118.

“Oh, yes.”

I quickly regained my composure and fixed my gaze on Lucian.

Lucian was sitting there with his mouth open like a baby bird.

I placed a candy in his mouth.

“Mmm, it’s sweet.”

After rolling the candy around in his mouth a few times and shaking off the bitter taste, Lucian’s expression softened.

He spoke in a more relaxed tone.

“Anyway, I’m planning to return to the capital soon.”

“The capital?”

For a moment, I couldn’t believe my ears.

“Why the capital…?”

“Well, of course, to make an announcement to everyone.”

Lucian’s smile deepened into something more predatory.

A dangerous smile.

“To let everyone know that you’re under the protection of Kalleid.”

Lucian clenched his fist tightly.

“That way, no one will dare to touch you.”

“……”

I pressed my lips together in silence.

The innocent man who had been sitting before me just moments ago had vanished, replaced by the domineering male lead of this world once again.

‘Is this really okay?’

I could feel my heart pounding with anxiety.

Dante wasn’t the type to back down, even if it meant challenging the imperial family.

And now Lucian wanted to openly reveal that I was under his protection in front of him?

It seemed like the friction between Kalleid and Offenheir would only get worse…

“Perfect timing. The imperial ball is coming up soon, isn’t it?”

Lucian continued in a light, cheerful tone, completely unaware of my growing unease.

The imperial ball.

A grand event hosted by the imperial family.

The last official social gathering I attended was the cocktail party Dante had taken me to.

‘I hate this.’

The fact that Dante seemed to be entangled in every aspect of my life.

And also…

…the fact that I couldn’t stop thinking about him, even over the smallest things.

While I was sinking into a bad mood, Lucian looked absolutely delighted.

“Finally, I’ll get to be with you in front of everyone.”

Lucian murmured excitedly, before suddenly turning to me with a bright expression.

“So, I was hoping you’d be my partner for this imperial ball.”

“What?”

I froze on the spot.

Lucian looked up at me with a radiant smile.

“I want the first dance with you.”

“…I can’t.”

I barely managed to move my stiff lips to respond.

At that, Lucian’s face hardened.

“What do you mean by that?”

“If you and I stand together in public, it will cause a huge scandal. I was once the lover of Marquis Offenheir, and…”

I desperately tried to reason with him.

But his blue eyes sharpened.

“A scandal? I don’t care about that at all.”

“Duke—”

“I have nothing to hide. I’m proud of it.”

Lucian’s eyes flashed dangerously, like a predator.

“So I won’t hide you or back down. Not for anything.”

Of course, you may not be afraid to stand your ground.

I swallowed the retort that rose up in my throat.

Lucian was the head of the Kalleid family, the only ducal household in the empire.

How many people across this vast land could even dare to challenge Lucian?

But I…

“Wouldn’t it be better if you brought Lady Marguerite instead?”

“Why would I bring Marguerite?”

Lucian looked genuinely puzzled.

“Marguerite is a dear friend, of course, but it wouldn’t be appropriate for me to attend such an event with her.”

“…Still.”

I tried to argue, but Lucian was quicker to speak.

“Do you really not understand, or are you pretending not to?”

His blue eyes, filled only with me, remained calm and steady.

“I don’t want to dance with a ‘close friend’…”

Suddenly, everything fell silent, and Lucian’s voice was all I could hear.

“I want to dance with the woman I love.”

“……”

The woman he loves?

I stared at Lucian, my eyes trembling.

His voice grew even softer, like a feather.

“Do you know, Lady?”

“…Duke.”

“The biggest reason I reclaimed my title as Duke was so I could keep you by my side.”

A chill ran down my spine.

It would be a lie to say I hadn’t noticed at all.

After all, there was no other reason for Lucian to risk antagonizing Offenheir just to rescue me.

…And now he was clinging to me so excessively.

I bit my lip so hard it almost bled.

‘I don’t want to get involved with any of the male leads in this world anymore…’

As my reluctance became clear, Lucian’s expression darkened slightly.

‘Did I hurt him?’

But the truth was, I felt no joy at all in knowing Lucian loved me.

