Cecilia hesitated for a moment before turning around to open the door leading from the sitting room to the adjoining bedroom.

After scanning the room, she closed the door and moved closer to Russell, lowering her voice.

“How much do you trust that caravan leader of the Ewen Guild?”

“…He’s a reliable business partner. They’re the only guild willing to trade with us out here.”

“Merchants never engage in transactions that result in losses.”

“That’s true.”

“The Ewen Guild must find enough profit in trading with Lagos Castle. There’s no need to feel grateful.”

Russell nodded, growing increasingly curious.

What exactly was she trying to say?

“This is a serious secret,” she began. “The caravan leader of Ewen isn’t just a caravan leader. He’s the real owner of the guild.”

“…Ah.”

Cecilia asked cautiously,

“You already knew, didn’t you?”

“……”

“You did.”

Russell suddenly felt a strange itch, but this time, he knew exactly where it originated—inside his chest.

‘Could it be that she checked around the bedroom earlier to ensure no one was eavesdropping?’

He bit his lip, struggling to suppress the growing itch.

Cecilia glared at him, feeling both annoyed and humiliated.

His expression suggested he didn’t take her seriously, making her regret even bringing it up.

“This is a huge secret! And you’re just laughing at me!”

She had stepped closer to him to share the secret, closing the gap between them.

But Russell suddenly leaned in closer, closing the distance entirely.

Caught off guard, Cecilia instinctively moved back, losing her balance in the process.

Before she could fall, Russell’s arm wrapped around her waist, catching her.

Her posture was slightly reclined, making it difficult to push him away even though she wanted to.

She wasn’t grateful—far from it.

Instead, she was annoyed, and in her frustration, she hit his shoulder with her hand.

“How very rude!”

“Cecilia.”

Russell gently grabbed her hand mid-strike.

“It is a huge secret. I wasn’t laughing at you. I would never do that.”

There was no trace of a smile on his face anymore.

“But if you feel I did, then I was wrong. I’m sorry.”

“……”

Cecilia had seen his serious expression before.

On the day they first met, when she had stormed into the grand duke’s office yelling, he had looked at her with an impassive face.

Afterward, recalling his indifferent gaze had filled her with humiliation and anger.

No one had ever looked at her like that.

It was deeply unpleasant.

He hadn’t smiled at their wedding either.

Of course, she hadn’t either, her face swollen from a night of crying.

But now…

‘Why does it feel different?’

His expression, while serious, was no longer void of emotion.

She realized what had changed—it was his eyes.

She could see something warm and steady in his gaze, and she understood what that look meant.

It was fascinating to her because she clearly remembered his once-aloof stare.

Time seemed to slow as they held each other’s gaze.

She didn’t realize that observing his eyes so intently could be perceived as provocative.

Russell let out a brief laugh, and then…

He leaned in to kiss her.

It was a light touch, their lips brushing together before he pulled back.

Cecilia blinked, her eyes wide in surprise.

His lips, which she expected to be a little cool, were warm.

Her heart started to race.

His violet eyes had darkened slightly, the color deepening.

She thought that if she turned her head or moved away, he would let her go.

But she didn’t avert her eyes.

When his face drew closer again, she closed her eyes.

Just before they shut completely, she saw the slope of his nose as he tilted his head.

Then his lips fully captured hers.

His arm tightened around her waist, pulling her against him.

She gasped softly as their bodies pressed together completely.

Russell kissed her deeply, gently biting her lower lip before sliding his tongue across it.

When his tongue entered her parted lips, brushing against hers, her fingertips trembled where they rested against his chest.

The warmth starting in her mouth began to spread, coursing through her entire body.