Euphemia gasped then she screamed.

"DON'T LOOK!"

Lucien turned his head away but his cheeks and ears were still red.

"I apologize, Euphee. I . . . did not see anything," Lucien said probably just to spare her the embarrassment.

"Then why are your ears red?!" Euphemia asked while glaring at him.

"It is probably just the heat getting to me. I'll put down our food now, Euphee," Lucien said and placed down their food on the table.

Euphemia had already tied down the blanket around her to cover her chest while Lucien was looking away.

"It's fine now," Euphemia said.

Euphemia and Lucien began eating. Lucien was still looking guilty and really red at the same time.

"Luci, it's fine. I know it was unintentional," Euphemia said, feeling a bit bad for him.

"I'm a man of honor. I will take responsibility for your virtue, Euphee," Lucien said looking at her earnestly.

Euphemia couldn't help but crack a smile.

"You don't need to say that but thank you," Euphemia said.

"Normally, a gentleman should ask for the hand of the lady from her father," Lucien said.

"We're already engaged, Luci," Euphemia said.

Lucien still looked troubled.

"And it's not like we're going to get married in the end, right?" Euphemia said.

Lucien looked startled.

"Our contract states that we have a year together. After that, I'll go away and your life will be back to normal," Euphemia said.

"I . . ."

Euphemia got up. "That was a good dinner. Thanks, Luci."

Lucien got up and grabbed her wrist. "Euphee . . ."

"What's wrong? Does your stomach hurt?"

"No. It's my . . . heart."

Lucien looked like he was struggling to get out whatever he was trying to say.

"Why? Did the flame magic cause that?"

"No, what I mean is that . . ."

Lucien walked closer to her. Their faces inches away. His emerald eyes were looking at Euphemia earnestly.

"What I mean is that I feel like my heart is getting crushed whenever you say that you will be leaving," Lucien said with a pained look.

Euphemia was lost for words.

"Euphee, please don't leave me," Lucien said and pulled her into a hug.

*

*

*

"Rubiella! Where have you been?! I don't understand what's happening!" Lord Edward said angrily as soon as she came home.

"Father dear, I am the friend of the Saintess. The Duke's mansion was destroyed by Her Highness and I simply lent them our carriage so they can go back to Her Highness and give her a proper scolding. After that, I dropped them off to an inn because the Queen said she still had to prepare a mansion for them," Rubiella said, the words flowing out of her mouth faster than her father could comprehend.

"What?! I don't understand! You're not making sense!" Lord Edward exclaimed, extremely bewildered.

"Just stay calm, Father. The crown doesn't know I helped the Saintess escape from the palace so we're safe!" Rubiella said cheerfully.

"Escape?! Rubiella! What have you gotten yourself into?" Lord Edward asked, looking paler and paler with her every answer.

"Lots of stuff, Father, and I don't have the time to explain. I must be off to my room now," Rubiella said.

"You don't have the time? What are you up to this time?!" Lord Edward asked.

Rubiella put on an innocent look. "Nothing, Father. I'm simply going to retire for the night. It's been an eventful evening after all. I presume you are not going to let me have my dinner as punishment for my odd behavior this day so I shall go now. Have a good night, Father!"

*

*

*

Rubiella took a bath to look fresh before Hansel arrives. Annie helped her with drying her hair with a thick towel, and brushing her long curly red hair.

Now, Rubiella's only problem was deciding what to wear. She was pondering whether she should wear a sexy nightgown to welcome Hansel or a dress for a dinner date.

"What do you think, Annie? Should I go with the dress or this?" Rubiella asked Annie for what must have been the tenth time already.

"I advise to go with the dress, My Lady. You haven't had dinner yet and it will be an unpleasant experience if you are famished while you are conducting your nightly activities," Annie said.

"But what if he decides to ravage me for the night instead and I will not be able to leave my room until morning?" Rubiella said, still eyeing the black lacy see-through nightgown.

"My Lady, I believe Lord Hansel is a gentleman and he will allow you to eat first. Let me help you with the dress. He might arrive any minute now," Annie said.

