LUCIA

Chapter 69 The Capital's High Society

Hugo held Lucia's wrist firmly and dragged her away. His strides covered so much distance that even though he was just walking slightly fast, Lucia had to take quick running steps to keep up with him.

"Hugh. Did something happen? Why are you so–"

...Upset, was what she was going to say. He came to a stop and suddenly pulled her into a kiss. They were in the garden which was open at all sides and it was impossible to know when someone would come.

Lucia was alarmed and tried to push him away but his hold on her chin tightened. He kissed her lips roughly and her delicate lips became swollen and tingling. His hot tongue occupied her mouth in an instant, sweeping over her teeth and reaching deep into her mouth. At the violent kiss that didn't even giving space to breathe, Lucia panted breathlessly and managed to follow.

He broke away, changing the direction and overlapping their lips over and over again. The kiss that continued till she was out of breath came to an end. At the finish, he gently licked her lips and his scarlet eyes radiated with lust.

"I am going to fire your designer."

His desire still lingered so he repeatedly placed light kisses on her lips.

"Huh?"

"Who said you should come out looking so pretty? It's okay to have done it roughly!"

The person that went to a boutique personally and obstinately acquired an expensive designer was now complaining. Lucia found his stubbornness unreasonable but she was happy at him saying she was pretty so she gave him a gracious sidelong glance.

When she saw herself in the mirror before coming out, she thought she looked rather pretty. Receiving a man's aggressive courtship for the first time in her life and with her husband also saying she was pretty, her self-confidence increased.

"Don't do that. Antoine worked really hard this morning. And it was you who said that my attire is a matter of family prestige."

Hugo didn't care about things like prestige. He just wanted to buy her a dress. Although he did not want her going around in scruffy clothing, he also didn't want her to go around looking pretty. He was lost in contradiction.

"In addition, how could we leave in such a way? It is rude to Her Highness the Queen." (Lucia)

"Is that important in this situation?"

"What situation is 'this situation'?"

"Oh, I don't know...that fellow was pursuing you!"

"...Yes?"

Lucia burst into laughter when she saw him fuming.

"It's not like that. He just picked up my hat from the floor."

Lucia was not a fool so it wasn't like she didn't know what the situation earlier was. But there was no need for her to boast to him that a man asked her out on a date. She didn't want him to misunderstand that she dirtied the honor of the Duke with unwieldy conduct.

"What do you mean it's not? I heard everything. It was the typical way to make a pass at a woman." (Hugo)

Lucia gave him a prudish glare and made a 'hmmm' sound.

"I suppose you know since you have more experience."

Why did the topic go there? Hugo shut his mouth. At times like this, he wanted to give his past self a good thrashing for making him unable to say a word.

"Even if the situation earlier was like that of a man approaching a woman..." (Lucia)

It was not 'like that' but precisely the situation! (Hugo)