It was an incredibly obvious attempt at seduction.
Looking at the man's sly smile, Milena replied coldly,
"I was only stating the fact that you're handsome. And didn't you hear the rest? I said you wouldn't be much help."
It was an indirect warning telling him not to waste his time.
Yet somehow, the atmosphere around him only grew sweeter.
If someone told her he could control pheromones, she might actually believe it.
In more ways than one, he was the kind of man who could effortlessly enchant people.
"I know."
As Milena pulled her arm away, he reluctantly released her hand.
His crimson eyes followed her slender fingers before returning to her deep green gaze.
"Still, hearing that I'm more handsome than the Grand Duke makes me feel competitive."
Milena had never said he was more handsome than Callion.
Did he simply hear whatever he wanted to hear?
"..."
What is wrong with this lunatic?
Her thoughts were written plainly across her face.
Lexion barely managed to suppress a laugh.
She always wore the same aloof, expressionless mask.
But if one looked closely enough, every genuine thought beneath that cold exterior was visible.
"If you're not going to fall for me..."
He tilted his head slightly.
"How about I become your man instead? I'm pretty confident I'd do a good job."
Milena knew almost nothing about him.
Honestly, she still didn't understand why he had disguised himself as the knight Hubert.
Nor did she understand why he had suddenly revealed his true name as Lexion.
The first time he had appeared in her room, she had frozen for a moment because of his face.
And that was saying something.
She had spent years looking at a man like Callion every day.
If Lexion's appearance had still shocked her, then his beauty truly was extraordinary.
It seemed almost criminal to hide that face behind a curtain of hair.
Even their appearances were complete opposites.
If Callion was the rugged, imposing kind of handsome man—
Lexion possessed a softer, lighter charm.
The sort of beauty that could effortlessly captivate people.
"So?"
Lexion smiled.
"Are you going to tell me?"
He leaned closer.
"What the Grand Duke's weakness is?"
"..."
For one fleeting moment, Milena entertained a ridiculous fantasy.
A sweet illusion where a man as handsome as Callion approached her with genuine interest.
A foolish woman who had spent her entire life looking at only one man—
Could it be that someone had finally reached out a hand to her?
But before she could sink into the fantasy, reality splashed cold water over her.
Even love at first sight required a reason.
And this man's reason had been obvious from the beginning.
The Grand Duke.
What exactly was I expecting?
Faced with reality, she felt as though she had been denied even the right to dream.
Maintaining a perfectly expressionless face, she refused to be swayed by his looks.
"I'm curious about the Grand Duke's weakness too."
Lifting her chin, she adopted the familiar attitude of the villainess everyone knew.
"Are you connected to the Imperial Family? Or another noble house?"
Her eyes narrowed.
"Though I suppose it doesn't really matter. I've already told you. I won't be much help."
Callion had many enemies.
There were already numerous spies hidden throughout the territory.
One more wasn't particularly surprising.
What was surprising was that a man like this had managed to avoid detection for so long.
Hiding such an eye-catching appearance behind messy hair was an achievement in itself.
Still, her interest ended there.
This wasn't the first time a spy had tried to approach her.
After all, forbidden sweetness was always the most tempting.
Milena steadied herself.
She wouldn't be drawn into his trap.
Meeting his gaze directly, she held firm.
Their eyes locked.
Only the warmth of their breaths clashed within the cold air.
Silence stretched between them as both tested the other.
Then—
Lexion was the first to retreat.
There were too many eyes watching.
It was only natural.
The infamous villainess of the Grand Ducal Castle was strolling through the city with the most handsome man in the North.
Some people watched secretly.
Others openly stared.
After glancing around, Lexion sighed.
Milena immediately pulled her hood lower.
At that moment—
Lexion casually touched the earring hanging from his ear.
Instantly, his appearance shifted.
And for the briefest second—
A spell that distorted perception spread outward.
The people who had been staring only moments before resumed their business as if nothing had happened.
"Are you angry?"
Now wearing Hubert's appearance again, he walked beside her and asked casually.
"Why would I be angry?"
Milena didn't even look at him.
"I don't know who you're working for, but if you're planning to take something, then take it."
"...Excuse me?"
If he was Callion's enemy, that wasn't exactly a problem from her perspective.
She wouldn't care if Callion lost everything.
Honestly, seeing him completely ruined might even be satisfying.
"Oh, but leave a little behind."
She added thoughtfully.
"The Grand Duchy belongs to our Ashdel."
Was this really something a villainess obsessed with the Grand Duke would say?
For a moment, Lexion simply stared.
Then he burst out laughing.
"You really do love your nephew."
Stopping beside a carriage, Milena replied quietly,
"I just want him to live well."
She placed one foot on the worn carriage step.
"I want him to be happy here."
Then she turned to look at Lexion.
"And I hope you leave safely too."
For some reason, she felt as though this would be their last meeting.
After all, she would be leaving soon.
She hoped he obtained whatever he wanted and escaped unharmed.
The Grand Duke was merciless toward spies.
If Lexion were discovered, he would undoubtedly die.
And if someone she had just spent time with died—
The memory would probably linger in her heart for a long time.
"..."
Lexion's hand, which had been helping her into the carriage, paused briefly.
She's worried about me too?
Milena truly was a soft-hearted villainess.
Did she know what he was actually after?
Still—
He didn't dislike her concern.
A faint smile spread beneath his unruly hair.
"Even so, you'll have to pay the price."
Milena snorted.
"I'm not the type to run away without paying my debts."
Turning toward the carriage window, she looked outside.
Lexion covered his mouth, laughing softly.
"Even if you ran, I'd find a way to collect."
"My, what a terrifying threat."
Her voice was dry.
There wasn't the slightest trace of fear in it.
He had even told her his name.
Yet she still had no idea who he really was.
What kind of expression would she make if she learned he was the third son of the prestigious Silvert Ducal House?
His crimson eyes curved like polished rubies.
She kept giving him reactions he never expected.
And that was becoming increasingly interesting.
When they arrived at the entrance of the Grand Ducal Castle, Milena let out a long sigh.
The moment she returned, she felt suffocated again.
White breath drifted from her lips into the freezing air.
"My Lady. Look over there."
Still maintaining his role as Hubert, Lexion lightly touched her shoulder and pointed ahead.
What was she supposed to be looking at?
All she saw was the enormous castle.
But standing near the entrance wasn't a guard.
It was a small child.
"Ash?"
The sun had already set.
The temperature had dropped considerably.
The boy sat curled up on the ground wearing only thin clothes.
Like an abandoned child.
"Ash! What are you doing out here?"
Milena rushed forward and scooped him into her arms.
He was freezing.
In a castle this large...
Had nobody taken care of him?
How could they leave a child outside like this?
"Auntie..."
"I'm here."
She held him tighter.
"Ash, why were you out here? Did Callion throw you out?"
Ashdel shook his head against her chest.
His face was flushed with fever.
His voice trembled.
"I thought... you left me behind..."
He buried his face deeper into her shoulder.
"I waited here..."
His small fingers clutched her clothes.
"And if you didn't come back... I was going to follow you..."
Milena bit her lip.
Then wrapped her arms around him even tighter.
Leaning close, she whispered softly,
"Ash..."
Her voice was barely audible.
"You'll be loved."
Even if that person...
Wasn't me.