Chapter 17.2

Seeing Marie nervous, he must be a member of the Grand Duke’s family.

Luciel’s unimpressed gaze moved to Marie, as if he saw a bug. The atmosphere was different from the gaze that was looking at Anne. If it was a blue spring for Anne, it was a cold winter for Marie.

Anne had a strange feeling about the eyes that were so different. The docile impression was directed only to her. Marie, who had hesitated, opened her mouth just when Anne thought that the blind favor was a little strange.

“I didn’t know you were here. Inside . . .”

“Anne.”

Luciel, who cut off Marie’s words, fixed his gaze on Anne again. He was completely ignoring Marie, who was only staring at the ground.

He ignored Marie, but it would have been more accurate to say that he gave no reactions. Not only Marie, but also all the people who passed by sweeping the snow greeted him, but Luciel didn’t even look at them, nor did he give them a single gaze.

“Is Daymond good to you?”

“. . . Yes.”

It was not a virtue to reveal the scars left by one’s husband. When she answered roughly, Luciel burst into laughter. As he laughed out loud, his silver hair fluttered finely. He had no resemblance to the Grand Duke, no matter how distant a relative he was, with that fine, silky hair that shimmered in the sunlight with every move.

His marble-like eyes moved slowly, as if trying to understand the truth. Luciel’s pupils, who had been staring at her, narrowed for an instant.

“It’s a lie.”

His red lips stretched coolly with satisfaction. Even though she didn’t show her expression, Luciel seemed convinced she was telling lies.

Luciel shook his head once, then bowed his head in an elegant manner and held out his arm.

“I will introduce myself formally. I am a distant relative of Daymond, Luciel. I wanted to greet the beautiful Lady.”

Anne looked down at the hand he reached out to her. One of the old etiquettes was a kiss on the back of the hand.

Reluctantly, she stretched out her hand slowly. She probably didn’t even have to do this, but it was rude to make someone feel uncomfortable with their already extended hand.

Clutching her outstretched hand, Luciel stared intently at her. Then he grinned and snapped at her middle finger with his teeth.

“Oh . . .”

Her fingertips were slightly nipped, but it didn’t hurt because she was wearing thick gloves. Luciel smiled once more and pulled at the glove he was biting on. Her center of gravity was tilted, and Anne’s body leaned forward. The glove came off and her bare hands appeared.

“Gloves don’t taste good.”

Luciel, who had his eyes rounded, smiled softly and clutched Anne’s hand tight. However, this time, she was not shaken. She steadied herself, so she could avoid being hugged by Luciel.

“What are you doing now . . .”

As soon as he opened his mouth, his soft lips landed on the back of her hand, rubbing her flesh. It was more like a sincere caress than a greeting. Anne, startled, tried to pull her hand away, but the hand holding her was still that of a man’s.

The sound of a small gasp was heard from the side. Marie, startled, was looking around, anxious to see who could see this scene.

“Please stop it.”

Anne spoke in a stern voice.

As he continued kissing the back of her hand, Luciel raised his eyes narrowly upwards. Each time he blinked slowly, the long silver eyelashes fluttered down. They were so thin and transparent that she wouldn’t even know he had eyelashes unless she looked closely.

Luciel, who caught her gaze, licked the back of her hand with his damp tongue this time. The squeak could be heard clearly beyond the sensation that hit her eyes. He didn’t want to open his slanted eyes that were bent over his handsome face, as if enjoying Anne’s breathless face.

“It’s enough, so please stop.”

Embarrassed by the fact that she was doing this as a married woman, Anne put strength in her arms again. Her tense right shoulder was so stiff with her force.

Then Luciel parted his lips and lifted his head, but his hand was still clasped on hers.

“Anne’s hands are so sweet. It’s just like soft cloud candy.”

He said, fiddling with Anne’s fingers. While stroking her knuckles, he pressed his fingers down to her palms and tickled them.

“Stop it.”

“Hmm . . . It’s so soft that I don’t want to let it go.”

Despite the brazen remarks, Luciel did not loosen the grin on his face. Then suddenly, looking across from Anne, his face hardened.

“Ah . . . I’m getting annoyed.”

Luciel’s lips, drawing an arc, were tightly shut. When the bright eyes suddenly turned dark, it was somehow eerie. But in the blink of an eye, his face had changed to the same perfect look as the first time.

“It’s been a while, Daymond.”

Staring over her shoulder, Luciel greeted him kindly.