Thane returned to the Florents’ mansion completely unnoticed by Duke Claude, even after they passed each other in the hall and exchanged greetings again that day. The journalist was always curious if that man was oblivious or maybe his sense of romance was just broken. In his case, it was hard to tell.

  Alicia was in her bedroom. She was reading a book on her bed, with only her head and hands stuck out from under a completely pink blanket. The room was full of pink accents, not many black colours. What made a certain thing, which she called ‘Shame’, stick out even more? Thane was sure that was the name she chose, knowing that he would feel shame each time he looked at it.

  Before they became close, Thane brought her a completely dark plushy that depicted a monster rat. It was supposed to be a crude joke; no normal person would buy those plushies. They were almost as ugly as the monsters. And in Alicia’s room, there was a crown place for it on her bed.

  His first impression of her was bad. One of the very few times when his assumption was the complete opposite of the truth. He thought her to be just a stuck-up noble, a father’s daughter, and a spoiled child. When he realised nothing about Alicia was spoiled, he dug his grave too deep.

  “I buy you whatever plushy you want, just burn this one, please.” He closed the door, and only then did she look at him.

  “I can’t,” she said with the most serious tone she could muster. “I adore this, my little Shame.” She reached for the rat with a far too long tail. “It’s so cute and lumpy.”

  She squeezed it, and it made a sound. Of course, it made a sound; all the stupid toys and figurines of monsters from Obsidian were fucked up. It wasn’t a sound that a normal rat would let out; it was a shriek. Thankfully, the toy was old and not loud. Thane winced.

  “I can’t tell if you really think that or just messing with me.” He looked at the shelf with black figurines made from obsidian stone. Every time she visited him in the neighbouring duchy, she bought at least one monster. That’s why he brought an apartment here, although he rarely gets to sleep there, always running errands for her or the Midnight Quill.

  “So how did it go? Dante’s a sweetheart, right?” She patted a space next to herself. Thane sat there without a single complaint.

  “Yeah,” he nodded absent-mindedly. Dante was nice in comparison to his brother, and his worries evaporated after just one look at him, but the entire meeting was a nightmare. “I really can’t handle that man. A serial killer was less aggravating.”

  Alicia didn’t have to ask who he meant. She just chuckled and put one hand with the blanket around the journalist. Then she made him put his head on her shoulder and started petting him.

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  “You did well. I’m proud of you.”

  Thane blushed and couldn't even pretend not to. Things like this were happening so often, he had lost count. He was sure that in the world, there were only two people he couldn't handle properly. Edward Crimson and Alicia Florent for two very different reasons.

  Alicia, in turn, loved watching how her perfect man was reduced to a blushing mess every time she prised or touched him. It made her feel prouder than when she had won an argument with her father.

  “Edward’s going home soon. You won’t have to meet him more than necessary.” He wrapped his arms around her middle. “You’re free this weekend.”

  She didn’t ask. She rarely did when she had a plan already created. And it wasn’t like she had to ask. Thane would do everything she wanted. How did she wrap him around her finger so tightly?

  “You’ll go with us to buy dresses and suits for Father’s birthday ball. I’m going to buy you a matching suit to mine.”

  When they went shopping for the first time, it didn’t sit well with him that she was the one paying for everything. But he learned that if he protests, she’ll not only buy him just one thing. For the ducal family, spending money was nothing. Especially for someone like Alicia, who already had two businesses going at the age of eighteen, that’s why she looked for a newspaper to patronize.

  “Matching?” That was the only thing that concerned him. The ball was in a month, and Duchess Ophelia already asked him to fish for information about guests.

  “Yes, you're gonna be my date. What did you think?”

  “What about Dante? You’re still pretending?”

  “Who knows? After all that good job you did, it all depends on Edward now.” She brushed her fingers as his cheeks became even redder. “I assume he wants the mines, so he will be quick. But mother said she will take Dante as her date, so he will be just third-willing.”

  Thane chuckled when she gave him a peck on the nose.

  “Does he know?”

  “Nah...depending on the situation, I will let him take Sunshine.” She smiled mischievously. Thane really liked that smile; it worked well with her vivid red hair.

  “Sunshine? Whose that?”

  “Honestly, no idea. That question had me going since he started attending the academy. He sticks to Dante, and they work and look well together. My best friend needs someone who will stick to him no matter what...not like me. I...I should’ve done differently.” She sighed.

  “You were both children. Stop blaming yourself for your own good intentions.”

  He raised his head and stroked her cheek with a free hand. She smiled gently when her green eyes met his blue and kissed him. Without a warning or words that were unnecessary. He, like always, at first was too surprised to react. She really loved catching him off guard. He returned the kiss and then got kicked out, because she has lectures in the morning and needs beauty sleep.