The night air felt colder as I walked away from the party, aimlessly following the lantern-lit path winding through the garden. The sound of music and chatter faded behind me, leaving only the whisper of the wind and the pounding of my own heart.
I felt… empty. Angry. Confused.
The two of them—Louise and the Duke—argued over me as if I wasn't a person with feelings, as if I were some kind of prize to be claimed.
I let out a deep sigh and looked up at the sky, watching the stars hang above like silent witnesses.
"You don't seem like a fan of parties," a deep, calm voice spoke from behind.
I turned around instantly.
A tall man stepped out from the shadows. His black hair was slightly long, soft strands falling around his neck and over his forehead. He wore an elegant military uniform—deep black with golden insignias on the shoulders. His movements were firm and commanding, but not threatening.
His eyes were sharp and dark—but not judgmental.
"Who… are you?" I asked cautiously.
He gave a slight bow, polite and effortless. "Sebastian von Erhart. General of the Eastern Palace."
My eyes widened. I'd heard that name before—one of the youngest generals, known for his intelligence and loyalty. But why… was he here, at this party?
"You look like someone running away from something," he said, his tone gentle—understanding, even.
I gave a bitter smile. "Running away from two stubborn men… who talk too much and listen too little."
Sebastian raised an eyebrow and offered a faint smile. "Ah. One being Duke Nicholas… and the other, the man you came with?"
I stared at him. "You were watching?"
"I'm a general. Observing situations is my job." He took a step closer, slow and deliberate, stopping just close enough for me to see his face clearly under the lantern light. "But… that's not what caught my attention."
I held my breath as his eyes locked onto mine. Cold, yet somehow filled with a quiet interest.
"You're different from everyone else at that party," he said softly.
I looked away. "I'm not a noble. Maybe that's why."
"But you have something even nobles lack—genuine honesty. And that, you can't fake." He tilted his head slightly. "And it seems… your charm is enough to make two men lose control."
I flinched.
He spoke as if he could read my heart, as if he knew exactly what had been weighing on me tonight.
"I… just wanted a quiet night. But I guess that's impossible," I whispered, sinking onto a stone bench near the trees.
Sebastian sat down too, keeping a respectful distance. "The world of nobility is full of masks. But from what I've seen, you've never worn one—even in front of a Duke."
I eyed him suspiciously. "You've been there the whole time?"
"Since the moment the Duke asked you to dance." His gaze narrowed slightly. "That wasn't just a dance, was it?"
I said nothing. I didn't know how to answer.
Sebastian leaned back, eyes drifting up to the starry sky.
"If you'd like… I can be your quiet space tonight. Not as a general, but as someone who doesn't want to see that sadness in your eyes again."
I was silent, staring at him. Strangely, even though we'd just met, I felt… safe. Not judged. Not overwhelmed.
His presence was like a calm silence, unlike Louise's protective warmth or the Duke's intense dominance.
Then, footsteps echoed from behind us.
I stood up quickly.
Duke and Louise appeared from opposite sides—both halting when they saw me… sitting with Sebastian on the garden bench.
"Sebastian?" Duke asked, clearly surprised. "What are you doing here?"
The general stood up slowly, turning toward him with a relaxed expression. "Getting some fresh air. And by chance, I met someone who needed the same."
Louise looked at me, his eyes full of worry. "Airi, are you okay?"
I nodded. "I just… needed a moment."
But I couldn't ignore the tension now hanging in the air between the three men—Louise, Duke, and Sebastian—all looking at me in completely different ways:
Louise, with protective affection.
The Duke, with a burning obsession.
And Sebastian… with quiet curiosity that slipped past every wall I had.
The night air hadn't fully faded when I found myself standing once more in front of the bar, accompanied by Louise's calm steps beside me.
We had just returned from a party that ended… far from peaceful. Sebastian had stayed behind at the palace, while the Duke chose to disappear without a word. And me? I had planned to walk back alone, but in the end, I let Louise hold my hand and walk me home.
We didn't talk much along the way. Our steps were slow, but they felt heavy. Like something was hanging in the air, left unsaid.
When we reached my room, Louise didn't leave right away. He leaned against the doorway, watching me in silence.
"Wanna come in?" I asked softly.
He raised an eyebrow. "Can I?"
I nodded. The door opened and we stepped in together. The room was warm, quiet, but the air between us… felt strange. Thick. Tense.
I slowly unbuttoned the high collar of my outfit, pulling off the lace that felt too tight. Louise remained standing, eyes fixed on my back as I faced away.
"Sebastian's… kinda interesting," he muttered.
I turned quickly, a bit wary. "What do you mean?"
Louise narrowed his eyes, stepping closer. "The way you looked at him. I saw it. You smiled at him in a way I've never seen before."
