****
"Let me help."
Sasuke's hand, which had been gripping the knife, froze instantly above the slice of meat on the expensive ceramic plate. The blade hovered in midair for a brief moment before coming to a complete stop.
A ripple of discomfort crept through his mind at the sound of the woman's intention to interfere. Any form of help from strangers had always felt awkward to him, unnatural, and more often than not ended in a sense of unease he deeply disliked.
Maybe I should have chosen to eat lunch alone from the beginning.
"There's no need. I can do it myself."
"Please don't be so stubborn."
Elisvaria rose from her chair and moved gracefully to Sasuke's side. Since earlier, her gaze had been drawn to the way he cut his steak. Technically, there was nothing wrong with it. His movements were neat and controlled. Yet it still felt inefficient. He relied solely on one hand, without using a fork to keep the meat from shifting.
Sasuke fell silent. The refusal that had nearly left his lips was swallowed back when the woman now stood far too close beside him, within a distance impossible to ignore.
The soft, elegant scent of Elisvaria's perfume drifted toward him, brushing against his senses without warning. His focus wavered for a few seconds before he realized that his fingers had released the knife, replaced by the woman's hand.
Elisvaria sliced the steak with slow, precise movements, each cut even and unhurried. When she finished, she returned to her seat calmly, as if she had not just done something rather intimate.
Sasuke watched her for a long moment. Several seconds passed before a single word finally left his mouth.
"Thank you."
At that brief expression of gratitude, a gentle smile bloomed across Elisvaria's face.
"If you ever feel troubled by anything, don't hesitate to tell me. There's no need to hold back. After all, before long you will officially remain by my side."
"Yeah."
Sasuke began chewing the neatly cut piece of steak at an unhurried pace.
I have to admit it silently. The taste of this food is exceptional. The texture is far more tender, the flavor richer, and unlike any meat I've tasted in my previous life.
So this is the indulgence of noble life. With gold coins constantly flowing into their coffers through taxes that sometimes crush the common people, every luxury can be obtained without sacrificing sweat of their own. The finest food, expensive clothing, and high-class entertainment are all easily within reach, as though the world itself exists to serve them.
"Does the steak suit your taste?"
"It does."
"I'm relieved to hear that."
Elisvaria set her knife down and studied Sasuke's face more closely. Her eyes lingered on his pitch-black right eye without blinking. Her memory drifted back to the blood-red color she had seen before. The strands of hair that concealed his left eye only added to the air of mystery surrounding him.
His eyes are truly strange. How could their color change so drastically? Is it the eye of a god, or some hereditary gift born from a mutation in his bloodline?
After hesitating briefly, she finally gathered the courage to ask, her tone careful.
"Lord Sasuke, may I ask something a little more personal?"
"Go ahead."
"About your eyes. I'm quite certain that yesterday, they were blood-red, exactly like mine. But now they've turned black again. Is there something unusual about your vision? I mean, does it cause pain or any other symptoms?"
Sasuke let out a short breath, swallowed the remaining meat in his mouth, and answered calmly.
"My condition is normal. My eyes simply have this trait. It's an inheritance from my clan."
"Does that also apply to your left eye?"
"Yes."
Silence settled between them once more. Only the faint clinking of cutlery against ceramic plates echoed softly through the flower garden, forming a gentle rhythm in the air.
This time, however, Sasuke took the initiative to break it.
"What about you? Your eyes look unusual."
"Eh, my eyes? I inherited them from my father. There's nothing special about them."
"That color suits you."
Elisvaria let out a small laugh. Hearing a compliment come from a man with such a rigid, cold expression felt unexpectedly stirring.
"You seem quite skilled at flattering women."
"I'm just being honest."
"Is that so? I wonder how many honest lines like that you've said to other women before me."
Sasuke's hand holding the fork stopped just before his lips. He stared at her with a flat yet sharp gaze for a moment.
"This is the first."
"I find that hard to believe, Lord Sasuke. With a face that appealing to women, I'm sure you've said many sweet words like that before."
"That's up to you, whether you believe it or not."
Elisvaria was slightly taken aback by how strongly that simple sentence affected her.
Suits me?
She had heard similar compliments countless times from many people. Yet hearing it directly from the mysterious man before her carried a different weight, more vivid and impossible to ignore.
She suddenly remembered something.
"This week, I'm scheduled to attend a social event. Come with me and accompany me there, if you don't mind."
"Alright. I'll go."
"I thought you would refuse immediately."
"I'm simply following the terms of the agreement we're about to finalize. Refusing a request this minor would only make me seem petty and unserious about the arrangement between us."
