Lucian silently stared at the Duchess's distorted smile while listening to her mad, unhinged laughter filling the chamber and echoing against the walls.
Yet despite the noise being loud enough to deafen his ears, Lucian didn't move away, nor did his gaze leave her.
Then, after several long seconds—
Her laugh slowly died down.
"You… you really are intriguing," she muttered, an amused smile still tugging at her lips.
Her eyes slowly closed as she leaned back into the throne, tapping her fingers rhythmically against the armrest, the sound strangely matching Lucian's heartbeat.
The soft taps echoed through her silent bedroom.
After a few moments, the Duchess slowly opened her eyes once more, meeting Lucian's crimson eyes without wavering.
"Well…" she said softly.
"Fine."
Kanna, who stood a short distance away from them, was left shocked, genuinely thinking she had heard her wrong.
A small smile immediately lit up Lucian's face, but before he could get even a bit happier—
