“If it’s that difficult, you’d better go back and rest.”

“How could that be possible? After all the effort to get this time.”

“…..”

“It hasn’t even been an hour yet.”

Veronica reached out her hand again. Cassian glared at that hand before grabbing her wrist.

The suddenly pulled hand settled on his arm. He clearly didn’t want to hold hands affectionately no matter what.

The two walked side by side through the garden, arms linked. As they did, Cassian’s expression gradually worsened. He finally spoke again.

“Let’s stop doing unnecessary things.”

“What exactly have I done?”

“I’ve repeatedly said I don’t want unnecessary physical contact.”

“Yes, that’s why I asked you to hold my hand, but you insisted on linking arms.”

“I’m telling you not to cling to me.”

“How can I not cling when our arms are linked? I’m not a ghost.”

“Don’t lean your body on me. It’s heavy.”

“How can you be so weak? You should focus on nourishing your health.”

“I’ll take care of my own health, so move away.”

“It’s not easy with my injured leg.”

“Just how long is that leg going to be an issue?”

“Well, I’m not sure myself.”

She changed her words faster than flipping a hand. Displeasure clouded Cassian’s face.

He thought it was cowardly to keep bringing up the injury. But Cassian himself had provided the cowardly opportunity.

He closed his eyes and swallowed his anger. Veronica tugged on his arm.

“The lake is quite large.”

His scarlet eyes turned toward the distant lakeshore. The remnants of light shimmering on the waves glittered even from afar.

From what she knew, it was an artificial lake created for landscaping.

A lot of money was poured into it, but it was a troublesome space that cost even more to maintain.

“One wrong step and you could fall right in.”

“…..”

“Do you know how to swim?”

“I do know how.”

“Then would you save me if I fell in? I can’t swim.”

“Learn how.”

“What excellent advice.”

The last remark sounded somewhat sarcastic, but Cassian decided not to respond.

“If you don’t know, you can learn, can’t you?”

“That’s true. I want to learn about Your Highness.”

“…..”

“I don’t know much about Your Highness. You said if you don’t know, you should learn.”

Her skill at steering the conversation was impressive. Cassian sighed inwardly. He should not have let his guard down. Even a little relaxation leads to uncomfortable topics.

“It doesn’t matter if you don’t know.”

“I told you before that I want to become close with Your Highness. I said I was sincere.”

“I think I said I didn’t want to know back then.”

“Could this be what they call…”

Veronica raised her index finger to point at Cassian.

“A strategic method?”

Cassian raised an eyebrow. What was she talking about?

“There’s a saying in high society. Don’t reveal your feelings too much to someone you’re interested in, don’t give in easily, don’t just go along with everything. If you do, emotions cool quickly and the relationship can’t last long. Push away, but also maintain an appropriate distance so you don’t drift too far apart. That way you can maintain the relationship for a long time and gain the upper hand, so it’s a good method. Something like that?”

“You’re saying such outlandish talk is circulating in high society?”

“Yes, that’s what they say.”

Of course, Veronica had heard this from Lady Arin.

There were even more outlandish stories, but she didn’t bother to mention them. Cassian’s face was already sufficiently bewildered.

“If that’s really the case, I’ll play along.”

“It’s not.”

“Your Highness must be very shy.”

“It’s not like that.”

“You don’t need to hide it. I’ll pretend not to notice.”

“I said it’s not like that.”

“I like it. Being with Your Highness Cassian.”

The hand holding his arm slid down to touch the end.

The calloused fingertips met the unexpectedly rough fingertips without any gap. The sensation of pressing firmly against the skin and then scratching upwards was so faint it was hard to notice.

But in a quiet space, one’s senses become more sensitive, don’t they?

Cassian squinted one eye at that unpleasant sensation.

Before he could say anything, their touching fingers intertwined and lifted.

Beyond their joined hands, he saw a face smiling as usual.

“It would be nice if we could hold hands like this.”

Cassian’s mouth opened and closed, then his face quickly contorted as he shook off Veronica’s hand.

As he stepped back, putting more distance between them than usual, Veronica quietly gazed at him. The warmth that had barely clung to her fingertips disappeared, leaving behind a chill.

“Miss Veronica, you certainly want a lot.”

“Is that so?”

Veronica smiled the smile that others would likely find most beautiful.

Cassian averted his gaze, fervently wishing for time to pass quickly.

Walking aimlessly, they found themselves in the center of the garden. They came upon a path with flowers planted in circular patterns on both sides.

Looking at the colorful, pleasing flowers, Veronica wondered if this was meant to be flower viewing rather than a stroll.

But seeing the man’s expressionless face as he looked at the flowers, she decided that wasn’t the case.

