They say that when you see something truly beautiful, all your worries are forgotten for a moment. And it was true. Damie’s eyes widened in pure admiration.
Acard Valerian more than lived up to his reputation—he exceeded it. Surrounded by people, he stood a head taller than most men. This made his shimmering silver hair and the attractive tan of his southern complexion stand out.
His face, strikingly masculine yet delicate, was astonishingly perfect. His confident smile, which suggested he knew just how handsome he was, added a halo to his appearance even in unfamiliar settings.
Whenever he smiled, his sensual lips curled up, and his strong jaw and prominent Adam’s apple moved seductively. His robust physique and muscular chest radiated a wild charm that made the women around him practically melt.
“Well… his face is not bad. Neither is his body,”
Even Cecile, who had very strong prejudices against Acard, had to reluctantly admit it. Damie couldn’t help but giggle at Cecile’s compliment, which seemed to irritate her because it was so genuine.
At that moment, Acard Valerian turned his head toward them, as if he had heard Damie’s laughter.
‘Hmm?’
Damie blinked. Was it just her imagination, or did Acard’s eyes seem to widen slightly as he looked at her?
His violet eyes, shining beneath silver eyelashes, were dizzyingly vivid. Those eyes roamed the contours of Damie’s slender face, alternately observing her cat-like eyes and lips before moving down to her chest. Then, with apparent satisfaction, he gave her a lascivious smile.
“What the…? Is that guy hitting on you?”
Cecile, sensing something strange, narrowed her eyes. She stepped in front of Damie protectively. Damie shook her head.
“I’m fine, Cecile.”
“Fine? What’s fine about this? I knew it. Acard Valerian is a no-go, Damie! You’ll only get hurt. You know that, right?”
Cecile gritted her teeth behind her fan. She had a tendency to mother Damie like a protective hen, with her straightforward and bold personality.
Damie smiled silently. She understood Cecile’s concern. But what Damie needed right now was not caution. She needed a hot night of passion to mend her wounded pride and warm her cold heart.
It was also a small act of revenge against the men who had treated her carelessly. Kael, who found her burdensome and tried to push her to another man, and Cesare, who treated her as his possession.
Damie decided to choose a third option to show them. Now that this option was right in front of her, there was no need to hesitate.
‘As long as I don’t give my heart, it’s fine. Isn’t that right? Besides, he’ll be returning to the capital soon, so there will be no aftermath.’
An inner seductress she didn’t know she had whispered to her. Damie decided to listen to that whisper.
“Cecile.”
“Yes?”
“I don’t feel well. I think I should go home. Could you find my coachman and bring him here?”
“Hmph! Do you think I’m your maid? Fine, wait here.”
Cecile grumbled as usual but quickly turned and disappeared. She was clearly relieved that Damie was going home. Cecile was worried that a heartbroken and drunk Damie might make a mistake if she stayed.
‘Sorry, Cecile.’
Damie murmured as she watched Cecile’s quickly disappearing back. Then she turned to look at Acard.
Acard, who had been laughing among the people, was also looking at her. His intense gaze approached her openly, as if licking her skin. Damie blushed but forced a smile, trying to look as accustomed to such temptations as possible.
Fortunately, Acard seemed interested in her. However, despite glancing her way frequently, he didn’t make any move toward her. So Damie stood there, feeling awkward, watching him.
‘What should I do in this situation?’
Damie didn’t know, but this was a kind of reconnaissance. Men and women experienced in nightly pleasures would evaluate each other and confirm their feelings with glances.
The night of the ball was long and boring, so there was no need to rush or get impatient. Acting too hastily would only get you treated like a novice. Acard intended to enjoy the northern social gathering for a bit longer and approach Damie once the night was ripe.
But Damie’s situation was different. She didn’t have much time. If she hesitated, Cecile might return at any moment.
However, the wall of people surrounding Acard was too thick. It seemed impossible to break through now.
‘I need to make him come to me somehow.’
Damie, who had never seduced a man before, felt a bit flustered. Suddenly, she recalled how he had looked down at her chest and smiled lewdly. Should she undo a button on her tightly bound bodice?
‘Ah!’
Damie’s face brightened as she glanced downward. She grabbed a glass of honey mead from a passing tray. Then she waited for Acard to look her way.
After a short wait, he finally looked at her. Damie didn’t miss the moment and smiled brightly at Acard. His gaze lingered for a moment on her radiant smile, like a blooming rose.
‘Good, now’s the time.’
Damie didn’t miss the opportunity and raised the glass of honey mead. Then, deliberately and slowly, she poured it down her chest.
Acard’s eyes widened in surprise. He watched the sticky golden liquid flow down her white collarbone and disappear between her ample cleavage. His gaze was blatantly lascivious, unlike before.
‘…Did it work?’
Damie wasn’t sure. She glanced around, waiting for Acard to react. She also checked to see if Cecile was coming back.
But Cecile was nowhere to be seen, and to make matters worse, Cesare was in the distance. He was watching her with an intense gaze. The feel of Cesare’s eyes on her wet chest made her body hair stand on end.
‘No, I can’t fail now.’
At this point, there was no turning back. Since Cesare had noticed, she had to seduce Acard. Otherwise, Cesare would certainly come over and interfere.
Damie gritted her teeth and turned back to Acard. Fortunately, he was still staring at her. The fabric soaked in honey mead clung thinly to her, revealing her chest tantalizingly.
At that moment, Damie boldly ran her hand over her honey-covered chest. Then she extended her red tongue and slowly licked the honey from her hand as if it were something else entirely.
‘Won’t you come over now?’
Her deep blue eyes glanced seductively at Acard. At her shy yet enticing look, the smile disappeared from Acard’s face.
Behind his expressionless face, his Adam’s apple moved slightly. He looked at her like a predator eyeing the plump thigh of a doe. Without blinking, Acard finally moved.
“…Excuse me for a moment.”
Acard raised his hand to excuse himself from the crowd. He walked purposefully toward her, quickly reaching her with his long strides. He lowered his gaze as he stood before her.
“……”
Damie unconsciously held her breath. Acard, standing so close, was really, really big! Not only was he tall, but his chest and shoulders were thick with muscle. He could probably carry a woman like Damie on each shoulder without flinching.
Beyond the bright lights of the ballroom, his large shadow enveloped her completely. She could smell his cologne mixed with his warm scent. It was a dangerously alluring aroma.
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