NOVEL NEXT Chapter 121
A shiver ran down my spine at the hot breath brushing against my neck’s nape.
Lark’s arm, which had lightly held me, now tightly encircled my waist.
“Um.
I struggled to turn my stiff neck, finding Lark’s face before me. His drowsy, half-lidded eyes and seductive, upturned lips left me mesmerized.
Swallowing hard, I silently suppressed my tension as I leaned closer to Lark. This was as close as it could get; a narrow gap where we could hear each other’s faint breaths. The sweet scent of soap mixed with Lark’s familiar scent tickled my nose.
For a while, I gazed at his moist lips, and when I looked up, his gaze was also directed at my lips.
As I rose on my tiptoes to kiss him, Lark’s Adam’s apple bobbed visibly.
“Business—”
“Shh, enough.” I stopped Lark from uttering unnecessary words and wrapped my arms around his neck.
Finally, our lips locked together.
Lark, who had provoked me, remained stiff and motionless. As I gently nibbled his lips, they easily parted. Heat surged into the moist gap. It felt like savoring the ripening of a sweet fruit I had been waiting for. Lark, following my movements, seemed slightly overwhelmed.
After barely catching his breath, Lark kissed me passionately and guided me to the couch, unlike our previous encounter. We engaged in a kiss where our breaths were devoured relentlessly. The intertwining warmth stirred electrifying sensations in my brain.
“Hmm.”
Our lips, savoring a secret delight like starving people, momentarily parted.
Lark’s eyes gazed down at me from up close. In his eyes, drenched with intense desire, he seemed to hold all of me. After catching his breath for a moment, he whispered in a low voice, “Ah, Princess.”
“Yes.”
“…Have you done this before?”
The kiss seemed not quite what he expected for a first-timer.
As a Hollywood actor, I had tried kissing scenes so many times that I’d lost count…
Still, I shamelessly replied while pulling Lark’s collar closer, “This is my first time.”
“As expected, you’re good at everything.”
“Well, of course.”
“Can we try it once more? I promise to do better this time.”
“The first time was already amazing.”
Facing each other, we shared smiles, and once again, without any need for words, our lips met. Unlike the previous kiss, which had been so urgent that it made my head spin, the second kiss was sweet and leisurely, like savoring dessert.
Lark’s hand, which had brushed aside my hair, gently cradled the back of my head.
As we sat down, his movements were slow and tender.
A moment of letting go, of exploring each other without hesitation. Our hurried breaths subsided, and the dangerous play matured.
“Um.”
I slightly leaned up to kiss Lark. Only the sound of moist lips meeting filled the quiet.
“Ah, wait.”
“…”
I leaned in, almost like I was about to sit on Lark’s lap, but then I yielded to his touch. With a hazy look in his eyes, clouded by desire, Lark chuckled playfully.
“Why?” I asked.
He replied, “I think you should return now.”
“Huh?”
Lark grabbed my arm and sprang to his feet, his hot breath brushing my face as he leaned in close, choosing his words carefully. “Why don’t you head home now?”
Perplexed, I watched as he playfully planted a cute kiss on my lips. Soon, he gently pulled my arm and escorted me to the door, opening it kindly, saying, “Take care.”
“No, what’s with this suddenness? You won’t kick me out right after, are you?” Surprised, I hastily tidied my disheveled hair and clothes, not even getting a chance to savor the moment.
“Haha.” Leaning against the doorframe with one arm, Lark said, “I’ll do well with the matter of the Robben Kingdom tomorrow. I’ll let you know the results, so we can meet if you have time in the evening.”
“Are you really kicking me out like this suddenly?”
Lark chuckled and nodded toward the interior of the room. “I need to use the bathroom.”
“Ah.”
Hm, I understood, avoiding his gaze as I replied, “You’ll do well in your performance tomorrow, won’t you?”
“Of course.”
As Lark got up, he lightly brushed my nose and smiled. “After all, I have a great teacher.”
***
The next day.
At the Boutique Street in Lunten.
The twins from the Diollus family were strolling through the capital, trying to relieve the stress that had piled up to the tips of their heads.
