After finishing her paperwork, Anastasia stood up from her desk, stretched her neck, and decided it was time to see what Julius was up to. She asked a passing servant, who quickly informed her that Sir Julius was in the library.
The library? Julius never used it. He preferred the training grounds or his study. The only reason he would be there now was obvious: Rem had chosen to clean in there to have some peace of mind, and he had sought her out.
A dark thrill ran through Anastasia. She slipped quietly through the corridors, moving with the practiced stealth she had learned from years of subtle scheming. She approached the library door, which was slightly ajar, and peeked inside without making a sound.
The scene inside made her heart race.
Rem was working — dusting shelves, organizing books, moving with her usual graceful efficiency. Julius sat in a large armchair nearby, a book open in his lap, pretending to read but clearly not paying attention to the pages. His eyes kept drifting to Rem.
Anastasia stayed hidden, listening.
Rem broke the silence first, her voice tight with irritation.
"I still can't believe Lady Anastasia is forcing me to be your partner at the next festival. It's humiliating. She's manipulating everything again."
Julius closed the book slowly, a small, cool smile on his lips. He played it perfectly casual.
"I don't mind," he said, his tone light but laced with flirtation. "In fact... I'm looking forward to it."
Rem turned to face him, cheeks flushing with irritation. "You're not helping."
Julius leaned back in the chair, eyes roaming over her. "Come on, Rem. You know you looked good last time. And you'll look even better as my 'wife' for the festival."
Rem's irritation flared. She stuck her tongue out at him in annoyance — a childish, Rem-like gesture that made her look both adorable and defiant.
Julius chuckled. "Don't do that. You told me you were Anastasia that night... and on the festival, you're going to be Anastasia again. For me, it's great."
Rem crossed her arms, still irritated. "You're impossible."
Julius's expression softened slightly. "Did you find your ring yesterday?"
Rem's face darkened. "No. I looked all day. I'm just glad Lady Anastasia didn't make some mess so I didn't have to work yesterday."
Julius set the book aside and stood up, stepping closer to her.
"I'll buy you a new one," he said gently. "Exactly the same as the one Subaru gave you. No one will know the difference."
Rem looked at him, surprised and conflicted, her irritation softening into something more vulnerable.
Anastasia, hidden just outside the door, felt a sharp twist in her chest. Jealousy, anger, and dark satisfaction all mixed together as she watched Julius offer Rem a replacement ring — the very thing she had orchestrated.
He's already trying to fix what I broke... in the way I wanted.
She smiled to herself, silent and unseen.
Rem stood on the small library ladder, dusting the higher shelves with slow, deliberate strokes. Her back was to Julius, but she could feel his eyes on her.
She spoke without turning around, voice quiet but firm.
"It's my wedding ring, Julius. It has special value to me. Subaru gave it to me when he asked for my hand. It's not something that can be replaced."
Julius closed the book in his lap with a soft thud. He stood up, walked over to the ladder, and placed his hands on Rem's waist from behind, steadying her gently.
"I can buy you a new one," he said, voice low and sincere. "And I can ask you to marry me... so we can make new memories together."
Rem's body tensed under his touch. She turned her head slightly, cheeks flushed.
"It was a one-time thing," she said, voice strained. "You shouldn't get your hopes up. I won't kiss you again. On the festival night... my emotions got the better of me."
Julius's grip on her waist tightened just a fraction. He looked up at her with calm intensity.
"My emotions got the better of me too," he replied. "But I don't regret a single second of it."
He lifted her down from the ladder with effortless strength, then sat in the nearby armchair and pulled Rem onto his knee, settling her sideways across his lap. Rem let out a small, surprised sound but didn't fight him.
Julius looked into her eyes, his voice serious.
"Can you stop avoiding my eyes, Rem? I'm serious about this."
Rem's face burned red. She tried to look away, but Julius gently cupped her chin, guiding her gaze back to his.
"I'm serious too," she whispered, voice trembling. "I have a loving husband. We plan to have children. I'm irritated with this situation. I was hoping we could put aside that one accident on the festival night."
Julius shook his head slowly, his hand sliding down to rest on her thigh, petting the smooth skin exposed where her skirt had ridden up. Rem's breath hitched, but she didn't push his hand away.
"Never," he said quietly. "Now that I know your feelings, I would rather die than pretend they aren't there."
Rem's irritation flared, but she stayed on his lap, letting him continue stroking her thigh like it was the most natural thing in the world.
