Chapter 10
He whispered softly, the corners of his mouth lifting into a faint smile as he left a light kiss on Elaine’s forehead. Her cheeks flushed in an instant, and she giggled as she pulled away from his embrace.
“Come on, Dominic. I’ll give you a tour of the Aiola estate.”
Elaine tugged at Dominic’s hand and led him around the mansion. Her eyes curved like crescent moons as she chatted excitedly, clearly bursting with joy.
Dominic followed her with calm steps, taking everything in.
“No one else seems to be home,” he remarked.
“Mm-hm. Fernando and Vanessa won’t be back until very late tonight.”
“What a shame.”
Dominic didn’t bother hiding his disappointment as he took in every corner of the Aiola estate with quiet interest. He had been curious to see what expressions the two masters of Aiola would wear upon facing him again. Though he knew it would have been a premature reunion, he was genuinely regretful.
“The entire second floor is mine. My room’s at the far end… Oh no, not that way, Dominic! The third floor belongs to Fernando and Vanessa.”
Just as Dominic took a step toward the stairs to the third floor, Elaine caught his arm and pulled him back down to the first floor. She then turned to ask his thoughts.
“What do you think?”
“It’s a truly beautiful home. I like it very much.”
Unfortunately, Elaine didn’t notice the strange glint in Dominic’s dark eyes as he said those words.
“My lady, I brought you some warm chamomile tea,”
Bella entered the sitting room with a tray, though no one had asked her.
“Bella. You didn’t go out with Vanessa?”
“Well, the two of them are just so lovey-dovey. When I heard they were sneaking off for a private outing, I figured I’d stay behind and give them space.”
With a sly laugh, Bella set the tray down on the table. Dominic, who had been sitting silently, raised one brow high. As he stared at the cup with evident displeasure, Elaine suddenly clapped her hands together.
“Oh! Wait just a moment, Dominic! There’s something I absolutely have to show you!”
With that, she darted out of the room. As Dominic watched the door close behind her, Bella strolled closer, smiling darkly. A few stiff strands of her reddish-brown hair swayed as they brushed against the back of his hand.
“So, Dominic. You’ve finally set foot in the Aiola estate.”
“What are you playing at?”
Dominic frowned and pushed her away.
“Oh, come on. It’s fun, isn’t it?”
“Step away. Before Elaine comes back.”
“Don’t worry, Dominic. The moment she takes a sip of that chamomile tea, she’ll be fast asleep.”
Her voice dropped to a purr near his ear as she pressed herself closer. Dominic’s eyes turned cold and sharp.
“What did you put in the tea?”
“Just a little something to make her sleep.”
“You’re insane.”
“Maybe. But Dominic, once she’s out, how about exploring the mansion with me? Aren’t you curious? To see the place where the great Lady Vanessa—the one who betrayed you for Fernando—spends her days?”
Bella gave a small, wicked laugh.
“Surely that’s more exciting than wasting time with that fool Elaine. Don’t worry, the master and mistress won’t be back anytime soon. This is a rare opportunity…”
“Get out. Now. Since when did you have the right to interfere with my plans—”
Dominic’s voice dropped low and dangerous, sharp as a blade. But just then—
Tap, tap, tap-tap.
Quick, light footsteps echoed from beyond the hall, steadily approaching. Dominic’s face hardened as he shoved Bella away.
“Dominic!”
Elaine burst into the room, arms full with a large flower vase.
“Look! It’s the bouquet you gave me—huh?”
She had entered smiling brightly, but paused as she sensed the tension hanging in the room.
“Did something happen?”
“No, nothing at all.”
Dominic responded with a clean, pleasant smile. That was enough for Elaine to push her suspicions aside.
“But Bella, why are you still here?”
“I’ll be going now, my lady. Call me if you need anything.”
After Bella left, Elaine set the vase down on the table in front of Dominic with a cheerful grin. Up close, it didn’t look as big as it had in her small arms. Inside the white ceramic vase, bright yellow daffodils were arranged neatly.
“I just had to show you. I’ve been keeping your gift very carefully.”
“You could’ve had a servant bring it. You didn’t have to go to the trouble.”
“No way. It’s the first gift you ever gave me. No one else is allowed to touch it. But for you, Dominic, I’ll make an exception. You have special permission to hold it.”
“I’m honored, Elaine.”
He smiled warmly as he ran his hand over the vase. The cold, smooth porcelain sent a subtle shiver up his fingertips.
“Hey, Dominic. When I went to get this, Anna—oh, she’s my maid, by the way—”
As Elaine chirped like a lark and reached for the teacup on the table without thinking—
“It seems we don’t have much time before the musical begins.”
With elegant precision, Dominic took Elaine by the wrist and rose to his feet.
“Allow me to escort you.”
Caught off guard, Elaine rose as well, her face tinged with pink as she stared down at his hand wrapped gently around her wrist. Slowly, she lifted her gaze to meet his.
