19 If I'm not wrong, you're...

Arianne was extremely agitated, she bent her elbows, pinched the fabric on her waist and pretended to have difficulty walking in her dress. She aimed to put a gap between them.

Laurence didn't seem to notice her little tricks, he was immersed in the intoxicating smell seeping from her. This was the first time he was stimulated just from a scent. A blend of bergamot, black pepper and lavender combined, exuding a wild spicy citrus floral fragrance. He greedily inhaled it again and relished the nostalgia, of being in the woods surrounded, innately at its finest. His favorite hobby was hunting, and Arianne's perfume was his cup of tea.

[+5 Favorability Points]

Arianne's effort was in vain. The man pulled her once more. She was close to kicking him, but the door opened, unintentionally saving Laurence in the nick of time.

Her attention was drawn to the scene inside.

"Is it beautiful?" Laurence bent down and whispered in her ear. He was unusually attentive this morning and even gave his assistant some pointers on arranging the dinner setting according to Arianne's preference. Although she didn't wear the dress he had sent, her current look was also excellent. It's just, it would have been good if the fabric on her back was ripped off. Clothes are really irksome.

Arianne had always loved flowers, especially roses, and Laurence actually decorated the room with her favorite kind. A white wooden gazebo in the center of the room. Red roses with tooth edges coiled around the open roof, posts, beams, and wall panels with their stems as if naturally grown. In addition, a lush field of blooming perennial red roses scattered across the room. Two pathways, one leading to the gazebo and the other to another door, were strewed with rose petals. Lastly, a semicircular archway wrapped by the same type of flower built a few steps from them completed the captivating scenery. She had an illusion, she transported into another place—in a fairy tale book that all girls longed for. Too bad, it was not the happy version but the nightmarish one.

If the past Arianne who had not experienced cruelty was here, she would be filled with happiness like a child with her dream coming true. Unfortunately, the one that's with Laurence right now was Arianne, who had witnessed the world undergo drastic changes.

The tame red roses that once were a symbol of elegance, beauty, and passion did not retain their traits. It mutated into a carnivorous plant, feeding on the flesh of humans and beasts and sucking out their victims' blood. It was far deadlier than the undead because of its ability to release scent capable of immobilizing their preys, making them among the ranks of most fearsome mutated plants.

Therefore, instead of appreciation, she felt crept out. Images of dry corpses invaded her head, and the roses which were immobile started to wiggle out their place and stretch out their thorny vines.

Arianne quickly stepped back and bumped into Laurence's chest.

Laurence staggered, but still kept himself from tripping. "You did not like it?" Her response was a shock to him. Arianne likes to be gifted by roses the most. Even one stalk of fresh rose can keep the girl smiling all day, but now it didn't seem to be the case.

Arianne realized her mistake and composed herself in a split of a second. It was only a fragment of her memory. "No, on the contrary, I was just astonished. I apologize if it may seem negative to you."

Laurence didn't delve into her reply further, though it raised multiple questions in his mind. Nevertheless, he wanted a pleasant dinner, it's not the time to spoil the mood. "I'm glad the efforts were fruitful. You might be famished right now. I ordered your favorite dishes."

As if on his cue, the sound of screeching echoed in the room and two waiters coming from the door on the opposite pathway marched while carrying trays of food and a wine bottle.

Laurence took the chance to pull her under the archway and walked towards the gazebo. Her red haired blended with the sea of flowers, enhancing its radiance.

By the time the waiters finished arranging the dishes on the table, the two arrived at the platform.

Laurence didn't let the mail server pull the chair, he personally assisted Arianne to her seat before he occupied his own.

The waiters knew their presence was a nuisance and quickly left the room.

Pop-

Laurence pulled off the cork from the wine and the rich fruity and woody fragrance of grapes and cherries rushed towards his nose. He usually loved this combination, but it was a bit dull compared to Arianne's scent. Looks like in this encounter, he developed a new fetish.

"It's not that strong. You can take a sip or two for tasting." He poured her wine glass a little.

"My brother doesn't like me drinking." She politely refused and fixed her eyes on the food on the table. Exquisite craftsmanship, but in tiny portions barely able to fill her satiety. She suddenly remembered the inconvenience of cooking during the Apocalypse.

'Is your space able to prevent food from spoiling?'