"Alright but after dinner how do I take this off? I can't really reach the ribbons at the back and I want to change into the nightgown," Rubiella said.

"My Lady, I am sure Lord Hansel will be willing to help you out of this dress," Annie said.

"Oh."

Rubiella put on a dark green dress which contrasted nicely with her vibrant red hair.

"How do I look?" Rubiella asked.

"You look lovely, My Lady," Annie said.

*

*

*

The moon was hanging up from the sky like a lanter lighting up a young man's road. The young man was in a good mood. He even had the urge to whistle a tune while walking. He touched his lips and smile, remembering their kiss. He was in a really good mood.

"Good evening, Lord Hansel. The Lady is expecting you," Annie said with a pleased smile.

"Thank you," Hansel said then remembered something. "I'm not a lord, miss. You can just call me Hansel."

"Nonsense. You're My Lady's lover therefore you are worthy of respect. But do take care. If you make her cry, I will make sure to destroy you," Annie said.

"You're a good friend," Hansel said.

Hansel knocked on Rubiella's door.

*

*

*

"You are beautiful, my lady," Hansel said in awe.

Rubiella blushed. "Thank you. Have you had dinner already?"

"If you haven't, I haven't had dinner too, my lady," Hansel said.

Rubiella chuckled. "What if I said I had dinner already?"

"Then I'll say my stomach is full too, my lady," Hansel said.

"Let's go. Father reprimanded me earlier so I confined myself in the room without dinner," Rubiella said.

"Lord Edward reprimanded you?" Hansel asked looking concerned.

"It's fine. I'm used to it," Rubiella said.

Hansel still looked concerned but he remained quiet. The two went out to a nice restaurant with a lovely ambience. There was a bard singing a relaxing song at the stage, there was a candle in the middle of their table, and the food was exquisite.

"This place looks expensive," Rubiella said.

"Don't worry. I have enough savings to last for years. I've never spent my earnings ever since I've started working," Hansel said.

"Why? Are you saving up for something?" Rubiella asked.

"No. I just didn't have anything to spend on. The food is free in the mansion and His Grace gives me clothes. I still have a closet full of clothes I haven't even worn yet. But now, I have something worth spending on. No, not something. Someone really precious," Hansel said, gazing at Rubiella fondly.

Rubiella blushed.

"Hansel, am I rushing you too much? I've been really pushy to you and you're a gentleman so perhaps you're just taking responsibility for my scandalous actions," Rubiella said.

"My Lady, I may be a gentleman but I wouldn't pretend to be lovers with someone I don't like. I truly like you, My Lady," Hansel said.

"I truly like you too, Hansel," Rubiella said.

The two had an enjoyable dinner talking about anything and everything. Hansel still called her "my lady" but the way he said it felt more like an endearment than etiquette. He was attentive to her stories. To her stories of her bad relationship with ber father, to her few memories of her mother, and to her night escapades. Rubiella felt herself being listened to. Finally truly being listened to. Like someone was truly seeing her. Not as the viscount's daughter but as Rubiella Summers herself.

The two walked under the moonlight with less conversation but with smiles on their faces. No words were needed to fill the gap which did not exist. It was as if the two were simply contented with the presence of the other.

They eventually reached Rubiella's house and Hansel accompanied her to her room.

"Hansel, will you sleep with me again?" Rubiella asked with a hopeful look.

Hansel took her hand and kissed the back of it.

"My Lady, I'm afraid I might take too much liberty with you by my side and knowing that your feelings are the same with mine. I hope you will allow me to take things slow," Hansel said.

"Oh," Rubiella said looking a bit disappointed. Her sexy nightgown would have to wait then.

"My Lady, let me treasure you more. I might become too greedy and just take you tonight if you let me sleep here," Hansel said.

Rubiella blushed but she tried to look unaffected by his charms.

"I'm not a treasure. I'm a person and this person is allowing you to stay here. Why can't you be greedy?" Rubiella insisted.

Hansel's emerald green eyes seemed to shimmer in the darkness. His aura felt different. It was like being cornered by a beast. He closed the distance between them.

Then he began to kiss her.