DHMM 16

Chapter 16

Looking back, it had been quite a dangerous moment. It seemed that neither of them had been in their right minds.

Neither Vitor nor Roy.

Their breaths had mixed together, the feeling in their fingers had grown dull, and it felt as if their heads were spinning. The strength had drained from their whole bodies, and their hearts had pounded hard.

The unfamiliar scent of his body and the touch of his hand slowly running over her body made her lose herself.

‘What would have happened if the Young Lady of Rüssel had not appeared that day?’

What if they had been swept away by the atmosphere and actually kissed……?

Just thinking about it made her dizzy. Adult men were dangerous. For the first time, Roy truly realized how dangerous the existence of a ‘man’ could be.

With such a handsome man in front of her, handsome enough to make her heart tremble, even she had no way of resisting him. That did not mean she had truly fallen for him, though.

‘They say a man’s body reacts first when he sees a beautiful woman. Maybe women feel a similar instinct, too?’

No matter what scandals followed Vitor, it was true that he was an attractive man, attractive enough to tempt any woman.

‘My heart is trembling because of a man. Thanks to the Duke, I’m having all kinds of experiences…….’

Still, perhaps she had only been so shaken because it was her first time. Now, her heart was not beating so wildly that it felt like it would jump out of her chest.

Even when their faces were this close, it no longer felt particularly awkward or embarrassing.

Perhaps Vitor noticed Roy staring at him, because his eyes slowly turned toward her.

His deep green eyes shone clearly. Soon, the corners of his eyes curved softly, and a playful yet gentle smile appeared in them.

Roy lightly bit down on her lips behind his palm.

If only this man did not flirt with her so openly……

If that was the only problem, everything would really be fine.

“D-Duke Hermont?”

The young lady, who had been looking around the street, recognized a familiar back and carefully approached them.

Vitor turned his head and looked at her.

“Ah, Young Lady Selina……”

“It’s Serena.”

“……”

The name he muttered awkwardly was wrong yet again. With an embarrassed expression, Vitor subtly turned his body so that Roy could be seen.

Anyone could tell she was coming here to hit him, so he should at least prepare himself.

Usually, one slap on the cheek would be enough, but a woman’s anger sometimes went beyond expectations.

Today it was a fist. Tomorrow, who knew?

She might even bring out something sharp……

Roy lightly lifted his hunting cap and greeted her politely.

“Hah!”

The next step went exactly as expected. The young lady walked toward them and raised her delicate hand, covered in a lace glove.

Thud!

Hmm, I didn’t expect it to make such a dull sound.

“You bastard! I believed those rumors were false, but—Ah!”

Young Lady Serena ran out of the alley, scattering tears. The sudden commotion briefly drew people’s attention, but their gazes soon scattered like the wind.

“Ugh, that hurts. It’s my first time getting punched by a woman.”

Vitor groaned softly as he rubbed his stinging cheek. Perhaps she had hit his lips by mistake, because a small drop of red blood had appeared on his lower lip.

“Did you see that too, Roy? The way she used her shoulder when she swung. That woman really knows how to hit properly. If she did that instinctively without being trained, she’s truly a natural. Young Lady Selina might have a talent for martial arts.”

“It’s Young Lady Serena. And your lip is bleeding. Stop talking.”

Roy calmly opened her bag and took out some ointment.

She reached out and gently applied the ointment to the scratch. Just looking at it made it seem painful, and Roy’s expression slightly tightened.

Vitor bent down slightly to make it easier for her to treat his face, grinning as if he were enjoying himself.

“Are you smiling right now? You’re a soldier. Don’t you even know how to get hit without getting hurt?”

“Young ladies should at least be allowed to vent their anger. If I didn’t get hurt, wouldn’t they be even more frustrated?”

“Duke, honestly……”

Still, what was with that face of his? Even among nobles, it was rare to find someone who acted this carelessly just because he had a handsome face.

