Chapter 1.4
“…I know. There’s no such thing as kindness without a price.”
Ines wasn’t a fool. Of course nothing would be given to her so freely. She knew that—yet her throat still tightened.
“But…”
The truth was, she didn’t want to run away.
She didn’t want to shorten her lifespan. The peace she’d tasted for a few days had awakened instincts she thought were long dead.
Her tear-filled blue eyes sparkled like sapphires.
“Kian… Maybe there’s another choice.”
The truth was, she wanted to live. She didn’t want to seduce a man with her body. She wanted to live in a nice place, eat good food, wear nice clothes, be safe and happy…
Kian said nothing more.
Ines’ wish to meet the Grand Duke again came true the very next day, unexpectedly. He came to visit her room.
She turned her head at the sound of a knock, not thinking much—then froze.
He was standing at the door. While she scrambled to her feet in a panic, he stepped inside without hesitation.
His eyes swept over her outfit before he spoke first.
“That suits you well.”
He wasn’t just being polite. Today, Ines was wearing a sparkling silver dress. It matched her black hair well. And her blue eyes, too.
Even Rayan, who had high standards for beauty, found himself a little surprised at her transformation.
She hadn’t suddenly become a legendary beauty overnight, but she was certainly more presentable than before.
Rayan slowly added,
“You’re beautiful.”
Ines’s ears flushed red. She didn’t know where to look.
She sat down at the tea table as he guided her, stammering her response.
“B-Berry picked it out for me.”
“She has a good eye, that maid of yours. Is there anything uncomfortable?”
“No, not at all. Everyone’s so kind, and this place is too beautiful for someone like me. Thank you for taking care of me.”
Ines couldn’t bring herself to look straight at the Grand Duke’s green eyes. His compliment filled her mind so completely that she couldn’t even tell what she was saying.
Rayan, watching her, gave a small smile.
“I’m glad you’re getting used to it.”
“…Getting used to what?”
“To how Eleanor treats guests.”
Ines gave an awkward smile, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
The truth was, she hadn’t fully adapted yet. Too much had changed, all at once.
But this was only a temporary dream anyway. Maybe it was better not to get used to it.
“Isn’t it boring to stay in your room all the time?”
“No, not at all. I… I think I really like it here.”
“I see.”
A lazy smile spread across his face. He seemed pleased with her hesitant answers.
He rarely changed expressions, but the occasional smile or warm gaze he gave was unexpectedly captivating.
So much so that she found herself staring without realizing it.
Her heart beat strangely fast.
She was confused by the dull thudding inside her chest.
‘Do I have a fever…?’
Now that she thought about it, her ears had felt hot for a while. It had started when they sat down for tea.
It was odd.
As Ines tried to calm her heartbeat, the man stood up from his seat.
“Ah, I have something for you.”
“Y-Yes?”
She reflexively stood up, and in just two steps, he was close enough to press her shoulder down.
“Y-Your Grace?”
“Stay still.”
Their reflection appeared in the mirror across the table.
Just ten days ago, they had seemed like strangers from different worlds—but now, she didn’t look so out of place beside him.
No longer a worn stone or a rat… she looked a bit more like a person.
Something cold touched her neck. A sparkling necklace chain.
A transparent emerald sat in the center of the pendant, surrounded by small diamonds.
The necklace’s weight settled on her like a shackle.
Ines blinked at the mirror. The woman in the glass slowly raised her hand and touched the necklace.
The feeling against her fingers was real.
But it still didn’t feel real.
Rayan murmured softly,
“It suits you perfectly.”
Black hair, pale skin, and green gemstone matched in perfect harmony.
With the silver dress decorated with fine lace, she looked just like a delicate doll.
Between the strands of black hair, her slender neck was exposed. A warm hand brushed against the cool skin of her nape.
That hand moved along the line of her neck and gently touched the emerald resting on her collarbone.
Ines flinched. Sensing that faint shiver, a smile curled at Rayan’s lips.
“Much better than earlier. I like it.”
Only after being fully dyed in his colors did she finally look human.
