Chapter 9
It wasn’t that I chose not to wear underwear.
This pajama was a one-piece, so I didn’t need to wear any. I just hadn’t expected the fabric to be so thin — that he’d feel everything so clearly through it.
The soft, warm flesh pressing against Hares’s hard muscles made his brow crease tight, his whole face twisting slightly. I could see sweat glinting on his forehead.
‘He must be disgusted.’
Even knowing he probably thought I was some kind of weirdo, my body stayed frozen, tense and unable to pull away.
“W-wait… I-I’m just nervous,” I stammered.
“Then stop pressing harder, damn—”
It was rare to hear him curse, but right now he sounded completely thrown off.
Each time he tried to move me away, my cheeks burned hotter — I must’ve looked like a tomato left out in the sun.
His muscles brushed against my skin again, strong and solid. I could feel everything.
Finally, I forced my hands off his neck and stepped back. My mind was spinning.
‘What the hell was that?!’
Another loud crack of thunder split the air.
It felt like a divine warning — that what had just happened would change everything between us from now on.
Hares looked awkward, unable to hide his embarrassment, and turned his head slightly before speaking.
“Hey, uh…”
“What?”
I snapped a little. Showing too much shyness would only make things worse.
“You’d better not fall for me. I’m already handsome enough that girls chase me around. Don’t you dare be one of them.”
“What are you even talking about, you idiot?!”
“I’m serious — I don’t want to seduce you too. My charm’s a curse.”
He was spouting nonsense, but the problem was —
‘I actually do like you!’
If I didn’t play this right, it really would be over between us. Cold sweat trickled down my back.
So I forced myself to yell, the way I always did when things got weird.
“Come here! I’ll tear that nonexistent charm of yours right off!”
“Ah, hey! Don’t pull my hair again! Let go!”
“Come here!”
I stood on tiptoe and grabbed his hair, tugging hard.
This time it wasn’t playful — I was genuinely mad, and he yelped in pain.
“Ow! Damn it, you’ve got a temper!”
“Watch your mouth! Stop saying weird crap!”
“I’m telling the truth! I am popular, you just don’t notice!”
Oh, I notice.
I knew exactly how many girls liked him — I’d secretly seen a few of them confess.
I knew it all too well.
And I knew the look that flickered across his face now — the one of relief when I yelled and joked instead of acting flustered.
Why did that hurt so much?
Maybe because, for a second, he’d wondered if I liked him — and now that he’d confirmed I didn’t seem to, he felt safe.
He really did see me as family — nothing more.
His kindness, his protectiveness… it was only ever meant for “family.”
So even with Killian’s advice and help, how much could things between us really change?
‘Probably not at all,’ I thought bitterly.
“Let go already! You’ve got the grip of a monster!” he complained.
“Just die!”
“Argh!”
Even while we bickered, I was doing my best to stay in the safe zone — the “just friends” zone.
But deep down, I suddenly felt pathetic.
What was I even trying to protect anymore?
Eventually, everything would come out.
Even if he’d promised not to marry anyone before me, or said he’d wait — my feelings would betray me sooner or later.
Someday, when my love for him had grown deeper, he might marry someone else.
Or maybe he’d fall head over heels for Eve and start spending all his time with her.
Even friends drift apart when romance gets involved.
And I wasn’t stupid — I knew when to step back.
If he had someone, I’d have to fade quietly out of his life. That’s just how it works.
Pretending to be “almost family” wouldn’t mean anything to his future wife.
We wouldn’t be this close anymore — not even able to meet privately.
‘There’s not even a flicker of hope for my one-sided love.’
I sighed deeply and finally released his hair, muttering in defeat,
“That’s it. Just go home.”
“What? Why?”
“It’s pouring outside. Your mother will worry if you don’t come home. Last time she stayed up all night waiting for you.”
“She doesn’t care that much anymore. She says I can handle myself.”
“That means she’s given up on you, not that she’s fine with it!”
Last time he’d begged to stay over, and afterward I’d learned his mother had been awake the entire night worrying. I’d even banned him from sleeping here for weeks.
Tonight, I’d only let him in because he’d been so persistent.
“Go,” I ordered firmly.
“It’s late and raining.”
“I’ll lend you an umbrella. You can walk.”
“…If I get struck by lightning, are you taking responsibility?”
“Sure. Go die.”
I folded my arms and glared.
He finally sighed and gave up, letting me shove him toward the door.
“Fine, but I’ll come pick you up tomorrow. Two o’clock, right? You heard me!”
“Yeah, yeah! I’m not going anywhere, just go already!”
“Alright.”
Satisfied with my answer, Hares grinned and left.
I felt a pang of guilt — but I couldn’t help it.
I just couldn’t deal with him tonight.
That night, I didn’t sleep at all.
Noon, the next day.
I quietly opened the front door.
The meeting was at two, so leaving a little after one would’ve been enough — but I wanted to go alone.
“Have a safe trip, miss!”
“Shh!”
The estate was big enough that Hares couldn’t possibly hear, but I still motioned for Robert, the butler, to lower his voice.
He blinked and whispered, “But, miss, there’s something I should tell you—”
“Shh! Later! I’ll be back early!”
I brushed past him toward the carriage — only to feel a hand suddenly grab my shoulder.
“Caught you.”
The deep, familiar voice sent chills down my spine — the good kind — until I realized who it was. Then I shrieked,
“Are you insane?! Why are you here already? The meeting’s at two!”
Hares smiled, clearly pleased with himself.
“It’s twelve now. I had a feeling you’d try to sneak off early to meet that guy alone.”
“Don’t you think it’s weird to invite yourself to someone else’s date?”
“Of course it’s weird. But hey, even these days, reputations matter. Better I tag along — just in case.”
“You talk like you’re so righteous.”
There was no point arguing. Once Hares made up his mind, nothing could stop him.
“Fine. Let’s go then.”
I gave up, resigned, and climbed into the carriage with him — completely unaware that this day would change everything between us.
That’s how we ended up standing before Killian.
Killian’s gaze shifted to Hares, eyes glinting with intrigue.
“And this,” he asked politely, “is the friend you mentioned?”
I nodded awkwardly.
“Y-yes.”
“Then may I ask,” Killian said, smiling, “why your friend decided to join our date?”
His tone was smooth, but the meaning behind it was sharp — a warning.
Still, Hares smiled back without a hint of fear.
“I just thought I should know a bit more about the stranger who asked my friend out.”
“Is that all you’re here for?” Killian’s smile deepened, his eyes narrowing slightly.
Hares met his gaze, calm and unwavering.
“Should there be something more?”
Killian tilted his head slightly.
“I was merely curious why a man who’s neither family nor fiancé felt the need to come along.”
“I can tell you one thing,” Hares replied evenly, “I’m not some stranger with no right to speak.”
Then, to drive the point home, he casually wrapped an arm around my shoulders in front of Killian.
“If anyone dares to touch Lize, not only I — but my whole family — would step in. We all see her as our little sister.”
Killian chuckled softly.
“Ah, I see. You mean to warn me — that because Lady Lize has the backing of House Irisel, she’s not to be trifled with.”
His eyes glinted, voice dropping a tone.
“But you should know — I’m very serious about her.”
Then, with a small, deliberate smile, he added,
“Extremely serious.”
