You look delectable, Your Grace.

"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… I secretly ground my teeth. My irritation towards Augustus slowly subsided as it slowly shifted to this mischievous fiance of mine.

I smiled. "It seems I said something that confused Your Grace. Please forgive me. What I was trying to say is how big is Your Grace's heart. It's hard not to fall in love with a man who has a heart of gold."

My fiance nodded in understanding while my smile remained. Did he think I couldn't save my face?

Now, it was my time for a comeback.

"Did you have something else in mind with the confusion, Your Grace?" The corner of my lips stretched into a smug grin. "I do not mind if you confided in me."

"I did, but you cleared up the confusion." 

Luis didn't seem to faze nor he looked annoyed. If anything, he was more laid back than what he was like in the memory I had of him in my previous life.

Was it because we were enemies?

"You stare a lot, my lady." He pointed out, placing his linked hands on top of his lap as he slightly leaned his face forward. "I'm curious. What do your eyes see?"

"I see..." I trailed off unconsciously as I stared deep into his dark eyes. 

Those eyes were akin to a void, drawing anyone in just by looking at them. It was hard to look away, especially if one stared for too long.

"… nothing." I snapped my eyes, backing away a little. "I see nothing, Your Grace."

Yes, I saw nothing but darkness. But I couldn't say that to him.

"Nothing, huh?" The side of his lips hooked up, rocking his head.

I pursed my lips into a thin line, staring at him. Luis was truly different from what he was like in my previous life. Back then, he was a sort of… untouchable. It felt strange how I was having a conversation with him.

"How about you, Your Grace?" I inquired, catching his attention. "Don't you hate this engagement?"

"Hate is the wrong term, my lady. I was more like... curious," He answered with a nonchalant shrug.

"Curious? May I ask what are you curious about?" my question escaped my mouth even before my mind could process it. He didn't seem to mind, though.

"What kind of lady the emperor set me up with? Is she frail? Naive? Cunning? Spoiled? Those kinds of questions."

"Were you able to feed that curiosity?" I asked a follow-up question. If he kept answering me, I would just continue asking. I won't miss this opportunity.

This time, he didn't answer immediately as he peered at me. I unconsciously pursed my lips under his gaze. Did he have a poor impression of me?

"Unfortunately, my curiosity is a glutton. So its hunger for an answer just increases." He smiled, eyes on me. "My fiance is… an interesting one, after all."

I furrowed my brows, as that statement was quite vague for me. Was that a compliment? Or was he telling me he would keep a close eye on me? I hated riddles.

"I'll take that as a compliment." I still sported a smile. Despite my puzzlement, I had to answer.

"It is a compliment, my lady." He nodded, which eased my mood. "You are, after all, the first person who looked more bothered seeing me with my mask, compare to when I'm not wearing it."

Luis touched his mask slightly as he diverted his gaze towards the window. There was this sense of relief in his voice, soothing me for some strange reason. Although he had figured that it bothered me seeing him with that mask, it seemed it was actually good news.

"Don't you feel uncomfortable wearing it, Your Grace?" I inquired in a muffled voice.

The answer I received was silence. I guessed he didn't like the question, or it was probably a stupid one.

To my surprise, he answered a minute later.

"I am," he said, turning his gaze back to me. "However, I am bothered without it. I hate when people look at the scar on my face."

"But it's beautiful," I affirmed almost instantly. I wasn't sucking up. Those were my honest thoughts.

"Beautiful…" He chuckled, shaking his head lightly. "My fiance had a problem with her eyesight. I'll surely take note of that."

What? He didn't believe me?! I frowned, clicking my tongue in irritation. When I lie, people believe it. But when I tell the truth, they don't. People just wanted to hear what they wanted to hear.

A low chuckle weaved along with the sound of the moving carriage. I looked at him, only to see him staring at me.

"I am looking forward to this marriage, Lady Marsella." He admitted with a charming smile, catching me off guard as my heart suddenly skipped a beat. 

It felt strange hearing those words full of sincerity from him. 

My mouth opened and closed like a fish. This was the moment I was waiting for. I should tell him the feeling was mutual. But instead of saying what I should, I pressed my lips in a thin line and looked away.

I can't lie to him, at least, not under this circumstance.

'This is why I disliked him in the past,' I thought, sighing internally. 'My fiance might have imposed himself as an untouchable and formidable foe, but his intention towards his people was always sincere. That was why… he died. This sincerity was what killed him.'

I couldn't let him get through me just after a few words. That would be a problem.

"Your honest silence is better than flatteries. I appreciate it." He broke the silence, causing me to arch a brow. My eyes veered back to him, furrowed brows.

"You shouldn't…" My words were cut off as I let out a series of coughs. Fortunately, Tani had prepared me a handkerchief to cover my lips.

"Are you al… right?" He trailed off as I drew the handkerchief away only to see blood on it.

Ahh… shit. Not again!

I ground my teeth, clenching the handkerchief. I looked at him, smiling.

"Yes, I am alright, Your Grace. You don't have to worry about it." I reassured, but for some reason, my eyes lingered on the pulsating vein in his neck. 

Ah… why do I have this urge that I should bite him?

"You look… delectable, Your Grace."