DTV CH 10

Chapter 10

Etienne’s face suddenly stiffened, which was surprising because he’d looked cheerful just a moment ago.
It didn’t look like he disliked what was happening — I could at least tell that much.
From my experience reading people, that expression wasn’t from discomfort or reluctance.

‘Then… what does it mean?’

Just when I was about to ask why his mouth had gone so tense—

Tap.

While I was distracted, Etienne suddenly placed his hand over my lips, as if to stop me from speaking.

I glanced down at his hand touching my lips, then looked back up at him.

‘…And what is this supposed to mean?’

He was definitely going to have to explain this properly.

I’d never been rejected by anyone before, so honestly, I was shocked.
The fact that I wasn’t blushing bright red already was a miracle.

“It’s not meant as a threat, Miss Loren. Relax.”

He smiled softly.

I stared at him even harder, silently telling him:
If you have time to talk nonsense, take your hand off my mouth first.

“What do you think you’re doing with this hand?”

As soon as he removed it, I asked sharply.

He laughed a little and said,

“If I don’t stop you, you look like you’ll kiss me right away — and call it ‘practice.’”

…Excuse me?

I do have dignity and manners, you know.
At the very least, I’d ask first.

“And you told me before, didn’t you? That you wanted all your ‘firsts’ to be with me.”

Okay, yes. I did say that.
But what does that have to do with this?

Etienne gently brushed his fingers across my lips.

“People say you only get one first kiss in life.”

He sounded so serious — like he genuinely respected me.

“So let’s save it for a really romantic moment.”

His voice felt like a spell.

I found myself staring into his light brown eyes.

“And maybe you should think carefully about whether someone like me deserves that.”

His last words lingered in my mind.

“What do you mean, ‘someone like you’? You’re not secretly going around killing people at night or anything, right?”

If that were true, this engagement was over. No hesitation needed.

“Or do you have some terrible weakness I don’t know about?”

I folded my arms and studied him.

He simply tapped my frowning forehead and said,

“Relax. I’m not a criminal, and I don’t have some tragic weakness.”

“It’s just… a possibility.”

“A possibility of what?”

“Well… what if I end up liking your kiss too much? What if I want more?”

…Okay, that could be a problem.

And honestly — if someone kissed me…
Of course they’d fall for it.
Am I too confident?

Maybe.
But that’s part of my charm!

“Fine. I get it. But that doesn’t mean we’ll never do it. If there’s no reason not to, I still want all my firsts with you.”

I’d lost the mood to insist any further.

Etienne smiled gently.

“If that’s what you want.”

Ugh.
There it was again — ‘Miss Loren’.
One day, we were going to have a serious talk about that.

We were getting married, after all.
That formal tone wouldn’t do forever.

“Anyway, since I couldn’t escort you earlier, allow me to do at least this.”

He lifted my hand and lightly kissed the back of it.
A brief touch — but it left warmth behind.

“And here’s an early present. We might not meet again soon.”

He slipped something into my hand.
It was a theater ticket.

He explained,

“It’s the best seat in the theater I sponsor. They’ll start selling tickets soon, but this one is for staff and patrons.”

It happened to be a famous theater — one I had fond memories of.

“So take it. Just in case fate doesn’t bring us together again.”

There was no reason to refuse.

“Thank you. I’ll go watch it for sure.”

“Our prima donna chose this as her comeback show after getting over her slump. It should be worth seeing.”

The more he talked, the more curious I became.

“So instead of waiting for another coincidence… shall we meet on that day?”

He agreed easily.

Soon, the second act of the opera was about to begin, so we separated naturally to avoid suspicion.

***

After that, we watched the opera like strangers.

The second half was filled with emotional songs — mostly about revenge.

By the time it ended, it was late. I got up slowly, planning to meet up with Sally.

But when I looked around—

Etienne was already gone.

‘He really left fast.’

Oh well. I’d greet him another time.

As I went downstairs, I realized the hall was unusually noisy.

Someone important must have appeared — someone with enough presence to attract a crowd.

Maybe royalty?

I pushed through the people. Everyone moved out of my way once they recognized me.

Then I suddenly stopped.

I saw a familiar man with pale brown hair—

And beside him—

Pink hair.

Like cherry blossoms.