His Effortless Charm

Author Note: I'm using this opportunity to apologize for my inability to update for the past few days… Exams have been choking.

Vivian was completely caught off guard by Leonard's unexpected kiss. Her mind went blank for a moment as she processed what had just happened.

This was only the second time this body had been kissed, and the first time was on their wedding day, three years ago, when Leonard had pressed a formal, indifferent kiss to her lips at the altar.

Since then, he had never once attempted to kiss her again. In fact, he had remained cold and distant, treating their marriage like an inconvenience rather than a real union.

The original owner of this body had been an extremely conservative woman, someone who had held the sanctity of marriage and propriety in high regard.

It was obvious why she had never sought intimacy with her husband after realizing he had no interest in her not to talk of how innocent and naive she is when it comes to intimate affairs, she won't even consider trying to seduce him not to talk of the fact that she lacks courage despite having an insanely seductive body.

But the current Vivian? She was entirely different. On Earth, before she woke up in this body, she had been in a passionate and affectionate relationship with her fiancé, Arthur.

Though her illness had prevented them from taking the final step, they had still shared plenty of intimacy, far more than just stolen kisses. She and Arthur had been completely familiar with each other's bodies, and there had been no hesitation, no awkwardness.

Yet here she was, frozen in place, utterly shaken by Leonard's touch. Perhaps it was because she had never expected him to kiss her. Or maybe it was because, in all her past experiences, she had never been intimate with any man other than Arthur. She hadn't mentally prepared herself for this even though she planned on meeting other men. But what truly disturbed her was not just the shock, it was the way she had responded.

Why had she kissed him back?

Was it because of the lingering emotions of this body? The remnants of the original owner's deep-seated feelings for Leonard? Or was it because of her own greed, an instinctual reaction to a man whose mere presence could overwhelm the senses? Vivian wasn't sure. But one thing was undeniable, Leonard was dangerous.

As expected of a romance novel's male lead.

Aside from his cold demeanor, there was almost nothing wrong with him. His appearance was flawless, his aura commanding, and, if this kiss was anything to go by, his skills in intimacy were exceptional. Vivian had no doubt that, in the original novel, the original host of this body had fallen head over heels for him, swept away by his charm, and became a fool for love.

But she wasn't the original Vivian.

And yet…

Her breath caught in her throat. It was embarrassing how quickly she had become lightheaded. Damn this body's lack of endurance! Back on Earth, she had built up her lung capacity well enough to handle passionate moments, but this body? It was delicate, untrained, and clearly not accustomed to such sensations. If Leonard hadn't noticed her struggling for breath and pulled away in time, she might have been the first woman in history to die from being kissed to death.

Even now, she was still in a daze, unable to react when he shamelessly stole another quick peck from her lips before finally pulling back. Her mind spun in confusion.

What is he doing?

If Leonard liked the original host, why had he insisted on divorcing her? And now, after the divorce, why was he suddenly being so affectionate? None of it made sense.

Vivian wanted to stop thinking about it, to push these thoughts away and ignore them. But how could she, when Leonard's actions continued to send her mind into chaos? The worst part was that the original host's emotions still clung to this body, clouding her judgment and making her heart react in ways that frustrated her.

She exhaled slowly, trying to clear her head. There was only one solution.

She needed to get involved with other men.

That way, not only could she shake off the unnecessary emotional ties to this body's past, but she could also cut her connection to the main characters of the original novel. If she could find a way to neutralize the female protagonist then she would take revenge on behalf of the original host of this body, she would be free to live however she pleased.

Meanwhile, Leonard had an entirely different plan in mind.

If he knew what was going through her head, he would probably burst into tears. He had been carefully orchestrating ways to rekindle her love for him, hoping that, in time, she would return to his side willingly after his plans. His goal was simple, to ensure that her powerful family didn't arrange another marriage for her. But instead of falling for his charms, she was making plans to scatter love seeds with other men!

Lost in thought, Vivian didn't even notice that their magical flight had come to an end. The Pegasus, responding to Leonard's guidance, began to descend gracefully. A warm breeze carried the scent of blooming flowers as they landed in the enchanted garden.

Vivian was still in a daze when Leonard helped her down. It wasn't until a beautiful pavilion appeared from nowhere, its marble pillars gleaming under the soft glow of magical lanterns, that she realized they were back on solid ground.

She barely had time to gather her thoughts before the fairies, tiny, elegant creatures with translucent wings, began fluttering around them, carrying baskets of glimmering fruits. They moved with an ethereal grace, placing the fruits on the table, each one radiating a soft, magical essence. The air was filled with an intoxicating blend of fragrances, sweet, rich, and otherworldly.

Then, Leonard moved.

With a flick of his wrist, a teapot and cups materialized before them. The fairies handed him a handful of leaves, which she assumed were tea leaves, and he began the process of brewing tea. His movements were slow, precise, and utterly captivating.

Vivian watched in silence, mesmerized.

Even an ordinary act, like making tea, seemed enchanting in his hands. His expression remained composed, his posture relaxed yet refined. He was completely absorbed in what he was doing, as if this simple act was worthy of his full attention.

No wonder the original host was so infatuated with him…

It was often said that a man looked most attractive when focused, and in Leonard's case, it was a thousand times more true. His sharp features, combined with his natural charisma, made it nearly impossible to look away. The delicate movements of his hands, the way his fingers brushed against the porcelain, the casual grace with which he poured the tea, it was all too much.

Vivian felt a headache coming on.

She needed to regain control of herself. The last thing she wanted was to fall victim to the male lead's effortless charm like the original host of this body.

Leonard finished pouring the tea, his lips curving into a faint smile as he handed her a cup. "Have some tea to calm your nerves, my lady."

Vivian accepted it calmly, taking a small sip while willing her heart to stop racing.

She needed to get a grip.

The original host's feelings were doing her more harm than good. If this continued, she wouldn't even need to worry about dying under Leonard's sword.

Her heart might just give out first.