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“Oh, it’s nothing. I’ll be getting off soon.”
“Where are you going? Allow me to escort you!”
He offered to accompany Marie without even asking her destination.
At the ball, he and Calix had conspired together, but there was no need to keep up the act outside.
“No, that won’t be necessary…”
“No, don’t refuse. I just enjoy being in the company of a beautiful lady.”
Nox smiled brightly, refusing to accept her rejection.
He spoke with the certainty and confidence of someone who assumed any woman would be delighted by his words.
“…”
For some reason, Calix’s face darkened.
Marie noticed his expression and quickly got the message.
‘Ah, he wants me to get off quickly.’
She should’ve said she would as soon as the carriage stopped.
“Calix, thank you for the ride. I’ll get off here.”
“Calix?”
Only then did Nox peer through the small window and spot him.
“…Bloodstone, you were there too.”
“Yes.”
Their eyes met in mid-air, sparking subtly.
A flicker of tension passed between them.
“Where… were you headed again?”
“Well now, do I need to tell you that?”
Calix replied coolly.
Nox bit his lip, then quipped mischievously,
“Well, I don’t need to know your plans. But from here on out, I’ll be escorting Marianne.”
“What?”
Calix’s voice dropped.
Nox lifted his chin with a carefree grin.
“Don’t worry. I’ll take good care of her.”
“…”
Behind his mask, Calix’s face grew stern.
“Nox, really, I’m fine.”
Marie quickly shook her head.
Dwayne was with her, and she didn’t need an escort.
Besides, she was heading out for business—his presence would only be a nuisance.
“No, no. Allow me to escort you in my carriage.”
Once again, Nox ignored her.
He stepped out of his own carriage and opened the door to hers.
A gloved hand reached out toward her.
“Escorting a lady is a gentleman’s joy.”
“Haa…”
Marie sighed.
Nox seemed to think no woman would ever turn down his offer.
Or worse, that they would be happy to accept it.
Then—
Calix leaned out the window and said to Nox,
“Wetherwood. Sorry, but Marie has an important engagement today. Business-related.”
“Is that so…?”
Nox gave Calix a pointed look, almost provoking him, and then turned a charming smile to Marie.
“Ah, is it for your interior design work?”
“Yes. I was on my way to the materials vendor.”
“Then all the more reason I should join you. I might be of help, who knows?”
He winked, and Marie’s lips stiffened in response.
“I appreciate the offer, but…”
He was Calix’s friend, and she did appreciate his help at the ball—but she didn’t want to be dragged around.
“Wetherwood.”
Just then, as if reading Marie’s discomfort, Calix spoke.
“Marie doesn’t need your help. She has me.”
You?
“Yes. I was accompanying her to her destination.”
Wasn’t he planning to drop her off right around the corner?
‘Wait… is he saying this to reject Nox on my behalf?’
Maybe he thought his friend was putting her in an awkward spot.
“Huh?”
But Nox noticed something.
He tilted his head and asked Calix,
“What’s that white speck on your lip?”
Marie squeezed her eyes shut.
‘No! Don’t realize!’
She bit her lip to keep from turning toward Calix.
‘No way, there’s no way Calix would figure it out!’
“What speck?”
Naturally, Calix was clueless.
Marie quickly tried to change the subject.
“Nox, thank you, but really, today is not—”
But Nox kept staring at Calix’s lips.
“Right there. On your lip. There’s a white speck.”
He pointed directly at it.
“Ugh.”
Marie let out a stifled groan.
Then she sneaked a glance at Calix’s face.
“Gasp!”
The handsome man behind the black mask was covering his mouth with a large hand.
But his face was red. All the way to his ears.
‘No! Don’t realize!’
Too late. His eyes met hers.
“…!”
They both flinched and looked away at the same time.
“Huh? Why’s your face so red? Did I say something weird? What’s that white stuff anyway?”
“Um…”
Calix was too flustered to respond.
At the same time, Marie’s face was heating up as well.
“Huh? Marie? You’re blushing too?”
Clueless Nox looked confused.
“Ah… it’s just… the weather’s warming up, you know.”
