23 Depends on how big it is

My mood was irreversible. Meeting Augustus before I meet my fiance was a terrible choice. That was the downside. The good thing was, he would leave Tani alone, at least for now.

I must admit, though. Augustus was an intuitive person. Lying to him blatantly was just me embarrassing myself.

'I hope he dies in his sleep.' I cursed internally, hoping that someone would grant this vicious wish as soon as possible.

Although, there was a part of me that wanted to ask him a lot of questions before he drop dead. There were myriads of questions I had in mind which Augustus had guessed quite accurately. The only reason I was holding back in probing despite dying inside out of curiosity was that it was Augustus. 

Who knew what sort of request that imbecile would make to answer my question. 

'This banquet feels like a chore now.' I clicked my tongue as I soon reach the mansion's foyer. To my surprise, there were two people standing there having a conversation. 

My eyes fell on Marquess Ross and then to the other person, making me freeze. Didn't the butler say my fiance sent someone to escort me? Why the hell was my fiance doing here?! 

"Oh, Marsella, you're here?" I flinched when Marquess Ross turned his head to me, extending his arm, telling me to come over. My eyes were wide, fixed on the towering figure of Luis.

'No...!' I gasped mentally, seeing his half-smile as the other half of his face was covered with a mask. 'Why would you cover your beautiful face?!'

"This is His Grace, the Grand Duke..." Marquess Ross introduced him to me — he didn't need to. 

"You must be surprised, Lady Marsella." Luis beamed at me with a brighter smile until his eyes squinted into slits. He looked more suspicious the more he smiled. 

Fortunately, my disappointment in seeing him with a mask on made me look surprised for this 'big, unexpected, and surprising revelation that the knight I met was actually my fiance'.

"Marsella." I snapped out of my trance upon hearing Marquess Ross. As if on cue, I sported a smile and curtsied.

"It's an honor to meet you, Your Grace."

"Well then, I won't hold you two back anymore. I entrust my daughter to you, Your Grace." My father dear politely smiled, finally acting like a father as he sent his daughter off to her first date. "I hope you will take good care of her."

The two of them exchanged pleasantries while I stayed quiet — I hate this. 

Shortly after, Marquess Ross let us go while my fiance assisted me outside the mansion. My brows knitted seeing the carriage outside. Why was he using an imperial carriage used by the royal family? Although he was part of the royal family, was the emperor so kind to lend my fiance to use this?

"Hand." I stopped in front of the carriage, gazing at his hand, then up to him. "How can I let a lady get in the carriage without assistance? Didn't your father entrust you to me?"

"I'd prefer it if you say you're assisting me out of the goodness of your heart." I blurted out, but didn't have the shred of regret voicing out my innermost thoughts. My response made him chuckle while I clasped his hand to get in the carriage.

As soon as my fiance hitched in, the carriage started moving. He sat across from me, staring at me with intent while I purposely avoided his eyes. I was in a terrible mood because of that damn Augustus, and my fiance was wearing a mask. He should take that mask off of his face, but how could I make him do that?

"You look upset," he said, tilting his head. "Are you upset that the knight you met yesterday is actually your fiance?"

He didn't sound intrigued despite his question. "How dare I get upset, Your Grace? I'm simply behaving myself as a lady."

"You don't look surprised, either." He cocked his head to the other side. 

"What do I look like?"

"You look as if you already know." The side of his lips curled but didn't reach his eyes. Was he suspicious? Angry? I couldn't read him. 

A deep exhale escaped my mouth. I had to make this work. Building this marriage through doubt wouldn't work for me. No wonder my first marriage failed.

"I don't, Your Grace. I was simply… upset. Too upset that nothing can upset me anymore." I averted my eyes and looked at the window. "Of course it was a surprise that the knight I met was actually my fiance — embarrassing, even, considering all that I've said. But it was not like frowning about it will change the man I will marry."

My fiance didn't speak for a long time, but his eyes never left me. I could feel his intent gaze as if he was studying me. I let him. Augustus didn't just upset me after all, he vexed me.

"Are you not against this marriage?" he asked after his long silence. This time, I peeled my eyes away from the window to him. 

"Does it matter?" A smile appeared on my face. 

"Your opinion matters to me."

"Really?" my eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Why does my opinion mattered to Your Grace?" 

"What do you mean, why? You are my fiance and my wife soon. I have to know how far and deep I can go."

My breath hitched momentarily, wide-eyed. How far and deep? Wasn't this conversation too soon? Wow… my fiance was surely the man. I commended his enthusiasm.

I cleared my throat, looking away. "Your Grace, we are engaged. Still, I think it's too soon for us to be discussing this matter, but if it really intrigued you, my answer is it depends on how big it is."

"Pardon?" my brows knitted at his question, causing me to set my eyes back to him only to see the brief smirk on his lips. "I am saying how far and deep I can go in this marriage. I need to know where I draw the line. But it seems you have something else in mind. Care to share?"

This prick…