7 | The Opportunity

After dinner, Lydia never left her room. Although Lizzy came to do her hair and help her dress for the music recital later in the evening, Lydia declined, citing a headache as the reason for needing rest.

She knew that if she went, she would have to endure listening to Amelia all night instead of enjoying the music. Since no one else seemed to care about Lydia except for Amelia, there was no need for her to attend all the events.

At least, to prevent her journey to the Reyes mansion and the expenses from going to waste, she had decided to see the Duchess. Once she completed this visit, she could leave the mansion tomorrow morning.

As she walked out of her room, she asked a maid she encountered in the corridor about the Duchess's room. Since all the guests were at the music recital, the surroundings were quite deserted. Lydia was walking briskly, searching for the Duchess's room.

She was about to enter a new corridor illuminated not by lamps but by moonlight reflecting from the windows when she found Damian Darrington right in front of her.

If she had been a little later, it would have been impossible not to collide with him. Even now, despite her reflexive step back, she could feel the warmth emanating from Damian and the scent of his expensive perfume mixing with his own scent.

Although she hadn't touched him, Lydia felt his proximity intensely and took a few quick steps back.

"Miss Lockhart, don't be afraid, it's just me."

For the first time, Damian's voice was filled with understanding rather than mockery. Lydia struggled not to show her embarrassment at her strange behavior as she raised her gaze to respond to him.

"I'm sorry, I thought all the guests were at the music recital."

"I see. So, what are you doing here?"

Damian's face was obscured by shadows as his large frame blocked the moonlight from behind. Lydia couldn't catch any direct expression from him and had no idea why he was here instead of at the music recital.

"I wanted to visit the Duchess in her room since I didn't see her at dinner."

In response, Lydia heard a soft chuckle. As Damian lowered his face and approached her, the light hitting his face revealed a sly smile playing on his lips.

"Miss Lockhart, I don't think you'll find the person you're looking for here. Unless, of course, you're really looking for the Duchess..."

Lydia had to suppress the urge to swallow as she tried to keep her expression serious.

"I don't think I understand what you're implying."

"In that case, allow me to be more direct. This part of the mansion is reserved for single, young male guests. You can never reach where the dear Duchess is staying from here."

Lydia quickly hid her face, filled with shock and embarrassment, in the darkness. She was certain the maid had clearly described this place to her. She now realized her foolishness in not considering that the servants might take a stance against her due to the rumors.

Knowing she could never admit this to Damian, she replied in a dry tone as if nothing was amiss.

"I must be lost."

"Is that so? Then as the host, I must accompany you to the Duchess's room."

The passing maids occasionally cast strange looks their way in the corridor. Their numbers seemed to have increased. Lydia was now sure she had managed to draw attention to herself and ignite new gossip.

"I would be grateful."

She hoped her disappointment didn't show in her voice. Damian, seemingly unaware of what was happening, offered his arm to her with a gentlemanly gesture. However, for the first time, Lydia dared to be rude and ignored Damian's arm, locking her gaze directly with his, filled with a cruel politeness.

Despite all the malevolent feelings she harbored towards him, Lydia couldn't deny that she found Damian more attractive under the moonlight filling the corridor. His black suit blended into the darkness with its dark accessories, accentuating his sharp features and green irises.

Instead of averting his gaze from her, Damian moved closer. Lydia, afraid her rapid breaths could be heard, remained still.

She struggled to remind herself that seduction was just a game for Damian. She now understood all too well how the foreign princess had come after him to her country as soon as he left, how she could have trampled her own pride.

Lydia had always been hungry for beautiful things since she could remember. She thought she had subdued and eliminated this hunger, which her father had satisfied abundantly, with her modest lifestyle in later years.

However, this hunger still persisted. Now, at the most unlikely time, it had forcefully reminded Lydia of its presence.

It must be a curse brought on by her ugliness.

Damian seemed to be aware of all this struggle. Without giving Lydia a chance to think, he completely enveloped her body, and his intense gaze, which persistently scrutinized Lydia, indicated that got more than what he wanted.

With just one signal from Lydia, he would bring his face closer to hers and part her closed lips with his.

The rest of the work would be taken care of by the servants' gossip. He doubted he could find a less harmless candidate than Lydia to force the princess to take a serious step.

Luck was always on his side because he knew how to seize opportunities.