Chapter 12

The man gave her a subtle flirtation.

“Would you believe me if I said I fell for you, who gives off such a fragrant omega scent?”

His tone had changed, strangely enough. It was different from his usual polite, kind, and gentle speech. It made Idina feel something new, a different emotion she hadn’t expected.

Even in this situation, where he was suddenly flirting with her, it didn’t seem bad at all. It was a tone of speech that seemed uncertain, as if confessing to someone whose name or face he didn’t even know.

Haa.

Was it because of the long dance, his confession, or perhaps the heat cycle that was about to come? Idina’s cheeks turned bright red.

“…..”

Not knowing how to respond to this situation, she instinctively glanced around. Instead of their dance, the other couples’ dances were now capturing the attention of those in the banquet hall.

It was a relief, truly.

However, those still watching them seemed to have noticed something odd as they paused their dance. The moment anyone pointed out the strange situation, they’d surely become the center of attention again.

Among the crowd, there was one face that stood out to her. Her brother, Elliot Bride.

She didn’t know how long he had been watching, but his expression was subtly displeased as he observed his younger sister dancing with a stranger.

The Duke and Duchess nearby shared the same reaction.

And then, she spotted something familiar…

“….”
It was the Lord of Lilles.

The very man who had sent a messenger to her house this afternoon to inform her of the broken engagement—that bastard.

His awkward posture, holding a wine glass in one hand, and his arrogant gaze that scanned her made her skin crawl.

Above all, it was the strange presence he carried that made the ladies around him squirm, even at a masquerade like this.

In fact, the Lord of Lilles’ presence was not so easily obscured by just a mask. Even when he was young, he always managed to be the center of attention wherever he went.

When did he start watching them? When did he begin to realize that the person dancing with an unknown alpha on the floor was her?

The moment Idina turned her gaze to him, their eyes met. It seemed he had been watching her for quite a while. At that instant, Idina flinched without realizing it.

I think he recognized me.

Thinking back on the usual behavior of Lilles, it was strange that he hadn’t rushed over the moment he saw her dancing with another man. Typically, he would ignore or laugh off her small annoyances, but when he was truly angry, he wouldn’t hesitate to grab her.

He’d always told her that she was his omega, so she should never think about doing anything without his permission.

That attitude always irritated Idina, and it only fueled her hatred for him. That was why she had felt such a sense of liberation when she heard about the engagement being broken off.

It was a mixture of relief and freedom from his whims. She wouldn’t have to be fooled by him any longer.

But why was he showing such a twisted side of himself even after declaring the breakup?

Idina had no intention of getting involved with him again, but she felt an unsettling energy from his gaze.

He was staring at her persistently, as if he was determined to never take his eyes off her. Idina didn’t like the way his gaze seemed to be trying to restrain her once more.

Thinking that he was watching her like that, a surge of anger rose within her.

What are you going to do with me now?

Now that the engagement was over, he had no reason to control her anymore. He was the one who had initiated the breakup.

This could be nothing more than a petty tantrum. Idina wanted to humiliate him, to show him that she didn’t need him.

Even without you, I am worthy.

She wanted to shout those words out loud. That was the foundation of her strength.

With that thought, Idina turned her gaze back to the Alpha, who was still emitting those seductive pheromones toward her. And she smiled.

“Okay.”

After her consent, it would be a shame if this ended so quickly.

“……!”

Idina made a bold move, and the moment the Alpha in front of her reacted with surprise, exclamations rippled through the surrounding crowd.

She closed her eyes and pressed her lips to his.

A kiss.

It wasn’t a passionate, intense kiss where tongues mingled, but it was enough to grab everyone’s attention. Even the Emperor and Empress, who had been conversing with the nobles at the head table, looked back.

Exclamations filled the air, and Idina felt a strange sense of pleasure. It wasn’t the kind of pleasure that came from surprising everyone, but rather from giving Lilles an unexpected sense of humiliation.

If a noblewoman approached a man like this, others might criticize her for being too bold or careless. But for Idina, she would never regret this action, especially when it was directed at Lilles.

“I will accept your proposal.”

After all, it was uncertain whether this man would actually pursue her. He had proposed without knowing her face or name, so Idina accepted it just as casually.

She would take the token, anyway. And even if this man came to claim her, what harm was there in not showing the proof?

In truth, Idina considered how her parents might react if they heard of this. They might think it was a big deal. But why should she bother stepping forward to raise the family’s status?