The reason Luke couldnât beat Ashd recklessly was probably because he was a wizard who ran away without using any magic.
It was also because Seira hugged his waist just as he was about to throw his fist.
â⦠⦠.â
At that moment she carefully raised her head to Luke, who had become stiff and hardened. He looked down at Seira, and his face grew red.
Although she had been held in Lukeâs arms several times before, it was the first time Seira embraced him in her arms. She was even more startled when she realized as much from Lukeâs gaze and fell away from him.
âWhat? Whatâs wrong with you two? Why are your faces so red?â
Ashd, who was still grabbed by the collar, slowly opened his tightly closed eyes and looked at Luke and Seira. As soon as Luke made eye contact with Ashd, he grimaced and let him go.
âJust know itâs thanks to Baron Hestia.â
After he said that, he grabbed Seiraâs arm, who was still blushing. He actually wanted to hold her hand, but he thought it would look too odd now that she was disguising herself as a man.
âI donât care, but the lady will be in trouble⦠⦠.â
âLetâs go, Baron Hestia.â
âAhâYes!â
She glanced at her arm caught by Luke, then followed him with a brief bow to Ashd. Ashd, who was left with the guards, tilted his head.
âSomething strange⦠⦠. oh!â
Ashd, who quickly turned his head, clicked his tongue in regret.
âI didnât get a definite answer if his sister was pretty! Iâm sure he has a sister!â
The guards guarding the second entrance to the Empress Palace heard Ashdâs words and looked at him with pitying eyes.
***
Luke and Seira remained silent until they got on the carriage. She felt her heart thumping again as she looked at Luke.
âIâve kissed you before, but I shouldnât be this excited over a hug⦠⦠.â
Luke smiled as she glanced over. His figure was good too, but she somehow felt that he was more relaxed than her, so she couldnât help but be resentful.
âLady Hestia, do you mind if I come and sit by your side?â
asked Luke, who was sitting across from her.
They went on outings together and were courting, he could have done this much without asking. As if he was trying to see Seiraâs reaction, he asked such trivial things.
Seira nodded her head slightly, and he got up from his seat as if he had been waiting. Seeing Luke approaching, she avoided his gaze. Still her heart was beating hard.
âUgh⦠⦠. M-my heart is pounding⦠⦠.â
The last time they toured the capital together, she was alone, but the atmosphere hadnât been so tense and thick like this. Was it because she held him by the waist earlier? Would he get upset and say she was too hasty?
âI hope you werenât troubledâ because I was too angry?â
Seiraâs eyes widened at Lukeâs cautious question.
âOh, no. Thatâs⦠⦠.â
As a matter of fact, she couldnât even pay attention to Ashd after she inadvertently hugged Lukeâs waist to stop him. He smirked at Seiraâs reaction.
âIâm glad you werenât offended.â
âYour cheeks are still red,â he whispered, as he caressed her blush with his fingertips.
She felt the heat build up on her face and pulled away. Seira was taken aback by herself avoiding Lukeâs hand, but he didnât seem to care.
His gaze was as if he was beholding something very cute, so Seira quickly turned her head.
It canât beâ¦.. Did he notice?
She never said she liked Luke or wanted to court him, but she thought he must have noticed somehow. She could see it in how he was touching and treating her.
She glanced at Luke and their eyes met. Seeing his affectionate gaze and then his smirk, Seira once again turned her head, her face red. Ugh, how could he not know now? She was so obvious.
âMy lady.â
âYes!?â
She was so startled her shoulders flinched. There was a laugh in Lukeâs voice.
âAre you too wary? Are you that scared of me?â
âOh, no⦠⦠. Itâs not like that⦠⦠.â
âIf I ask if I can kiss you⦠⦠I think you are going to cry.â
No way!
Seira did not tremble even when she was surrounded by six monsters that were 3 meters tall. But itâs just a kiss⦠⦠.
She glanced at Luke, furious, and he slowly approached her.
âOh! Oh!â
She didnât hate itâin fact it was goodâbut her heart was pounding too loudly!
Seira squeezed her eyes shut, but tried to move her pounding chest away little by little.
âPfft.â
When she opened her eyes to the sound of laughter, and looked at Luke, he was smiling, suppressing laughter as his shoulders trembled with his fists covering his mouth. Seira turned bright red and glared at him
âY-Young Duke!â
âIâm sorry. The ladyâs expression just now⦠⦠.â
Lukeâs cracking up made her want to punch him.
âDonât laugh!â
As she screamed impatiently, a hard arm wrapped around her waist.
Seira gasped, but she missed her timing to push it out. Considering that she was so enraged she should have pushed him away, but her response was delayed because the opponent was her favorite.
Kiss.
Seiraâs eyes widened at the light kiss that hit her lips.
âI was wrong, my lady. Please forgive me.â
Luke whispered with a smile.
Seira stared at Luke, losing her timing to get her angry. Then chu⦠⦠kiss⦠⦠âkisses fell one after another.
Every time soft lips touched it felt like her heart was pounding. Seira was overstimulated.
âOh, wait⦠⦠.â
âAre you still very angry?â
Luke asked in a voice with no laughter and only hot tenderness. Seira looked at him resentfully.
âY-you coward! This way⦠⦠. Chuâ¦.Suck⦠⦠.â
The overlapping lips intertwined deeper than before. Seiraâs eyes closed automatically at the heat that penetrated through the gap between her lips.
She couldnât let him get away with his⦠⦠.
But with his sweet kiss melted down her consciousness until it completely faded away.