Chapter 37
Liriope stared fixedly at Theo.
She couldn’t understand why this man trusted her so completely.
It wasn’t as if he was someone who trusted people easily — far from it.
He’d grown up without a single family member, and the only person he had ever relied on or trusted was Roze Arin.
Still, the fact that he believed her without hesitation was, for Liriope, a relief.
There was much to do for the sake of the North, and if he continued to trust her words without suspicion, things would be far easier.
“Anyway, please build the dam as quickly as possible.”
“Alright.”
“And from now on, everything that happens within the Grand Duchy must stay within the Grand Duchy.”
“Alright.”
“Whatever we do here must never reach the Empire’s ears.”
“Alright.”
…Why is he answering so easily?
Liriope’s eyes narrowed suspiciously at Theo’s smooth and instant replies.
Seeing her discontented look, Theo asked,
“What?”
“It’s just… you’re agreeing way too easily.”
At that, Theo stretched his beautifully shaped lips into a long, sensual smile.
“Nothing’s difficult for me.”
What confidence. Yet, somehow, it didn’t feel like an empty boast.
Caught between admiration and disbelief, Liriope gave him an awkward smile and turned toward the Grand Duke’s castle.
As Liriope and Theo began to walk, the guards and Gray quickly followed behind them.
Feeling sorry for Gray, who still hadn’t fully recovered from his fatigue, Liriope leaned slightly toward Theo and spoke softly so that only he could hear.
“When we arrive at the castle, could you please let Sir Gray rest a bit?”
Perhaps he hadn’t heard her properly, because Theo tilted closer, bringing his ear near her face.
His ear suddenly so close startled her, and Liriope instinctively leaned back.
She lost her balance, but before she could fall, Theo’s arm swiftly wrapped around her waist.
At the same time, Gray’s hand came up to support her back.
In an instant, she was being held by both men. Her eyes blinked rapidly in surprise.
“Are you alright?”
“Are you okay, Lady Liri?”
As Theo and Gray spoke at the same time, Liriope quickly steadied herself and waved her hands.
“I’m fine, I’m fine.”
Her face flushed again, even though nothing had really happened.
She began fanning herself with her hand and walked quickly ahead.
Theo caught up easily and matched her pace.
“I didn’t quite hear you, Lipe.”
Liriope stopped walking and glanced at him.
Realizing Gray was right behind them, she rose on her toes and leaned closer to Theo’s ear.
Theo, quick on the uptake, bent down toward her.
With her lips close to his ear, she whispered,
“I said, when we get to the castle, please let Sir Gray rest.”
At her words, Theo suddenly turned his head toward her.
Their noses nearly touched. Startled, Liriope jerked back.
“Why are you backing away?”
He straightened up, his tone calm.
“You—you were too close…”
Her cheeks were so hot she didn’t even need a mirror to know how red she was. Covering her face with one hand, she mumbled.
Theo looked at her with a strange, unreadable expression.
Unable to meet his eyes, Liriope fidgeted, her gaze darting everywhere else.
Then, breaking the awkward silence, Theo gave her a gentle, teasing smile.
“I wasn’t about to kiss you, so don’t worry.”
K–kiss…?!
Her already hot face felt like it might explode.
“I–I wasn’t thinking that!” she cried, her voice high with embarrassment.
Theo chuckled quietly.
“Really? Then why is your face so red?”
“It—it’s because it’s c-cold! I’m cold!”
She covered both cheeks with her hands, shouting defensively. Theo’s laugh turned languid, lazy, infuriatingly charming.
She glared at him.
“I told you, that’s not it! Anyway, even if someone did think of that, who would kiss in front of all these people? That’s ridiculous.”
“Alright, I get it.”
“You’re saying ‘alright’ like you don’t actually believe me! Believe me!”
“I do. I’d never doubt you.”
He looked like he truly meant it — yet there was something in his gaze that made her uneasy.
And then, he said something that made her jaw drop.
