Chapter 33

Chapter 33

“Now, imagine if someone asks about me, what would you say?”

“Of course, I would….”

He thought it would work out somehow if he practiced, but when he opened his mouth, he could not speak.

Kalcion felt awkward at his lack of words. His own boast that he could do his best in time had been overshadowed.

“…….She is called Selena.”

He stated haltingly.

“I see. I’ve never seen her before. I’m guessing she’s new to the community?”

Selena did not evaluate his performance, but she pretended to be a nobleman.

Kalcion was surprised by how her way of speaking was as natural and close to reality. Could she imagine this much with just a short explanation? His recognition of her performance had risen further.

“Yes.”

“So, His Excellency has brought her to make her debut in the society. She must be a great person.”

Kalcion’s eyes shook. He couldn’t think of a great part to put forward objectively. But he also couldn’t say that it was not true.

When she didn’t get a response, a series of attacks followed.

“Which part of her is so great….? I’m curious.”

“Do I have to tell you?”

He felt cornered.

“I apologize if I was impolite, Your Excellency. However, I hope you understand that we have to choose who we can associate with unless we have everything as much as you.”

“You dare to teach me this now?”

No matter how much of it was just acting, Kalcion stared down at her sharply.

“Unbelievable!”

Selena spat harshly.

“What, are you defying me now? If you are, then I’ll bid goodbye to you forever. No matter how much you don’t want to socialize, you have to appear affable on the outside.”

He lowered his head with a heavy sigh. He also felt that he was lacking, but he was frustrated about her firmness.

Selena was correct. His response was a flat failure. He expected something like it, but he was shocked to see it being so intense.

“Now you know that you have to keep up your act, right?”

“…….Yes…..”

Selena wasn’t the type to keep bothering one who already waved up his white flag. Upon seeing the Northern Duke lowering his head a little bit, she began her lecture with a bright voice without showing it.

“First of all, since I don’t have any cards, I don’t have to wait for a preemptive attack and fight back, but it’s better for your side to hit first.”

“What’s the difference?”

The words themselves were not different. Selena grinned.

“There’s a difference in the fact that the Duke is a person who’s desperate to introduce someone.”

He nodded, expressing his surprise. There was definitely something different between introducing after being asked and introducing her first.

“I see. But then it goes the same way, doesn’t it?”

“If the Duke introduces me first, of course they would show the courtesy to politely welcome us, whether they want to or not. ”

“Then?”

“In fact, the easiest thing to do is that if the Duke lightly introduces me to the circle, I can find a way to invade it. That’s it.”

“So……setting aside the complexity of the situation, I’ll just have to introduce you as my lover, right?”

“Yes, if you can.”

She wasn’t a person who had high hopes for things that didn’t work. Fictional dreams could only increase disappointment.

“I think it would be easier to do that than to act in words.”

“It’s hard to act without saying a word, or just with facial expressions.”

“You never know. Let’s give it a try.”

Different people could have different talents. He wasn’t a good talker, but what could he do with his gestures?

Selena nodded, thinking for a moment.

“The basis of affection is observation. First of all, how about you observe my face?”

“Hmm.”

Without blinking even once, he studied her features obediently. He took note of her temples and eyes, the bridge of her nose, and everything else that stood out. She silently stared back at him.

Selena knew what that look meant. His sharp eyes said he was hunting. She waited for him to say something, but he stayed silent.

“Haha, ha…..”

She burst into giggles, unable to hold it anymore. She felt as if she reached a dead end in this method.

“So, what do you feel when you see my face?”

“Feel? What should I feel?”

“Just tell me what you thought.”

It was unfamiliar to him. He awkwardly tried to think as she told.

“You have a round forehead.”

“Uh-huh.”

She nodded, gesturing to him to continue.

“Hmm…..your eyebrows are neat.”

“Yep.”

“You have big eyes.”

“Okay.”

“Perhaps it’s because of those big eyes…… that you possess a powerful shine.”

“Powerful?”

He had eagerly been looking into her eyes as if boring into her soul without realizing it.

“Well…..I think children have bigger eyes than average adults….. Are your pupils dilated? Come to think of it, it’s been a while since I’ve seen those. Maybe that’s why it looks more intense. Just as black color absorbs every light, so does the eye.”

“Oh.”

She was delighted by the explanation that he gave unexpectedly.

“Good. Is there anything else that stands out on the same level as that?”

“Hmm……. May I get a closer look?”

“Yes, of course, as much as you like.”

She brought her face so close to him that both of them could feel each other’s breath on their faces.

She also suddenly noticed that his eyes appeared mysterious from a closer distance. His eyes, like a cloud in a misty wood, reflected back his spirit.

As did Kalcion.

“Your eyes are so bright that it feels like I’m looking in a mirror.”

Like a child who had just discovered a new game, a laugh followed from him. Selena laughed, indifferent to his comment. The hot air that trickled out of their mouths touched each other’s lips.

“Ahaha…… Ah…..”

The laughter that erupted gradually died down.

Rattle, Rattle.

The intermittent shaking of the carriage repeatedly kept penetrating their silence.

The air was warm and awkward.

‘A kiss…..?’

Instinctively realizing, she hardened. She had gotten too close to him because she was so motivated. It was too much to just laugh and chat at this proximity, but she felt herself getting addicted to it.

The air was strong. Even if they did not have any feelings for each other, if they were swept away by the air, they could even sleep overnight.

Would it feel awkward? Should they get closer to each other? Should she say what’s on her mind?! Should she hold his hand or kiss him?

It kept getting more awkward. Neither of them had any intention of doing so, but if the air compelled them to move forward, their bodies might move without realizing it.

Once they move, they could follow their heart. What if it happened? It would be like rolling in the mud together.

She was nervous to blow up the mood. However, before she could open her mouth, Kalcion blocked her.

“Amazing…….”

“…… Wh-What did you say?”

His eyes were filled with admiration.

“Even after making an eye-contact like this, your eyes are unshakable.”

“…….What?”

“It’s of great quality. One of the most important tactics in combat.”

“…….”

Meanwhile, she seemed to be unable to read the absurdity and astonishment that came to his eyes. She’d rather wanted to be in the mood instead.

‘That’s the only thing you find in the world’s prettiest eyes? Seriously?’

All of a sudden, anger enveloped her. She was a fool to be nervous. This was beyond dullness.

“It’s wrong!”

“……Wrong?”

“Wrong! It’s wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong!”

A million times wrong. Kalcion was taken aback by her fit.

“How come?”