That realization brought Rayan more satisfaction than he expected.
Ines stared at the man’s eyes in the mirror, as if enchanted. The same color as the jewel hung on her neck sparkled there.
She felt like she was being pulled into that deep green.
“…Your Grace. Why are you being so kind to me?”
His hand, still touching the necklace, paused. Ines kept speaking in a small voice, like a whisper to herself.
“You let me stay in a nice place… dress me in fine clothes… give me precious gifts…”
“And treat me kindly…”
Kindly, huh. Rayan gave a dry laugh inside.
It was clear this woman had never once received genuine kindness from anyone in her life.
For the past week, Rayan had almost forgotten about Ines.
He had more urgent matters to deal with than some woman. Rebuilding the border cities of the duchy, the barbarian threat coming from the northern mountains, and the labor shortage for the Gelnor Plains…
The war had ravaged his land for seven years. Once this was over and he returned, he’d be busy stabilizing the duchy for years to come.
With all that, did he really have time to leisurely choose gifts?
The one who sent her a pile of presents that week had been his aide.
The only thing Rayan had picked out himself was the emerald necklace he’d grabbed today, almost absentmindedly.
And yet she thought he was being “kind.”
‘How easy.’
There was no need to say, I’m treating you like a person.
Of course, he knew well—bastards born out of wedlock always thirsted for affection. His uncle had always longed for their grandfather’s love too.
That only ended in betrayal.
Thinking of his uncle twisted his mouth into a smirk. He lowered his head so Ines couldn’t see his expression.
One hand on the back of the chair she leaned against, he lifted her pale hand with the other.
“Well. Think whatever you like.”
No need to put in effort. That’s what he thought as he pressed his lips to the back of her hand, the veins faintly visible beneath the skin—
Ines turned her head.
“….”
Her breath brushed close to his face. Her trembling lips barely touched his cheek or jaw.
It wasn’t even clear if it was a kiss. Maybe it meant nothing at all.
Ines lifted her head. Their eyes met up close, different in color but locked together.
From this distance, he could see just how delicate her features were.
Her long lashes trembled beneath the faint double eyelids, making her vivid blue eyes disappear and reappear like waves.
She didn’t know the ways of the world. She had no idea of the malice lying beyond the palace walls. Her gaze was filled with pure goodness.
Rayan had roamed many battlefields, but he’d never met someone like this.
If the world were split into good and evil, this woman would fall entirely into the category of good.
That almost certain belief made Rayan lower his eyes.
Her white face was still tinted with a soft blush. From between her red lips and neat teeth, a short breath escaped.
Flustered, her breathing was uneven. Maybe she ran hot when nervous, because her neck and collarbone were flushed pink as well.
Suddenly, he wanted to shake her up a little more.
If he kissed her now, what kind of expression would this innocent woman make? What sound would she let out?
How red would she turn…?
A dark gleam appeared in Rayan’s calm green eyes. He wasn’t the type to get aroused like this.
So why now?
His cold reason began rationalizing the impulse.
Objectively speaking, there was no reason not to approach her.
She belonged to him, after all.
Had he not saved her from rotting in Lezan’s royal palace and claimed her as his?
That was the end of his hesitation.
Rayan asked quietly,
“Do you have anything else to say?”
A small tremor passed through the woman. He could clearly read the embarrassment and innocent heat in her wide blue eyes. The corners of his mouth lifted.
“…If not.”
Rayan straightened up and gently helped Ines to her feet.
She rose awkwardly, not understanding what was happening. His expression didn’t change at all.
“Your Grace… why—”
But before she could finish, his lips covered hers.
The kiss was not soft.
His lips, as expressionless as his face, pressed against hers, and a hot, wet tongue forced her mouth open. It slid inside, mixing and stirring roughly.
The wet sounds of their mouths clashing blended with her soft moans. The deeper the contact, the faster her heart beat, and a burning heat rose from deep within.
Even with her eyes blurred, Ines wasn’t too foolish to miss the desire lit in his gaze, his hands, and the deepening kiss.
