Chapter 6

"――Did you dislike it?"

He was aware that it was a cunning question.

Given her personality, he had anticipated the answer, regardless of whether it was sincere or not.

"……No. I didn’t dislike it."

The expected words. If it were someone else, they might struggle to determine whether the words were sincere.

But when it came to Percival Stroud, it was different.

He knew better than anyone whether the words spoken by the girl, whose eyes were moist with confusion, were true or false.

(Still, this power is unfair, especially when it comes to matters of the heart.)

While mocking himself in his heart, Percival, reassured that she didn’t dislike it, leaned in for another kiss. He could feel her shoulders tremble and her hand grip the hem of his clothes as if clinging to something.

She was undoubtedly confused by the sudden turn of events.

But she held back at the last moment, not trying to run away from him.

(It’s because you’re like this that you end up getting caught by a man like me… Margaret.)

Hiding his true feelings, Percival silently rolled her real name in his mind, savoring the softness of her lips.

Her innocent reactions, which didn’t even know how to breathe properly, were endearing.

He strongly felt that he was the only one who truly knew her.

—When he first met Margaret, he undoubtedly felt sympathy and a protective instinct.

Her emaciated body, clearly malnourished, was pitiful. Despite her complex circumstances, her kindness in trying to connect with Percival’s heart made him want to save her. This feeling was undoubtedly influenced by his former fiancée, whom he couldn’t help when she was ill.

But as they spent more time together, feelings that couldn’t be easily dismissed began to grow.

He was happy to see her gradually regain her health. Her cute smiles over small things were adorable. Her earnest desire to work was endearing. The beautiful eyes she directed at him, filled with trust, were far more precious than any words.

At first, he was willing to let her go if she wished after gaining her freedom.

He had no intention of binding her to a marriage with him.

But over time, imagining a future together had become a natural thought.

Until today, though. Probably, even now, if she really wanted to.

He could have given her hand to someone else.

The decisive moment was—her unexpected action at the tea party.

"Please take back those words!!"

Margaret, shouting with heightened emotions, was fierce, vivid, and beautiful. Raising her voice was not a commendable behavior for a noble lady. Moreover, she was a gentle girl, known as the epitome of a lady. Her intense anger not only shocked Percival but also the people around her.

Especially when he realized that her outburst was not for herself but solely for Percival.

Enraptured by Margaret, Percival finally acknowledged his own hidden affection, which he hadn’t been aware of.

He had always thought that love was difficult for him due to his innate magic.

People always lie, and Percival is no exception. But this power forces others to reveal their lies, whether he wants it or not. Being with him means always exposing one’s true self.

A political marriage could work, maintaining a proper distance and getting along well.

He didn’t need to explain the details of his magic to his wife. If Percival ignored her lies, they could have a peaceful life on the surface.

In that sense, his former fiancée, Elsa, was the ideal woman.

A childhood friend he had known well since childhood. They had no romantic feelings for each other; he treated her like a sister, and she treated him like a brother. Knowing her true feelings, Percival could avoid unnecessary guilt without harboring romantic feelings for her.

Margaret, who knew nothing of these circumstances, called Percival honest.

But that was wrong. It was the opposite.

He was a calculating and unfair man, and any woman who liked him would be pitiful.

(Still, I can’t let her go now.)

Slowly parting his lips, he saw Margaret, who seemed to be slightly oxygen-deprived, lean into his chest with flushed cheeks. She must have been embarrassed, as she lowered her head. He gently wrapped his arms around her back as she tried to steady her breathing, trembling.

Holding her gently, he felt her body tense with nervousness. He had already investigated every detail of her background and knew that her environment had made her unaccustomed to physical contact.

He stroked her back gently, like soothing a frightened kitten. The ticklish sensation of her breath against his chest made Percival feel a happiness he had never experienced before.

"……Let’s try to increase our physical contact a bit more from now on, shall we?"

"…Lord Percival…?"

"Is that a no?"

"It’s not a no… but… why suddenly?"

Percival naturally narrowed his eyes as Margaret, in his arms, tried to confirm his true intentions.

(It’s because I just want to touch you, my dear… but if I say that…)

What would her reaction be if he told her the truth?

Feeling a mix of wanting to know and not wanting to know, he chuckled to himself.

"I think it’s better for both of us to get used to this kind of thing gradually. Eventually, we’ll do more than this."

The bad adult, who had decided to completely encircle the pitiful girl, gently pressed his lips to her platinum hair, which shimmered like moonlight visible only to him.

This concludes Chapter 5.

The story has passed the halfway point, so I hope you will continue to enjoy it.

I also welcome bookmarks, reviews, likes, and comments, so I would be very grateful if you could support me!