Prologue
It was well past evening when Lena returned to the castle, utterly exhausted.
Hearing from the butler that the master was looking for her, she headed to the office first.
“What is it?”
The room was dimly lit.
Gerard stood beside his desk, with only a small lamp casting a soft glow.
He turned around as Lena stepped into the light.
Her long eyelashes cast shadows over her olive-colored eyes.
“Want a drink?”
Lena finally noticed the glasses on the desk.
In the small, upside-down triangle-shaped glass, an olive floated.
“Why alcohol?”
“We’ll be attending Madame Orlisé’s salon next week, and you’ll need to drink. But I don’t know how well you can handle alcohol.”
The only alcohol she had ever had was a couple of glasses of champagne.
She had sipped them alone while her ex-fiancé, Iluan, flirted with his mistress.
“I don’t know. Can I try it now?”
She pointed at the glass.
Gerard nodded.
Of course, he meant for her just to taste it.
But Lena downed the entire glass in one go.
“You just drank all of it?”
“I was thirsty. It tastes better than I expected.”
“Just enjoy the aroma. Don’t eat the olive.”
“I have to. I’m too hungry.”
Lena chewed the olive, her expression pitiful.
It had been a long, grueling day with no time to eat.
Bills kept piling up—the cost of her father’s hospital fees, the servants her mother had hired, and even the new nanny.
For the first time in her life, money was a serious concern.
Lena slumped into the chair in front of Gerard’s desk.
“Master, have you ever worried about money?”
She glanced at his clothes.
She had never paid much attention before, but they were expensive.
Gerard wore them so casually, yet he smiled.
“The only daughter of a noble count is worried about money?”
“Well… I used to be the richest in Adelen, but things changed. That’s why, Master…”
Lena looked up at him.
In the darkness, his face wasn’t visible.
But she knew he had paused, listening attentively.
“Can you advance me 30,000 rubes?”
“Hm…”
His response was vague.
Lena’s lips felt dry.
Her eyes slowly filled with desperation.
“I’ll participate in every scheme until I pay it back. Please?”
“Lena, no matter how talented an actress you are, you’re still a beginner in this field.
I can’t just give that much money upfront.”
“But…”
Disappointment clouded her face.
His words felt unfair.
She might be new to scheming, but she was different.
I’ve perfectly seduced every man Master has pointed out!
It felt unjust that Gerard still doubted her skills.
On the other hand, seeing Lena’s dejected face gave Gerard a deep sense of satisfaction.
It was time to shift the power.
“Why struggle when there’s an easier way?”
“…”
“I can tell you how to get 30,000 rubes right now, with no need to pay it back.”
Lena’s eyes narrowed.
She misunderstood his meaning and immediately glared at him.
“If you plan to take me as your mistress, you’re mistaken. I am not Ines. I will never be a man’s mistress.”
“I know. And I wouldn’t waste that kind of money on a woman who’s just for the bedroom.”
“Then what’s your offer?”
Her guard lowered slightly at his firm response.
Gerard put down his glass and leaned toward her.
The light revealed his face—calm but unusually serious.
His deep voice filled the room.
“Seduce me.”
Lena’s eyes widened.
“Make it so I can’t see anyone but you. Drive me mad for you, until I have no choice but to say I love you.”
“Master… Are you serious?”
“Turn me into your devoted lover, the man who grants your every wish. If you can do that, Lena, you’ll never have to worry about 30,000 rubes again.”
Lena stared at him.
Well, this could be fun.
If there was anything she was good at, it was men and guns.
To childhood friends, she was the unattainable crush.
To artists, she was a muse.
She had taken diamonds from greedy nobles and been the passionate lover of naive students.
And I already know Master has some level of interest in me.
If Gerard became her lover, life would be much easier.
“You’ll regret this.”
Gerard paused, his glass hovering near his lips.
“You know, I’ve never lost in a game of seduction.”
Lena’s olive-green eyes gleamed.
As if she could make anyone kneel before her with just a glance.
“What will you do if you end up completely under my spell?”
Gerard chuckled and set his glass down.
A small laugh escaped his lips.
Maybe I’ve been waiting for this moment since the day I saved your life. Maybe that’s why I refused to give you the money and proposed this game instead.
As his laughter continued, Lena grabbed another drink.
The scent of olives mixed with the bitter liquid as she took a sip.
She popped the olive into her mouth.
“That’s not how you do it.”
His laughter had disappeared.
Lena looked up.
Before she could react, Gerard’s lips crashed onto hers.
His tongue invaded her mouth, relentless and forceful.
She struggled to keep the olive, but he was too strong.
Her breaths grew short.
Desperate, she gripped his shirt tightly.
After a long battle, Gerard took the olive from her mouth.
He pulled back, a victorious smirk on his face.
Lena scowled.
Gerard spat the olive onto the floor.
“This isn’t something you eat. You enjoy its scent, maybe roll it around in your mouth, and then, in the end, you spit it out. That’s all an olive is meant for.”
Lena glared at him.
She knew exactly what he meant.
Right. That’s the kind of man Master is. If I’m not careful, I’ll end up just like Ines.
Lena suddenly stood up.
She swayed slightly.
The two drinks on an empty stomach had made her dizzy.
Gerard caught her hand.
“Don’t disappoint me. I hate when people pretend to be drunk just to get close.”
His hand was gentle, but his voice was ice-cold.
Lena steadied herself and yanked her hand away. Then, she grabbed a third glass.
She took out the olive.
A small smile formed on her lips.
“Master, do you know something?”
She bit the olive in half.
Swallowing one part, she slowly walked toward Gerard.
“There are things you know you shouldn’t swallow, but you just can’t resist.”
She grabbed his chin and pushed the remaining half between his lips.
Her thumb brushed against his mouth.
“Master, eventually, you will love me.”
Lena smiled confidently.
As if she already had him wrapped around her finger.
Gerard caught off guard, swallowed the olive.
A quiet, amused chuckle escaped his lips.
“Then I’ll look forward to it.”
“Don’t. Because when that time comes, I will make you cry.”
She wrinkled her nose playfully and walked out without hesitation.
The office fell silent again.
Gerard stared at the door.
His gaze drifted to the crushed olive on the floor.
He stepped on it, grinding it beneath his shoe.
He and Lena were meant to be passionate lovers. He truly wished to love her.
Because when love ends, I want to watch you die without regret.
