Chapter 7
The botanical garden, which Elaine had only heard of in passing, turned out to be more extravagant and livelier than she had imagined. It wasn’t until their carriage halted at the entrance and she noticed the noble young ladies of Sienne entering Nella’s Conservatory, each accompanied by a genteel young gentleman, that Elaine realized—Ah.
This garden in the capital was, in truth, a romantic date spot for naive young couples just come of age. Or, at times, a discreet meeting place for secret trysts.
If Elaine Aiola were to appear here, hand in hand with Dominic, it wouldn’t even take a day before scandalous rumors swept through the capital—rumors that Lady Aiola had begun an affair with an unfamiliar upstart nobleman.
Elaine cast a sidelong glance at Dominic, who seemed in no hurry to step out of the carriage. It appeared he hadn’t anticipated this either. His face stiffened as he murmured awkwardly,
“…I nearly committed a grave discourtesy to you, Lady Aiola.”
He quickly pulled the curtains shut to block the view from outside, then whispered something to the coachman. A moment later, the carriage began moving again.
“My apologies, my lady. There’s a quieter botanical garden I know of on the outskirts. Allow me to take you there instead—”
“Why?”
Just as Dominic turned his head to explain in his usual fluid and graceful tone, he met Elaine’s steady gaze. Her emerald eyes held him frozen in place.
Those clear green eyes, as if carrying the life and vibrance of a budding spring, blinked gently, reflecting his flustered expression.
“Why are we changing the location?”
Dominic was left speechless by the boldness of this innocent young lady, who, by all rights, should have been embarrassed in such a situation.
“Are you ashamed to be seen with me, Lord Cheshire?”
There was no way she didn’t understand his reason for turning the carriage around.
“Or perhaps—”
Lady Aiola bit down on her lower lip, revealing a touch of disappointment.
“Do you need to hide that you’re with me?”
At that moment, Dominic’s hand instinctively reached out toward her lips.
Startled.
Just before his fingers could touch her, he snapped back to his senses and quickly drew his hand into a fist. It hovered in midair for a beat before falling limply to his side, purposeless.
All the while, Elaine continued to gaze steadily at his face, her eyes filled with a mix of curiosity, faint dismay, quiet regret—and the dull sting of betrayal.
Within the silent, softly rocking carriage, Dominic had no choice but to endure her unwavering stare in full. He forgot even how awkward it was, staring back at her as if mesmerized, like a man possessed.
“…Of course not.”
He finally broke the silence. With a soft sigh, Dominic Cheshire ran a hand over his forehead. As his broad palm passed, his dark hair swept back to briefly reveal a clean, noble brow, only to fall into place again. It was a gesture he often made when troubled or when his plans began to veer off course.
“To be in the company of the esteemed Lady Aiola… how could I dare claim such an honor?”
“…”
“I simply wished not to burden you with any disgrace by being seen with someone like me…”
Dominic had to force his voice to remain steady as impatience began creeping in.
Everything had gone according to plan—
Pretending it was a mistake, guiding her to a well-known lovers’ rendezvous, then smiling apologetically and suggesting a quieter place in the countryside. She would be moved by his apparent consideration for her reputation.
Then, along a secluded and peaceful garden path, he would carefully craft the romantic atmosphere girls her age so often dreamed of…
“Disgrace? Why would you say such a thing?”
Elaine Aiola’s indignant outburst—her cheeks flushed red in frustration—was entirely not part of the plan.
“Well, obviously—”
It dawned on Dominic then, how this young woman had been steering the entire conversation. Somehow, he’d let himself get swept up in her pace, stammering like a fool.
“I am but a man wholly unworthy of Lady Aiola’s grace…”
All this, because of a girl barely out of girlhood. A girl who had only just come of age.
Startled by the turmoil in his own thoughts, Dominic furrowed his brows, trying to regain control. At that moment, Elaine reached out and seized his hand.
“I said I would make you the most precious person to me.”
“…”
“Didn’t I say that, Lord Cheshire?”
Elaine looked straight at him, her gaze firm and unwavering. Their hands, now joined, grew warm and slightly damp, but she only tightened her grip. Her small hands were not enough to fully enclose his, but she clutched them tightly nonetheless.
