The Arranged Suitor Was the Kidnapper

For a moment, her mind went blank.

Laria realized that since she had started her contract relationship with Zenox, they hadn’t really discussed how far they should go in terms of physical contact.

They had held hands, hugged, and even linked arms, but…

‘Isn’t that pretty much everything?’

She didn’t know where the line was, and it seemed like she wasn’t the only one. She thought maybe just going along with what most people did would be fine.

Did they really need to kiss…?

Lost in her thoughts, Laria unintentionally found herself looking at Zenox’s lips.

She had never seen them up close like this, and she couldn’t help but notice how beautiful they were. His lips were plump and had a richer color than most people’s.

She couldn’t help but wonder if they were as warm as his hands and chest.

Her gaze lingered on his lips, and without realizing it, her body turned a full circle. Zenox’s face brushed past hers as he moved his head to the side.

“So, what do you think is an appropriate boundary?”

He asked as he held her hand.

“Hand?”

His other arm wrapped around her waist like a gentle stream of water.

“Or maybe the waist?” Zenox chuckled softly.

It was a natural smile, just like the ones she used to see when she was Whitie.

Laria couldn’t even find words to respond. Was it because following his movements felt overwhelming, or was it difficult to think about her answer?

“Or should we decide right now?”

With Zenox’s last words, they were suddenly lifted into the air.

Zenox effortlessly lifted her and then embraced her as their bodies pressed together. As his firm chest made contact, Laria couldn’t help but be taken aback.

When had her heart started beating so fast? The pounding in her chest made her ears feel stuffy.

“…”

The cheerful violin music came to a halt.

Zenox, who was standing in front of her, moved his lips up and down gently on the back of her hand, as if kissing it. The spot where his lips touched felt warm.

He raised his head slightly to meet Laria’s gaze, and he whispered:

“Would a kiss on the back of the hand be acceptable?”

“…Most people do it, so it should be okay, right?”

Her voice didn’t come out well because her throat was dry.

Laria coughed slightly and Zenox immediately checked the location of the table where the drinks were placed.

“I’ll bring you something.”

Laria looked at Zenox’s back, which was quickly moving away.

Even if he was standing among a crowd of people his presence was impossible to miss.

“Phew.”

Laria let out a small sigh and gently pressed her fevered cheek with the back of her hand. She felt like she had just woken up from a long dream.

In that moment when they were focused solely on each other, it seemed like time had stopped.

The eye contact, body heat, and their overlapping bodies were still vivid in her mind.

‘It seems like things have changed a bit since we went to the auction house.’

They acted more passionate than before, as if they were real lovers.

But wasn’t it enough to act like a lover in moderation…? What on earth was he thinking?

Shouldn’t there be a reason for this?

Laria couldn’t calm down, so she fanned herself with the palm and looked around.

Those who used to run away at the sight of Zenox have now narrowed the distance a little. Everyone was looking at him with curious eyes.

“Did you see the Grand Duke laughing earlier?”

“It doesn’t look like the rumors.”

“Surprisingly…”

Although he was a grand noble, Zenox had never shown his face at social events. People had assumed he was awkward with manners and dancing since he had spent his early years on the battlefield with his parents.

However, his unexpected appearance and demeanor had drawn surprised reactions from many.

‘Maybe the rumors about Zenox will start to improve after today.’

It wouldn’t change overnight, but first impressions were important.

Zenox was holding a glass of champagne in his hand when he returned. Laria had expected him to bring water or a non-alcoholic drink, so she blinked in surprise.

“Is this champagne?”

“They said a good one had arrived, so I brought it.”

Zenox paused as he was about to hand her the champagne glass.

“You can’t drink alcohol, can you?”

“Um… I’ve never really tried it before.”

Occasionally, her family would gather for dinner, and her mother and father enjoyed wine. Herdin liked strong liquor, and Theodore would drink grape juice.

Laria had once stolen a sip of Herdin’s strong drink when she became an adult, but she had disliked the bitter taste.

“I didn’t like the taste.”

She didn’t like the bitterness and the feeling of her throat burning.

