“As wise as you are arrogant, and as courageous as you are fearless.”

“See? None of these traits pertain to dolls.”

I heavily criticized Nikolai’s words.

The corners of his mouth drew a distinct arc.

“I wouldn’t mind going mad then.”

Don’t flutter, my heart.

Now is not the time.

“Women who keep diving recklessly into situations, claiming to take responsibility for me, are also mad.”

He bit the end of his lip.

His already red lips turned an even darker shade of red.

I swallowed hard, vividly remembering the feeling.

Who would have thought I’d know another’s lips better than my own?

Had he been an ordinary man, I would have cherished this moment.

“Don’t worry about the wager. Everything will be fine.”

“And what makes you so sure of victory?”

“You’ll find out soon enough.”

“You’re still secretive.”

“It seems your patience isn’t what it used to be.”

Nikolai furrowed his brow at my implication to not act impulsively.

“You’re really dull.”

“What?”

“My patience is stronger since meeting you and continues to prove its worth.”

“I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

“If it weren’t for my extraordinary patience, you would have already…”

He couldn’t complete the sentence.

Instead, a burning thirst settled in his eyes, greener than emerald.

Tension marked his nose, jaw, and lips.

I couldn’t pretend not to know what the flickering flame inside Nikolai meant.

I couldn’t look away either.

The flame was contagious, catching onto me.

His lips moved an inch closer.

I turned my head sideways, swallowing the saliva pooled in my mouth.

“It’s getting late. I have many things to do early tomorrow.”

The fervor in Nikolai’s eyes disappeared.

Puzzlement, disappointment, and regret passed before settling into a mask of cold indifference.

“I will judge fairly.”

Nikolai said.

Neither captured by rage nor mocking.

I couldn’t even force a smile, so I just nodded.

“I look forward to it.”

“Don’t forget our contract.”

“…Understood.”

“I hope you win your wager with Duke Brendon. But I will be the winner in the game of seduction.”

Leaving those words, Nikolai left.

He still didn’t know.

That I had long ago lost.

Even while chewing on the bitterness of defeat, I hoped to stay by his side.

(This is a time separator.)

Spring deepened.

The sun was warm and the flowers wilted.

I pushed Franz away using a headache as an excuse and lost myself in thoughts in the garden.

After admitting that I was seduced by Nikolai, everything felt hollow.

“I need to gather talents and pull myself together…”
Pink petals the size of a fingernail had gathered thickly on Nikolai’s shoulders, consuming his thoughts.

Little impish Nikolais scampered through his mind.

Knowing he couldn’t easily dispel them, he left them be.

“See! I knew this would happen.”

“Femme fatales are no big deal, right?”

“Let’s go find another woman! Although none will be as beautiful as Laila.”

“I hope the new owner of the Canaria room is docile.”

Who caused the accident?

Who asked to take responsibility?

Who withdrew from the kiss?

Innocent Nikolai, who bewitched the naive Confucian girl, was both annoying and missed, tilting his head more and more towards the palace.

‘What am I thinking about? I have a lot on my plate with Boritsu and Owen. Next week, I have to even bet my entire fortune.’

Brushing off the petals roughly, he moved on.

That’s when he found Douglas.

“Lord Douglas?”

“Did you enjoy your walk?”

Douglas asked, narrowing his eyes gracefully.

I hadn’t gone for a walk, and Douglas knew that.

I realized it was no mere coincidence that I had run into him.

Because the same petals were stuck to his hair and shoulders as were on mine.

‘It’s been a while since literature class ended… how long has he been watching me?’

I was curious but didn’t ask.

The precarious wall between Douglas and me seemed like it could crumble at any moment.

Douglas draped his coat over my shoulders with a warm smile.

A faint scent of soap, fresh paper, and light ink.

Even Douglas’s body odor was affectionate.

“Congratulations. I heard the second volume of ‘The Red Star of the Empire’ also became a bestseller?”

“Thanks to meeting a great editor and illustrator.”

If I do say so myself, someone I know.

“What good would they be if the work wasn’t excellent?”

“You flatter me.”

“Palace maids are buzzing around the Crown Prince’s palace to see Lord Douglas. Letters and gifts are pouring in.”

“What they want to see is not me.”

“Then who?”

“Probably the novelist in their fantasies.”

“Lord Douglas is probably better looking than that fantasized novelist. I can vouch for it.”

His face lowered, possibly flushed by the playful compliment.

However, he neither blushed nor became flustered as before.

Is it because I’m no longer the old Elizabeth?

Or because Douglas has grown more steadfast?

Walking together, wearing his coat, was more comfortable than being alone.

Even though I knew it was selfish.

“Elizabeth, thank you for recommending Susan for the honorable position.”

“Susan was selected based on her skills.”

“I’ve never seen Susan this happy before. She’s showing enthusiasm, wanting to continue her grandfather’s legacy as an apothecary.”

“Don’t worry about her workload. I’ve asked the court healer to consider Susan’s physical condition.”

“I don’t know how to repay the kindness you’ve shown me.”

If it were an ordinary person, they might say not to mention it.

But I wasn’t that kind of character.

“What would you do if an opportunity to repay that kindness arose?”