. He flipped the framed drawing upside down and placed it on the chair. Upside down!
“You’re amusing. Fine. Let’s do it.”
Clearly dismissing me, Ash stood. I mirrored him and looked around.
Blushing, I spoke to the black-haired beauty.
“Hey, beautiful lady with black hair? We’re about to arm-wrestle. Will you be our referee?”
The beauty blinked.
“Me…?”
“Sorry, this is my first social gathering, so I don’t know your name.”
She jumped up and flailed dramatically.
“Of course not! I should be the one apologizing for not introducing myself first! My name is Renet. Just call me Renet. Please… like an angel…”
She was surprisingly kind. With no time to wonder why, I asked gently.
“Then Renet, can you be our referee?”
Renet frowned.
“You’re arm-wrestling Ash? But what if the lady gets hurt? Your delicate, pale hands can barely hold a cup!”
The other young ladies agreed with her concern. Did I really look that fragile?
I gave a slightly troubled expression. Renet bit her red lips, then suddenly looked serious.
“Did Ash bully you?”
“He didn’t bother me. He just tormented my friend.”
Ash looked intrigued.
“Oh?”
Curious how I knew? He might interrogate the servants as soon as he returns to the marquis’ house, but after holding my hand, he’d be as weak as a fly.
I rolled up my sleeves.
“Shall we start then?”
“Yes!”
Renet stood between us, and a faint musk fragrance wafted from her.
I grabbed Ash’s hand, and the ladies crowded around. The gentlemen kept their distance and watched from afar.
Ash glared at me with hostility, fierce enough to give me cold sweats.
Finally, I felt a twinge of nervousness. Naturally, I’d never arm-wrestled a man before. And Ash wasn’t just any man—he was the villain of this story.
In short, not an easy opponent. Not today, maybe, but next time I wouldn’t be so easily handled.
“St-start!”
Renet stuttered slightly, as if biting her tongue. Ash and I exerted force simultaneously.
And the match, which I feared, ended almost instantly.
“U-uh…”
Renet’s mouth dropped open.
“The lady… won?”
Damn, it must have taken less than three seconds to slam Ash’s hand to the table. I quickly released his hand and straightened up.
Ash gritted his teeth.
“You used underhanded tactics.”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
I feigned innocence, and Ash sneered.
“Did Duke Magnus cast a spell on you?”
“You think Duke Magnus would do such a thing?”
I asked innocently, and Renet interjected.
