Chapter 12
“Do you want to say something? Should I call someone?”
In his dazed state, Kalen could only register the blurry outline of a figure and a sweet, lingering scent.
As Elle’s face drew closer, the scent grew richer.
Chocolate…
He pulled Elle’s face gently toward his own.
A soft sensation brushed his lips—followed by the unmistakable taste of something sweet.
Instinctively, he licked it off.
As the slight sugar rush steadied the trembling in his hands, his craving only deepened.
Grasping Elle’s face firmly with both hands, he sucked the remaining chocolate from her lips.
The moment Kalen’s lips touched hers, Elle held her breath.
His lips met hers—just like that.
He kissed me?
“Oh, my God!”
Startled, Elle pushed Kalen’s head away and sprang up from her seat.
Clutching her lips with both hands, she yelled at him in shock.
“What do you think you’re doing, Your Grace?!”
Still dazed, Kallen didn’t even notice her outburst.
At that moment, all he could think about was the chocolate.
“Chocolate…”
“Your Grace?”
“Cho—chocolate… ugh… cho—colate…”
Regaining her composure from shock and anger, Elle hurriedly placed more chocolate into his mouth.
Colour gradually came back to Kalen’s face.
Elle glared at Kallen, furious.
This incident required a full explanation.
But Kalen’s expression remained indifferent, as if nothing had happened.
That only made her angrier.
But beneath his stoic exterior, Kallen was in turmoil.
He, who prided himself on being in control, had committed something so utterly disgraceful.
He had been feeling good these past few days and had become reckless, which was his fault.
He had now turned into the exact type of man Elle had been wary of—one who would do something genuinely inappropriate.
But it was a misunderstanding.
It had to be cleared up.
Fixing his gaze, he looked at Elle and spoke politely.
“I’m sorry.”
“Well, you should be. You have a lot to apologise for.”
Her harsh tone and sharp glare made Kalen tilt his head slightly.
Was this a matter to be so angry over?
It was just an accident—an unavoidable mishap.
Though she didn’t quite understand, he met her eyes again.
Misunderstandings must be resolved properly.
“You said this job wouldn’t involve anything like that. Was that a lie?”
“There are circumstances.”
“Yes, I’m sure there are. Share those circumstances with someone else—I’m leaving.”
As Elle rose, sending a chill through the room, Kallen quickly stepped in front of her.
His eyes shot a gaze so icy it seemed to freeze everything in its path.
“I have an illness.”
“An illness?”
Was it an illness from not getting kissed?
Is that why you grabbed anyone and kissed them?
Suppressing the urge to snap at him, Elle moved toward the door.
Reluctantly, Kalen began to explain—a matter he wished to keep private, had it not been for this mistake.
“I sometimes faint. If I don’t eat regularly, it happens. I missed lunch earlier.”
What a pathetic excuse.
By that logic, since she often skipped lunch, she should be crawling on the floor.
“You’re a noble, so missing a meal is a big deal?”
“It runs in my family. There are times when I lose all energy and everything seems to go dark. That’s why I have to eat chocolate or candy a lot.
Elle paused, her hand on the doorknob.
She remembered the first time she saw him in the market—he was eating chocolate.
It had struck her as odd to see a nobleman nibbling chocolate in the street.
And earlier, when he nearly passed out, he sought chocolate again.
When she stopped, Kalen continued.
“I was too out of it earlier to think clearly and instinctively reached for something sweet. I didn’t realise it was your lips—I was only focused on the chocolate scent. I deeply apologise for my rudeness.”
“…”
“Miss Moora.”
“So, you say you were desperate for chocolate—and by some awful coincidence, it was my lips?”
“Yes. I offer my sincere apologies.”
Turning away, Elle looked into Kalen’s eyes once more.
His transparent honey-coloured gaze seemed genuine.
To be fair, his reputation was excellent.
It didn’t look like he had called her under false pretences just to have a woman read letters for him.
And it was true that his complexion improved immediately after eating chocolate.
It didn’t feel like a lie.
“Even if you decide not to read any more letters, I won’t hold it against you. But I never intended to insult you. Please understand my sincerity.”
Moved by his heartfelt words, Elle pondered deeply.
At last, she spoke quietly.
“I believe you, Your Grace.”
“Thank you.”
“I’ll continue with the work as well.”