★Lady of the Month★
1st. Rubetria Diollus (126 votes)
2nd. Madame Ruby (84 votes)
3rd. Lillia Diollus (7 votes)
4th. … …
“Ugh, so annoying. It’s so frustrating.”
Walking while trembling, Lillia crumpled the small piece of paper in her hand and tossed it behind her.
“Ah.”
Nora Pelkan, following behind, got hit on the forehead by the note and let out an exclamation of surprise.
Lillia glared at her. “What is it!?”
“Oh, it’s nothing…”
Nora had three heavy shopping bags on each arm, all filled with Lillia’s clothes and accessories.
“What’s with that expression on your face?”
“Me? What?”
“You know I’m taking you with me even though I know your house is completely in shambles, right?”
“…”
“Are you not going to answer? Are you going to ignore me?”
“Quickly answer, and don’t irritate my sister.”
When Ricky, beside Lillia, joined in, Nora hunched over and nodded slightly.
Nora’s life as the pampered daughter of a wealthy family had changed completely a long time ago. She wondered if she was being punished for treating Evelyn, her playmate, like a maid and dragging her along like this…
“Why are you boasting like you’re something special?” Lillia, with her fists clenched, lightly punched Ricky.
“What did I do?”
“Tell me honestly. Whom did you vote for?”
“Vote for what?”
“For ‘Lady of the Month’!”
Even without knightly titles, some aristocratic young men could cast a vote for “Lady of the Month.”
Lillia, who had been dissatisfied with the number of votes she received lately, interrogated Ricky.
“I voted for you.”
“Who are you kidding?” Lillia sternly brought her face close to Ricky’s. “I saw all the Madame Ruby posters stuck in your room, you bastard.”
Under Lillia’s sharp criticism, Ricky’s pupils darted around nervously.
“What’s so great about some commoner who runs a tacky business, seriously?”
“Why are you speaking so crassly?”
Lillia burst into laughter at Ricky’s immediate reaction. “What did you say?”
“Rather than someone who just whines like a child like you, she’s way better. She’s wealthy, attractive, has a great body, and she’s pretty…”
“How do you know she’s pretty! She probably always wears a mask because she looks like a beggar without it!”
“Didn’t you hear the rumor that Madame Ruby said she’d go mask-free during the New Year’s broadcast? She’s all over the capital, boldly talking about it publicly. What do you think that means? Huh?”
“Ha.”
“Accept it and get ready to meet your sister-in-law. This big brother is determined to bring Madame Ruby home.”
“Wh-what?”
Sister-in-law? Lillia’s mouth hung open in disbelief.
“More than a few guys eagerly await the New Year’s broadcast. But do you really think Madame Ruby will even look at those ugly guys?” With a triumphant smile, Ricky looked at the screen, which showed Madame Ruby wearing a mask. He brushed his soft blond hair back, adding, “I need to get myself together.”
“You’re very confident.”
“Ugh, I can’t wait.” Ricky wiped his flushed face and let out a sigh.
The incarnation of the Archangel Michael, the symbol of ‘first love’ for the noble girls of Descarde…
For several months now, Ricky Diollus, an excessively beautiful boy, had secretly been infatuated with the current capital sensation, “Madame Ruby.”
“Hmm. But your plan doesn’t seem all that bad.”
Lillia, who had been glaring at Ricky, absentmindedly stroked her chin, lost in thought. “You’ll probably make a ton of money, become famous… It wouldn’t be bad for us if you become involved with a woman like Madame Ruby.”
“That’s right. That’s the big picture for me. Do you get it now?” Ricky draped his arm over Lillia’s shoulder and smiled mischievously.
Lillia nodded slowly. “Yeah, you’re right…”
The current situation for the twins was dire. Rubetria, who had undergone a complete transformation, was constantly causing trouble for their mother and had turned the household upside down. Her father had reluctantly allowed them to stay, and they needed to tiptoe around Viego, who had drawn a clear line with them.
In this far-from-ideal situation, the twins instinctively felt the need for a new patron.
‘It isn’t a bad idea.’