“This is truly the imperial palace. The flowers are all so fresh and well-maintained.”

Veronica led him to the most eye-catching flower bed. Cassian found it bothersome, but since he had to pass the time anyway, he went along.

Veronica bent her knees and sat in front of the snapdragons.

Small flowers hung in layers on each stem, creating an abundant appearance. The vibrant array of colors was enough to delight the eyes.

Veronica brushed the flower buds with her fingertips. She gazed at them for quite a while.

Cassian stood behind her. He quickly grew bored and looked around.

It was a space he saw every day to the point of tedium, so there was nothing to see. There were no people either.

“Let’s go now.”

They couldn’t keep this up indefinitely.

They also had to return when the agreed-upon time was up. Just as Cassian was about to urge her and move to another location, it happened.

“Ah!”

A short cry came from behind.

Cassian’s eyes caught Veronica stumbling as her legs tangled, about to fall.

He reached out and caught her by the waist. They tumbled into the violet flower bed.

Cassian, wincing at the brief pain, opened his eyes.

Amidst the fluttering violet petals, a clear face was looking down at him. Round eyes, seemingly a bit surprised, were visible right in front of his nose.

Because he had pulled her in and turned his body, Veronica ended up straddling him.

Frowning, Cassian twisted his body to try to escape from underneath. But instead of moving away, Veronica brought her face closer, startling him.

“Wha-what are you doing?! Move!”

“Mm, the pain in my leg.”

Veronica smiled and pressed her body close.

Cassian struggled. This only caused their bodies to press together even more. Their body heat, breaths, and subtle scents mingled.

His face gradually turned red. Veronica’s smile deepened at the reaction of someone unaccustomed to the opposite sex. Oh my, how cute.

“Your flustered look is adorable.”

“Who are you calling adorable!”

“Shall we kiss?”

“Wha-what?!”

“What else would a man and woman do in this situation? Especially engaged couples.”

Is kissing the only thing men and women do when alone? Is that what engaged couples are supposed to do? Cassian’s head was spinning.

In front of her, he forgot all manners and propriety. He felt like an idiot.

The smooth, pale face slowly approached.

Light brown hair flowed over her shoulders, spilling onto Cassian’s face.

The cool touch of her gloved hand cupped his left cheek. A sweet scent wafted to his nose. It was a sweetness that could make one’s insides churn.

His vision blurred. His dry lips parted slightly. The red lips were about to touch his.

Just as their lips were about to meet, Veronica’s body was suddenly pushed back. Cassian had grabbed both her shoulders, stopping her actions.

“Don’t do this.”

“Why not? We’re in that kind of relationship.”

“Don’t misunderstand that I’ve given my heart as well.”

A firm voice redrew the line that had been blurred.

Cassian’s face, now raised, was rigid. It was the face of his that she knew well.

“I have not the slightest intention, so stop this useless behavior.”

“If there are no feelings, can’t we match other things first?”

“What—?”

As Cassian asked in confusion, Veronica looked him up and down from head to toe.

Such an impure gaze examining a member of the royal family was beyond an insult, it was a serious crime, but Cassian couldn’t even point this out.

He had caught the meaning of her words.

His face flushed bright red. Cassian abruptly stood up.

“Y-you frivolous—!”

“I don’t take chastity lightly, but since I’ll end up marrying Your Highness anyway, it’s not wrong to match our bodies in advance, is it? Sometimes feelings develop as bodies become intimate. And who knows? Your Highness might come to like me very much.”

“Ha.”

Cassian gave a hollow laugh, but there was no sign of embarrassment on Veronica’s face.

He had never met a woman like this in his life. He had truly never seen such a brazen woman before.

“There’s no one around. I already checked.”

“That’s not the important thing here.”

“How strange. Didn’t you already know my feelings? I thought I had conveyed them clearly enough.”

Such things were not conveyed. Or perhaps they were, he wasn’t sure. Cassian was confused.

“I never imagined you were this kind of woman. Aren’t you afraid of the gossip?”

“Why? Are you going to spread rumors? That Veronica, daughter of Duke Hardness, is actually frivolous and seduces men with her body? Or will you expose Your Highness’s impotence for not responding even once to a woman seducing you with her body?”

“What did you say?”

“Honestly, shouldn’t you have given in at least once with me going this far? My looks and figure aren’t bad, are they? Isn’t this good enough? Do you really not want to touch me at all?”

Veronica declared boldly with her hand on her chest. She spoke without hesitation words that were embarrassing to even utter.

Cassian was left speechless at her brazen attitude. Moreover, whether intentional or not, the dress she wore today had a low neckline design.

From placing her hand on the rounded area, everything was filled with impropriety.