"We need boundaries," she insisted, voice shaky. "That night I pretended to be your wife and I just... got into the act."
Julius let out a low, genuine laugh. "Do you really believe I'll believe that?"
He leaned in closer, his breath warm against her ear.
"But if you want... I can wait for the festival. When you'll be my wife again. And if there's that couple competition... I expect to win it. So Subaru will have to give us the trophy for the best couple."
Rem's face turned an even deeper shade of red. She looked away, embarrassed and conflicted, but didn't move from his lap.
Julius's hand continued its slow, gentle caress on her thigh, the library silent except for their breathing and the distant sounds of the mansion.
Rem's cheeks were still flushed, but her eyes hardened with determination as she sat on Julius's lap, his hand resting possessively on her thigh. She looked him straight in the eyes, voice firm despite the tremble in it.
"There is no chance for you to win, Julius. I don't plan to win that competition. And I swear to the gods — if you insult Subaru again, I will leave this mansion."
Julius's hand paused on her thigh. He looked at her for a long moment, his expression serious but unwavering.
"If you leave this mansion," he said quietly, "I'm going after you. I don't plan to give up."
Rem's breath caught. She opened her mouth to protest, but Julius continued, his voice low and steady.
"But it's going to be awkward... telling Subaru to his face, 'I'm taking Rem as my wife.' Or 'Please let me marry your wife.'"
He let out a small, dry laugh, though there was no real humor in it.
"It's going to be awkward doing it every single day until you agree."
Rem stared at him, her face a mixture of shock, irritation, and something deeper — conflict she couldn't fully hide. She pushed lightly against his chest, trying to create some distance, but Julius's arm around her waist held her in place.
"You're impossible," she muttered, looking away, cheeks burning.
Julius's hand resumed its slow caress on her thigh, gentle but insistent.
"I know," he said softly. "But I'm not going to pretend anymore, Rem."
Hidden just outside the slightly ajar library door, Anastasia watched the entire exchange with wide eyes. Her heart hammered in her chest — a storm of jealousy, satisfaction, and dark excitement. She pressed a hand over her mouth to stay silent, barely breathing.
He's not backing down, she thought, a twisted thrill running through her. He's really fighting for her now.
Rem looked torn, her body tense on Julius's lap, but she didn't pull away completely. The air between them crackled with tension, the kind that could either explode or ignite into something neither of them could stop.
ulius leaned in without warning, pressing his lips to the side of Rem's neck. The kiss was slow, warm, and deliberate, his mouth lingering on the soft skin just below her ear. Rem shivered, her hands tightening on his shoulders.
"Julius..." she breathed, voice a mix of protest and something she didn't want to name.
He didn't stop. His lips moved lower, tracing a gentle path down the curve of her neck, kissing and lightly sucking.
Rem's breath hitched. "Anastasia really went too far... making Subaru ask me to be your partner at the festival. It's pissing me off. Subaru should have punched her in the face and made her second eye black. Maybe that would teach her not to get her hands in our marriage."
Julius hummed against her skin, his mouth still busy kissing her neck between her words. "Mmm... I'll talk to Anastasia about it," he murmured, lips brushing her pulse point. "So she doesn't bully your husband too much..."
He kissed her again, slower this time, right where her neck met her shoulder.
Rem's voice wavered. "Stop with the kisses... I don't want marks on my neck when I go home. The last thing I want is for Subaru to think I'm cheating on him."
Julius pulled back just enough to look at her, his eyes dark with want. "If Subaru kicks you out, you could move in here."
Rem looked at him seriously, her expression hardening. "I would absolutely not cheat on Subaru. The fact that you and I are on friendly terms is one thing, but you should not push my boundaries like this."
Julius's hand stayed on her waist, thumb stroking lightly. "I know. I know I shouldn't cross the line. But if you show even a second of weakness and let me... I'm going all in on you, Rem. And if that means marriage, if that means stealing you from him... it's going to happen."
Rem's face flushed deeper. She pushed lightly at his chest. "you act like a spoiled kid."
Julius didn't let her go. Instead, his hand slid up boldly, cupping one of her breasts through the thin fabric of her maid uniform. He squeezed gently, thumb brushing over her nipple as he played with it.
"Can I kiss you?" he asked, voice low and hungry.
Rem's breath caught. She grabbed his wrist, stopping his hand, though she didn't pull it away completely.
"Absolutely not," she said firmly, though her voice trembled. "Kisses are only for husband and wife."
