People are afraid of things they don't understand.

But to me, despite not knowing what in the world goes inside the head of Alistair Kirsten de Averill, I wasn't afraid at all. I was even more drawn to him, like a moth foolishly headed into the flame.

"The day I claim your lips will also be the day my dreams come true." The grand duke said earnestly.

Always spouting lascivious words, yet also making sure not to lay his hands on me. That was his deal. I still don't know if I should label it as love or lust.

"If you're so concerned about my health, then cure this sexual frustration as you call it, Isabelle."

I halted from my tracks and turned to him. Maybe I should just use this guy to my advantage? When it comes to me, he seems like a total pushover.

"Okay, if you help me with something... I'll let you kiss me once, Your Grace." I shamelessly proposed.

He gave me a disbelieving look.

"For real." I wiggled my brows, as if tempting him.

"Hmm." He eyed me. "How can I help you?"

"I'm looking for someone. Help me find him. His name is Kaja, a son of a blacksmith in the capital."

He was slightly taken aback.

"I just need to bring you to him?" Alistair blinked twice. "And then you will let me ravish your lips?"

I coughed in embarrassment. Dude, do you really need to say it that way? You and your dirty mouth.

"If you bring me to him, yes." I cleared my throat.

The next thing I knew, Alistair was dragging me along with him. He seemed to be in a good mood, since he kept on humming as we walked hand in hand. Wait. Does he really know who Kaja is?!

Shortly, I got my answer when we arrived at a blacksmith bordering the slums and the commercial part of the capital. My companion didn't even knock and just stormed inside.

"Garet." The grand duke called the bald man who was busy forging near the fire. "This lady here has some business with your son. Can he spare time?"

My jaw dropped. He really brought me to him!

"Your Grace!" The stout blacksmith called Garet exchanged pleasantries with Alistair before calling his son. "Kaja, there's some lass looking for you!"

I groaned. "How do you even know him?!"

"Let's just say that we're business partners."

Damn it, I've been had!

The grand duke leaned closer to my ear then whispered. "Do not forget my reward, hm?"

Had I asked him first if he knew about Kaja, the grand duke would have helped me even without me promising anything in return. I'm so stupid!

While I was reprimanding myself, a burly man came out of the room. He must be Kaja. Contrary to my imagination, he had thick hair, his skin was sunburned, and his body was veiny and muscular.

"What do you need from me?" he asked.

I bowed to him. "I'm here to tell you that the lady of the Camellia duchy wants to see you, Sir Kaja."

He gave me a perplexed look. "Did she say why?"

"No, she didn't disclose the reason, Sir."

"Then tell the lady I don't wanna." Kaja said in a petulant manner. "If she needs something from me, she better come to me herself. These nobles, always ordering us around like we're dogs..."

"Not me." Alistair remarked defensively. "I'm also a noble, but Isabelle here treats me like a dog."

"When did I ever treat you like a dog, Your Grace?" I turned to him, mortified.

"In my dreams. You even had me on a leash."

At that moment, I felt a strong urge to smack his face, but I prayed to every saint to control myself. He's a noble. I shouldn't hit him no matter what.

It didn't help that the burly father and son duo were blushing at the grand duke's dirty remarks. The fuck are these grown ass men blushing for?!

After a series of inhale-exhale, I managed to calm down and assuage my irritation. I looked at my prospect. "The lady wanted me to tell you this in case you declined: I have some Elven Silk, Kaja."

The smithy's heir seemed surprised by my words.

After telling him that, I then left the smithy with Alistair. I'm not sure if I succeeded in convincing him to meet Lady Camellia, but the mention of the Elven Silk did seem to have an effect on him.

"Do you still have any business here, Isabelle?"

I faked a cough, avoiding his gaze. "No, Your Grace. I'm heading back to the palace now."

The grand duke smiled expectantly. "Allow me to take you back home with my carriage, then."

As we boarded his carriage, I wanted to wipe the triumphant grin on his face. He looks like he won the lottery! He's definitely thinking of the kiss!

The carriage suddenly felt small all of the sudden. My cheeks started feeling hot, so I began fanning myself in an attempt to get rid of my own blush.

Compared to me dreading the situation, the grand duke seemed to be enjoying it. He was seated with his back straightened and his face totally relaxed.

