Feverish temperature

"I haven't seen you since the royal ball. Have you been doing well?"

Senriv queried as they walked towards their seats. With the overwhelming amount of attention poured onto them, Cialme replied in a normal tone to not harbor any further attention.

"Yes, I'm doing great. How about you, Duke?"

Suddenly, the word 'royal ball' struck to her mind. Cialme had not been paying enough attention to his words and she would not definitely do that anymore.

The very important event which triggered the beginning of the novel. In that particular event, the leads met each other. The male lead fell for the heroine and the male lead's image etched on the heroine's memory like it was her first time seeing that man so kind and gorgeous.

Cialme looked at him attentively, much livelier and more enthusiastic than before.

"Thank you for asking, milady. I'm doing great too."

Senriv noted the enthusiasm on her face, and quickly asked her again.

"You should speak that out now. I'm all ears."

They were now seated in the red cushioned seats. The seats in front row were reserved for people above marquis rank, while the following rows were occupied by the ranks lower than them.

Though she was only counted as a daughter of a count, which was supposed to be seated in the fourth or fifth row, somehow Cialme had got herself in the first row together with the duke.

"I was wondering if it has been months ago. It seems I have forgotten the details due to an accident that occured last week. Can you enlighten me, Duke?"

The man who had been smiling radiantly at her failed to smile this time when the brightness of his expression drained out.

It crumbled only to be replaced with a grim expression.

"I don't mind if you're referring me by title, but to have completely forgotten that night... You're really something, Cia."

Cialme had taken note of how he referred her not by her name but by a pet name. It only confirmed that her relationship with the man was not in a normal level. Moreover, what is he talking about that night?

Asking right away would only fuel his already grim expression. Cialme regretted why she had queried him without confirming her relationship to him. If she would have been more cautious, then she wouldn't have encountered this problem.

As if on cue, the pain began to trouble her again. Cialme had been holding it in for a long time, and she really felt curling up right now. She wanted to bury her head on her knees so to alleviate her discomfort temporarily.

Cialme left Senriv in the conversation as she turned her gaze away.

"Is that your response? Did you really forgot what happened that night?" He whispered on her ear seductively. His warm breath tickled her hot skin, causing her skin to erupt goosebumps.

Cialme's eyes narrowed as she concentrated on taming the aching pain on her head. Suddenly, the small eyes dilated in surprise when a soft piece of flesh grazed her neck.

"You're burning hot. Do you have a fever?"

Cialme nodded shyly. She was found out. Her body was not only heating up because of fever, but also of embarrassment that flared up rapidly. The duke had kissed her on her neck in discreet. Cialme bit her lips to suppress her heightening embarrassment.

"Let's leave now."

Senriv clutched her shoulders, hanging his thick coat over her shoulders that felt very warm on her skin. Cialme followed his initiation and walked out of the first row.

The count and the countess, as well as Kirton who had witnessed how the duke took his sister away. Their disappearance was feasted by the people of high society. Some noble people did not put their mind over the matter which was not supposed to be discussed by an outsider.

Arriving at the intricately designed carriage, Senriv offered his hand for Cialme to take. The girl took the hand willingly, climbing onto the stairs with shaky feet.

"To Count Luvain's manor."

Is what Senriv said shortly after he settled on the cushioned seat. The coachman nodded in obedience, whipping the horses to move forth. The wheeled vehicle was being towed by two horses, which reduced the time travel due to doubled speed.

Cialme relaxed her back on the seat. With the coat hugging her body, she felt a little better than before.

Senriv decided to sit next to her. His large heated palms pressed on burning skin. Trapping her body in his embrace, Cialme felt much better. With the comfort reigning over her body, her mind drifted to sleep.

When she halved her eyes again, she was being carried to her room. Senriv carried her in his arms that shocked everyone in the mansion. The infamous duke who was rumored to be disinterested in women had been dating their mistress?

Her long silvery lashes fluttered heavily as she looked at his face with a throbbing pain in her head.

Had she fallen asleep? For how long? Cialme heard Elisha's voice on the near distance, but it disappeared quickly after Senriv sent her away. His shoes clicked on the wooden floor, nearing to where she is. Cialme felt her body sweating from the tightness of her gown. Just when her fingers started to untangle the ribbon...

"Leave it to me."

Senriv whispered in a cool voice.

His fingers unraveled the ribbon, grazing his hot fingers on her skin. When the gown was loosened, Senriv pulled it gently, allowing her bare skin to be exposed to see his eyes.

The corset which hugged her stomach tightly was also removed, revealing her natural curves. With her wearing only a thin undergarment which covered her bosom down to her thighs, the sticky feeling had evaporated causing her to feel cold.

Cialme curled up like a child in a cold night. Her body quaking in intense when chilly sensation spread throughout her skin. Finding some warmth, Cialme pulled the nearest source of heat and it was Senriv whom she had found.

In eyes filled of shock, blinked in confusion upon her gesture. His body followed the faint pull. Senriv bumped his body on hers.

Like an ice thawing because of heat, her coldness melted when Senriv poured his warmth onto her. Clasping her arms around his body, desperate to find warmth.

With her clinging to him, Senriv felt the urge to trap the defenseless woman in his embrace Large hottish hand spanned on her back, while the other one was firmly secured on her shoulder.

Cialme buried her face on his chest which emits a great amount of desired warmth.

The wintery night passed, the warm rays thawed the chilly breeze when the sun rose up in the sky. It reached the quarters of the young lady of Luvain household, where one person reacted on the warm light.

Squinting her eyes, it was then greeted by the bright light when she opened it widely. Cialme rubbed her eyes in circular motion, brushing off the sleepiness of her eyes.

Moving her body to the edge of the bed, Cialme felt something was burdening her movements. Her eyes fell down on the muscular arm over her abdomen.

"Duke?"

Her shock was verbalized, Cialme's eyes went wide as she realized that it wasn't the sun rays that had thawed the chilliness.

Senriv fiddled his fingers that tickled her side as he woke up groggily. Facing her with a handsome face, Senriv smiled.

"Good morning... Slept well?"

The flirty smile gave her a slight flinch. This is bad.