Chapter 57

As the alcohol started to take effect, Viela and Lukas became more talkative. After some casual conversation, the topic shifted to Viela's actions earlier.

Lukas couldn't believe that his seemingly insensitive fiancé had planned it all by herself. He pressed her to reveal who had given her the idea, but Viela confessed that she had taken inspiration from her superior's experience.

"But I won't do it so easily again! I didn't realize it would be so embarrassing—ah, I can't stand it!"

"Hahaha, I welcome it! What other things do you have in mind?"

"It's a secret. I'll keep them for when I really need them."

"When you really need them?"

"Like when we have a fight. They might come in handy, you know. I'll save them to make up afterward."

"Only you have these tricks up your sleeve, Viela. Isn't that a bit unfair?"

Lukas glared at her slightly, but it was clear he wasn't serious. He quickly lowered his eyebrows and said, "Should I start a fight on purpose?"

"No way! I don't think I can win. I can see a future where I use all my saved tricks just to get back in your good graces."

Viela pouted, and her gaze was serious. However, Lukas chuckled.

"Even if you glare at me like that, it's cute. I might beg for forgiveness before you even try to make up."

Saying this, Lukas lightly kissed Viela's cheek. When he pulled away, his face was flushed with a melting smile. He seemed to be more affected by the alcohol than usual, either from the training or from drinking more than he intended.

Viela felt the same way. Her cheeks were hot, and her head was dizzy.

(The time is right, and the alcohol is gone. It's probably time to wrap things up. Just one last thing.)

Viela took off her pink diamond earrings and placed them in her palm.

"Lord Lukas, may I use these as materials?"

"I have no problem with that."

"Thank you. Please wait a moment."

With his permission, Viela cupped the earrings in both hands and brought them to her chest. She closed her eyes and gathered magic in her palms. After a few seconds, she opened her palms, and the pink diamonds were faintly glowing.

"Top-quality materials, indeed. They absorb magic so well."

She had read in a material catalog that certain materials were highly compatible with magic, but this exceeded her expectations. Viela looked at the earrings in her palm with a dreamy expression.

"Viela?"

"Ah, sorry."

Viela snapped back to reality at Lukas's voice. She hurriedly took out two small items from her pocket and placed them on the table. One was a small glass tube with a silver cap, and a leather cord was threaded through the cap's ring. The other was a necklace with a fine chain. The glass tube was empty.

Viela placed one earring in each glass tube and handed the charm to Lukas.

"This one is for you, Lord Lukas."

"Mine is the charm, and yours is the necklace?"

"Yes. I infused them with my magic, the same color as my eyes. When you're on an expedition, think of me. I have the same one. Even when we're apart, we'll be connected."

Lukas gazed at the charm, his expression softening. His usually cold blue-gray eyes now had a warm, loving look.

"Thank you. I'm glad you prepared this for me."

He looked into her eyes with a warm gaze and placed his free hand on her cheek, gently caressing her lower lip with his thumb.

"I can't help but love you."

Lukas pressed his lips to hers, changing the angle multiple times in a long, intimate kiss. It was the first time Viela had experienced such a kiss, and she could only accept it. The intensity of his desire made her head spin more than the alcohol.

(Hehe, this way, everything will be fine while I'm on the expedition.)

Viela felt that not only she but also Lukas would have a reserve of happiness. However—

"I want to stay in your room tonight."

As soon as they pulled away, Lukas made an unexpected request. Viela first thought she was hallucinating due to the alcohol.

"Lord Lukas, what did you just say?"

"I want to be with you until morning. Is that okay?"

"Ah—"

The alcohol's effect vanished instantly. Viela's face turned bright red, and she lost all composure.

(In this day and age, even nobles have free love, and staying overnight isn't a bad thing. As engaged couples, there's no problem... but... but... what? ...What!?)

She understood that they would eventually share a bed as husband and wife, but the timing seemed to have accelerated. The crucial part was what would happen afterward. Would it just be sleeping, or more?

She looked into Lukas's blue-gray eyes, trying to gauge his intentions. His eyes were warm and serious.

Viela swallowed hard, and Lukas slightly lowered his eyebrows.

"Ah, you're worried. Don't worry, it's just sleeping together."

"Just sleeping together..."

"Yes, I promise I won't touch you."

Viela was almost convinced, but Lukas was a handsome man who exuded charm unconsciously. Even now, he looked dangerously alluring. Just looking at him made her heart race, and she felt it might burst out of her chest. She was worried she wouldn't be able to sleep due to tension, while Lukas seemed to be able to sleep easily. Tomorrow was a workday, and they would be traveling to the hotel by carriage.

She was about to use this as an excuse to decline, but Lukas spoke first.

"I asked, but I don't intend to give you a choice."

"What!?"

She looked up at him, accusing him of being overbearing, but Lukas already had a victorious smile.

"Remember the punishment from the bet you and Mother made? Now, I want you to fulfill my wish."

"Ah—"

She realized she had lost. The punishment for the bet was that the one who misread Lukas's feelings had to grant his wish. Viela had no choice but to comply, no matter how nervous or embarrassed she was.

Covering her red face, Viela surrendered.

"Ugh, fine. I'll sleep with you."

"You're a good girl."

Lukas beamed and patted her head. He then changed into his pajamas and left the room, whistling. Viela chose her pajamas from the chest, which contained only high-end pajamas selected by Hermine. She picked the most modest and protective design and changed in the shower room.

"Okay, just sleeping... yes, just sleeping!"

When she returned to the room, Lukas was sitting on the bed in a simple white long shirt and pants, his braid undone, yawning. He looked completely vulnerable. The way he rubbed the tears from the corners of his eyes was especially cute.

It seemed Lukas had been more affected by the alcohol than usual due to fatigue. The strange charm from earlier had diminished, and she felt less tense about sleeping.

"Lord Lukas, you can go to bed first."

"Okay."

Lukas, who seemed very sleepy, didn't hesitate to crawl under the covers. Viela turned off the lights and approached the bed. The first to lie down, Lukas pulled back the covers to welcome her.

"Come here."

"...Okay."

Viela carefully climbed into bed, maintaining the minimum distance to avoid touching him. She was grateful for the wide bed but couldn't face him due to embarrassment. Lukas seemed to understand and chuckled, covering her with the blanket. He then turned to face the ceiling, keeping his promise of just sleeping together.

"Thank you for indulging my whim. Good night."

"Yes, good night."

A few seconds after Viela's response, she heard regular breathing from beside her. Glancing over, she saw that he was already sound asleep.

(No way! He's asleep in three seconds... No, he must have been really tired. Maybe it was a special training day.)

She was surprised by how quickly Lukas fell asleep but felt relieved. As a result, she suddenly felt very sleepy.

(I wanted to observe Lord Lukas's sleeping face, but I can't resist the sleepiness...)

She was exhausted from preparing for the expedition, making sweets, and drinking. She soon drifted off to sleep.

(To be continued)