“B-But that’s… This time, I’m wearing a dress that Professor Sesillian bought for me. If I did something like that with you now, I’d just be sullying the dress… and in turn, sullying him too…” Her voice wavered, her words tumbling out in a rush, as if saying them faster might somehow change the reality of the situation.
“You must really be in love with Professor Sesillian if you’re willing to go so far just to keep his name clean,” I said, a smirk curling on my lips. Her face tightened. “But, don’t worry. I’m not planning on doing anything to you. Not yet, anyway.”
“N-Not yet?” Her voice quivered, barely more than a breath, as if she were afraid of what might come next.
“Let’s just say I’m saving the last one for a special occasion—a little finale act.”
“Finale act?” she repeated, her voice shaky, her pupils dilating with confusion.
“Something that’ll break you apart,” I said. “Though, I doubt it’ll shatter you completely, considering how you’re wavering right now.”
“W-Wavering what?” Her voice faltered, a crack in her attempt to stay composed.
She might not have realized it, but she was starting to get used to being around me. Her mind and body were becoming accustomed to the routine, the intimacy we shared, so much that she couldn’t help but feel the pull. There were times when her heart wavered, shifting between me and Sesillian. I wasn’t naive—crushing years of feelings wasn’t a simple task. But the fact that I’d made her feelings waver? It meant I was beginning to seep into the cracks of her heart, like water freezing in a fracture, slowly breaking it apart.
“Never mind.” I pulled back. “Anyway, once our little contract is over, we won’t have anything to do with each other anymore. So, you’re free to be with Sesillian if you both end up together,” I added, shrugging nonchalantly.
Her eyes went wide, surprise and something deeper flashing across her face before she could hide it. For a heartbeat, I caught a glimpse of hurt.
“What? Isn’t that what you’ve wanted all along?” I pressed. “To be free of me and run into the arms of your beloved Sesillian? I promise, once our arrangement is done, I won’t interfere. I’ll even wish you well at your wedding—though as Christopher Faust, of course,” I said.
“W-What is that supposed to mean…?” she muttered, her voice barely audible as she lowered her head. Her hands clenched tightly over her chest, as if trying to ease a pain stabbing through her heart.
Just then, Sesillian returned, a bottle of wine in each hand. His footsteps echoed softly on the floor as he approached, handing one to me with a polite smile that didn’t reach his eyes.
“So, what were you two talking about?” Sesillian asked, his gaze flickering between the two of us.
“Oh, I was just mentioning how lucky you are to have someone like Miss Sierra as your date tonight,” I replied smoothly, taking a sip from my glass, enjoying the tension.
Sesillian’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Oh, but from the looks of things, it doesn’t seem like you came here alone either, Sir Faust,” he said, his tone light but his expression straining to hide something else.
“Actually, I was supposed to come here with someone, but it looks like she’s running a bit late,” I said casually, swirling the wine in my glass.
“She must be a lucky one, to have your company tonight,” Sesillian commented, but there was a sharp edge beneath his words, a touch of jealousy that he couldn’t quite mask.
I smirked, deciding to push further. “Well, she’s not the only one I’ve got,” I said, not bothering to hide the truth. Since polygamy was the norm in this world, there was no reason to play coy.
“Oh, you’re that kind of man, I see!” Sesillian forced a laugh, but it came out strained.
“Well, I am a man, after all,” I replied, my smirk deepening. “It’s only natural to want many women in my arms. I wonder, though, do you feel the same way?” I threw the question back at him, watching his reaction closely.
“Well, I’m more of a monogamy kind of guy,” he said, glancing toward Charlotte beside him, his smile tight as if he was trying to sell a lie he barely believed.
Liar. You’re keeping a harem of guys in your pocket. If that’s monogamy, then I don’t know what the hell it is anymore.
The wine he handed me—there was something off about it, I could feel it the moment it hit my tongue. As the warm liquid slid down my throat, a wave of heat unfurled through my body, a fire starting low in my belly and spreading outwards. An aphrodisiac, laced with something else, no doubt about it. It crept through my veins like a slow poison, making my head feel light, the room starting to sway around me, the edges blurring into a soft haze.
“Oops. Looks like I’m already feeling tipsy from this wine,” I said, forcing a small, dazed smile onto my lips, trying to make it look genuine.
“Oh, really?” Sesillian replied, his tone dripping with fake concern, but I caught the glint in his eyes, the eagerness he couldn’t quite hide.
“Yeah. I think I’ll head to my room for a bit,” I mumbled, swaying slightly on my feet, letting my body stumble just enough to sell the act.
The party venue had private rooms—places where guests could retreat to when they needed some privacy. I was going to head there now, using the excuse of needing a rest. After all, it was obvious I’d been drugged.
“Should I help you?” Sesillian asked, his voice smooth and eager, his intentions poorly masked behind a veil of politeness.
Oh, he was making his move now, just like I thought. Did he really plan on forcing himself on me? The thought of it was almost laughable. But I’d let him think he had the upper hand—for now. Not that I actually intended to let him get what he wanted.
“That’s a huge help,” I slurred, letting my voice waver, leaning into him like I could barely hold myself upright, letting him feel like he had the control.
“I never thought the master of Leonamon would have such a low tolerance for alcohol,” Sesillian remarked, his tone casual, but I caught the predatory hunger lurking beneath his words.
“Yeah, it’s my only weak point. Pretty pathetic, don’t you think?” I chuckled. “Here I am, the owner of a brewery, and I can’t even handle my own product.”
“That’s nothing to be ashamed of,” he said smoothly. “Now, just tell me your room number, and I’ll make sure you get there safely. Charlotte, stay here at the table, okay?”
“O-Okay,” Charlotte replied.
With that, Sesillian looped his arm around my waist, guiding me—or at least making it seem like he was.
