“What about me?”

Suddenly, Cassar embraced me from behind.

He naturally buried his face in my neck. A faint breath warmed my nape.

‘Uh, has physical touch increased lately?’

It had become quite natural.

‘…Since when? Since I met Mumpius?’

Ever since I began taming him, I alone seemed unable to adapt to this.

‘Pure thoughts. Pure thoughts.’

I had all sorts of thoughts just by the tip of his nose touching my nape.

People who have eaten meat eat it better, and those who have fantasized are different.

Before it was irreparable, I pushed him away and spoke.

“…I’ll prepare dinner, so wait!”

It meant I would return before nightfall.

I heard laughter from the face buried in my neck.

Moments later, he lifted his head and kissed my cheek as he whispered.

“This makes me want to devour you.”

Shiver.

The sensation of his soft lips eventually shattered my sanity.

‘What, what’s happening right now…!’

I couldn’t do anything as my thoughts froze.

Cassar naturally pushed me into the carriage.

Soon after, Rudbion climbed in, but I didn’t even notice his entrance.

“Take care.”

“Safe travels, my lady!”

People waved their hands as they watched the carriage leave.

I stared blankly at the wall as I left the fog barrier.

The only thing floating in my mind was a single sentence.

Cassar.

Kissed.

Me.

‘…He kissed me!’

Not on my hair but my cheek.

The difference was as vast as heaven and earth.

As my thoughts settled, fantasies of me and Cassar growing old and seeing our grandchildren began to follow.

‘No, stop fantasizing!’

I desperately shook my head.

No matter what, I had to break free from the chains of my imagination.

‘Why did he kiss me?’

Maybe because many people were watching.

That was the only reason I could think of for his kiss.

Pretending to be a couple is more effective when people are watching.

Contracts were still ongoing in the castle. Maybe he wanted to show it clearly.

“Lady Halen, are you alright?”

“…Eh!”

The one to break my messy thoughts was none other than Rudbion.

I was so startled that I furiously rubbed my cheeks.

‘I lost my focus.’

I had been so focused on Cassar that I forgot there was another person.

He looked concerned.

“Is there any discomfort…?”

“No, it’s just that, I already miss that guy!”
“Is that so?”

“Yes, I was momentarily lost in my emotions.”

I tried to smile awkwardly.

My nonsense succeeded in alleviating Ludvion’s worries.

“A sentimental relationship, huh.”

“Exactly!”

I nodded vigorously, and he didn’t speak any further.

‘Is this enough?’

When I glanced at him, Ludvion had returned to his usual expressionless face.

I had gotten past it, but I felt drained already.

A silence followed.

I alternated my gaze between the window and the inside of the carriage, just fidgeting with my fingers.

‘Awkward.’

This was the first time I was alone with someone other than the twins and Kashar.

I secretly observed Ludvion.

‘If Kashar is a beastly man, then this one might be a cold beauty.’

Ludvion was looking down calmly.

His light green eyelashes and bright golden eyes gave him a certain aura.

In the realm of books, he too was a handsome man.

Yet instead of my heart fluttering, I kept thinking of him.

‘But Kashar is much more… ah…!’

I almost thought about it again. It seemed like an illness.

“Your Highness Halren.”

“Yes?”

The moment I lifted my head in surprise, I made eye contact with Ludvion.

Hesitation appeared on his expressionless face.

As I waited for him to speak, he finally asked the question he’d been hesitating over.

“May I ask why you chose me?”

I wondered what he was getting at, but it seemed he was curious as to why he was chosen over those larger men.

It was a simpler question than I expected.

I answered with relief.

“Because you, Sir Ludvion, are also a knight.”

“… There were many who were more competent than me.”

“They are too big, making me feel overwhelmed.”

“Is that so?”

…It was a joke, but Ludvion’s face was so serious I lost my words.

Afraid to tell him that I knew the secret of his birth, I corrected my mistake.

“My earlier statement was a joke. The reason I chose you, Sir Ludvion…”

As if waiting for my words, a glint appeared in Ludvion’s eyes.

Those were clear and beautiful eyes. That’s what I thought.

“It’s because you being there itself means you are recognized as a knight.”

Technically speaking, it didn’t make sense that Kashar’s knights would lack ability.

‘There might be differences in physical strength or power.’

Each had their own skills and abilities.

I didn’t think Ludvion was any less capable than the other knights there.

“Ah, we’ve arrived.”

Just then, the carriage stopped.

Maybe because we talked a bit on the way, the atmosphere felt less awkward.

I grinned and asked him a favor.

“Sir Ludvion, can you make one promise?”

His expression turned slightly complicated again.

However, before I could find it strange, he returned to his usual face.

“Please command me.”

“Keep today’s destination a secret from Kashar.”

I was asking him to be my knight today, rather than Kashar’s subordinate.

I thought he might hesitate or refuse.

But contrary to my expectations, he immediately responded.

“Understood.”

“Great, shall we go?”

It was time to set foot on the streets of the Guild.