"I'm very glad to hear that."
She looked at Sasuke with an expression that was difficult to decipher.
Noble social events are almost always synonymous with grand ballroom gatherings. I rarely attend such occasions, and when I do, I usually leave early.
As for dancing, I've never had any interest in sharing a dance with any man.
But this time is different.
I need to do this to suppress the rumors and malicious gossip that have been spreading so freely.
That sly Prince Albert. Do you really think a cheap trick like that is enough to trap me? Don't flatter yourself. I'll pay you back in a way that will never even cross your mind.
The corner of Elisvaria's lips lifted slightly, forming a thin smile that concealed a far greater scheme beneath it. Her gaze returned to the man seated before her.
"Can you dance?"
"Only a little."
"Then prepare yourself to be my dance partner at the upcoming social event."
"Alright."
Elisvaria's brows knit faintly. The reply had come too quickly, almost without pause, as if the decision had been made long before the question was even spoken. Doubt slowly crept into her thoughts. Was this man toying with her, or was he simply the type who disliked unnecessary negotiation?
Sasuke's hand came to a complete stop. The steak on the ceramic plate had been cleared without a trace. He shifted his hand, lifting a transparent crystal glass, then took a calm sip of the high-quality red wine.
He returned Elisvaria's gaze, allowing their eyes to lock in the quiet of the garden. Noticing how sharp and probing her stare had become, Sasuke spoke in a flat tone.
"Is something wrong?"
"You accepted my invitation to dance so easily. I thought you wouldn't like such things. Too much attention, and ultimately pointless."
"I'm only acting in accordance with the agreement that will soon take effect. You're right. Social events and the parties that follow hold no appeal for me at all. I move based on what's written in the contract."
"I'm looking forward to dancing with you, Lord Sasuke. You're the first man I've ever invited to dance without even a hint of hesitation."
"Hah. Turns out you're quite good at charming men."
"Kekeke. Is that so? But I'm being completely serious."
Sasuke immediately turned his face away. The direction of the conversation was starting to drift somewhere he had no interest in pursuing. His gaze shifted toward the wide stretch of flowers spread out before him.
The inner garden of Duke Velmora's mansion was truly magnificent. The air felt cool and clean, and the gentle natural scent of blooming flowers brought a sense of calm that seeped deep into his thoughts.
The sight forcibly pulled fragments of memory from his previous life.
Big brother! I want a huge flower garden! Flowers from all over the world have to be there, and a small pavilion right in the middle. I want to eat, drink tea, and invite my friends to play and gossip!
That's an awfully grand wish just for playing and gossiping.
Big brother! I'm serious!!!
Fine. But wait until I have enough money.
Yay! You're the best, big brother!!!
I miss her.
This beautiful garden reminds me of her too much. Maybe this is exactly the kind of place Rina always dreamed of.
Elisvaria noticed the change in Sasuke's expression and let out a soft breath. The man before her was truly a puzzle. Not only was his strength impossible to measure, but his character also felt unfamiliar, unlike any man she had ever encountered.
It was hard to tell whether Sasuke accepted her offer because of the mountain of gold she promised, or whether there was even a trace of interest in her as a woman.
And between those two possibilities, which one was actually better?
That question began to disturb her peace of mind.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
The sharp sound of footsteps suddenly shattered the silence. A moment later, a sarcastic voice rang out, loud enough to draw both their attention.
"Well, well. Who's this?! I never expected mighty Varaku to bring home a handsome man!"
Elisvaria flinched. She turned and could only offer a strained smile to the woman approaching with a relaxed stride.
Lyanna? What is this woman doing here?
"What's wrong, Vara? Are you uncomfortable because I interrupted your date? Aren't we best friends? You should be sharing stories with me, just like we promised long ago."
"Hah? Don't joke around, Anna. Tell me, what business brings you here?"
Lyanna didn't answer right away. She shifted her gaze away from Elisvaria and walked straight toward Sasuke, completely ignoring the Duke's question.
"Hello. I'm Lyanna Ravenshire. Elisvaria's closest friend and the Secretary of the Northern Duchy."
She extended her hand confidently. Sasuke glanced at the woman briefly. Her demeanor was the complete opposite of Elisvaria's restrained and rigid presence. Perhaps it was precisely that contrast that allowed them to grow so close, treating one another almost like sisters.
"Sasuke Uchiha."
"That's a unique name. Uchiha? Is that your family name?"
"You can think of it that way."
