Chapter 22
Sinfulness
Sena’s gaze drifted down to the floor, then she pulled it back up.
It wasn’t forced—her unconscious mind had simply reacted on instinct.
If she didn’t answer him here and now… she could walk away free.
Her reason desperately tried to rein her in, but her heart ignored it entirely.
“I haven’t been away from Balshard for very long.”
“What do you mean? I thought you’d already graduated from Saint Linsenia University.”
Sena’s eyes sparkled with amusement.
Does that mean I look older than I am?
Maybe the hectic environment she always lived in made her seem so.
She silently apologized to “Mia” for making her seem older, then narrowed her eyes at him, tilting her head.
Robert, startled, hurried to correct himself.
“You just seemed… very experienced.”
“…Experience enriches a person.”
“Then… are you actually already a graduate?”
“Of course not.”
Sena lifted her glass and tilted it lightly. “No way,” she denied.
Robert wandered his gaze through the air, searching for the right answer.
“Then… don’t tell me you just graduated this year?”
“That’s not it either. And I’m not older than you.”
“I see.”
If she kept teasing him about this, she’d start feeling bad.
So she leaned close to his ear and whispered her secret.
“Eighteen.”
Robert was once again taken aback.
She wasn’t older than him—but he had expected her to be around his age.
“A few more years until graduation, then. What do you plan to do afterward?”
“…I want to pursue a doctorate.”
Just how much does this woman love studying?
Robert thought to himself.
In his world, noble ladies did attend university—but only to form connections needed for social life afterward. Becoming a specialized researcher was unheard of.
At the same time, he grew curious about her studies.
Saint Linsenia University—
A place run by the temple that worshipped the war goddess Rafine, where even saintesses studied. Its graduates ranged from clerics to priests—and, rarely, librarians of magical tomes.
“Your talent seems so abundant that I can’t imagine what future path you’ll walk.”
“I want to explore the ancient history of the Empire.”
She answered simply.
Mia’s field of study was unusually niche.
She tried to picture the details of her cousin’s research, but the warm buzz of champagne fogged her memory.
Fossils.
Yes, that was it—ancient magical beast fossils buried in manastone veins.
Of all things to be passionate about…
She forced a small smile and tried to continue acting in character.
“Ancient history? How old are we talking?”
“A very long time ago. Back when gods and demons still walked the earth. You could say it’s the pursuit of history itself.”
Robert returned her smile with a dry laugh.
The wealthy never failed to flaunt their talents or education.
Nobles invested in charity as if it were their sacred duty—proof that their faith was pure, unmarred by greed.
But Sena’s answer was different.
She wasn’t chasing prestige.
Her desire to know—pure intellectual curiosity—was pushing her toward a life of research.
“History hides many secrets. Learning, in any form, enriches life.”
“Does that include inviting me out tonight?”
She knew she shouldn’t ask it.
But she asked anyway.
Asking whether he wanted her—in that way.
Many women had been invited here tonight as potential brides.
Some undoubtedly more deserving than her.
For a moment, she prayed he would reject her.
If he did… she could escape before falling any deeper.
Her rational mind insisted that she had already repaid her friend’s kindness.
She didn’t need to go further.
Heedless of her heart, reason tried again to warn her.
And for once, she listened—she decided to stop asking dangerous questions.
If she said this, he would surely let her go.
“I… I believe you should send me home now.”
But—
“I don’t want to let you go yet.”
“…Your Highness?”
Robert peeled away the metaphorical black mask she wore, wanting to see—and touch—the beautiful face beneath it.
His imagination overflowed with possibilities, and he prayed that his feelings would bear fruit.
It was a complete surprise.
Sena’s heart lurched with anxiety at the unexpected answer.
She had picked up her wine merely to wet her throat, yet before she knew it, she had downed the entire glass.
A drop slid from the corner of her thin lips; she gently drew it back in with her tongue—and Robert fell into a deep, consuming fantasy.
If this modest, graceful lady ever shed her restraint…
What kind of intoxicating night would they share?
No matter what face she hid beneath her mask, Robert was ready—eager—to accept it.
Through the dance, he could embrace her in his arms, savoring every spark of rising passion.
He stood and offered his hand again, inviting her onto the floor.
He lowered himself deeply, as if urging her to take it.
“Would you grant me one more dance?
My lovely Miss Sena.”
“Your Highness…”
Her eyes shimmered with a passionate glow as she shyly cast her gaze downward.
And when his fingertips brushed hers—
the true, intoxicating night began.