[Naturally]

'That's good' Arianne decided to stock up on cooked food after this dinner. There are plenty of shops, stalls, or cafés on the adjacent streets. She also needs meat, vegetables, fruits, salt, and others for balanced nutrition.

"It's such a shame. Then you should try this Caesar's salad instead. The main chef used some exotic seasonings for it." Laurence wanted to witness her look when she's drunk. It must be stunning. Unfortunately, his plan might not happen. He will leave it for another day.

Arianne dug her fork into the leafy vegetables and swallowed with some struggle. She really wanted to eat meat right now. "It's delicious." Her smile was so perfect that Laurence didn't detect any dissatisfaction. He only saw the corner of her lips stained with the sauce.

The table was not that big because Laurence preferred it that way. He stood up and leaned his body forward. His golden eyes tinted with indescribable light focused on the tiny stain. He raised his finger and rubbed the liquid off and, to Arianne's horror, he licked his finger in extreme satisfaction like it was some kind of rare delicacy in the world. "You're right. It was delicious."

'Can I kill him now?!' She was beyond repulsed.

[Don't be impatient. You can repay the blood debt a hundred or a thousand times in the future after decreasing his stars.]

'I can't wait that long.' Her hands grabbed the fork tightly and both eyes burned with intense emotions. She fixated her sight on the veins on his neck, wanting to end his life by stabbing him continuously.

[Think of the consequences. Your brother will also be implicated.]

"What's wrong?" Laurence noticed her gaze wasn't right.

She was about to pounce on him when the system brought a piece of disturbing news. It completely extinguished the fire within her. "I'm a little uncomfortable. That's all."

Laurence wanted to put his claws on her again.

Screech-

The door opened. A male server entered followed by a ginger haired lady wearing a fitting white gown and holding a wine glass.

[The heroine has arrived. Be careful of the glass. It's mixed with a sexual stimulant.]

Arianne's eyes flashed. Her eyes darted towards the glass of wine and Laurence.

"Sir Rothschild, this lady kept pestering the staff to open the door. She said Miss Cromwell and her are acquaintances." The server explained the situation.

"Is this true?" Laurence asked Arianne. The excited light in his eyes died down, and it was replaced by annoyance.

Arianne nodded and let the server bring Annette it.

Annette was silently thrilled. She slowly walked towards the gazebo. Her eyes were in trance while observing the dreamy and extravagant arrangements of the room.

Her unstable walk was noticed by the two, and each of them had guesses.

[Annette was messed up by three stars.]

Arianne was startled that the heroine had resorted to such lowly means this early. She hid her sneer and waited for her to deliver the glass.

Laurence, on the other hand, could tell what happened to her just from a single glance. He was disgusted. In addition, there was a look of greed on her face while sneaking a look from him. Growing up in a household full of scheming people, he was not a stranger to such expression. Instantly, he raised his vigilance.

"Arianne, you helped me this morning, and I'm truly thankful for it. I would like to give you this glass of wine." Annette placed it near Arianne's plate. Although she spoke to Arianne, her eyes kept landing on Laurence. Her cheeks tinted with blush made her face look lovely. She acted coquettish, trying to attract the man sitting opposite.

"Then it would be rude to refuse. It's just my brother doesn't like me drinking. If Laurence drinks in my place. I would be thrilled." She couldn't kill him right now, but doesn't mean he's off the hook. Laurence very much deserves this glass of wine, especially for what the two did behind her back at the birthday party.

Laurence frowned and had no intentions of accepting her request.

Arianne stood up and grabbed the glass of wine instead and stride towards him, bringing the glass to his mouth. Her sudden boldness made him chuckle. He leaned back and enjoyed her service. His arms snaked towards her waist, and the naughty thought of kissing those luscious lips made him gulp the liquid.

Arianne's eyes trailed on the wine trickling in his mouth and gradually the lump in his throat. A burst of joy reflected on her face.

They said some men prefer to die under a pomegranate's skirt. This sentence was true. Laurence was an example of it.

[Host, Annette's star was reduced to 1. Her fortune diminished.]

This good news made Arianne jump off Laurence's embrace. The latter wanted to pull her closer, but a feverish sensation began to build up in his abdomen. His hand stopped in midair.

At the same time, a wave of heat scalded her insides, leaving forth the trails of desire in its wake.

'What's happening?' Arianne was confused. Laurence was the one who consume the stimulant, but why is she experiencing the symptoms?

[If I'm not wrong…

…. You're awakening an ability.]