Lillia glanced around.
A few noble young ladies passed by, stealing glances in their direction. They were all captivated by Ricky’s smooth face.
‘Honestly, we do have one advantage–we’ve inherited our mother’s face, at least.’
Ricky lacked knightly titles. But if nominated for “Knight of the Month”, he would likely have a showdown with the undisputed first place, the crown prince. With his golden hair that seemed to be spun from pure gold and his beautiful golden eyes of the same color…
Lillia scanned Ricky’s features, which had matured into a quite masculine appearance after shedding the traces of adolescence, and couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Yeah, sure. Give it your best shot. I’ll be cheering for you.”
Lillia poked Ricky’s shoulder and handed him a waiting ticket in front of the <Blanc de Ruby> store.
“Welcome to <Blanc de Ruby>. Guest number 214, you may enter right away.”
“Thank you.”
It was the final stop of their shopping spree for the day. Lillia had finally secured an appointment to try on dresses at this prestigious, high-class boutique because Nora had passed her turn to Lillia, as she had reserved it a year and a half ago.
“Welcome to <Blanc de Ruby>.”
“Welcome.”
The neatly dressed staff members all bowed in unison as they greeted the twins.
This was truly a high-end boutique, and just by stepping inside, Lillia felt her shoulders straighten with a sense of prestige.
“We made a reservation under the name Nora Pelkan. We’re here to try on a dress today.”
“Yes, sir. Please have a seat over here and wait.”
The twins and Nora took a seat on the luxurious sofa.
And then, they heard the rhythmic clicking of high heels from the second floor. Two women were coming down while chatting animatedly.
One was Madame Becky, the seamstress, and the other…
‘Gasp! Madame Ruby?’
‘It’s Madame Ruby!’
The twins exchanged furtive glances with wide eyes.
A slender woman with silver hair elegantly tied on top of her pure white mask. It was undoubtedly Madame Ruby.
“…”
They looked astonished momentarily before Lillia jabbed Ricky in the side with her elbow.
“Hey, Ricky.”
“Trust me.”
Responding to Lillia’s signal, Ricky stood up as if he had been waiting for this moment.
As he spoke, Ricky smiled confidently. “Hello, Madame Ruby. I never thought I’d be lucky enough to see such a busy person like you today.”
“…”
His smiling face caused the boutique’s staff members to startle and blush individually. Their reactions were inevitable; his stunning beauty was enough to forget any customer service manual momentarily.
“Pleasure to meet you. I am Ricky Diollus of the Diollus Duchy.”
“…Nice to meet you. I’ve heard about the young master of the Diollus family.”
“Oh, really? It’s an honor that Madame Ruby knows me.”
Madame Ruby, with a playful smile, extended her hand.
Inwardly celebrating, Ricky lightly kissed the back of her hand and said, “I’ve always wanted to meet you. If it wouldn’t be inconvenient, I’d love to treat you to a meal when you have some free time. Would that be alright?”
“Let’s not do that.” Madame Ruby, tilting her head slightly, added with a hint of laughter. “How about having dinner at my place tonight?”
“…Yes?” Ricky was taken aback and fumbled for words. “Just a moment.” He hurriedly approached Lillia and whispered, “Hey, call for a carriage.”
“Alright, alright.”
Returning to Madame Ruby with a smile, Ricky extended his arm. “I’m truly grateful for your precious time. Since I’ve arranged for a carriage, shall I escort you?”
“Sure.”
Madame Ruby ignored Ricky’s outstretched arm and clicked her heels as she walked away.
As Ricky followed her to open the door, he asked, “May I have your address?”
“It’s 65 Paris Street, Descarde.”
“Haha. 65 Paris Street—”
Ricky’s movement froze as he held the door handle.
65 Paris Street in the capital…
“It’s the Diollus Mansion.”
As he realized the significance, Madame Ruby’s words left Ricky’s head spinning. For some reason, the voice that flowed from behind the mask sounded familiar.
“…”
Swish.
Madame Ruby, or rather…
“Why, are we not going?”
Rubetria chuckled.