I took a deep breath. "It's not… it was just…"
"Don't lie to me, Airi." His voice lowered, but there was heat simmering under every word. "I've been quiet, but that doesn't mean I haven't seen it. But tonight—seeing you with him—I feel like I'm losing control."
His steps grew closer. I stepped back, but my back hit the wall.
"Louise, I… I need time…"
"You've had time," he murmured, planting his hands on either side of my face, trapping me between his body and the wall. His eyes burned with emotions he could no longer hold back. "But tonight I'm done pretending to be patient."
"Wait… Louise, don't—"
Before I could finish, his lips crashed into mine—quick and deep. Not soft. Not slow. But hot, urgent, consuming. His hands clutched my waist, pulling me into his solid embrace. I gasped into the kiss, one of my hands pressing weakly against his chest.
"Wait, Louise, I'm not ready for—"
"You are," he whispered against my ear, his breath heavy. "You're just scared of what you'll feel." He pulled me closer, and I could feel his racing heartbeat, his body trembling with restraint.
I bit my lip. "I don't know what to do…"
"Then let me lead."
With one swift move, he lifted me and laid me down on the bed. Our breaths tangled, our bodies pressed. Louise kissed down my neck with burning lips, leaving trails of heat that made me writhe.
"You're mine, Airi… tonight, only mine."
"Ah… Louise…"
His lips traced down to my collarbone. Every kiss sparked something uncontrollable inside me.
"Not there… ah…"
"Why not? You're trembling from a single kiss," he chuckled darkly.
He moved down to my chest, kissing lower, down my stomach.
"Aaah… ah… L-Louise…"
Clothes slipped away, skin met skin. Our bodies entwined in gasps and exhales. His hands explored, his mouth adored every inch of me.
"Aah… slower… aah…"
"Don't hold your voice, Airi. Let me hear everything."
"Haa… haa… Louise… it's… too much…"
My moans filled the room. Every move of his pushed me closer to the edge. Louise devoured me with passion but also care. His hands gripped tightly, his mouth left blazing marks.
"You're… driving me insane tonight," he growled.
"Aah… stop… ahn… I can't…"
"Don't stop it. Feel it. This isn't something to fight."
Our kiss deepened. He bit my lower lip, breathing heavily. I no longer knew where I ended and where he began.
"Ahnn… aaah… L-Louise… please…"
"What? You want me to stop now?"
"N-no… just… slow down… haaah…"
He chuckled lowly in between my moans. "You're so cute when you beg. But you don't want to stop, do you?"
My body arched, moving with his rhythm. We were trapped in a world that belonged only to us. Moans, whimpers, gasps… filled the night with no room for silence.
---
Louise slowly turned me around, his hand gliding down my back as he kissed my nape from behind. "You have no idea how sweet you look from this angle."
I bit the sheets under me, trying to muffle a cry. "Louise… aah… you're too deep…"
"Tell me, Airi… who do you want tonight?"
"You… ahh… Louise, only you…"
The sound of our racing hearts fused together, the melody of a night that couldn't be silenced. Time froze. And in every motion, Louise seemed to whisper that this night wasn't just about desire… but about feelings buried deep.
I clutched his arm tightly, my body trembling. Every whisper in my ear, every moan from his lips, invaded my thoughts.
"Airi… I'll always choose you," he murmured as our bodies reached their peak together. "No matter how many men try to have you."
I cried silently. But not from pain. For the first time… I felt truly wanted.
---
But just then, Louise stopped moving. His breath was heavy, his body still pressing against mine, but he didn't go further.
"I… can't," he whispered, gasping.
I turned slowly, stunned, my body still burning and shaking. "Why…?"
He clenched his jaw, eyes shut tight as if fighting something immense. "If I keep going now… I'm scared I'll hurt you."
I went quiet. Louise was still on top of me, but frozen. His hands that once touched with desire now simply held me tightly, protectively.
"I want you, Airi. More than I can say. But not like this. Not while you're still unsure. I want you to give in because you want to… not because you're caught in the moment."
"But I… I want you too…"
He touched my face gently, eyes full of emotion. "You do. But not tonight."
Silence fell. Only our shaky breaths lingered between us. Louise slowly moved off me, pulling me into his arms.
"I'm sorry… I almost lost control. I'm afraid of losing you, but more afraid of making you regret this."
I closed my eyes in his embrace. My body still burned, but my heart felt warm. Even while consumed by jealousy and desire, Louise still chose to love me gently.
---
After the storm calmed, I lay in his arms. Our breathing still heavy, but peaceful. Our skin damp with sweat, yet our hearts felt lighter.
Louise ran his fingers through my hair, his face hidden in the curve of my neck.
"I know I was too intense," he whispered. "But I want you to know… I love you. More than I can ever say with words."
I squeezed his hand.
"You scare me. But… you also make me feel alive."
Outside, the night stretched on. But in that room, we no longer pretended.
To be continued…