I grabbed Caleb’s hand in mine and examined it closely.

However, there were no wounds, even a minor one, left on Caleb’s hand.

There is literally nothing.

“Can you believe me now?”

“Yes.”

I nodded and released Caleb’s hand.

Perhaps because I am holding Caleb’s hand fairly tightly, when I let go of his hand, my hands feel especially empty.

I clasped and unclenched my hand several times, but Caleb soon changed his clothes and came.

Caleb asked me when I was going down the stairs to have dinner with him.

“Do you like your room, Elena?”

“Ah, yes. The room is really nice and great.”

“If you need anything or feel that any furnishings in the room should be replaced, please feel free to do so. Even if you want to change everything in the room, it’s fine.”

But if I change the whole thing, it would cost a fortune……

Still, I was thankful when he said it, so I smiled and said.

“Thank you for your words, Duke.”

“Come to think of it, Elena, I’d want to ask you a favor.”

Caleb requested a favor from me? How unusual.

He opened his mouth as I glanced at him with interest, as if requesting to express his favor.

“Will you now call me by my given name? Not by the title of Duke, but by my given name.”

“Your name, Duke?”

“Yes.”

The obvious affirmation perplexed me a little.

It isn’t a hard thing to do, but I am a little awkward to do that.

I knew it had been a long since I’d possessed Elena, but I had lived in a world where I was respectful of my elders up until that point.

‘Caleb is three years older than me.’

Regardless of the person’s request, I would be hesitant if he suddenly requested that I call him by his name.

“If it’s too difficult, Elena, you can do it later.”

“That’s……”

I was ready to ask whether it was alright if I did that, but I couldn’t because of Caleb’s expression.

Because Caleb’s appearance revealed how disappointed he feels about it.

Ah, I really don’t know anymore!

It’s not really a difficult thing to do. I just need to call him by his given name.

I can’t keep calling him “Duke” forever, can I?

I took a deep breath and opened my mouth slowly.

“……Caleb.”

It was a name I had uttered many times in my head and heart, but voicing it out loud felt strange.

But it is something I have to get used to.

“Caleb, can I call you like this?”

“Of course, Elena.”

Caleb, who hardened as I called his name for the first time, soon smiled.

His smile was so dazzling that I thought it would be a disaster if I didn’t call his name.

⇺⇺⇺⇼⇻⇻⇻

We went up to Caleb’s room after having dinner together.

It was because Caleb wanted to give me something.

Caleb left me on the sofa in his parlor room while he went into his dressing room.

‘What is he trying to give me?’

I was guessing what Caleb wanted to give me.

Although it’s pointless because I can’t think of anything in particular…… but I’ll know soon enough, so there’s no need to rush.

Soon Caleb came out. He was holding a small box.

‘That looks like a ring case.’

When I saw the shape of the box, all I could think of was a ring case.

Before I knew it, Caleb was getting closer.

He naturally sat beside me and held out the box.

Clack- There really was a ring in the box that clattered open.

An opaque yet colored gemstone was visible on the thin diamond-studded ring.

‘Opal?’

When the gemstone was reflected in the light, seven different colored lights sparkled.

“Are you willing to accept it?”

“Is this an engagement ring?”

“No. There is another ring for the engagement ring.”

So, what exactly is this?

Perhaps because it was shown on my face, Caleb then explained. As if he knows what I’m thinking.

“I just want to give you something simple before we get engaged officially. Because it feels like I’m always making requests to you…… can I put it in?”

“Yes.”

I happily nodded. There was no reason for me to refuse. Rather, I was relieved since it reaffirmed that Caleb and I are in a relationship.

Caleb delicately placed the ring on my ring finger after I held out my left hand.

When I glanced at my hand with the ring on it, I felt weird.

Every time I moved my hand, the ring glittered.

“Duke, no… I mean, Caleb.”

When I realized I had opted to call Caleb by his given name, I quickly rectified myself.

“Isn’t the gemstone in this ring opal?”

“That’s correct.”

“Could you tell me why you picked opal as the gemstone on the ring?”

“There isn’t any exceptional reason. I knew I had to give you this gemstone the moment I saw it. The gemstone, which shines in various colors, reminds me of you…… that’s why I wanted to give it to you.”

How can he speak such words with that expression?

My cheeks were flushed with shyness, and my fingers clenched in a cringe. But something is strange.

‘Why do I want to hear more?’

I was obviously uncomfortable at first, but I kept wanting to know what Caleb thought of me.

‘They claim people’s minds and hearts are cunning……’

Even I found my mind was very capricious too.