“Dominic.”
Taking a step closer, she clutched the lapels of his coat tightly.
“I… want to kiss you.”
In truth, she had wanted to say those words ever since Bella had left and they were alone in the drawing room.
Even as her cheeks turned crimson, she held his gaze with unwavering intensity. Her bold declaration made Dominic chuckle softly, helplessly.
What on earth was he supposed to do with this innocent, endearing young lady of Aiola?
With a smile, he cradled her small face in both hands and kissed her.
The truth was, Dominic had been staring at her lips the entire time. Those chatty, restless lips. Lips that poured affection onto him without even knowing who he truly was. Lips as naive as they were sweet. Lips disturbingly reminiscent of her brother.
And so he kissed her—deeply, hungrily—parting those pale lips and plunging into her warmth. The taste of her was intoxicating, almost sweet enough to mistake for honey. Elaine Aiola’s kiss drove him to the edge of madness.
“But Dominic,” Elaine murmured between breathless gasps as they parted for a moment, “how are you so good at kissing?”
“…What?”
It was a completely unexpected question.
And as always, unexpected questions left people flustered.
“This isn’t your first kiss, is it? How many women have you done this with before you met me?”
“…”
“Was it a lot? Five? Ten? More than that?”
Elaine looked at him with serious eyes, her grip tightening around the lapels of his coat as a dry laugh slipped out of him.
“I’m not joking, you know. I’m being very serious right now.”
“I wonder…”
Dominic’s low voice, laced with amusement, was slow and languid.
“Am I really that good?”
Instead of answering, he responded with another question and a smile that curved deeply in his eyes.
“I’m glad… that I could satisfy you.”
Elaine gasped softly at that stunning smile.
Ah, how could she possibly press him for answers when he smiled like that?
“That’s cheating,” she grumbled silently to herself.
Though they had planned to leave at a reasonable hour, they ended up running late. Where had the time slipped away? Was it the moment they shared one more kiss before stepping out? Or perhaps when they arrived in front of the theater, only to tangle themselves again in whispered breaths inside the carriage?
Dominic Cheshire, by nature, was someone who hated when plans went awry. Yet, strangely, he didn’t find this delay unpleasant. For once, he didn’t mind being spontaneous.
Turning to Elaine, he asked,
“What shall we do now?”
Elaine, still staring at the locked doors of the theater, didn’t answer right away.
Of course, if she mentioned her family name, the doors would open wide to welcome them in. But it felt improper to interrupt the performance. And, honestly, at that moment, Elaine didn’t care where they went—so long as she was with Dominic.
“Is there somewhere you’d like to go?”
“Hmm…”
“I’ll take you anywhere you wish, Elaine.”
But Elaine had lived a sickly childhood and rarely ventured outside the estate. Her sharp personality also kept others at a distance, leaving her with only one real friend—Crown Prince Turner. Outside of the Aiola estate and the palace, there were no places she truly knew.
She had never once been ashamed of that fact… until now. Her voice lowered with sudden uncertainty.
“I… I’m not really sure where we should go.”
“Then tell me what you’d like to do. Or simply, what you enjoy.”
Elaine turned and looked at him. What she liked?
“Dominic Cheshire.”
That was the only answer. If someone asked her to name the one thing she wanted most in the world, she would name him without hesitation.
“I like you. If I’m with you, anywhere is fine.”
She whispered those words, clutching his coat. Overcome by a surge of desire, Dominic narrowed his eyes and tried to restrain the strange heat curling through his body.
“In that case… I’ll take you to my world.”
—
Off the boulevard and into a winding alley of the old town, beneath a nameless bridge over the river—a small clearing buzzed with music and dancing. The gypsies were performing, beating their drums and plucking strings, their songs echoing through the dusky air.
Under the sunset sky, Dominic and Elaine sat side by side and watched.
Elaine’s bursts of laughter occasionally cut through the sounds.
“Look, Dominic! That woman—her singing is like a nightingale! Oh! Did you see that? That child just did a handstand!”
“Is that impressive?”
“Of course! It’s amazing! For a common child to have such extraordinary talent!”
To Dominic, it was nothing special—but Elaine clapped joyfully, delighted. She wore a faded, wine-colored robe Dominic had found somewhere. In the back alleys of the capital, it wasn’t wise for a noblewoman to flaunt her status.
Yet her beauty still drew gazes, though she remained unaware. Among the watching eyes was Dominic’s own—obsessive and dark.
He stared at her profile as she fixated on the performers, not once glancing at him.
Her snow-white skin. Sharp, delicate features. The most lovely, lovable—and infuriating—young lady in the world. His sweet, foolish Aiola. She had no idea what sins propped up the life she lived. Not particularly cunning. Not terribly clever. Yet here she was, laughing innocently, scattering her smile like a spell that could enchant anyone.