I was only afraid of how the original story kept spiraling out of control.

“Lady.”

Lucian gently took my hand.

I flinched, my shoulders tensing.

He spoke calmly.

“I’m not asking you to accept my feelings right away.”

“…”

Instead of replying, I studied his expression carefully.

Lucian looked at me with a pained expression, as if he was only thinking of my well-being.

“But Marquis Offenheir might try to take you back. Please, stay under my protection for just a little while longer, okay?”

However, that expression he wore looked like crocodile tears to me.

…Was it because I was an ungrateful and selfish woman?

“I’m very grateful that you’re protecting me, Duke.” I managed to force the words from my dry lips. “But if you’re really concerned about my safety, wouldn’t it be better to limit any public appearances?”

“……”

Lucian was silent for a moment.

And then.

“Yes, you’re right.”

He acknowledged my point easily enough, letting out a wistful sigh.

“Honestly, I know that wanting to make you my partner is purely my selfish desire.”

“Duke…”

“But I’ve always dreamed of standing proudly beside you, in front of everyone. It’s been my long-time wish.”

Lucian glanced at me, gauging my reaction.

“So, could you make this small concession for me?”

“……”

“In exchange, after the imperial ball, I’ll give you more freedom than you have now.”

Lucian sweetened his proposal, offering something that seemed too good to refuse.

“I’m thinking of getting you a place to stay in the capital. That way, you’ll be able to meet with people you’re close to more easily, and you won’t feel so stifled.”

Brigitte.

The name popped into my mind reflexively.

‘I wonder how Brigitte is doing.’

I’d relied on her so much, but I’d never really repaid her kindness.

When I was on the run, I couldn’t contact her, fearing it might bring her harm. And while I was trapped in Dante’s mansion, I was forbidden from any outside communication.

I had desperately wanted to send her a letter, but…

 

[That’s not allowed.]

 

Ever since Sir Mason had confiscated the letter I tried to send to her, I had abandoned the idea of reaching out to Brigitte altogether.

…And yet.

“We said we’d watch the fireworks together and take walks in the park, didn’t we?” Lucian pleaded, his shoulders slumping.

In that moment, he resembled the carefree Lucian I once found comfort in—innocent and pure.

But at the same time, he was the twisted male lead of this world.

The special student I used to take care of.

The contrast in Lucian’s character…

‘It’s confusing.’

In the end, I suppressed my discomfort and nodded.

“Alright.”

“Good! I knew you’d make the right choice!” Lucian beamed brightly.

I watched him with a mixture of feelings.

After all, I was under Lucian’s protection.

I supposed I should compromise a little.

‘At least it’s better than Dante.’

I tried to convince myself to see the situation positively.

But then.

‘Is it really better than Dante?’

The sharp question suddenly popped into my mind.

…And I couldn’t find an answer.

* * *

Meanwhile, there was someone who vehemently opposed the news that Elze would be attending the imperial ball as Lucian’s partner.

That person was none other than Benedict.

“Damn it.”

Benedict stormed into the safehouse, his nerves on edge.

“How dare they pull this while I was gone?”

Recently, Benedict had been paying the price for provoking the Offenheir family through the Rathlang trading company incident.

Marquis Offenheir had used all his influence to viciously sabotage the Schmaikel company.

Because of that, Benedict had been tied up defending his interests and was unable to visit the safehouse.

He had assumed that Kalleid was still untouched by any attacks.

Of course, he knew intellectually that the Marquis had refrained from further provocations since he had personally put a bullet in Lucian’s shoulder.

But even that fact irritated him immensely.

Bang!

Benedict slammed the door to Lucian’s room open without even bothering to knock.

Lucian turned to look at him, completely unfazed.

“What’s the matter?”

“I was wondering if, during your escape, someone shot a bullet into your head as well.” Benedict sneered coldly.

“I can’t imagine why else you’d do something so reckless without consulting me first.”

He strode across the room and stood right in front of Lucian.

His piercing violet eyes bore into Lucian.

“Are you out of your mind, taking the Lady to the capital?”