But what can I do? I want to hear it.

“I want to ask something, Caleb.”

“Of course, Elena.”

“Do you truly think I shine like an opal?”

“That’s right, Elena.” It was a quick response.

“May I ask as to when you feel that way about me?”

“If you’re wondering when, there isn’t one. Because that’s how I always feel about you.”

Caleb’s response to me was, as always, quite soothing.

“However, there are occasions when I believe you shine even brighter.”

“And when was that?”

“When you get to do what you like.”

“……”

“I believe those were the moments when I saw you shine even more.”

When I do something that I like?

I asked carefully after tilting my head in wonder.

“Do you mean when I was in a play?”

“Yes. That’s correct, Elena.”

Caleb then clasped my hand in his. Our overlapping hands conveyed his warm body temperature.

“I guarantee you one thing, Elena. I will let you do whatever you want.”

“Everything?”

“Everything, yes.”

I laughed at his firm promise.

Because that made me delighted.

‘Ah, I see.’

I can’t help but fall in love with this man.

I stretched out my arms and hugged Caleb.

I could feel his body stiffening as I pulled him closer to me.

I pretended not to notice, rubbing my face into his neck.

Though, he shuddered every time I moved.

“Elena……”

Caleb’s hoarse voice rang in my ear.

Caleb’s heavy breathing causes my hair to lift and then fall gently.

Uhm… I want to do more, but that would cause Caleb troubles, right?

Because I don’t think he’s ready for it yet.

I carefully drew away from Caleb and attempted to get up from my seat, pretending nothing had happened.

“I’m going back to my room now.”

“……I think you should do that, Elena.”

Caleb followed me up and elevated himself as well when I stood up.

At that moment I was about to walk towards the door.

“Hold on, Elena.”

Caleb was leaning down as I looked back.

“You dropped this.”

I dropped something? But I don’t have anything to drop.

However, I was taken aback when I saw what was in Caleb’s hand.

Caleb’s large hand was holding a transparent small drug bottle!

‘C-crazy. How come that’s there?’

Didn’t I already put that in the drawer?

Did I just put the bottle in my pocket and close the drawer for nothing?

No, let’s take it easy. First, Caleb doesn’t appear to know anything about that drug, so I simply need to calm myself, pretend it’s nothing, and go get the bottle… …

“Contraceptive?”

… What a horrible plan.

I listened to Caleb’s voice, which was as embarrassing as I was, and gave up what I had just thought.

Well, I guess I’ll simply have to tell him the truth.

“I was checking through the bedroom furnishings and found that in one of the drawers. I thought I had placed it back in the drawer, but I must have put it in my pocket instead. Anyway, since that thing was from my bedroom, I will take it.”

I then extend my hand to grab the bottle.

Meanwhile, I could see Caleb twitching as our hands met.

When I looked up and saw his face, I noticed that he was much redder than before.

‘Is he also embarrassed? Just like me?’

My embarrassment curiously lessened as that thought entered my mind, and I could sense something peculiar emerged in.

I mean, I feel like I want to provoke him even more…… Perhaps that kind of feeling?

Urgh, I don’t know anymore!

I stretched out and grabbed Caleb’s cravat while pretending to take the bottle. Even then, Caleb remained motionless.

I didn’t know if he noticed what I was trying to do or if he was too startled to stop me, but it was a good thing to me.

Because I was able to loosen Caleb’s cravat as a result of it.

“……Elena?”

“Caleb, you’ve said it before.”

I loosened the cravat. My hand gently drew the freed cravat out.

As a consequence, the tight collar of his shirt was opened, revealing a strong, thick neckline.

“That you’d want to serve me in a pleasant and well-presented place.”

Caleb only seemed to realize what I was attempting to convey after that.

He licked his lips as if to rebuke.

But I was faster.

“I think now is the right time.”

I ran my index finger down his neckline, visible through his shirt collar.

“How about you, Caleb?”

I simply touched him gently, but that brief contact seemed to provoke Caleb even more.

Because I could feel his neck bar twitching erratically with my fingertips.

His breathing, ringing in my ears, becomes rougher and harsher.

However, Caleb himself didn’t budge.

He merely peered down at me, his eyes red, quietly.

‘Is it not working this time as well?’

My confidence from Caleb’s reaction vanished as my palm grasped the bottle in his hand, and embarrassment surged in.

Caleb abruptly seized my hand as I tried to gently release it.

And the time I gazed at him with a shocked expression.

“Mmh!”

He devoured my lips.