Dominic felt his mouth go dry, a parched sensation crawling across his tongue as he tried to sort through the confusion clouding his mind.
Elaine Aiola.
The proud and untouchable flower of the noble House Aiola. The most refined young lady in all of Hermanda, heir to the blood of the Kartan Empire. Even more noble, perhaps, than Vanessa—the daughter of the Queen herself.
He had never once believed he could seduce such an innocent young woman who dreamed of fated love. But even so, he’d never had the audacity to openly flaunt their secret meetings in front of others.
That was only natural. She was an Aiola. A woman too far above someone like him—a lowborn Cheshire. At least in the eyes of society, that was how things were meant to be. And so, even while lowering himself in front of her to a point that almost felt degrading, he tried to show her a respectful kind of consideration—to protect her dignity. They say young women are often touched by the thoughtful gestures of older men.
But to think Elaine Aiola—of all people—would respond to his careful, calculated kindness not with affection, but with disappointment.
Had she already fallen for him that deeply? Deep enough that she no longer cared if others saw them together?
Or maybe… she was hurt by the idea that she needed to be hidden.
Her sharp question had struck right at the heart of his intentions. He wasn’t yet ready to let Fernando Aiola—or Vanessa—know about him. That time would come, but only after this foolish girl was completely his.
But now he wondered… maybe she already was.
Her wide eyes staring up at him said as much. Her soft lower lip, still trembling where she had bitten it, said as much. The delicate hands holding onto his, trying to hide their subtle shiver—those, too, spoke volumes. Even the gentle way she said, “Lord Cheshire,” wrapping his name in that sweet voice—it all revealed the same truth.
Elaine Aiola, foolish as she was, was declaring her love for Dominic Cheshire with every part of her being.
The moment he realized it, a rush of heat surged through him. Looking down at her fragile hands wrapped in his, he tightened his grip slightly—and her light body leaned into him without resistance.
Foolish Aiola. Perhaps the day of his revenge would come sooner than expected. The mere thought of this naïve girl’s tears brought a lazy smile to his lips.
“You’re right, Elaine.”
As her body almost collapsed against him, Dominic caught her around the waist with strong arms, holding her close. His voice came in a whisper, breath grazing her lips.
“You make me feel…”
His throat, dry and tight, cracked a little as he spoke, the words coming out low and uneven.
“Like I matter.”
A faint smile lifted the corners of Dominic’s lips, pleased. Elaine’s eyes, wide with surprise at the sudden closeness, trembled slightly.
“Like I’m someone who could dare believe he’s worthy of loving the noble Lady Aiola.”
He pulled her even closer.
“My l—!”
Elaine stumbled forward, and their lips met—without warning, without plan.
This hadn’t been his intention. Not yet.
At some point, Dominic realized he was kissing her. And even though the kiss was sudden, Elaine didn’t push him away. Instead, her arms reached around his neck, clinging to him tightly.
She was just a girl swept up in her first love—so desperate, so unaware of the danger, throwing herself into his arms for even the smallest taste of affection. Trapped by a love she didn’t know was false, she surrendered completely to that clumsy, breathless kiss.
The carriage dropped them off in front of a quiet arboretum just outside the capital, Sienne. Only then did the two, who had remained pressed close throughout the ride, finally break apart, their breathing uneven with emotion. In awkward silence, they adjusted their clothes, pretending nothing had happened between them.
Dominic led Elaine toward a quiet path next to the arboretum entrance.
There were no daffodils, which had been the original purpose of their outing. It was too late in the season to see any in full bloom—unless you visited the capital’s popular botanical gardens with their specially cultivated varieties.
Nor was there a narrow path lined with trees, like the one Elaine had hoped for. Still, they walked the peaceful trail together.
Since getting out of the carriage, not a single word had passed between them.
Elaine was embarrassed.
She had imagined her first kiss as something sweet and innocent—a shy, fluttering moment full of warmth. But when Dominic had kissed her roughly, when he had taken her lips without hesitation, she had instinctively wrapped her arms around him and clung to him. The thought that he wanted her had made her forget her shame entirely.
Dominic, meanwhile, was lost in thought.
This wasn’t how he had planned their first kiss. Not in the cramped space of a carriage, stripped of any romance. Not with the hungry, awkward eagerness of a boy chasing his first taste of affection.