Julius's eyes darkened further, but he respected the boundary — for now. His hand remained on her breast, gently kneading, while he watched her face with open desire.
Rem sat on his lap, breathing hard, cheeks burning, the tension between them thick enough to choke on.
Julius's hand remained on Rem's thigh, his thumb still tracing slow, gentle circles as he looked up at her with calm intensity.
"Rem... are you going on the trip to the hot springs with me?" he asked quietly. "I promise I'll behave. After all, I'm sure Anastasia is going to spy on us there anyway."
Rem's irritation flared instantly. She shifted on his lap, trying to create some distance, but his arm around her waist kept her in place.
"Gods, how can you live with that crazy bitch?" she muttered, voice low and frustrated. "This is all her fault. Everything."
Julius's expression softened. He leaned in, pressing a light kiss to the side of her neck before answering.
"Actually... Anastasia is a really good wife," he said honestly. "If it wasn't for her, I would never have gotten the courage to pursue you."
Rem's eyes widened in disbelief. She pushed at his chest again, more firmly this time.
"We agreed to be friends," she reminded him, voice sharp. "This stays between us. The idea of Anastasia spying on us really pisses me off. I know that bitch would try to push us into cheating."
Julius nodded, his hand still resting possessively on her thigh. "Don't worry. Anastasia won't push us. She wants you to choose by yourself."
Rem shook her head, still irritated. "We already agreed this should stay mostly platonic."
"Of course," Julius murmured, his lips brushing her neck again, kissing the sensitive skin softly. "Mostly platonic... while I tell you how sexy you are."
Rem let out an annoyed huff, cheeks flushing. "You should at least try to hold your desire back."
Julius chuckled low against her neck, his breath warm. "I will... when we're outside. At least here, I'm sure no one sees us."
Rem's irritation mixed with reluctant warmth as she sat on his lap, his hand still stroking her thigh, his lips occasionally brushing her neck in soft, teasing kisses. The library remained quiet except for their breathing and the faint rustle of pages.
"Will you go with me on the trip to the hot springs, Rem?"
Rem hesitated, her body tense on his lap. She bit her lip, clearly torn, before answering.
"I'll think about it," she said quietly. "But... pissing off Anastasia could be good. Like if I don't show up on the day of the trip. Or if I tell her I quit. That would serve her right."
Julius's eyes narrowed. Without warning, his hand came down in a firm, playful slap on her thigh — not hard enough to hurt, but sharp enough to make her jolt.
"Don't joke about that," he said, voice serious. "I would not let you quit. My heart wouldn't survive without you."
Rem's cheeks flushed deeper. She pushed lightly at his chest, irritation mixing with something softer.
"I'll do what I want," she replied. "Besides, I've already agreed to a lot of what you want."
Julius nodded, his hand returning to her thigh, stroking gently. "Of course. I agreed to keep it mostly platonic friendship. I'm going to respect you and your decisions... but I'm still going to ease you into going with me. It would be fun. I'll be proper in places where Anastasia can see us. In places she can't spy, I'll be... . Unless you want to show our new arrangement to Anastasia."
Rem's eyes widened in horror. "Not in a million years. This needs to stay hidden from her. If she finds out anything we do, I would leave. And besides..." She looked at him pointedly. "Did you tell her about the kiss on the mountain? I'm sure she knows about it."
Julius shook his head. "I haven't."
Rem stared at him, suspicion clear in her eyes.
Julius sighed. "Anastasia spied on us."
Rem's face turned bright red with anger. She started to push herself off his lap, but Julius held her in place, arms wrapping around her waist.
"Don't be angry," he murmured, pulling her back against his chest. "Anastasia has problems with her head. Besides... we're together now."
Rem's irritation flared again. "I agreed to a friends-with-benefits relation, but if this is supposed to be a show for that bitch—"
Julius stopped her gently, pressing a finger to her lips. "It's only been two hours since you agreed, so i gave you my promise to get Anastasia under control. I'm going to make sure no one knows."
He leaned in, kissing the side of her neck softly. "Trust me, Rem. Just find and let me kiss your neck."
Rem let out a frustrated sigh, but she didn't pull away. Her body relaxed slightly against him as his lips brushed her skin again.
Anastasia had heard enough. Her heart pounded with a toxic mix of jealousy, satisfaction, and dark excitement. She slowly backed away from the slightly ajar door, careful not to make a sound, and slipped down the corridor before either of them could notice her presence.
She pressed her back against the wall once she was far enough away, breathing hard, her swollen eye throbbing in time with her racing pulse.