‘Please! Just leave us alone already!’
But Nox wouldn’t take the hint—or perhaps he took it too well.
“Warm? It’s only April. Still a while to go before it gets hot.”
“Yes, yes… that’s right…”
‘Leave! Now!’
“Well, since the weather’s nice, I’ll tag along!”
Nox was still insistent, even after all that Calix had said.
‘How can anyone be this dense?’
Then Calix, suddenly uncharacteristically gentle, said,
“…Marie, today, I’d like to spend time with you alone. Without uninvited guests. Is that all right?”
His face was still red.
But he spoke slowly, with intimacy.
As if to publicly declare their closeness.
As if the charade from the ball was continuing outside.
‘Are they both acting like this intentionally? Just in case someone sees? Are they really that close?’
“Yes. Of course… I don’t mind.”
What else could she say?
As soon as she answered, Calix turned to Nox.
“You heard her? She declined.”
His lips were stiff.
“What?”
Calix swept back his hair and slammed the carriage door shut in Nox’s face.
Nox was left bewildered.
‘Why such a strong reaction? Did they… kiss in there or something?’
There was no other reason why both of them would blush just because he pointed out a spot on Calix’s lips.
He stared at Calix with a meaningful gaze.
“Are you… serious about her?”
“What are you trying to say?”
Calix offered no clear answer.
But the redness still lingered on his face.
‘That bastard. He really means it with this woman!’
There was no other possible explanation.
‘I can’t believe it. But it’s true!’
A blue flame lit in Nox’s eyes.
‘So you do want this woman.’
It had been years since Calix kept away from women—six years since he’d even participated in society.
‘And now the woman who brought him back to a ball is her?’
Nox turned to Marie.
She looked different now.
“Marianne Whitehouse.”
Beautiful green eyes, a fine nose, plump lips.
Soft chestnut hair, porcelain skin.
‘Is it her looks?’
Blushing cheeks.
A slender neck, graceful figure.
Elegant attire, poised movements.
‘It must be her appearance.’
As a recluse, she surely lacked in other areas.
Rumors even said she wasn’t properly educated.
But her beauty and noble blood were undeniable.
‘Fine. I can overlook financial hardship!’
Nox had unintentionally stolen many hearts.
Countless women waited for his affection with tears in their eyes.
At social events, they’d swarm around him like bees.
Sometimes, it was annoying how little peace he had.
‘If I flash a smile with intent, no woman can resist me.’
If Nox allowed anyone close, they’d inevitably fall for him.
Even a passing dog would know that.
‘Good. I choose you.’
He gave Marie a charming smile, his blue eyes gleaming.
And with a soft voice, he spoke her name.
“Marianne.”
“Y-Yes…?”
She responded, clearly confused by his sudden smile.
‘This time, I’ll win, Bloodstone.’
Nox decided to strike quickly—win her heart and make Calix suffer.
‘I’ll give him back the pain he gave me.’
He opened his mouth to deliver his killer line.
“We…”
Just then—
Tap tap.
Calix knocked on the carriage roof with his cane.
“Go.”
The driver, taking the signal, immediately set the horses in motion.
“Hyah!”
Rumble. The wheels began to roll.
“Huh?”
Nox, flustered, called out.
“Marianne? Wait…!”
“Oh, well, until next time—”
Marie didn’t even finish her farewell.
The carriage quickly pulled away.
“Marianne!”
But Nox couldn’t follow.
His coachman had stepped away for a moment.
“Damn…”
Soon, Calix’s carriage vanished from sight.
“…That bastard Bloodstone. He ran.”
Nox smirked coldly.
Calix, sensing he was losing, had whisked Marie away to hide her.
He’d realized she was about to fall for Nox.
Any woman would, if Nox so much as reached out.
“Fine. It’s just a matter of time.”
He
couldn’t match Calix in wealth, but in charm?
He was unrivaled.
No woman would choose Calix over Nox, the most desired man in society.
“Bloodstone, this time, I’ll be the one to win.”
Nox stood for a long time, staring down the road where the carriage had disappeared.