Watching the scene unfold, Elisvaria frowned. A flicker of displeasure surfaced suddenly, subtle yet unmistakable.
"Lyanna, that's enough. Let go of his hand."
"Ah! Sorry, Vara. I didn't notice. The man you brought back is completely my type."
Lyanna released Sasuke's hand, deliberately holding on a fraction longer than necessary. She did it purely to provoke a reaction from her friend.
And sure enough, Elisvaria's expression told her everything.
Vara, you're clearly interested in him.
Elisvaria stood at once and pulled Lyanna away from the pavilion. Sasuke watched them briefly before rising and walking in the opposite direction. His fingers brushed lightly against a few flower petals inside the wide glass-covered garden, as though he were lost in his own thoughts.
At the edge of the garden, the two women faced each other.
"Why did you come so suddenly?"
Lyanna pouted at Elisvaria's tone, then answered with a serious expression.
"I was worried about you. You know how rushed I was to come to Velmoria after receiving the report about that incident."
She circled Elisvaria, inspecting her closely from head to toe. Her hands checked Elisvaria's arm, then clasped both of her hands tightly.
"Look at this. My Varaku is injured. I told you from the beginning that any escort outside Velmoria should be accompanied by Sir Roderic, but you stubbornly refused."
"I'm fine, Anna. I'm glad you're worried about me. Just seeing your face now feels like it's healing all my wounds."
"You really are good at sweet talk. I hope you say things like that to Sasuke too."
Elisvaria's expression stiffened instantly. Hearing her friend say his name so casually felt oddly uncomfortable. She glanced toward Sasuke.
"You don't need to look like that. I don't have a habit of stealing a man from my own best friend."
Elisvaria flinched. She quickly pulled both of her hands back and turned around in a sharp motion. Panic rang clearly in her voice, barely restrained.
"Ah! Anna, what are you talking about? What man? I truly do not understand what you mean!"
Lyanna narrowed her eyes, a mischievous smile spreading across her face.
"Just look at you right now. This really reminds me of your past. Weren't you completely obsessed with your ideal handsome man back then?"
She tapped her own chin, pretending to think hard before continuing in an exaggerated tone.
"Let me see... Ah, I remember now! It went something like this: Anna, I want a handsome man to save me from a long sleep. He kisses me on the lips and wakes me from eternal slumber."
Elisvaria shuddered. Her face flushed instantly, the heat spreading all the way to her ears. She took two stiff steps backward. Those embarrassing words from her youth were still perfectly preserved in Lyanna's memory.
Back then, she had spoken them with pride and empty dreams. Now, those same words felt like a massive disgrace that made her stomach churn.
"You're talking nonsense!"
Seeing that reaction, Lyanna let out a soft laugh, clearly enjoying every second of it. Without warning, she stepped forward and hugged Elisvaria from behind.
"Kyaa! Anna, what are you doing?!"
"I'm just giving you an example. This is probably how it will feel when that man holds you later."
"That example is completely inappropriate! Let go of me!"
Instead, Lyanna's embrace only tightened. Elisvaria struggled briefly before giving up, her body stiff with embarrassment and irritation mixed together. She glanced aside, making sure Sasuke was still facing away from them.
Maybe he heard that embarrassing scream just now.
Damn it. Once again, my most humiliating side is exposed right in front of him. Yesterday, in the silence of the snowy forest, and now beneath the roof of this flower garden.
Is all of this really just coincidence? Or is it a chain of events I cannot escape? And tomorrow, what kind of embarrassment will be waiting for me next?
Enough. I cannot keep getting dragged into this kind of madness. There are still many important matters waiting today, things that cannot be ignored. Besides, Lyanna would not have come all this way just to worry about me. There must be a critical report I need to hear immediately.
Elisvaria pushed her friend away a little roughly, then turned around. The look in her eyes shifted, becoming far more serious, once again reflecting the authority of a ruler.
"Let's go, Anna."
Lyanna glanced briefly toward the pavilion.
"What about Sasuke?"
"Leave him here. He seems to be enjoying the garden well enough. I need to hear your report about the situation in Velmorath as soon as possible."
"All right, Vara."
Without wasting any more time, the two of them walked away from the flower garden. The sound of their footsteps gradually faded until it disappeared entirely, leaving silence to reclaim the vast garden once more.
Not far away, Sasuke stood still. His gaze followed the two women until their figures vanished beyond the corridor.
His thoughts suddenly became tangled. Old memories surged back, carrying longing that he deeply missed, yet could never reach again. Something that should have been buried long ago, yet stubbornly refused to disappear.