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Chapter : 3
“…What is she even talking about right now?”
Seeing Astella lower her gaze and speak with a deeply worried expression, Freya replied with an awkward look.
“That’s not it, Astella. Duke Bethelheim and I are in a purely professional relationship. We’re not close like you think.”
“But I saw you last time. You and Duke Bethelheim smiling and talking to each other… You really looked close.”
At her words, Freya frowned without realizing it.
Last time? When on earth had she seen something like that?
No matter how much she thought about it, she couldn’t recall ever smiling and chatting warmly with Raiden.
“I think it’s because you’ve known each other for so long. You were academy classmates, and you’ve worked together at the imperial palace for over three years. Seven years is nothing to scoff at, Freya.”
Honestly, she was being awfully detailed.
Suppressing her rising irritation, Freya spoke calmly.
“Time, you say… It’s true I’ve known Duke Bethelheim for a long time, but there’s really nothing between us. I don’t have any feelings like that for him. And I’m sure it’s the same for him.”
“Really?”
“Yes. And you know it too. I’m a committed single.”
Every day she visited the Vinok ducal house, and whenever they met, Duke Vinok would ask Freya, ‘When are you thinking of getting married?’
And every time she answered, ‘I plan to live alone.’ Astella must have seen that as well.
After pondering for a moment, Astella nodded.
“Okay. I’ll believe you, sis.”
“Good. I’m glad.”
“But still, I want to observe today’s meeting.”
“…Astella.”
This girl was really crossing the line.
“If Duke Bethelheim allows it, wouldn’t it be fine?”
“Well, that’s…”
If Raiden allowed it, maybe it would be fine, but holding a meeting with Astella present made Freya uneasy.
More than anything, she simply didn’t want Astella there.
‘It’s not like she’ll stay quiet. She’ll definitely get in the way.’
She’d said she came to keep an eye on the relationship between Raiden and herself, so there was no way she’d just sit still.
If she noticed even the slightest strange sign—though there wouldn’t be any—she’d surely make a fuss.
No, this wouldn’t do.
Just as Freya was about to shake her head and refuse, there was a knock, and the door opened as someone entered.
“Good afternoon, Fre— Miss Vinok, the duke’s daughter?”
The timing couldn’t have been worse. Of all moments, why did Raiden have to come now?
“Duke Bethelheim!”
Astella greeted him with a bright smile as he entered.
Raiden alternated his gaze between Astella and Freya, then asked with a slightly subdued expression.
“What brings you here at this hour, Miss?”
“I came to see Freya. And I was hoping I might be able to see you too, Duke Bethelheim.”
“Me? I’m not sure what business you have, but we’re about to have a meeting…”
With a puzzled look, Raiden spoke, and Astella replied with a smile.
“I know. That’s why I wanted to ask you a favor, Duke.”
“What would that be?”
“I’ve always thought it’s wonderful how Freya works. I was curious about what she does at the imperial palace, so… could I observe your meeting?”
“You wish to observe the meeting?”
Raiden’s face stiffened for a moment. Freya, who noticed Astella had subtly changed her wording, sighed inwardly and glanced at him.
See? Even Raiden knows how to separate work and personal matters.
Just as Freya was about to step in, thinking it couldn’t be helped, he shook his head first and spoke to Astella.
“I’m sorry, but that won’t be possible, Miss Vinok.”
“What? Why not?”
Astella looked startled, as if she hadn’t expected to be refused. Seeing her reaction, Raiden answered with an apologetic expression.
“Today’s meeting will be dealing with matters more important than usual. The content cannot be disclosed casually to outsiders, so allowing an observation would be difficult.”
At his words, Astella’s expression hardened. Raiden, watching her face, continued.
“Of course, I don’t believe you would carelessly spread anything you hear. But since there’s always a chance, I hope you understand that this is simply a precaution, and that you won’t take offense.”
It was a gentle but firm refusal. Seeing Astella’s stiff expression, Raiden smiled lightly.
“If there’s a meeting suitable for observation next time, I’ll let you know then.”
“Really?”
“Yes. We’ve been busy lately with new policies, but once things settle down, you can observe then. I’ll contact you through Freya.”
“All right. Since you say so, Duke, I’ll head back today.”
His reason was reasonable, and perhaps because he promised another chance, Astella gave in without much protest.
Relaxing her expression, she smiled with a hint of regret.
“Freya, I’ll be going now. Good luck with your meeting, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”
After lightly greeting Freya, she turned back to Raiden, lightly lifted her dress hem, and bowed.
“Excuse me, Duke Bethelheim. I look forward to seeing you next time.”
After Astella left, a brief silence fell between Freya and Raiden. Freya, who had been staring at the closed door, rolled her eyes and looked at him.
To think he managed to send that stubborn Astella away so easily. As expected of the male lead. Maybe he really had a knack for tugging at the heroine’s heart.
“Shall we begin the meeting?” he asked.
“…Yes, Duke.”
But something felt strange.
His kindness was the same as always, but his attitude toward Astella felt a little—no, quite—different.
Maybe it was just her imagination.
‘I thought he’d allow the observation since he’s supposed to be interested in Astella.’
Why did he refuse?
Raiden and Astella had met three days ago, right here in Freya’s office.
She clearly remembered the atmosphere when their eyes first met.
The way they stared at each other in silence, as if time had stopped, with a pink aura hanging in the air.
At that moment, Freya had instinctively thought:
Ah, so this is that famous “first meeting” scene.
A classic case of love at first sight—something you rarely see in modern romance fantasy.
In the comments, readers had gone wild:
‘Raiden already fell in love with Astella here.’
‘I swear I hear sparkly background music and petals flying.’
‘Damn, Raiden’s voice is insanely good.’
‘Hey, no one said that lol what are you even hearing?’
Even her older sister, who’d recommended the novel, had pointed out that this scene was a key moment early on.
Since they felt drawn to each other at first sight, their relationship progressed faster than expected.
Raiden, who’d been cautious and hesitant at first, began to approach her in response to Astella’s bold advances.
Although what just happened wasn’t in the original story, she’d thought Raiden would still allow Astella to observe.
‘Maybe he’s still hesitating.’
He’d been so shocked by the sudden feelings he developed after meeting her that he’d stayed up all night, after all. It was his first time feeling attraction toward a woman.
‘It won’t take long for him to realize it’s love. He’ll make a move soon enough.’
Freya didn’t want to dwell on it. Astella’s impulsive behavior alone was enough to make her tense and give her a headache.
They’d even promised to meet again, so this little deviation should be fine.
Watching Raiden sit on the sofa first, she said,
“I’m sorry, Duke Bethelheim. I’ll bring the meeting materials right away.”
As Freya hurried over to grab the documents and pen from her desk, he smiled gently.
“It’s fine. Take your time, Freya.”
Raiden’s gaze followed her movements.
From her hand, to her shoulder, to her face—his red eyes traced every motion without missing a thing.
Soon, a deeper smile formed on his lips.
“I’m sorry to keep you waiting. Let’s start the meeting—why are you looking at me like that?”
Freya asked as she sat down, because the sight of him smiling at her felt odd.
“What do you mean?”
“You’re smiling, Duke.”
“Am I not allowed to smile?”
“No, that’s not it, but…”
It’s just strange that you’re smiling at me.
Even in Freya’s memories from before being possessed, Raiden had smiled plenty of times—but this felt different.
Somehow, his face looked unlike his usual self.
