# 11 -
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“Will you be satisfied with my eyes only?”
Yuan's calm voice spread gently.
The distance between them suddenly shrank until they were...
They are able to feel each other's breath. Yuan's gaze moved from Seret's eyes to her lips.
“What will you give me except your eyes?” Seret asked, keenly aware of his gaze.
“A kiss full of praise?”
“Is there really praise in that kiss?”
It would be sarcasm, not praise. He laughed at an ignorant country girl who knew nothing. Seret's lips twisted sarcastically.
“This is what you can find out for yourself.”
Yuan's low voice, his eyes half-cast, touched her ear.
His gaze was fixed on her full, red lips, as if there was nothing in the world except them, not departing from them for a moment.
A tense air passed between the two, and the atmosphere inside the car became tense.
Yuan's gaze slowly rose from her lips to her eyes. A look that seemed to ask for permission landed on Seret.
Even on that first night they spent together, he had the same look. A look that says;
“I will not approach you unless you allow me.”
Even though she was only a woman brought in as a surrogate, he showed a minimum of tact. Yuan Frecktwister was a gentleman, after all.
But she was deceived by that look; She then smiled shyly and blushing. However, the moment she allowed him, Yuan took off his gentleman mask.
In one moment, he turned from a gentle knight into a brutal monster. His rough kisses and his hands that tore her clothes could never be described as the actions of a “gentleman.”
Seret's entire entity was devoured by Yuan Qiang in an instant.
Because Seret Ennwhatir was not a “lady” to him, he did not need to be a “gentleman” with her.
Of course, there was no feeling of love in a bed that was only for procreation. If she could go back in time, she would have spat in his face instead of giving him that shy smile.
Seret smiled wryly;
“I don't think I need that.”
With a sarcastic smile, she pulled away from him, giving herself some distance. The feelings I will give you now are not a shy smile, but grudge and hatred.
She straightened her seat and looked directly at Yuan. He also straightened up, and a quiet smile appeared on his lips.
“You can check whenever you want.”
He said in a lazy voice, crossing his legs, with eyes that held scandalous seduction. An expression Seret knows well.
He used to put that face in bed. And every time, she didn't know how to react.
How fun it was for him! To see a woman who meant nothing more to him than “cattle”, feeling ashamed and confused… He must have found her truly pathetic.
Is that why he was torturing her like this? No matter how much I pleaded—that it was embarrassing, that it was shameful, that it hurt—he wouldn't listen.
Even when she begged, “I don’t like this,” Yuan was bending her to his will. In bed he was never a gentleman's knight, but a tyrannical tyrant.
“Why would I? I don’t want to.” Seret answered proudly, turning her gaze to the window. She put the memories of her previous life behind her and stared at the streets as it began to get dark.
She felt Yuan's persistent gaze following her, but she completely refused to meet his eyes. Their gazes remained intersected like this until the carriage stopped.
***
The grand ballroom of the Imperial Palace, lavishly decorated, was crowded with invited nobles.
Their flushed faces as they gathered in small circles to talk exuded amusement. They did not appear bored, as if they had been waiting for this day for a long time.
Everyone was enjoying the party, except for Seret, who was content to sit in a corner drinking champagne with a tired look.
From the moment she stepped into the hall, the ceremony seemed to her extremely daunting.
Ever since she entered with Yuan, the curious glances had not stopped directed towards her.
It was only natural that Duke Yuan Freaktwister's rural fiancée would receive all this attention.
In her previous life, she had almost fainted from those looks.
But now she didn't care. She had experienced this before, and there was nothing to frighten a woman who had tasted death.
In addition, this time the looks did not carry contempt or disdain as before, but rather amazement and hidden admiration.
“It is more elegant and beautiful than we expected.”
“The Duke’s taste is truly exquisite.”
“Her beauty rivals Miss Elliot.”
Seret smiled secretly as she remembered those whispers.
At that moment, a voice announced the arrival of the imperial family. Seret quickly put down her cup and straightened her seat.
The doors opened, and the elderly emperor entered with the imperial family, and they headed towards the seats reserved for them, while the nobles bowed in respect.
After exchanging greetings, Seret stood up straight and looked towards the seats of the Imperial Family. There, Lydia Elliot sat next to the Emperor.
Lydia was radiant as usual. Her thick brown hair fell down her back in shiny waves, and her blue eyes radiated a charming sparkle.
Her green dress, tied with a white ribbon at the waist, further highlighted her beauty.
Her captivating beauty gave her a unique aura, a dangerous beauty, as if one might slowly suffocate if he stood next to her.
