Spending time with someone you have no interest in is quite a torment, especially if it’s someone who looks down on you.

I gazed warily at Gebis Pallon, who scrutinized me with a condescending attitude throughout our encounter.

Gebis Pallon was a man with an unsettling air, his disagreeable gaze and facial expressions even worse than how he was described in the novel.

“I’ve heard a lot about you from Princess Floria.”

I could guess what Floria might have said about me – acting all nice while subtly belittling me.

But for Gebis, that probably wasn’t too important.

Driven by his thirst for power, it was enough for him that I was connected to Floria, regardless of what I meant to her.

“You should consider working outside, rather than just taking care of children at home after marriage. Maybe as a companion to Princess Floria at the palace, something like that.”

“But I want to focus on taking care of my home once I’m married.”

Gebis, already discussing post-marriage life, received a smiling but inwardly sighing reply from me. He seemed intent on marrying me to strengthen his position.

I was already dreading how he might relay this to Prince Floria. I wished there was a way to thoroughly disgust him.

‘Ugh.’

Feeling a shiver down my spine from Gebis’s sleazy gaze, I turned my head and was stunned to see a familiar face entering the restaurant through the window.

‘Is that man really always so free?’

Why does he appear everywhere I go?

I watched, baffled, as Karl crossed the restaurant. Compared to Gebis, even Karl’s normally irksome appearance seemed radiant.

Karl sat down at a nearby table without glancing at me. His presence alone drew the attention of both men and women.

“The lamb steak here is famous. Would you like that?”

“And garlic soup.”

“Very hot?”

Karl nodded to Machi’s questions and sipped water brought by the server, exuding elegance even in such a simple act.

Karl had a charisma that naturally drew people’s attention. So much so, even Gebis Pallon found himself staring at him before snapping back to our conversation.

“Princess Floria values you greatly. If you stop working after marriage, she’ll miss you.”

“I can always visit the palace. I don’t want to lift a finger once I’m married.”

“Perhaps, but isn’t it better to be with family?”

“I actually want to cut ties with my old family once I’m married. It’s better to create new memories with my future family.”

I kept responding with answers I knew Gebis would dislike, sipping from my cup.

Gebis seemed annoyed with my assertive replies. He prefers submissive women but didn’t seem to have any intention of leaving the meeting. I wished he would just storm out.

I sighed internally and tilted my cup.

Feeling an uncomfortable gaze, I looked up to see Gebis leering at me, his eyes trailing over my body with a clearly sexual intent. My mood plummeted.

‘This sick pervert, what is he staring at?’
At that moment, the table next to us became noisy. A loud crashing sound drew my attention, revealing a shattered glass under the table where Karl was seated.

“Oh dear. My hand slipped and dropped it.”

How could someone drop it like that? It seemed almost intentional. Machi nodded as if such accidents were possible.

“It happens when you’re heated. Here, use this handkerchief.”

Karl wiped his hand with the handkerchief Machi offered, rolling his eyes. Our gazes briefly met.

While the server was busy clearing the broken cup, Gebis spoke up.

“Let me be direct. I wish to pursue a relationship with Violet, with marriage in mind.”

“Isn’t it a bit too soon to talk about such things? We’ve only just met.”

“One minute is enough to recognize a connection.”

Such smooth talk. I internally scoffed at how many innocent ladies must have fallen for his sleazy rhetoric.

Just as I was about to respond politely to avoid Floria’s pressure for another meeting,

“How about starting with a night together before a relationship? I’m good with even today.”

‘…What did this insane pervert just say?’

Shocked by his unexpected proposal, I gaped in disbelief.

I knew he was a pervert, but I never expected him to be so blatantly disgusting. Feeling humiliated, I contemplated pouring my tea over him when suddenly,

“Aaah!”

Hot soup dripped down on Gebis’ head. He screamed, jumping up and shaking his hair.

“Oops. My hand slipped again. Sorry about that.”

“What on earth…!”

Gebis sputtered, visibly upset by the hot soup spill. But he was intimidated into silence by Karl, who loomed over him.

“Be more careful, will you?”

“How dare you speak so rudely to a noble like me!”

Gebis’ face reddened with anger.

But Karl just raised his chin, and Gebis couldn’t argue further, biting his lip. Gebis, still sputtering and shaking off the soup, shot me a look.

“I must go now. We’ll have another chance to meet… Ugh!”

His words were cut off by a groan as Karl tapped his shoulder.

“There’s some on your shoulder too. Sorry about that.”