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Lucius, who had been staring at me intently, spoke with a stern expression.
“…I don’t want to.”
“Don’t want to…? This is a public place. Elam will be bringing the food soon. I don’t want to create an awkward situation.”
“That will never happen. There’s still plenty of time.”
“So… you’ll do it?”
“Don’t you want me to?”
He placed his hand over mine and tilted his head slightly, asking me. I let out a hollow laugh at how subtly he was closing the distance. This man… really.
“It’s not that I don’t want to, but we should think about the location. And why are you suddenly like this? You were fine just a moment ago…”
“When you touch your lips so adorably in front of me, of course I feel this way. And I’ve never truly been okay in front of you. I was just pretending.”
“So… you’re saying you’ll do it after all?”
“It won’t take long.”
“Wait…!”
Before I could stop him, Lucius leaned down and kissed me. He covered my lips completely and blocked me as I tried to pull back. He supported the back of my head with one hand and held my hands that were pushing against his chest with the other.
Helplessly restrained, I endured the relentless kiss. His lips pressed against mine repeatedly, almost like a test. I kept my lips tightly shut against his probing contact, as if refusing entry.
If it went any deeper here, things would obviously escalate, so I had to stop it at this point, despite the regret. To convey that thought, I opened my eyes slightly and moved my hand that he was holding.
“….”
Lucius opened his eyes at my movement, meeting my gaze. I held his hand tightly and sent a desperate look. Let’s do anything more at home.
Hoping he understood, I didn’t take my eyes off him. I felt him slowly loosen his grip on my hands. Relieved that he seemed to be pulling back, I relaxed my body as well.
Then, he smiled slyly, taking advantage of the momentary weakness to part my lips and enter again.
“Mm…!”
Pull back? Forget it! To trick me into letting my guard down… this man.
Where on earth does he learn this stuff?
Did he get advice from Alexandra again? Or did he read a book this time? When I read romance novels I brought from the duke’s mansion, Lucius often watched with interest. Surely he didn’t read the Lady series, did he?
Considering how impressionable he could be, it was entirely possible. He’d taken Alexandra’s advice well, so he might’ve thought anything from books would be useful too.
I really wouldn’t have known this side of him unless I experienced it firsthand.
His tongue explored every corner of my mouth as if inspecting it. Whenever he noticed a reaction in a new spot, he immediately focused there. He was intent on claiming every breath and sound I made, completely absorbed in my lips.
I’d always thought of him as a kind man misled by illusions, but could I have imagined he had this side too? He had shown obsessive tendencies before the illusions lifted, but I had assumed that was because of them.
I can’t be sure it’s not the illusions now.
Since our marriage, I had noticed this obsessive streak in Lucius’s behavior. Frequent physical contact, not wanting to separate when we were in the mansion…
Not that I disliked it. On the contrary, I liked it—it was proof that my husband loved me. But sometimes, it was embarrassing when he showed this side in public. Kisses were fine, more than that was fine too, but time and place had to be considered.
I’m sorry, Lucius, but this can’t continue.
The kiss was deepening. If it went further, something might happen right here. Elam would arrive soon, and no matter how much I liked him, I couldn’t let him see that. I had no choice but to use a stronger move.
I closed my eyes and exhaled into Lucius’s lips, pulling away his tongue just enough to bite gently.
“…!”
Startled by my sudden breath, he opened his eyes and looked at me. I smiled softly at the golden eyes still glowing with heat, then bit his lower lip and tried to pull away.
But…
“…Ah!”
Lucius seemed to anticipate my move and bit my lips first. I let out a sound I hadn’t intended. Watching my flustered reaction, he lightly kissed me again before slowly pulling away.
“I’ll take care of the rest at the mansion, Tiana.”
“…Ha…”
Seeing him smile slyly as he said that, I was exasperated. This man… turning my words back on me while smiling gently was infuriating.
A wolf one moment, a fox the next. I felt like I couldn’t handle all the sides of him.
“Why is that, Tiana?”
He reached for my hand with an innocent expression, so I glanced at him scornfully and turned my head. His momentary confusion was amusing.
Knock-knock—
“Your Highness, the Archduke and Archduchess. The food you ordered has arrived.”
“Come in.”
Just as Lucius was about to speak, Elam’s voice came from outside with a knock. I quickly freed my hand from his grip, adjusted my slightly messy hair and dress, and responded.
Seeing me withdraw my hand, Lucius looked even more flustered. I ignored his intense gaze and focused on Elam entering.
“Preparing the food took longer than expected. I apologize.”
“That’s okay.”