Seret furrowed her eyebrows slightly as she stared at Lydia. Phledia, to be precise, was not a member of the imperial family. However, I sat there impudently. She is actually the daughter of a close servant of the Emperor.
“You were here then.” Yuan approached Siret.
"Yes." She replied quietly, giving him a passing glance.
“We must salute His Majesty the Emperor.” For a moment, a shadow of distress crossed his face.
To appear bored when meeting the Emperor is considered an honor that is only attained once in a lifetime... Only Yuan Frecktwister can do that.
Seret was a little taken aback by Yuan's distressed expression.
“Yes, I understand.”
Siret grabbed Yuan's arm and walked with him towards the Emperor. In her previous life, she had trembled like a Jedi when she stood in front of him. Today, there is no trace of fear.
“We salute the glorious light of the empire, Your Majesty.” Yuan said with a formal bow, despite his cold features.
“We salute the glorious light of the empire, Your Majesty.” Seret repeated the same greeting with a discreet smile.
“Are you Duke Frecktwister’s fiancée?” The Emperor asked.
“Yes, Your Majesty the Emperor.” She replied with an elegant smile.
“Hmm, well… so you’re her.” The Emperor said, looking uncomfortable.
At that moment, Seret felt a sharp look. She turned to find Lydia's cold eyes staring at her.
As soon as their gazes met, Lydia gave a gentle smile as if she had not been staring at her coldly seconds ago.
Lydia said to the Emperor with a bright smile;
“I ran into Miss Innohater in front of the tailor shop a while ago, Your Majesty.”
“Really?” The Emperor replied with a face filled with tenderness.
“She had booked the store in advance, so we only exchanged greetings at the door. Didn't that, Miss Innohater?”
Her words carried a subtle hint: I didn't enter the store because of her.
Seret's smile faltered slightly, but she replied calmly:
“It was the Duke who made the reservations for the day, so that's how it went.”
Subtly, she shifted the blame to Yuan.
“Wow, how nice of him! But because of him, I lost the dress I wanted.” Lydia said, casting a coquettish look at Yuan. Siret's smile trembled with anger.
How disgusting the sight of her pampering him was… Seret felt like screaming; I want to break off this engagement! And she walks away. But she held on.
"Yes." Yuan replied with a dead face. Despite his apparent indifference, Seret felt that it was a deliberate mask.
“The dress you wanted?” The Emperor reacted to Lydia's words.
“The dress Miss Ennhowter is wearing. It was the dress I wanted.” She replied with an innocent smile.
Seret's features froze in astonishment. What?! Madame Barn had confirmed that the dress had not been shown to anyone but herself.
But Lydia always puts others in embarrassing and humiliating situations.
“Why didn’t you ask to sew it again?” The Emperor asked.
"How could I? I can't go to the ball in a dress like Miss Einwheater's. One of us would be a laughing stock." Lydia replied.
The intended laughingstock, of course, was Seret. But she ignored the matter, saying with a smile:
"If I had known that Miss Elliott had her eye on this dress, I would not have chosen it. It was my fault that Madame Barne did not say anything. Please forgive me generously."
"Oh my God! Don't say that, Miss Enohater. In fact, I think it's over for you. The dress really suits you." Lydia said, waving her hand.
“Thank you for your kind words.” Seret replied, smiling. Lydia smiled in return, but their exchanged glances were far from friendly.
“You come from Mocheli?” The Crown Prince asked.
“Yes, Your Highness the Crown Prince.” Seret answered.
“I've heard a lot about Jamal Mushili. I hope to visit her one day.” The Crown Princess said.
“It would be an honor for Mocelli to receive you.” Sererite answered kindly.
“Shouldn’t we take our vacation this year to Moshili?” The Crown Prince said, joking with his wife.
“You are busy every day.” She replied lightly, and the Crown Prince laughed.
“If we visit Mosceli, we can stay in the Ennwahter’s palace.”
“You are welcome anytime, Your Highness.” Siret replied with a bright smile, but secretly she muttered: There is no need for you to come.
After a short conversation with the imperial family, she and Yuan were about to return. But Lydia's voice stopped them:
“Yuan.”
As soon as she said his name affectionately, Siret's lips curled into a sarcastic smile. Yuan turned to her questioningly.
Do whatever you want! She said to herself and was about to leave.
But Yuan grabbed her arm, so she had to stay beside him. A passing dissatisfaction appeared on Lydia's face.
“Please speak, Miss Elliot.” Yuan said respectfully, going against her politeness to call him by his first name.
“Will you give me the first dance?” Lydia asked.
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