“Thank you for that, too.”
“But this will remain a secret between the two of us.”
“Agreed.”
Watching Kalen nod, Elle let out a deep sigh.
She wasn’t sure if continuing this was the right choice—this whole job, that is.
***
Kallen’s day began early.
Unlike other nobles who enjoyed sleeping in, he was naturally a light sleeper.
Still, his dizziness made moving around difficult.
On the few days when his condition was good, he would often take his beloved hunting dogs, Sif and Odin, out for exercise before breakfast, after sipping a light cup of honey tea.
Both dogs were young and energetic, running through the large garden so fast that Kalen would have to work hard to keep up.
Even though it was referred to as exercise, it was the only thing that made him happy as someone with few interests like him.
After working up a sweat, he’d eat breakfast and then start his work with Conrad.
As always, Conrad was already waiting in the dining room when Kalen finished freshening up and arrived.
Taking his seat at the long table’s end, Kalen noticed Conrad smiling warmly from his spot to the left.
“Did you get enough exercise?”
“Enough to satisfy me.”
“Did you feel dizzy at all?”
“Manageable.”
“There’s an important message. Shall I tell you now or after breakfast?”
“Now.”
Though Kalen knew the word ‘important’ often meant ‘awkward,’ he chose, as usual, to hear it immediately.
Conrad cleared his throat and carefully placed a gleaming golden invitation on the table.
“This is an invitation from His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Randol Belavia.”
“…”
As expected, Kalen showed no reaction.
Conrad slid the invitation closer to him.
“I believe you must attend this time.”
“And why’s that?”
“If you don’t come, His Highness has said he will personally come here.”
The threat worked—Kallen’s hand paused mid-soup.
He signalled that he was ready to listen by putting down his spoon and wiping his mouth with a serviette.
Seizing the moment, Conrad continued.
“I humbly believe it would be far better for Your Grace to attend than for the Crown Prince to visit here.”
“What’s the purpose of the invitation?”
Kalen’s direct question made Conrad breathe out slowly.
Lisa’s warning had been even more adamant—that Kalen must accept the Crown Prince’s invitation regardless of the consequences, even though the messenger who brought the invitation pressed the threat hard.
Lisa was opposed to the Crown Prince visiting Elias.
Now that Kalen had asked the key question, Conrad’s mind raced to find the right words, assuming Kalen would likely agree.
“The Crown Prince wishes to have a meaningful meeting with acquaintances with whom relations have been distant… He hopes Your Grace will attend to honour the occasion.”
“So, he’s gathering the nobles who’ve been distant from the royal family to reaffirm their loyalty.”
Conrad flinched at the blunt interpretation but kept his composure, nodding to Kalen.
After all, all that was needed was Kalen’s attendance.
Kallen lifted his spoon again, savouring the soup—refreshing with plenty of fresh cabbage.
After a moment’s pause to enjoy the flavour, he answered calmly,
“Attending briefly wouldn’t be a bad idea.”
Yes, exactly. I’ll send the response right away.
As Conrad sprang to his feet, Kalen fixed him with a steady gaze.
“Eat breakfast first. It’s not urgent enough to skip a meal.”
Conrad hesitated, worried Kalen might change his mind.
But hearing the positive response, he was confident there’d be no reversal and sat back down.
Today’s soup tasted exceptionally good.
“This morning’s meal is outstanding.”
He reminded himself to get more cabbage soon.
Elle’s supply was limited and usually used up in a day.
But there was a problem.
Since the small garden yielded little produce, Conrad wondered if replenishing the stock quickly was even possible.
When Kalen’s hand paused mid-spoonful, Conrad’s eyes flickered with unease.
‘Is he reconsidering the invitation?’
Unaware of Conrad’s worry, Kalen fell into thought.
‘Perhaps I should rent a patch of land to increase the cabbage supply.’
Raw or cooked into soup or rolls, cabbage tasted far better that way.
He hadn’t been eating Elle’s cabbage for long, but it was just right for him.
Just as Kalen opened his mouth to speak, Conrad clasped his hands desperately.
“Please! Don’t say that!”
“What are you talking about?”
“I know what you’re about to say. But no, not.”
With a pleading expression, Conrad’s protest made Kalen cock his head.
“Explain why ordering more cabbage is a bad idea.”
“Ca—cabbage?”
