~Chapter 103~
First Date, First Love
“It wasn’t unpleasant!”
Eleanor quickly caught up to Karsian, raising her voice. At the same time, her white hand grabbed his arm in haste.
“I told you, I like it. I like meeting you often, being escorted by you, walking down the street hand in hand, hearing compliments about how well we look together… I like all of it.”
After saying this, Eleanor realized that her words sounded almost like a confession.
She had planned to keep a certain distance until the revenge was complete, but now she was speaking from the heart. She bit her soft inner lip, knowing she was going against her plan, but she couldn’t stop herself.
“Even back in the shop earlier… I wasn’t uncomfortable at all,” Eleanor said, her gaze meeting him again.
Karsian had a similar expression to earlier. His face seemed to be struggling with some strong emotion, as if something inside him was about to explode.
“So, don’t apologize,” Eleanor said, holding back the rest of what she wanted to say. She didn’t want to confess just yet.
“Karsian, I… I—”
She almost gained enough confidence to say what she wanted, but her words were interrupted by loud drumbeats and lively music suddenly filling the restaurant.
The upbeat music rang out, and instead of being surprised, the people around them cheered and stood up, dancing to the rhythm. It was clear they were all familiar with this tradition.
“Ah, right.”
A forgotten memory suddenly resurfaced. Ten years ago, after finishing their meal, when she and Luke were leaving, the restaurant owner had smiled and told her that this place was much more fun in the evenings, suggesting that when she was older, she should come back at night. He had mentioned that when the music started, everyone would get up and dance.
Eleanor had never expected to experience this moment herself.
Feeling a little awkward, Eleanor glanced at Karsian and began to approach him, but just then, a large man from the back table, caught up in the excitement, accidentally bumped into her back.
“Ah!”
Eleanor stumbled forward, but Karsian, standing right in front of her, caught her without moving an inch.
As he held her, Eleanor felt the warmth of his skin pressing against hers, and the familiar scent of Karsian filled the air, a mix of fresh wind and something oddly alluring.
Startled, Eleanor trembled as she felt the firm chest pressing against her forehead and the large hand gently gripping her waist. The heat from his body made her heart race.
Her heartbeat, strangely louder than the music, echoed in her ears.
Looking up at Karsian’s face, Eleanor saw his thick brows twitch, his red eyes filled with a storm of emotions.
She swallowed hard, confused about what she was feeling.
Is this his chest?
She was unsure whether she was holding Karsian’s chest or a stone-like handle.
Flustered, she quickly apologized, pulling away and trying to regain her balance.
“I-I’m so sorry…”
Before she could even take a step back, she was pulled back into Karsian’s arms.
“Are you uncomfortable?”
His thick arm wrapped around her slender waist, pulling her tightly against him. The pressure of his firm muscles against her soft body made her breath hitch.
Eleanor looked up at him, her eyes wide with surprise. She saw Karsian’s face showing raw, uncontrollable desire.
“Even if I do this?” he whispered, his face now so close to hers that she could almost feel his breath. His fiery red eyes were full of hunger, his lips hovering just inches away from hers.
A rough hand, calloused from experience, slowly traced her cheek, touching her with a different intensity than before.
Eleanor suddenly realized that she had completely misunderstood Karsian. The man in front of her was not the innocent, shy one she had imagined.
This was the real Karsian Royster. The one he had been trying to hide all day. His desperate, wild nature was now fully exposed.
Despite the whirlwind of emotions, Eleanor didn’t feel disgusted. But it was still overwhelming and embarrassing.
As she trembled, Karsian’s face twisted in pain. His intense eyes squeezed shut as he struggled to control himself.
“I beg you, Eleanor. Please, don’t trust my patience too much,” he whispered, his voice rough with longing.
He leaned his forehead against hers, taking a deep breath to steady himself.
“I want to be a good person to you. So… please, I beg you.”
Eleanor couldn’t find the words to respond. She could only nod in silence, overwhelmed by his raw emotion.
***
The carriage ride back to the Astria mansion was filled with an awkward silence. Both Eleanor and Karsian were quiet, with only the sound of the carriage wheels breaking the silence.
After what happened earlier, the mood was understandably heavy. Eleanor, not wanting to end the date on such a note, decided to speak up, trying to act casual.
“Oh, by the way, did I tell you? I’m going to visit Arlo in a few days,” Eleanor said, breaking the silence.
Karsian’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Visit Arlo? You really plan on seeing him?” he asked, his tone turning serious.
“Yes. Of course, I’m not going to comfort him. I’m just curious about how he’s doing. What kind of condition he’s in,” Eleanor replied, though she didn’t go into detail.
“Are you sure it’s safe? What if he tries to hurt you?” Karsian’s face darkened, his anger rising at the thought of Arlo.
Eleanor quickly reassured him, “Don’t worry. I heard he’s still not able to move properly. He won’t be able to do anything, especially in the palace, where there are plenty of eyes watching.”
“…” Karsian was still uneasy, but Eleanor tried to ease his concerns.
“I’m fine. You don’t have to worry,” she added, quickly changing the subject as they neared the mansion.
“Oh, we’re here already. Thanks for walking me back, Karsian.”
Karsian didn’t leave immediately. He walked her to the front gate and only said goodbye once he had no reason to stay.
“Thank you. I had an unforgettable day,” Eleanor said, her smile a little bittersweet.
“I had fun too, thank you,” Karsian replied politely.
But then he said something that stopped her from laughing.
“This was my first date, so I’m sure I made a lot of mistakes. If you point them out, I won’t make the same ones next time,” he said, completely unaware of what he had just said.
“Wait, what?” Eleanor stopped in her tracks, her smile fading.
Karsian tilted his head slightly, looking confused. “I said, this was my first date. If I made any mistakes, you can let me know.”
Eleanor blinked a few times, her mind trying to process his words.
“Wait, first date?” she repeated in disbelief.
“Yes, my first,” he answered confidently.
“First in your life?” she asked again, still unable to believe it.
“Yes,” he said, nodding without hesitation.
Eleanor stared at him, stunned. She couldn’t believe it.
“Have you… never been in a relationship before?” she asked, her voice trembling with disbelief.
The question seemed so impossible, but Karsian just smiled, as if it were no big deal.
“Yes. You’re the first one I’ve ever cared for,” he said softly.
Eleanor’s mind raced as she pieced everything together. All the strange moments, the way he had always kept his distance, his sudden awkwardness when confessing—it all made sense now.
“I must have kept you too long,” Karsian said, noticing the servants looking at them from the window. “I’ll see you again soon.”
Eleanor’s heart fluttered as Karsian bowed and left. She was left standing at the door, feeling overwhelmed.
When she finally entered the mansion, Hilda immediately noticed her strange expression.
“Miss, what’s wrong? Did something happen?” Hilda asked, her voice full of concern.
Eleanor’s answer was simple, but it left Hilda utterly confused.
“He said I was his first…”
