It was an obvious temptation.
As she looked at the man’s sly smile, Milena responded coldly.
“I was merely stating the fact that you’re handsome. And I guess you didn’t hear the rest? I said I wouldn’t be much help.”
She was indirectly telling him there was no need for this, but he only exuded an even sweeter scent. Anyone watching might think he could control his pheromones. He was an enticing man in many ways.
“I know.”
When she tensed her arm, he let go of her hand as if regretful. His red eyes followed the movement of her delicate fingers before locking onto her deep green ones.
“If I’m more handsome than the Grand Duke, it stirs up my competitive spirit.”
She had never said he was more handsome than the Grand Duke. Was he just hearing what he wanted?
“…….”
‘What’s with this lunatic?’
Milena’s thoughts were written all over her face, and Lexion barely held back his laughter.
She always wore a haughty and expressionless face, but if one looked closely, her true thoughts were always visible beneath her cold exterior.
“If you don’t intend to fall for me, then how about I become yours instead? I promise I’ll do well.”
She knew nothing about this man. To be honest, she didn’t even understand why he was disguised as a knight named “Hubert” or why he suddenly introduced himself as “Lexion.”
From the moment he first appeared in her room, she had been momentarily frozen by his striking looks.
Considering how accustomed she was to Grand Duke Calion’s presence, it said a lot that his appearance had left her stunned. It was a shame that his face was partially hidden by his hair.
His looks were the complete opposite of Calion’s. While the Grand Duke was a ruggedly handsome man who carried a weighty aura, this man had a light, smooth charm—one that could easily bewitch people.
“So, will you tell me?”
There was no such thing as kindness without a price.
“What is the Grand Duke’s weakness?”
“…….”
For a moment, she entertained a ridiculous thought.
A sweet fantasy where a man as handsome as Calion took an interest in her and acted on it.
Maybe, just maybe, someone had finally reached out to her—the foolish woman who had spent her entire life longing for just one man.
But before she could even get swept away by the idea, reality poured cold water over her.
Even falling in love at first sight required a reason. And from the start, this man’s objective was clearly the Grand Duke.
‘What is an infamous villainess like me even hoping for?’
Faced with the brutal reality of her situation, she felt as though she had even been stripped of the right to dream.
Remembering her position, she kept an impassive expression despite his beauty.
“I’d be more interested in knowing the Grand Duke’s weaknesses myself.”
With her signature villainess demeanor, she lifted her chin arrogantly.
“Are you from the Imperial family? Or another noble house? Well, it doesn’t matter which family you’re from. As I said, I won’t be of much help.”
The Grand Duke had plenty of enemies.
Given the number of spies who had already infiltrated his domain, this was hardly surprising. But she was somewhat intrigued that this man had managed to remain undetected for so long.
It was remarkable how he hid such striking features with nothing but shaggy hair—but that was the extent of her interest.
This wasn’t the first time a spy had approached her.
After all, forbidden sweets always seemed more appealing.
She steadied herself, determined not to be swayed by his seductive tactics, and met his gaze.
As their eyes tangled in the air, a tense silence settled between them.
In the chilling air, their breaths mingled—hot against the cold.
In their battle of scrutiny, Lexion was the first to back down.
Their surroundings were drawing too much attention.
After all, Milena, infamous as the “villainess of the Grand Duke’s castle,” was walking with a man whose beauty was unparalleled in the North.
Some cast furtive glances, while others openly stared.
Lexion’s gaze flickered toward the onlookers, and Milena quickly pulled up her hood.
Then, as if it was the simplest thing in the world, Lexion touched the earring dangling from one ear.
In an instant, his appearance changed.
And in that fleeting moment, he cast an enchantment that blurred recognition.
The bystanders who had been staring simply resumed their business as if they had seen nothing at all.
“Are you angry?”
Now back in his disguise as “Hubert,” he fell into step beside her and asked.
“Do I have a reason to be? I don’t know where you’re from, but you might as well take everything while you’re at it.”
“…Pardon?”
If he was an enemy of the Grand Duke, then that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing for her.
She didn’t care if Calion lost everything.
In fact, it might even be satisfying to see him completely ruined.
“Oh, but leave some of it behind. The Grand Duke’s estate belongs to my nephew, Ashdel.”
Was this really something a villainess obsessed with the Grand Duke would say?
Lexion was momentarily stunned before bursting into laughter.
“You truly love your nephew.”
As she hailed a carriage, she spoke matter-of-factly.
“I just want him to live well. I hope he can be happy here.”
As she placed one foot into the old carriage, she glanced at Lexion.
“And I hope you leave safely, without trouble.”
She had a feeling this man would be the last person she ever formed a connection with.
After all, she would be leaving soon, and she wanted him to take whatever he came for and leave safely.
The Grand Duke was known for being ruthless toward spies.
If Lexion were caught, he would surely be executed.
If the man she had just been with ended up dead, it would weigh on her mind for a long time.
“…….”
Lexion, who had been helping her into the carriage, momentarily paused.
‘She’s even thinking about my safety?’
Milena was a villainess with a soft heart.
Did she somehow know what he was after?
But he didn’t dislike her concern.
A faint smile spread beneath his tousled hair.
“Still, you have to pay me back.”
“I won’t run off with your money.”
She scoffed and turned her head to look out the window.
Lexion covered his mouth as he chuckled.
“Even if you do, I’ll find a way to collect it.”
“Oh my, that’s quite the frightening threat.”
Her voice was dry, devoid of any real fear.
Even though he had given her his name, she had no idea who he truly was.
He wondered—how would she react once she found out he was the third son of the Duke of Silvert?
His crimson eyes curved, gleaming like jewels.
Her unexpected reactions always intrigued him.
Arriving at the entrance of the Grand Duke’s castle, Milena let out a sigh.
Returning here made her feel stifled once again.
The cold air turned her breath white as she exhaled.
“My lady, look over there.”
Perhaps because he was maintaining his taciturn act as “Hubert,” Lexion merely tapped her shoulder and pointed.
What was he trying to show her?
In front of her was nothing but the massive castle, towering over everything.
But standing at its entrance was not a soldier—but a small child.
“Ash?”
The sun had set, and the temperature had dropped.
The boy sat curled up in his thin clothes as if he had been abandoned by the Grand Duke.
“Ash! What are you doing here?”
She hurriedly scooped him up.
He was freezing.
Had no one in this enormous castle been watching over him?
How could they leave him outside like this?
“Auntie…”
“Yes, I’m back. Ash, why are you out here? Did Calion kick you out?”
Ashdel shook his head in her arms, his flushed face trembling.
“I thought you left me behind… I waited here, and if you didn’t come back, I was going to follow you….”
Milena bit her lip.
Holding him tightly, she whispered, “You will be loved, Ash.”
Even if it won’t be by me.