"Settle down, Isabelle. You look like you're about to shit on your seat." He chuckled softly. "I'm quite confident that my feelings won't change no matter how bad it smells, but let us not get to that point."

I ignored his silly remarks and stood up from my seat. My heart went wilder when I took the vacant space beside the grand duke. I swallowed hard.

"Let's just get this over with." I faced his side but refused to look him in the eye. "Just one kiss."

Silence ensued inside the carriage. When I glanced over his face, Alistair seemed dumbfounded at my initiative.

I closed my eyes in an attempt to brush off the embarrassment. It's just one kiss. I'm not a kid anymore. I'm an adult woman with pubic hair that I trim occasionally. This much is nothing.

I waited for him to claim my lips, but the grand duke took my hand instead. When I opened my eyes, his lips were already on my left wrist.

"Thank you for existing, Isabelle." He whispered in a soothing tone, his mouth still feeling my pulse.

"Huh?" My jaw dropped. "Why are you kissing me on the wrist and not on the lips, Your Grace?"

"As I've said before, the day I claim your lips will also be the day my dreams come true." Alistair smiled through my skin. "I believe it is too early for that. One should work hard for their dreams."

When his lips lifted from my skin, my heart engendered a regretful feeling within me.

"Besides," The grand duke looked away. "I told you, didn't I? That I only claim willing lips."

Alistair was such an enigma. One moment he talks about violating me, the next he acts like a gentleman. It's like he's trying to fight against the beast inside him, and he always wins in the end.

"And if my lips are willing, Your Grace?"

But this time, I wanted him to lose control.

Alistair laughed. "You mustn't jest like that."

I stared at him. "And if I'm serious?"

This time, he was rendered speechless. His eyes were widened in wonder, and his lips were tightly shut. For the first time, Alistair seemed at a loss.

"Your Grace," I shifted from my seat and leaned my face closer to him. "May I kiss you?"

The grand duke held his breath nervously.

"No," He said barely a whisper. "Don't do it. If you kiss me now, I would never be able to forget the feeling of my lips crashing into yours, Isabelle."

I tilted my head. "Is that a bad thing?"

"Yes," His face was stolid calm, but his breathing was unstable. "Because once I've had a taste of heaven, I would never be able to go back to hell."

"And what exactly is hell to you?"

He smiled. "A world without you, of course."

"Then don't go back, Your Grace."

I closed the distance between us. As soon as my lips touched his, I felt the grand duke stiffening on his spot. After all the chasing he's done to me with panache, it was refreshing to see him nervous.

Still, he responded to my kisses. So this was the taste of heaven, something that stirs you inside with ecstasy. The way our lips claimed each other hungrily was proof of our long-standing desire.

Our ride on the carriage was bumpy, but it didn't matter when our lips were already trembling on each other. It was driving me crazy. The taste of his mouth, the sounds he made, every single thing.

Unfortunately, there's no turning back for me.

Still in the midst of kissing, I noticed both of his fists balled on his lap. He looked like a kid who was strictly told not to move from his seat.

I pulled away for a moment, catching my breath.

"What's up with your hands, Your Grace?"

"Huh?" Alistair blurted out absentmindedly then lowered his gaze on his lap. "Well, I haven't asked for permission to touch you anywhere else, right?"

His answer melted my heart. I like him. I like him so much. He makes me feel loved and respected.

"Isabelle," The grand duke breathed my name.

His eyes had a dreamy look, like he was in a daze from what happened. His hair and clothes were also disheveled from my constant pulling earlier.

"Say my name." Alistair whispered to my ear then embraced me. "I wish to hear it from your mouth."

My lips quivered. "Alistair,"

Once again, the grand duke claimed my lips. To think that a mere extra like me would be making love with the second male lead like this. It could be said that the sky lowered itself for the ground, or that the earth dared to lift itself for the horizon.

Either way, they still touched despite being strictly separated by the universe. A meeting not written by the stars, made possible by two wistful souls.

---

Hello! I hope you don't mind the sensuality of this chapter. I plan to write detailed mature scenes in the future, but I want to know if that would turn you off so I can tone down the details for a bit.

To those of you who are reading this story, thank you very much! It really means a lot to me.

Yours Truly,
Aomine-san