“Anyway, even if I did, I wouldn’t do it here. So you can relax.”
Liriope’s mouth fell open as she stared at him.
Theo smiled — the kind of smile that could melt anyone’s reason — and extended his hand to her.
Without thinking, she placed her hand in his. Theo held it tightly and began to walk again.
What does he mean, ‘not here’? Does that mean… somewhere else?!
Her mind spun wildly, filled with scandalous thoughts she couldn’t control. Her face and neck grew hot again.
Dangerous. This man is seriously dangerous.
Just then, Theo added something that made her heart nearly stop.
“Since Sir Gray’s with us, we could stay the night before leaving tomorrow.”
Her eyes widened in disbelief.
Stay the night? After saying all that about kissing? What is he planning?
Her imagination went wild again, her face burning hotter than ever.
Theo, meanwhile, looked down at her with gentle eyes.
“If you’re worried about Duchess Steila, I’ll explain everything to her.”
Liriope blinked at him, stunned by how easily he’d decided she would stay the night.
Then Theo spoke again, smiling softly.
“Don’t look at me like that, Lipe. When you do, I just want to eat you up.”
What?!
Her mouth dropped open again.
Before she could say anything, Theo lifted his hand and gently closed her jaw with his fingers under her chin.
“You’ll catch a cold, Lipe.”
Then, raising her hand, he pressed his lips lightly to the back of it.
The sudden gesture sent a confusing rush of panic and delight through her.
Thankfully, she managed not to let the sound escape her mouth.
Theo smiled faintly at the sight of her blushing — as red as a cherry — and murmured,
“I won’t eat you yet, so just stay the night, Lipe.”
With the sly, predatory charm of both wolf and fox, he whispered,
“Stay. Hmm?”
When Liriope didn’t respond, Theo coaxed her again.
He was clearly determined to make her stay at the castle no matter what.
So much for being the kind of man who treats women like rocks… He’s a total flirt!
No man could possibly be more skilled at disarming a woman with a smile like that.
Theo seemed perfectly aware of his effect on her — and used it shamelessly.
Liriope sighed deeply, realizing resistance was probably useless.
“…Fine. I’ll stay.”
Theo’s face lit up instantly.
It was the first time Liriope had ever seen him smile so brightly — like a delighted child.
Her heart thudded.
Just like that, she fell for him all over again.
The Grand Duke’s castle was vast and magnificent, incomparable to the ducal mansion.
The high stone walls were blanketed in snow, reminding her that this was truly the cold northern land.
It looked almost exactly like the illustration she’d seen in the original novel — and the realization that she was inside that world struck her anew.
“Welcome to the Grand Duke’s castle,” Theo said as they entered.
When Liriope smiled at him, he said something that nearly made her faint again.
“It’s your castle now, so tell me if there’s anything you don’t like. I’ll have it changed.”
Your castle?!
“W–what do you mean, my castle? We haven’t even had our engagement ceremony yet!”
“But we will.”
“I said not yet!”
She glared at him, flustered, but Theo only smiled, eyes full of affection.
His tender expression made her cheeks burn scarlet again. To hide it, she turned and strode quickly ahead.
After several steps, Theo called softly behind her.
“Lipe.”
His deep, smooth voice made her heart flutter every time he said her name like that.
Trying to keep her face neutral, she turned.
“What is it?”
Theo smiled warmly and nodded toward his left.
“That way, not there.”
Her already-red face burned hotter with embarrassment. Pretending nothing was wrong, she walked back toward him.
Theo, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, reached out his hand.
She didn’t know why he liked holding hands so much, but remembering what had happened earlier, she placed her hand in his before she could talk herself out of it.
His large hand enveloped hers securely, and strangely enough, she felt calm — safe — even though there was no danger.
As they walked hand in hand through the enormous castle, a breathtaking sight unfolded before her eyes.
“Wow…”
Unable to help herself, Liriope let out a quiet exclamation of awe.
