“Prepare for our first night together tonight.”

“Yes? What to prepare for?”

Atia opened her mouth wide and blinked rapidly.

Casus looked around as if he was not used to saying such things.

His ears were burning red.

“It’s our first night together.”

“Do we sleep together? All of a sudden?”

Atia’s voice echoed in the corridor.

Casus was rather surprised by her direct and loud voice.

Fortunately, there was no one in the corridor to hear, so it was a close call.

Casus only gave an awkward cough, seeming embarrassed.

“Didn’t you say you wanted to see and touch my body then?”

｢I want to see your body, Duke.｣

Casus narrowed his eyes, remembering Atia who had said she wanted to see his body with desperate eyes that day in the office, holding a knife against him.

When he rejected her request, she even made a strange proposition, ‘How about a wife’s chance?’, trying to persuade him.

And only now, Casus finally,

Thought that she might have been deeply hurt at that time.

And he thought it could be possible.

“That’s why, I’m saying this.”

Casus’s low voice echoed in Atia’s ear.

Atia looked at him blankly.

His unique deep gaze and his red, glossy lips were quite attractive. No, not quite, a lot.

But now was not the time to be lost in that.

‘There must be a reason for him to do this all of a sudden.’

Atia rolled her eyes in surprise.

“You seemed to be quite hurt by my rejection.”

Casus spoke to Atia, twisting his lips slightly.

“Eh……?”

“People sometimes do things they wouldn’t normally do when they’re shocked.”

Atia was at a loss for words.

“Ha! I, really…….”

It was true that she wanted to see the Duke’s body.

But is that how it works?

Atia couldn’t figure out what to say to Casus.

More than blaming Casus, who had misunderstood her original intentions, it was her fault for giving room for misunderstanding.

His face, which suddenly mentioned having their first night together tonight, was extremely serious.

If Atia agreed, Casus looked like he was ready to prepare for their first night right away.

‘What should I do……. But why did he change his mind suddenly?’

Atia’s heart raced wildly.

“I want to accept.”

Casus’s low and cold voice echoed in the hallway.

His thick eyebrows were slightly frowned.

There was a brief silence.

Atia rolled her eyes in confusion.

“Yes……? What?”

His deep blue eyes shone even sharper.

Casus stepped a little closer to Atia, looked down, and spoke shyly.

“The massage you give.”

Atia felt a chill run through her body. Her heart also raced wildly.

It seemed to be out of fear.

‘What? What did he just say?’
Atia heard clearly in her ear, ‘I want your massage.’

Had she heard wrong?

Those words should have never come from the lips of Casus, who despised touch.

‘It feels weird hearing those words directly.’

Was it simple curiosity? A change of heart?

Atia had to reconfirm if the man standing in front of her was indeed Casus.

“Uh….”

Instead of answering, Atia only swallowed her saliva.

In truth, initially, she wanted to see Casus’s body.

But that was a feeling born purely out of awe.

Casus’s magnificent and sturdy forearms.

His broad shoulders and neck.

She was curious about the deeper parts of such a man.

But now the situation had changed.

She couldn’t guarantee what could happen if she accepted impulsively, not knowing his intentions.

Moreover.

‘I didn’t say I was thinking about spending the night with you….’

It was strange that Casus suddenly suggested spending the night, and initially, Atia wanted to see his body for an entirely different reason.

And it felt like Casus was already paying attention to her.

He was a man who could kill her without hesitation if she irritated him. That was the Casus Atia had in mind.

Even though he was despised by his people, she did not know how he would react if he thought she was obstructing his goals.

‘He would gladly bury me alive if I slip up.’

Because Casus was a thorough man.

A man who prioritized work over family.

‘Anyway, I’ll be safe next to my father.’

Atia swallowed her saliva once again.

Casus asked her again, flicking an eyebrow at Atia, who remained silent for a long time.

“What’s your answer?”

Atia hesitated, trying to buy time.

“Um…. ah… um…”

If they spent the night together, she would see Casus’s body, which was good in satisfying one aspect of her curiosity.

But Casus wasn’t someone who easily trusted people.

He might have other intentions.

Many unpleasant thoughts kept popping into Atia’s mind.

‘I can’t do this. I don’t want this.’

Spend the night?

Atia’s face heated up.

It felt like a hurried obligation that was being fulfilled without any love.

Apparently, Casus had gravely misunderstood her words.

Out of embarrassment, she hinted at the idea of spending the night indirectly.

So, it would be best to suggest putting it off for now.

“I would like that too, but…. I’m not feeling well.”

Hehe, Atia gave a slight laugh.

“You’re not feeling well?”

Casus tilted his head.

“Yes.”

“Where?”

He looked at Atia’s complexion.

“Cough.”

“Eh?”

Atia feigned a cough that wasn’t coming out.

She thought it would be best not to offend Casus any further.

If she didn’t want to die without anyone knowing.

“Well… I think I might be coming down with something. I feel a sudden heat. Cough.”

“A fever?”

Atia nodded her head greatly at his question.

Then.

Casus lifted his large hand and placed it on her forehead.

“Huh!”

When his cool palm met Atia’s soft forehead, her eyes widened.

“You don’t have a fever.”

Casus, who had his palm on Atia’s forehead, spoke with a puzzled voice.

Atia rolled her eyes and pretended to be weak.

“It’s coming from within.”

At the word ‘inside,’ Casus’s hand hesitated.

He couldn’t possibly put his hand inside her clothes to check.

“Ah….”

Atia groaned as if she was starting to get a cold.

Due to her pale skin, she really looked sick.

Even a little bit of acting made her look like she was on her deathbed.

“Are you okay?”

“Uh….”

Atia halfopened one eye and looked at Casus.

Thankfully, he seemed to have completely fallen for it.

Casus supported Atia, who was about to fall, and said,

“If you’re sick, it’s best to rest.”

“Cough.”

Would Casus believe her if she vomited blood here?

Although Atia pretended to be sick, unfortunately, she could only cough dryly.

But that was enough.

If she were the sturdy Kang JeeHa of her previous life, it would be impossible.

‘No? He’s falling for this poor acting?’

“Doctor!”
Casus caught her as she was about to fall, calling for the doctor.

Atia coughed softly, pulling down the corners of her mouth as much as she could to suppress the laughter that was about to burst out.

“Cough… cough.”

Casus, who was observing Atia’s complexion as her small lips were trembling, furrowed his brows.

‘Huh?’

What situation is this?

Atia’s foot was suddenly lifted into the air.

Casus gently embraced Atia with his sturdy arms.

So swiftly, and as lightly as lifting a feather, Atia felt dizzy.