Chapter 40
When the Duke told her to stay at the Grand Duke’s residence until Theo said she could return to the Duke’s estate, Liriope was confused. But the moment she turned off the communication orb, she realized she was in Theo’s bedroom — the place where he normally slept — and a strange emotion washed over her.
Liriope turned her body and buried her face in his pillow, sniffing softly.
She thought she could smell Theo’s scent, and that made her happy.
Still hugging his pillow tightly, she lay on the bed and let her eyes roam around the room.
The neat, modern furniture seemed to reflect his personality.
Not far from the bed was a desk and a bookshelf, probably for handling light work.
Liriope buried her nose in the pillow again, inhaling, while her gaze drifted toward the books on the shelf.
Then she imagined Theo sitting at that desk, working.
With the top three buttons of his shirt undone and his sleeves rolled up — the image of him concentrating on his work was almost unfairly handsome.
The thought that she’d like to actually see him like that made her realize how perverted that sounded, and she couldn’t help but chuckle, “Hehe.”
And at that moment—
“What made you laugh?” came Theo’s voice suddenly from the direction of the door.
“Ah! You scared me!”
Startled, Liriope shot up like a spring and turned her head toward the door.
The door she thought was closed was open, and in the doorway stood Theo — who’d said he’d be back in two hours — his head slightly tilted as he looked at her.
“You startled me…” she murmured instinctively.
Theo strode toward her in long, unhurried steps.
Still sitting on the bed, hugging his pillow tightly, Liriope blinked rapidly as he came closer.
“How are you feeling?” Theo asked, reaching out to lay a hand on her forehead.
“I’m fine.”
It wasn’t as if she had a fever, so the touch of his hand on her forehead felt awkward. Liriope drew her head back slightly as she answered.
“Still, get some more rest. I’ll have food brought here.”
Theo straightened up and spoke.
“Yes,” she replied softly.
At her response, he smiled faintly — barely enough to notice — and his gaze fell on the pillow in her arms.
He stared at it for quite a while.
Feeling uneasy under his gaze, Liriope cautiously asked, “Why? What’s wrong?”
“How about hugging me instead?” he said.
Her mind went blank at the completely unexpected answer.
“W-what?”
Blinking rapidly in confusion, she looked at him. Theo sat down on the edge of the bed and gently grasped the pillow in her arms.
“Instead of my pillow — I’d rather you hug me.”
Then he tossed the pillow behind him and leaned his face close to hers.
“Hug me, Lipe.”
Not “I’ll hug you,” but “Hug me.” Her mind went white.
But with that handsome face so close, asking her to hold him, it felt impossible to refuse. So, squeezing her eyes shut, Liriope wrapped her arms around his neck.
Theo pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her waist.
Naturally, she ended up sitting on his thighs. Her heart pounded so wildly she was afraid even breathing might give her away.
But then she noticed — Theo’s heart was beating just as fast. That realization let her breathe a little easier.
“Lipe,” Theo murmured, his deep, low voice resonating pleasantly.
“Yes?” she whispered.
“Everyone in the village of Sendali is safe. It’s all thanks to you.”
He must have gone to check on whether anyone was hurt after the fire had been extinguished.
“Oh, thank goodness.”
“Thank you, Lipe,” he said softly, genuine gratitude in his voice.
Then he tightened his arms around her slightly.
Liriope patted his back gently, twice.
“If there’s anything you want, tell me. I’ll do anything.”
“There’s nothing,” she said quickly.
“Anything at all — let me repay you somehow,” he whispered, his face buried in her shoulder.
She could tell how deeply grateful he was.
Smiling, Liriope stroked his hair softly and said, “Then… grant me one wish later.”
At her words, Theo lifted his head to look at her.
“I could grant it now.”
“I don’t have a wish right now.”
Liriope smiled.
Theo gazed at her, his expression strange — unreadable.
Something about the atmosphere made it feel like a kiss wouldn’t be out of place. Liriope swallowed dryly before she even realized it.
As he looked at her with that burning gaze, Theo slowly lifted his hand and cupped her cheek.
Then he leaned toward her — carefully, slowly.
The movement was cautious, deliberate — as if asking permission.
Feeling that he was really about to kiss her, Liriope panicked and instinctively leaned back.
Theo, regaining control of himself at the last second, gently set her down from his lap and stood up quickly.
“Are you hungry? Should I have something sent up?” he asked, his tone suddenly brisk.
“N-no, I’m fine… I’d just like some coffee.”
“I’ll have it brought right away.”
He nodded once, but before turning to leave, he paused and looked back at her.
