“Oh, I barely made it out alive…”
Lizelle let out a relieved sigh as she murmured to herself, having finally escaped the banquet hall.
After Chase left with Selena, leaving her alone, Lizelle was swarmed by a flock of nobles, thoroughly exhausting her.
Everyone seemed to have so much to say. Dozens of voices overlapped at once, making her head spin.
The nobles introduced themselves and offered congratulations, one after another.
At first, she welcomed them graciously, but as the conversations continued, it became clear they all shared the same ulterior motive.
A desire to establish a connection with the Halos family.
Of course, she didn’t think that was necessarily a bad thing.
This was, after all, a society built on connections.
However, what she didn’t like was the attitude of those who only flattered her without any intention of demonstrating their abilities. None offered formal business proposals or presented tempting conditions.
Even worse, these nobles hadn’t dared approach Chase when he was present. Only after he left did they target her, the seemingly easier option.
Lizelle walked down the hallway, shuddering at the memory of the past several minutes of relentless socializing.
If she went back into the hall now, she was sure to be surrounded by them again.
‘By the way, why isn’t he back yet?’
He promised to return soon, but Chase, who left with Selena, was nowhere to be seen.
Even Selena hadn’t returned to the hall, likely still involved in their supposed business discussion with the count.
“Can the guest of honor really just disappear like this?”
Lizelle muttered to herself.
She didn’t like the idea of Chase and Selena being together.
Selena wouldn’t stop glaring daggers at Lizelle, yet she’s all sweet smiles with Chase…
“…”
Her muttering trailed off as Lizelle clamped her lips shut.
Why was she so bothered?
It was a simple business discussion. So why…
Lizelle shook her head sharply and slapped her cheeks with both hands.
When she came to her senses, she walked down the hallway, hoping to get some fresh air while she waited.
She looked around the mansion, wondering if she might come across a passage leading to the garden eventually.
The hallway was empty and quiet.
Perhaps because everyone was crowded into the hall where the banquet was being held.
Every time she took a step, the sound of her shoes clicking could be heard.
Lizelle walked slowly, enjoying the silence.
Meeting and interacting with so many people was more physically and mentally demanding than she expected.
This was especially true for someone who was not accustomed to banquets.
“Your Grace?”
While taking her walk alone, she noticed a man standing in the distance.
The flashy clothes and black hair stood out, even from afar. Anyone could tell that it was Chase.
“Have you finished your discussion?”
Feeling relieved, Lizelle quickly approached him.
But the closer she got, the more off he seemed.
He stood motionless against the wall, like a statue.
“What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”
Lizelle quickened her pace.
“Don’t come any closer… Ugh.”
Chase spoke with difficulty, his hands against the wall, panting.
A cold sweat covered his forehead.
“What’s wrong? Are you sick?”
Worried by his unfamiliar behavior, Lizelle took another step closer, but Chase flinched and stepped back.
He couldn’t let Lizelle come near him.
If she got close, he was certain he’d make a huge mistake.
His condition was worsening by the second.
The desire swelling within him reached its breaking point.
Even standing still and breathing was a struggle.
“Are you sure you’re okay? Should I call for a physician?”
Unaware of his condition, Lizelle became worried and approached even closer.
“Please… just stop.”
Chase’s plea made her freeze.
His eyes were red from the rising fever.
Meanwhile, Chase was on the verge of madness.
He managed to suppress his desires in front of Selena, but now, with Lizelle before him, they became impossible to contain.
He didn’t think he’d be able to bear it much longer.
As she approached, her scent grew stronger and stronger, making his head spin.
“Hah…”
This was driving him crazy. Chase took a deep breath to cool down the heat surging through him.
He was barely holding back his boiling desire.
His rationality clashed violently with his primal instincts.
“What’s wrong? Are you feeling worse? You’re covered in cold sweat!”
Alarmed, Lizelle noticed the sweat dripping from his face and hurried closer.
Then she pulled up the sleeve of her dress and began to wipe the sweat from his forehead.
At that moment, Chase inhaled sharply.
An intoxicating scent that was incomparable to that of Selena was shaking what little self-control he had left.
His red eyes trembled violently.
“You didn’t look so good earlier either…”
Lizelle recalled him looking unusual after drinking the champagne.
At first, she assumed he was tipsy, but it seemed something else was wrong.
As time went by his condition seemed to be getting worse and worse.
“Should I fetch a physician or take you back to the estate?”
“…”
“Your Grace, are you so unwell you can’t even answer?”
Lizelle anxiously examined his complexion.
His long lashes trembled, and he bit his lip as though enduring great pain.
His face also turned red.
“Do you feel warm?”
Lizelle quickly placed her hand on his forehead, Chase flinching in surprise.
“You’re burning up!”
She cried out in alarm.
His forehead was scorching hot. It was like a ball of fire, so hot she wondered if it was even possible for a fever to rise this high.
“Please…”
Unable to bear it, Chase waved his arm to brush away her hand that was resting on his forehead.
He then turned his back on her.
The most dangerous place at this moment wasn’t by Selena’s side or on the edge of a cliff.
It was here, right next to Lizelle.
He reached his limit. Rationality had long since slipped from his grasp.
He had to get away from her before he made a mistake.
“Leave me alone.”
With unsteady steps, Chase staggered away.
First, he had to go to his empty carriage and somehow suppress this desire.
“Hah.”
Left alone, Lizelle let out a breath in shock.
‘This guy is unbelievable.’
She was genuinely worried, yet all he could say was to leave him alone and keep her distance.
She chased after him as he walked away with difficulty.
“Isn’t it a bit much to treat someone who’s worried about you this way?”
She caught up with him quickly, walking alongside him as she scolded him.
Her expression was one of disappointment.
She thought they were finally starting to get along.
Because of a misunderstanding, they’d had a bad relationship from the beginning and now that the misunderstanding was resolved, she thought they’d grown closer.
But she was wrong.
Today made it clear he hadn’t changed at all. He was still as aloof and unkind as ever.
“…”
“Say something!”
Lizelle glared at Chase, who was looking at her in a dazed silence.
Chase looked at Lizelle with tired eyes, sighed, and spoke.
“The reason I’m not okay is because you’re here.”
What nonsense was this?
“Are you saying it’s my fault you’re sick?”
“No, that’s not it… Ugh.”
Chase couldn’t bring himself to explain.
How could he voice all his vulgar thoughts?
He wanted to hold her, to crush her in his embrace until dawn.
He wanted to leave no part of her body untouched by his lips.
He wanted to hold her in his arms and feel her heart flutter against him.
He wanted to have her all to himself, to keep her locked in his embrace.
He couldn’t speak.
Even if Selena’s scheme triggered this, it mixed with his own buried feelings.
“Hah, let me help you.”
Despite her irritation, Lizelle stepped closer to support him.
He looked so sick. She felt she couldn’t ignore him like this.
“I don’t need help.”
Chase quickened his pace.
He had to get away from her. As quickly as possible.
“You can’t even walk properly!”
She matched his pace, refusing to back down.
They left the mansion, walking through the garden, now approaching the front gate.
“That’s not the problem.”
“Then what the hell is the problem?”
Lizelle, who couldn’t stand it anymore, exploded and blocked Chase’s path.
They’d arrived in front of the carriage.
Lizelle was quite angry now. No, she was more hurt.
Maybe she was expecting that he would keep smiling at her, saying strange things she couldn’t understand when he was drunk. That she was special to him.
Even if it wasn’t a romantic relationship, she thought that a vague feeling of friendship had sprouted between them.
However, their relationship was no different from the beginning.
And that realization stung. It made her feel foolish for expecting otherwise.