Since her family didn’t insist on alcohol, Laria had always shared grape juice with Theodore once she became an adult.

“This one should taste good.”

When Laria gave him a suspicious look, Zenox took a sip first.

Seeing the bubbles bubbling up made her even more thirsty.

‘Shall I just taste it?’

The worries didn’t last long. Laria took the champagne glass and took a small sip.

‘It’s really delicious, right?’

It was an unexpected experience. The first taste was refreshing, followed by a pleasant sweetness.

Zenox, seeing Laria’s reaction, asked with a confident smile.

“So how is it?”

“Delicious. I always thought alcohol tasted bad.”

After a few sips, the glass was quickly emptied. Regretfully, she licked her lips, and Zenox brought out an entire bottle.

“Shall we step out onto the terrace for a moment?”

Since they couldn’t set up a drinking table at the banquet, Laria nodded obediently.

The two of them found an empty terrace and stepped outside. As soon as the curtains were drawn, they were no longer followed by the gaze of others. Finally free from excessive attention, Laria leaned against the railing.

“Now I feel a bit alive.”

“Are you feeling tired?”

“A little. I think I was more conscious of the attention than I thought.”

“It’s best to stay a while and then go home.”

Since the champagne suited her taste, she had already finished her fourth glass. As she gradually felt the effects of alcohol, her mood improved.

Laria blinked her eyes slowly as she experienced this unfamiliar sensation for the first time.

She looked up at the sky after placing the champagne glass on the railing. Unbeknownst to her, the darkened sky was adorned with a crescent moon and countless stars.

It couldn’t compare to the dazzling lights of the chandeliers, but for some reason, she couldn’t take her eyes off it.

“…”

Zenox silently gazed at Laria’s face, partially hidden in the darkness.

Her flushed cheeks and starry eyes were still vivid in the dim light. Her silvery hair cascading down her shoulders seemed to be crafted from moonlight itself. There wasn’t a single corner that didn’t sparkle.

Perhaps that’s why his gaze continued to be drawn to her.

A breeze from afar passed through the terrace, causing Laria’s hair to flutter and cover her face.

Zenox lifted his hand to brush it away but hesitated. It was an unconscious action that had sprung forth without thought.

His hand, momentarily lost, soon picked up a champagne bottle.

“The glass is empty. Shall I pour you more?”

Laria smiled playfully, her face devoid of any wariness, as she whispered like she was sharing a secret.

“Just a little more.”

Zenox, without even blinking, etched Laria onto his retinas in the half-darkness.

It was as if someone had preserved him like a specimen; he couldn’t move a finger.

“Your Excellency?”

When Laria called him in a puzzled voice, he finally breathed. 

Zenox, who belatedly realized that he had been holding his breath, put down the bottle.

“…You seem to have had quite a lot to drink.”

“I’ve only had three glasses.”

Laria stared with determination, indicating that she could handle more.

But her eyes quickly squinted like a crescent moon. She felt so good that laughter seemed to bubble up naturally.

Now she understood why her mother and father drank. 

Zenox didn’t offer the bottle, so Laria looked at her empty glass, feeling disappointed.

‘I need to sober up.’

She felt like she had let herself go too much. She felt that if she drank more, she might say something foolish.

“Your ears came out.”

“Oops.”

Laria instinctively touched her head. She had fox ears appear involuntarily due to the alcohol.

‘I’m not in Rodit… ‘

She murmured as she tried to push her fox ears back down, but felt Zenox’s sharp gaze.

Although she had seen it before, he continued to stare at her like this every time.

Was it because of the resemblance with Whitie?

The thought suddenly crossed her mind.

‘Does Zenox still suspect me of being the Whitie?’

She had wondered that day, and had stayed awake all night, unable to sleep, but in the end, she hadn’t been able to bring herself to ask.

However, now it seemed like she could ask.

Using the alcohol as an excuse, Laria opened her mouth instead of pushing her ears back down.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Anything.”

With the affirmative answer, Laria gained confidence and looked directly at Zenox.

“Why do you think of me as your fox?”