His expression was as stoic as ever, but his eyes — his eyes were almost too warm, too gentle.
That intense gaze made Liriope avert her eyes in flustered embarrassment, fidgeting.
Theo watched her for a long moment before his throat bobbed — and then he turned quickly, striding toward the door.
Something about his hurried steps made it seem like he was fleeing.
Liriope tilted her head, puzzled, watching him go.
She had no idea.
No idea that Theo was holding on to the last shred of his self-control — that he had stopped himself from stealing a kiss from her.
* * *
The next day, still staying at the Grand Duke’s estate, Liriope spent the day exploring with Gray, wandering through the parts of the manor she hadn’t yet seen, completely absorbed by the sights.
The Grand Duke’s residence was filled with objects that could’ve belonged in a museum.
They seemed to be the hobbies of the previous generation.
Theo’s father must have loved displaying both the past and the present of the North side by side.
Thanks to that, Liriope learned much about the customs and lifestyle of the northern people.
The more she learned, the more she admired them.
They had cultivated crops and built lives on land frozen and barren, suffering countless failures and hardships.
And yet, they had endured, persevered — and eventually gained enough strength to stand on their own without aid from the South.
At the center of all that strength, of course, was Theo.
Looking at the paintings of northern life displayed by the late Grand Duke, Liriope sincerely wished that all the people of the North could live without hardship and in happiness.
“Lipe.”
While she was absorbed in admiring the artwork, she heard a familiar voice call her from a short distance away.
Theo’s voice — a voice that always made her feel good.
Turning her head, Liriope saw him walking toward her and beamed brightly.
Her radiant smile made Theo’s steps falter for a moment — but he soon quickened his pace, coming up beside her.
“Still exploring?” he asked.
“Have you finished your work?” she replied.
“No. I escaped,” he said with a mischievous smile.
Liriope’s large eyes grew even wider. “You what?”
Theo just smiled playfully and said, “There’s a greenhouse garden — would you like to see it?”
At the words greenhouse garden, Liriope’s eyes lit up again.
Right — the Grand Duke’s residence had a massive greenhouse garden.
In the original story, that was the place where Theo used to secretly meet with Roze Arin. It was described as far more beautiful than any southern garden.
“Yes! I’d love to go,” she said eagerly.
No other noble lady of the empire besides Roze Arin had ever entered it — but Liriope’s curiosity outweighed any hesitation.
As always, she placed her hand on Theo’s outstretched palm and tried not to feel too guilty toward the original heroine, Roze Arin.
And the moment she stepped inside, all guilt was forgotten.
Her eyes widened in astonishment at the breathtaking sight.
It was far larger, grander, and more beautiful than anything she had imagined from the book’s description.
If there were such a thing as an elves’ forest, it might look like this.
Liriope stopped walking, awestruck, and let out a gasp.
“Wow…”
“Do you like it?” Theo asked, watching her.
‘Like it?’ she thought. That word doesn’t even begin to describe it.
To call this a “garden” was almost laughable — it felt more like an entire forest enclosed under glass.
Towering trees filled the space, surrounded by vibrant flowers and plants.
Butterflies and bees flitted about, and the yellow sunflowers, lifting their faces toward the artificial sunlight, were a spectacular sight.
And that wasn’t all.
An artificial lake lay shrouded in a thin, misty veil, adding a dreamlike beauty that stole her breath away.
Liriope walked through the greenhouse in a daze, eyes darting everywhere in wonder.
Theo walked quietly beside her, steadying her each time she nearly stumbled.
“It’s truly beautiful,” she said breathlessly.
“I’m glad you think so,” he replied.
Theo had built the greenhouse himself — though not to impress anyone.
He had only wanted a refuge from the endless northern cold, a place where he could breathe.
What began as a small project — planting a few trees and flowers — had flourished under the artificial sun he’d created with his fire magic, eventually growing into the vast paradise it was now.
As he watched Liriope’s eyes light up with awe, Theo thought building it had been the right decision.
And, as a quiet afterthought, he realized — he’d do anything to see her happy like this.
Looking up at him, Liriope gave the brightest smile he’d ever seen and said, “It’s truly the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen.”
Her smile made Theo’s heart thump hard in his chest.
Then Liriope grabbed his hand impulsively, her cheeks flushed with excitement. “Isn’t there a tea table somewhere here? Let’s have tea there!”
Theo’s heartbeat quickened again.
As she tugged on his hand, leading him forward, he struggled to name the unfamiliar feeling welling up inside him.
It wasn’t something as simple as finding her adorable.
And when she turned to look back at him, smiling that radiant smile once more—
He finally understood what that feeling was.
