Chapter 95
“Why? Does he seem suspicious to you?”
“No, it’s just… something feels off. How on earth did you end up inviting him?”
“Exactly as I told you earlier. When we were stranded by heavy snow on our trip, he introduced us to a place to stay and even secured train tickets for us. I was grateful, so when we parted I told him to visit if he ever came to the capital.”
“That’s all? Nothing else unusual?”
“Hmm. Thanks to him we avoided an avalanche. If not for Pierre, your father would be six feet under right now.”
Jasmine answered every persistent question without the slightest hint of annoyance.
Putting it all together, he was a benefactor who had helped my parents in every way when they were snowed in.
No wonder Mom lets a traveling merchant into the house so easily.
It feels ominous. Deeply ominous.
Especially since he’s one of the empress’s limbs.
Did he approach my parents on purpose?
If so, that would be terribly troublesome.
I was frowning over every possible scenario when she asked softly,
“How’s your romance going?”
I blinked at the casual question.
“Ah, yes. Things have been busy since Lord Davin woke up, so I haven’t been able to see him as often.”
“Now that you mention it, the proposal letter arrived a few days ago. Your father stayed up all night glaring at it.”
“Ahaha.”
So it’s already here.
I’d blurted out the engagement thing on the spot, worried the mood would turn icy the moment Davin learned of his son’s broken engagement.
I never imagined an engagement tossed out like that would move forward this quickly.
I had a strong suspicion Alferen was behind the speed, and the thought made me twist nervously.
“And how do you feel about it?”
“I’m happy.”
“I see.”
Jasmine looked thoughtful.
The Peris and Ainluk families were both imperial-aligned, yet they had supported different successors.
They’d maintained a delicate balance of power, but Alferen and Nanael’s broken engagement had severed that flow.
“Didn’t the Ainluk family officially declare support for the crown prince just a few days ago?”
“Yes, I know.”
“And that’s caused some difficulties?”
“Difficulties?”
“I heard the empress has taken ill. She’s bedridden and giving the emperor cause for worry.”
Ah, so she’s feigning illness.
Empress Rosaria was the type to collapse whenever something displeased her.
It was the easiest way to sway the emperor.
Of course, it wouldn’t work forever.
Soon enough the empress was going to do something truly drastic.
Watching my expression, Jasmine gently broached the subject.
“So your father thinks we should postpone the engagement for a while. He suggested perhaps next spring.”
“Hmm. I’m fine with it. Whenever works for me.”
“Good. You’re grown now, so it’s time you understood the ways of noble society. Thank you for being understanding.”
Jasmine smiled softly and stroked my hair.
“Explain it kindly to Alferen, won’t you? He’s been pushing as though he wants the ceremony tomorrow.”
I knew exactly whose influence that was.
“Yes, leave it to me.”
I reassured Jasmine and rose from my seat.
I was scheduled to visit the Ainluk ducal residence today anyway.
A few days earlier, Davin Ainluk had formally invited me.
We’d crossed paths briefly before, but he was still a daunting figure.
That somewhat cold face made it impossible to guess what he thought of me.
What if he doesn’t like me?
The proposal letter might simply have been sent because the family alliance was advantageous.
Like Alferen, he revealed nothing of his feelings—I couldn’t read him at all.
To be safe, I chose an even more demure outfit than usual and waited for the carriage.
At the appointed time, one arrived from the Ainluk estate.
Alferen was inside to greet me.
“Hello, Delly.”
“Oh? You came to pick me up yourself?”
“I thought you might get bored on the way.”
“Not because you missed me?”
“That too. I wanted to see you soon.”
His frank confession lifted my spirits.
It finally felt like we were truly lovers.
I climbed in, gripping his hand tightly, and he didn’t let go.
I smiled playfully and asked,
“How long are you planning to hold on?”
“Until we arrive?”
Alferen gave a soft, crinkling smile and toyed gently with my fingers.
“Don’t you remember what Lord Ordel said? I need to stay close to you.”
At the sly addition, I rolled my eyes.
“Fine, fine. If I have to stick to you for your health.”
I obediently offered my hand and leaned against his shoulder. He whispered tenderly,
“Actually, I’ve been a little tired lately.”
“Really? Have you been overdoing it? Is something wrong?”
Remembering Ordel’s words, worry surged ahead of everything else.
I was scrutinizing his complexion from every angle when he brushed a quiet kiss against my lips and murmured,
“Because I haven’t seen Delly.”
“…”
“Last time you didn’t even wait for me and left with Summer Clopen.”
Alferen looked down at me with a sulky expression.
Come to think of it, I’d gone to see him that day and ended up leaving without waiting.
Since then we hadn’t had much time alone together, so I cupped both his cheeks.
“So you were upset?”
“Yes. I thought maybe only I missed you.”
“Of course not. I missed you too!”
That day I’d been too preoccupied probing Summer.
At my quick protest, Alferen let out a soft laugh.
A moment later the carriage swayed, and I found myself naturally settled on his lap.
He gently twined his fingers through my hair.
“So how much did you miss me?”
His blue eyes sought affection without a trace of playfulness.
Meeting that earnest gaze shifted the air between us.
I knew what he wanted and lowered my head.
As if he’d been waiting, he lifted my chin and parted my lips with his.
Our mouths met and accepted each other effortlessly.
The air inside the carriage grew warm; heat rose in Alferen’s eyes.
I traced his face with my fingers, savoring the contentment.
I like Alferen so much.
The thought that I wanted to stay like this, just the two of us, sent my heart racing without pause.
“This much?”
The words escaped the moment our lips parted, and Alferen immediately closed the distance again.
“Still not enough.”
His heated gaze burned as though it would devour me.
The kiss that followed left no room for words.
The kisses continued all the way until the carriage reached the Ainluk estate.
Even after we arrived, we couldn’t quite stop.
Finally, Isaac, who had been waiting, knocked.
“It’s time to come out.”
At the firm tone I pushed Alferen away and smoothed my wrinkled clothes.
Alferen watched with eyes full of regret, then took out a handkerchief and wiped my mouth.
Though his own lips were just as smudged with lipstick.
I pulled out my handkerchief and wiped his mouth in return.
He accepted my touch meekly.
When our eyes met, laughter bubbled up.
“Pfft.”
Maybe because it was our first real relationship, neither of us could control ourselves.
We just wanted to stay glued together.
“I think it’s clean now?”
“Not even close.”
Alferen tapped his lips roguishly—his meaning crystal clear.
“Hey!”
I pinched the cheeks of my adorable boyfriend and planted one final, firm kiss.
* * *
“Welcome, Lady Rodellia.”
As I stepped down from the carriage, an even larger contingent than usual stood in perfect formation.
It was a formal invitation, so protocol was observed.
Ugh—I knew it would be like this. I should have hurried more.
Alferen had kept tempting me, and we’d missed the perfect moment to stop.
Unlike me, who was touching my burning cheeks in embarrassment, Alferen still held my hand.
His face glowed with satisfaction.
Today of all days, I deeply envied that poker face.
When we entered the dining room, Davin spoke in a displeased voice.
“You arrived some time ago—why are you only coming in now?”
