CH 14.2

Without releasing her snout, Cherryl looked up at him in resentment.

“It’s the truth, Your Grace. It’s good that I caught you in one of your plans. You might think it’s a bummer, but it doesn’t make sense for us to sleep together immediately.”

Cade tried to say something but Cherryl was determined to continue what she had started.

“Don’t get me wrong. If she chooses to, a woman could spend the night with a man even if they aren’t wed yet——”

“…….”

“——because as long as you have a partner, one doesn’t have to be married to experience that kind of pleasure.” Cherryl, who had lived in an era with women  having that kind of freedom in her past life, still wanted to uphold her own virtue. “Unfortunately, you and I aren’t close enough to sleep in the same bed, Your Grace.”

Cheryl crossed her arms defensively.

Cade massaged his furrowed brows with his fingers and began, “You have an interesting set of values, Lady Cherryl. But—-” His deep baritone seemed to have a subtle lingering effect. “This must be some kind of a misunderstanding because I still had no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Although we made a pact in marriage, I can’t spend the night with you without knowing who you are, Your Grace.”

As Cherryl strongly expressed her values, something suddenly caught her eye.

One was her own bedroom while the other one was the guest room where she, herself, had guided the Grand Duke to stay a few days ago.

“Uh… Are you returning to the guest room?”

“Where else should I have gone then?”

Still baffled at the two-bedroom doors, Cade finally realized what Cherryl had misunderstood.

What should she do?

She was the one who——

This was such a big misunderstanding!

So, Cade was just on his way to the guest room?

She couldn’t hide from her absurdity now.

“Ha.”

When she heard Cade’s sad sigh, Cherryl stomped her feet in frustration.

What foolish delusions did she have for assuming Cade was sleeping quietly in the next room until a while ago?

She hadn’t even gotten over Cade catching her while she was acting like a lovestruck woman earlier just yet.

Now, she was the one who initiated this ridiculous misunderstanding herself.

It was a grave mistake that will remain in her dark past.

Cherryl wanted to rush to her bed immediately and kick the blankets.

Warmth flushed her cheeks as she lowered her head to avoid Cade’s intense gaze.

“Ugh. I apologize for making several mistakes, Your Grace. I have disrespected you–”

Cherryl, who barely apologized in a crawling voice, dashed out of there.

She didn’t care if she looked unsophisticated.

She just wanted to escape this embarrassing situation.

Unfortunately, his broad shoulders blocked her path in an instant.

“Putting aside your impertinence—-”

“What?”

“Don’t you have something to explain to me, Lady Cherryl?”

“Explain?”

Yes.

As Cade had mentioned, she had suddenly withdrawn her refusal to marry him at the beginning.

Of course, an explanation was needed.

But why now?

“I can explain, but… Do you need to hear it now?”

Cherryl used a tone that would help Cade take the hint.

‘Look at me. My face is all red.’

Cade wasn’t interested in her explanation.

He just wanted to see her acting all shy and adorable.

Therefore, he wasn’t going to budge.

She was so embarrassed that she looked at him with her hands almost covering her face—except her hands.

“Look at me right now and explain it me. I don’t mean to look through the gaps between your fingers, so put your hands down.” He relentlessly pointed out.

He was rather persistent in asking her to explain why she changed her intention of marrying him when he was the one who climbed upstairs in a hurry and completely left her behind.

Was he trying to make fun of her or something?

Cherryl’s heart fluttered.

“Well, didn’t you just climb the stairs pretending not to know me?”

“I did.”

“Why did you do that? That man from earlier didn’t seem eager to listen to my explanation right now.”

“I had a reason.”

“Can you tell me why?” She interrogated.

Please get in trouble.

Just one wrong response and Cherryl would give him hell for it.

However, Cade merely shrugged as if it was nothing.

“My body had become tense the instant you touched me, Lady Cherryl. Your fingertips on my abdominal muscles made me feel strange, so I decided to go back to my room to calm myself down. I didn’t mean to ignore you by the stairs. Is that enough for you as an explanation?” Cade asked in a calm monotone.

Her lips parted in shock, and the unexpected response froze her in place.

What’s wrong with him?

What?

What the hell was he trying to calm down?

“Miss Cherryl?”

At first glance, Cade’s statue-esque facial features looked slightly embarrassed.

Soon, Cherryl recognized the sudden shift in her emotions.

Warm blood was running down her nose.

From both of her nostrils.