CHAPTER 58
Alperen murmured something vague and tightened his grip on my hand.
“Let’s go. I’ll take you home.”
Just like that, he returned to being the gentle “older brother” I knew, escorting me with ease.
I looked down at my small hand inside his large one and muttered sulkily,
“Do you not trust your fake girlfriend at all?”
“Of course not.”
“Then… is my comfort not helping you at all?”
“Deli.”
He stopped walking at my grumbling.
The hallway was completely empty.
“I’ve already been comforted enough. I’m fine now. I was just being a little childish because you always accept me as I am.”
I stared at him intently, like I was probing for the truth.
“Liar. You still need more comfort.”
If he really wanted to hide it, I could’ve pretended not to notice. But seeing I had no intention of letting it go, Alperen felt the urge to tease me.
“So you’ll keep comforting me until I’m satisfied?”
That won’t be easy.
His gaze turned heavy and lingering.
If Rodelia ever saw through to the thoughts behind that look, she’d probably be shocked and run away.
That was why he wanted her not to press him too much.
But Rodelia’s determination didn’t waver.
She raised her voice slightly.
“As much as you want. If you need it, I can hug you like a mother and even pat your back.”
“Hahaha.”
Alperen laughed and laughed, as if something about that was endlessly amusing.
I thought I heard him mutter, “See? That’s a complete non-answer,” but the sound was drowned out by the rain.
“I’ve already received more than enough of your kindness, my lady. So please don’t pout.”
“Hmph. Whatever.”
Before long, they reached the carriage, where Isaac and Sophia were waiting.
“Please get home safely.”
“Yes, I’ll come again soon.”
After her farewell, Rodelia stepped into the carriage.
Alperen, standing at the door, kept looking at her quietly.
“Why? Are you regretting it now, Duke Ainruk? If you want, I’m willing to step back out.”
She playfully tapped his hand, which was holding the doorframe.
He caught her fingers firmly.
“If all you’re going to do is hug me like a mom and pat my back, then no thanks, Deli.”
“I just don’t want you digging yourself into a hole again when you’re alone.”
“But when you’re with me, things get complicated in another way.”
Then, as if he had something more to say, he leaned in close.
Naturally, Rodelia leaned forward too.
He whispered softly,
“Then… will you allow it?”
“Allow what?”
“Practice.”
“…”
“I’ll do my best to satisfy you.”
His gentle voice tickled her ear.
A moment ago, he had been so gloomy—yet now…
Rodelia rolled her eyes.
“You always wait until I’m weak to bring this up.”
“So you don’t like it?”
“…No, I don’t dislike it. Do as you please. You’d just keep going until I said yes anyway—”
But before she could finish—
Smooch.
Something soft brushed her lips and disappeared instantly.
Like a butterfly landing and flying away again. A fleeting touch—but the impact was massive.
“!!!”
Frozen in shock, she stared. Alperen smiled faintly.
“That was just a taste.”
“…”
“Thank you for your permission.”
He placed a hand on his chest and gave a knightly bow, elegant as ever.
Rodelia’s eyes were drawn straight to his lips.
Of all times, she had just applied new lipstick, which now stained his mouth too.
That alone was proof it hadn’t been a dream—it had really happened.
Wiping the lipstick from his own lips with his thumb, Alperen murmured,
“Get home safe, my love.”
The door shut with a soft click, and the carriage began to roll away.
Rodelia sat frozen in place for a long while, unable to say a word.
Then finally—
“Uuugh!”
She clamped both hands over her mouth to smother the scream bubbling out, and slammed her forehead against the window.
But seeing her own reflection in the glass made her silently shriek again.
All this—over just a light kiss that had left her face flaming red.
It was only a “practice peck,” but its aftertaste lingered endlessly.
***
The next day.
The sun was blazing, as if there had never been rain at all.
Meanwhile, I dragged myself into the elevator, looking half-dead after a sleepless night.
“Get home safe, my love.”
All night, I couldn’t stop touching my lips where he had kissed me.
Even knowing it was just “acting” for the servants, my foolishly racing heart wouldn’t calm down.
As if I could ever become immune to that face.
And those lips—
‘How dare he reject me when I said I’d stay with him… only to steal a kiss and run off?’
That sweet whisper afterward had completely stolen my sleep.
As the memory of that “practice kiss” returned, I banged my head against the elevator wall.
“My goodness, young lady! Why are you suddenly hurting yourself?!”
May, startled, threw up her hands to block me.
“If you’re going to self-destruct, at least wait until I’m not around! Then it’s not my fault!”
Sometimes, she was just unbearably annoying.
Still, thanks to May, my thoughts lightened a little.
“You don’t understand, May. You don’t know why I’m like this.”
“Well, I don’t. But judging by how you’ve been touching your lips since last night… I’d guess it was your first kiss?”
“That wasn’t a kiss! He just… touched his lips to mine!”
“Oh my, so innocent. The poor duke must be suffering. If even a peck makes you this weak, what’ll happen if he deep kisses you?”
“Ughhhh…”
I trembled, unable to deny it.
Worse yet, I’d accidentally confirmed it was true, thanks to her teasing.
“Don’t tell Adrian.”
“Oh? Not without a price.”
May smirked, forming a circle with her fingers.
“When did you become so money-hungry?”
“Hmm, maybe around the time I got that ruby ring?”
Beaming, May pocketed the tip I handed her.
By the time she was done tormenting me, we had arrived at the Magia hideout.
Having lost both my lips and my money, I trudged toward the sofa.
Then something caught my eye.
“Huh?”
On the table sat a glass case holding an old rosary.
Though worn, it drew my gaze strangely.
Sierra spotted me and waved cheerfully.
“Perfect timing! I wanted your opinion on the keepsake list and booth setup anyway.”
“Are you putting this up for auction too?”
“Yes. It may look old, but it’s actually a blessed magical item.”
Ah, that explained why I couldn’t look away.
If it held a blessing, it was definitely valuable.
“Then wouldn’t it be better for you to keep it, Sierra? Magic-support items are expensive.”
“Oh, but I’m not a spellcaster.”
“You’re not?”
“Well, to be precise, this one supports summoning or divine magic. I originally bought it to help sprout Fairy Bloom seeds, but later found out magicians can’t use it.”
Sierra pouted, annoyed at having been tricked.
I picked up the rosary thoughtfully.
“So a Summoner could use it, right?”
“Probably. I mean, I got scammed, but I’ll be honest at the auction. Priests or devout believers might be interested.”
I see.
For me, who had been failing over and over these past days, this was like a gift from the heavens.
“Then… will you sell it to me instead?”
