Chapter 100.2

“I should have brought you here sooner.”

“The ones at home were also delicious,” Lia said, smiling back at him.

“Perhaps, but these desserts are better. My head chef seldom makes sweets, so you’ll be the first lady with a sweet tooth.”

He took Lia’s hand, which was fidgeting on the table, and kissed the back of it. The shop owner blushed, stepping back awkwardly at the display of affection. Lia tried to pull away, but her heart softened each time she saw the small scar on his cheek. So, until their desserts arrived, Claude continued to hold Lia’s hand, fidgeting with it.

“How are we supposed to eat like this?” Lia complained as she looked at the three plates of dessert in front of her.

“Eat. Your right hand is free,” Claude replied with a grin.

“I need both hands.”

“Use my hand,” he offered, a mischievous glint in his eye.

“Are you serious?” Lia grumbled, but couldn’t resist the temptation of the sweet treats in front of her. She eagerly picked up her spoon, savoring the tangy sweetness of the lemon sherbet with honey.

As she basked in the happiness of just one spoonful of sweetness, Claude couldn’t help but sigh.

“Is it delicious?” he asked.

“It’s so sweet,” Lia replied, a smile spreading across her face like the sun breaking through the clouds.

Claude wore a smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes when he said, “I have something to tell you.” Lia took a slow lick of honey off her spoon and tilted her head expectantly, waiting for him to speak.

“Two letters arrived today,” he began. “One from the palace, the other from Geore.”

Lia’s brow furrowed with confusion. “What do they say?”

“There’s going to be a royal ball,” he explained, “and they want me to introduce you as my fiancée. They’re gathering all sorts of nobles to evaluate whether you’re suitable to be the Duchess.”

Claude hesitated, avoiding Lia’s gaze. He expected her to feel uneasy; she had never taken part in social events as a woman and had yet to experience her debutante ball. He assumed she would find such a grand affair overwhelming.

“Are you worried?” he asked.

To his surprise, Lia responded with a charming smile and sparkling green eyes that resembled jewels. “That’s… You know,” Lia’s eyes sparkled with determination. “I’ve never failed an exam. Not once. If this ball is like an exam, I’m sure I can ace it.” Her excitement was palpable, like a child unwrapping a present.

Claude couldn’t deny that he was overprotective of her. Even though he trusted her abilities, he couldn’t let go of her hand, afraid she might falter. The warm afternoon sun shone down on her porcelain skin, casting a soft glow on her face.

“Sorry, I forgot for a moment that my lady is the top of the academy.”

“I’ll make sure you can’t forget,” Lia grinned.

Claude hesitated for a moment before broaching the next topic. “Duke Sergio has invited you to Geore. To his kingdom.”

Lia’s tightly held hand began to tremble slightly, and Claude squeezed it tighter, hoping to provide some reassurance.

“I’m going alone?” she asked, her voice laced with confusion.

“My name is not on the invitation,” Claude confirmed.

“Is it to see my mother…?” Lia’s voice trailed off, filled with a mix of hope and fear.

“Maybe,” Claude answered evasively. “What do you want?”

“I want to go,” Lia said with conviction.

Lost in thought, Lia lowered her gaze and fidgeted with her melted sherbet. The longer the silence stretched, the more Claude’s throat dried up, the sun beating down on him like a punishment.

“When?” she finally managed to ask.

“Anytime,” Claude replied without hesitation.

“Can I go?” she asked, her eyes lifting to meet his.

Damn it.

For a moment, Claude’s smile faltered, and his adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed.

“Of course, if you want to,” he said, trying to keep his voice steady.

Lia shook her head a few times, her faint smile disappearing as she cut a slice of cake and put it in her mouth.

“Can’t we go together?” she asked, her tone hopeful.

“I want to, but… I can’t leave the territory empty for a month, Canillia.”

Lia’s expression turned sour, and she pouted like a child denied a treat. “That’s mean. You’re making me hesitate when you put something so sweet in front of me like this.”

Claude let out a deep sigh, feeling like a scolded dog. “Come back. I’ll be fine,” he said, trying to reassure her.

“Lie,” Lia said, narrowing her pretty eyes and putting down her fork. Claude felt a prickling sensation in his chest, wondering how this woman managed to be more lovely every day.

“Honestly, tell me again,” Lia said firmly. “I’m not joking about it.”

Claude stared at her, captivated by her sincerity. Why was it so hard to resist her? He bit his dry lips and took a deep breath, struggling to find the right words to express his conflicting emotions. He didn’t want to send Lia away, especially not to Sergio, but he knew it was the right thing to do. His hand throbbed from the injury he sustained earlier, and Lia lightly kissed it to distract himself. She noticed his embarrassment and playfully touched his ear, teasing him as she often did now that she knew his weakness.

“Canillia,” he said, his voice patient.

Lia looked up at him, her sunny smile back in place.

“I’m sorry,” she said.

“Lia,” he repeated, his heart pounding.

“Can you trust me?”

Her words left him staring blankly at her. Claude’s heart pounded and he was unable to speak, as if a damp rag had been shoved into his mouth. Claude inhaled deeply and rubbed both hands over his face. A sigh, a lament, and then a hollow laugh escaped his lips.He felt like a child, swinging between heaven and hell with every word she spoke.

“Take me…” he finally said, his voice barely above a whisper.