“Then I’ll set it up immediately.”
Elam signaled the staff behind him, and three of them brought a tray with the dishes. Carefully, they uncovered the plates and arranged the food on the table where Lucius was seated.
The dishes looked delicious at a glance, and even the aroma made my mouth water. My stomach was already on the verge of emptying from the delayed lunch. I secretly patted my stomach, silently urging it to wait.
I have to maintain decorum now. Just a little longer, and I can eat.
I couldn’t eat like in the modern world. Here, I was the Archduchess, with many eyes on me. As a high-ranking noble, I had to observe dining etiquette. Delicious food or not, rules were rules.
I endured, and soon the staff had set the plates, forks, and knives. Elam, after the final check, nodded to the staff.
“Everyone, step back. I’ll stay here. Ensure no one comes near this room until the two of you have finished your meal, and inform the other staff not to disturb me.”
“Yes, understood.”
The staff left, closing the door behind them. It seemed Elam intended to attend to us personally. He opened a wine bottle from the tray, smiled, and approached.
“This is a small gift for both of you. It’s red wine made from a newly improved variety. I hope it suits your taste.”
“Oh, thank you.”
A red wine to match our main course—a thoughtful gesture. I raised my glass gratefully, as my throat was parched.
The red liquid swirled, filling the glass halfway. Compared to ordinary red wine, its color was noticeably brighter.
Just as I prepared to sip, my eyes met Lucius’s, who was staring intently.
“Lucius? Aren’t you going to drink?”
“….”
He remained silent and unmoving. A childish pout, no doubt. But what was he pouting about? I was the one annoyed!
Such a child…
I had been the one to free my hand earlier, and he had avoided my gaze. Sighing inwardly, I decided I had to act. Elam was watching our cues, after all.
“This wine looks delicious. Let’s drink together, okay?”
I smiled softly, and Lucius’s eyebrows twitched. I offered my glass, and he, finally, responded with slightly parted lips.
“…I’ll accept it gratefully.”
“Yesss…”
Elam, noticing Lucius’s subtle reaction, nodded and carefully poured the wine. Once his glass was half-filled with the vibrant red, I extended mine forward.
“To us.”
“To us?”
“Yes, clinking glasses. That’s what you do when drinking together.”
“Who said that?”
Oops. My cheerful remark seemed to irritate him. Seeing his stern expression, I quickly added,
“It wasn’t anyone—it was from a book! I read it in a book!”
“A book? You mean the one you brought from the duke’s mansion? I don’t recall that being in there…”
“Eh? How do you know that, Lucius?”
“…Hmm.”
He shut his mouth mid-sentence. Narrowing my eyes, I realized he had read the Lady series! His fleeting avoidance confirmed my suspicion.
“Ahem. Let’s clink and drink.”
“….”
He read it! Definitely read it!
With a bashful expression, he tried to change the subject. Could it be… really? Lucius read the Lady series? “How a Countess’s Daughter Kisses a Knight” and “The Servant Girl’s Unspeakable Secrets”? Perhaps even more. I was curious what else he had read, but I couldn’t ask here. I clinked my glass with his.
The glasses rang, and we sipped simultaneously. The wine’s unique spicy-sweet flavor and the lingering tang were delightful.
“This wine is really good.”
“Indeed. Surprisingly tasty.”
Lucius shared my impression, marveling at the wine in his glass. Swirling it, the red gleamed like rubies under the light.
“Made from a newly improved variety, right?”
“Yes. We developed it in our restaurant after many trials.”
“Really? Developed it here?”
“Yes. Most wines sold are imported, so they’re familiar. I’ve always been interested in wine, and I wanted to create a unique wine only available here.”
“I see. Must have been difficult…”
“We sought out a master vintner and collaborated with our sommeliers. After many trials, this wine was born. We’ll sell it soon, but I wanted you two to try it first.”
He smiled shyly but proudly. He must’ve been pleased to receive positive feedback on the wine he developed. Truly impressive.
Seeing this, I felt an even greater sense of relief. How different from my father—nothing like the Marquess, who claimed others’ work as his own.
“I’m glad… he’s nothing like the Marquess. Taking credit for others’ work to gain profit… nothing like him.”
Elam placed the bottle on the tray, smiling lightly.
“Ah… you mean the newly opened café. Indeed, that’s something he might do. But the idea to replicate Baron Evitt’s flower tea café probably didn’t come from him.”
“Really? Then whose idea was it?”
“Not his—it must have been Julietta’s thought.”
“…Excuse me?”
What was that supposed to mean?