No matter how much of a soldier he was, he was still a duke.

It was true that a small cut on his lips would neither ruin his reputation nor make his handsome face ugly……

“And I like it when Roy treats my wounds. It feels like you’re taking care of me. You don’t actually hate me that much, do you? Ah, ow!”

Instead of answering, Roy deliberately pressed down hard on the wound.

“That’s done. Just be careful when you eat. From now on, carry this ointment with you and apply it yourself.”

Roy spoke firmly, like a strict nurse. Vitor obediently took the small tin containing the ointment and stared at its label for a long time.

“But do you carry things like this with you every day, Roy?”

“No. I brought it today because I thought it might be needed.”

‘Then I really should run away, right? I shouldn’t act in narrow alleys like this anymore.’

Without knowing that Roy was already making plans to escape on her own, Vitor smiled brightly.

“See? Roy, I told you, you like me.”

Roy stared at him in confusion for a moment at his ridiculous logic, then quickly changed the subject.

“By the way, how long do we have to keep up this fake relationship? I think the rumors have spread quite a bit now.”

“I don’t know. Nobles don’t like to admit that they’ve been rejected because of their pride. Marriage proposals are still coming in regularly, and more importantly, the elders don’t seem to know yet. So we’ll probably have to continue for a while.”

“Can’t you just tell them yourself, Duke?”

Roy asked casually, as if testing the waters.

“If you want to have a private meeting with Grand Lady Leonora, then go ahead.”

“……”

Vitor smiled sweetly.

Well, she wouldn’t believe it easily. That strict-looking old lady would surely demand proof.

Roy had secretly thought this fake relationship would end in only a few days.

The fact that the Duke of Hermont had a male lover was a huge scandal, enough to shake the entire Empire.

In terms of impact alone, it might even surpass the Imperial family’s gossip.

But reality was different. Apparently, even being rejected was something nobles kept quiet about because of their pride.

Of course, being rejected by a man instead of a woman must have left a huge scratch on the pride of those proud young ladies.

What a tiring group of people in so many ways.

She had already paid off all her debts, so there was no longer any reason for her to be in a hurry. Still, she could not feel comfortable continuing to deceive other people.

“If we went together to a somewhat crowded and official event, wouldn’t the rumors spread quickly…….”

“An official event?”

At Vitor’s sudden murmur, Roy tilted her head.

“I mean something like a banquet or ball. Another event would work too. If we stay close together there for a while, people will make their own assumptions and spread the rumors themselves.”

“I don’t think I can go to places like that……”

“Why do you think that? Because of your status? If you look for one, there are banquets where bringing a commoner partner would be acceptable.”

That was exactly the problem. Where could they find one? There were not many noble families around here that could even hold a banquet……

“But doesn’t Clareville have any village events?”

“There is a summer festival next month, but at that time, people who aren’t couples will actually stand out more…… And there will be too many people.”

A male lover was another matter, but there was a good chance people would simply glance at them and move on.

Clareville was a tourist destination, so there were many outsiders, and unusual clothes and relationships were common.

The villagers were used to all kinds of gossip and did not react much to most things. More importantly, during the festival, everyone would pour into the streets.

If they mixed in with the crowd, no one would even be able to tell whether Vitor was the Duke or simply some middle-aged man drunk on beer.

“That won’t work. Let’s slowly look for another way. At this rate, I don’t think my face will survive.”

“Seems like you were hurt quite badly too, Duke?”

“I almost had my nose broken.”

Vitor grumbled, and Roy let out a small laugh.

Vitor and Roy walked out of the alley side by side. The sunlight poured down warmly and softly, as if welcoming them.

Clareville in early summer was full of life.

Stalls covered with colorful cloth lined both sides of the street, and the noisy voices of people bargaining over baskets of fruit and handmade goods filled the air.

On one side, the sound of an accordion continued awkwardly. The air flowing through the streets was filled with the scent of flowers.