ғɪғᴛʜ.

"With due respect, you're not supposed to do that." Anger can clearly see in her eyes but for the Prince, it's the other way around. 

He saw how her cheeks turned crimson and if she ever got her hand fan, he would go back to the castle with a small bump on his head but fortunately, she was empty-handed. He saw the way to the pavilion and he held her wrist, not wanting to drag her there. She started struggling and he tightened his grasp, making her wince in pain. He stopped for a while and looked at him, realizing that she was already crestfallen. He didn't mean to be harsh but with her presence, it is enough for him to turn his attention to her. 

"I didn't expect that you're like this." Tears fell from her eyes and she shoved his hand away to run back inside the great hall. 

He wanted to follow her and apologize for what he did but he started to blame himself for being disrespectful. It took him minutes to collect himself and the moment he entered the great hall, the most awaited news was finally announced. Everyone congratulated the Countess and the Archduke for their upcoming marriage that will be held next month. He looked around and didn't see Fuyu. Kazuma approached him and he smiled faintly. 

"What happened? The Hasegawa twins left early. Did something happen between you and Lady Fuyu?" The Grand Duke asked and he took a glass of wine instead and emptied it. 

"What did you do?" Kazuma insisted. He shook his head and took another wine glass. The younger one snatched the wine away from him and gave him a blank look. 

"Let's have a stroll." He sighed in defeat and walked back to the garden to have a private conversation with him. 

Meanwhile, the twins just arrived at their manor. Fuyu immediately asked her personal servant to prepare a warm bath for her. Makoto held her arm, his gaze landed on her wrist. He furrowed his brows and called a servant to get cold water. He wanted to ask where she got the bruise but he preferred her to tell it herself. 

"Take a bath first and then, let's take care of your bruises." He said and she just nodded. Her personal servant informed her that her warm bath was already prepared, so she went to the bathroom quickly. 

"Where is it?" She mumbled when she arrived in the bathroom and noticed that her rubies were missing. 

She took her jewellery off and her rubies are the only ones missing. She tried to remember if she lost it somewhere and she heaved a sigh when she thought of the possibility that she dropped it when she was struggling from the Prince's grasp on her wrist. She looked at her small bruise and until now, she can feel the warmth of his touches, especially on her lips. No one ever kissed her, so it means that he is her first kiss. Physical intimacy is somehow a mortal sin because they are not even in a relationship nor married. 

"I hate him." She muttered while taking her clothes off. She is also feeling bad because she only accompanied the Viscount for a short period of time. 

"I wonder if he will have no Economics classes tomorrow." It's been two weeks since the contract started. They can meet while attending classes but most of the time, the Viscount is busy with his family affairs. 

Morning came and she prepared for her Law classes. She went to the university with her servant and while walking in the hallways, she saw the Viscount talking to his close friend. She approached them and she smiled softly when he reached for her hand and left a kiss on the back of it. The younger man bowed his head and she did a curtsy for them. She took her things from her servant and asked her to go back already. 

"What time will your class start?" Higa asked and she checked her schedule for that day. She raised her brows when he suddenly carried some of her things. 

"Thank you, Milord. My class will start half-hour from now. How about you? It seems I'm taking too much of your time." She said but he shook his head while smiling. 

"I will accompany you until your class starts. Perhaps, we can visit the garden for a while?" He asked and she smiled softly. 

"Of course, Milord. Lord Ryoji, would you like to go with us?" She invited the younger Viscount but he declined the invitation as he knows that the two need time to talk privately. 

"I apologize for declining your invitation, Milady. My cousin is actually waiting for me, I almost forgot." Ryoji reasoned out and she understood him immediately. 

The Countess is like his mother already and whenever he has classes, they will meet somewhere just to talk or have a stroll. After bidding his goodbye, the two proceeded to the garden. She was enjoying the silence between them and when they arrived, the Viscount suddenly stopped from walking and she faced him to ask. 

"Is there something wrong, Milord?" She asked in a soft but quiet voice and he reached for her hand to leave another kiss on the back of it. 

"I was lonely last night. You went home early and I didn't have the chance to spend more time with you." He answered and she felt guilty as she remembered what really happened last night. 

"I am deeply asking for apologies for what happened last night, Milord. I didn't mean to make you feel lonely. Perhaps, I can do anything to make it up with you?" She held his hand a little tight while looking up at him. 

"I would like to invite you for dinner this weekend. That's enough of an apology." She let out a hearty laugh while nodding. 

"You're so beautiful when you laugh, Milady." He whispered to her hand and this made her heart beat so fast.