Chapter: 0.78 A veiled kiss

Jin's eyes shimmered with crimson mischief as he gazed at her, standing so gracefully in the doorway — his new wife. The flames of the stove cast flickering golden light across the obsidian walls, dancing across his sharp features, softening them just enough to make the danger seem sweet.

His smile deepened — warm, almost affectionate, but laced with that unmistakable tone of playful cruelty.

He reached up, slowly undoing the tie that held his bangs back. With a gentle tug, the dark ribbon loosened, and his long, inky-black fringe cascaded forward like a silken waterfall, framing his face and partially veiling one of his glowing red eyes.

> "My dear wife," he said, voice low and velvety, "why are you awake at this early hour? Could it be… you were too excited to be my wife?"

> He tilted his head, the corners of his lips lifting higher. "Or…" — his voice dropped a note — "was it because you were hoping for a morning kiss?"

Rina blinked, heart stumbling in her chest.

The air between them shifted, turning dense and warm. Her fingers tightened slightly around the hem of her dress.

> "Tell me," Jin murmured as he stepped closer, his voice now almost a whisper, "how would you like it? Slow? Quick? Or a deep, passionate one… the kind that steals your breath away?"

Rina's throat went dry.

She was certain her cheeks had turned pink, then red, then burning.

His hand rose — ungloved this time — and he touched her face gently, his fingers brushing her right cheek as if he were memorizing the texture of her skin. Her red-gold hair tumbled between his fingers, soft as flame, catching the light like molten silk.

And yet… she couldn't move.

Her golden eyes locked onto his, wide and stunned, helplessly caught in the gravity of his presence. Her heart pounded with a rhythm that didn't feel like her own.

He leaned in.

Closer.

She could feel the warmth of his breath.

His hand moved to her chin, lifting it with a careful, reverent touch.

Rina's lips parted slightly, instinctively, as his own came so near —

so near she could almost taste his name on her tongue —

so near she could feel the soft pull of the moment tightening like a ribbon around her spine —

Then—

> "Did you think I was really going to kiss you?" Jin whispered, his voice coated in mischief and gentle mockery. "Unfortunately for you… I won't. Not like this."

> He straightened, smiling like a devil in love. "Not until you want me to."

He turned his back.

The warmth of him left her like a blanket suddenly yanked away.

Rina remained frozen in place, staring at the space where he'd just been, her face flushed, her breath unsteady. Her heart — *traitorous, ridiculous thing* — thudded so hard she wondered if he could hear it from across the room.

> *What… was that?*

No one had ever touched her like that. No one had ever looked at her that way — as if she were something that could be melted or devoured.

She was still trying to steady herself when Jin returned to his cooking. The sizzle of meat hitting hot oil filled the space again, grounding her slightly, though the air still felt too thick.

He glanced at her over his shoulder.

> "You're going back to the academy tomorrow," he said, as if nothing had just happened. "Didn't want you to miss that little detail."

Rina blinked. *The academy?*

Her mind scrambled to switch gears.

She nodded slowly, her voice coming out quieter than she intended. "Right… I remember."

Jin flipped a piece of seasoned meat with a practiced hand. "And I," he said, "will also be going."

That surprised her.

She turned to face him properly.

> "You'll go?" she asked, unsure whether she was more skeptical or… touched.

He didn't look at her. He simply shrugged.

> "You asked. I said I would. I'm a man of my word. Don't misunderstand — I have no interest in making friends. But…"

> He paused, a slow smirk forming again as he glanced back at her. "There are strong students there, aren't there? Maybe I'll stir things up. Punch a few of them. Make a scene."

Rina's eyes narrowed faintly.

> *Of course.* Of course he wouldn't go quietly.

But before she could respond, he dropped another line:

> "Oh, and my darling wife…" he said, tone light as air, "do you mind if I flirt with some of the girls there? I mean—look at me."

> He gestured to himself mockingly. "With this face, I'll attract them like flies. Can't help it."

Rina stared.

> *This man…*

Was he trying to provoke her?

Yes. Absolutely yes.

There was a glint in his eyes now — satisfaction — the kind that said he knew exactly how she was reacting inside.

But she refused to give him the pleasure of an obvious outburst.

Instead, she took a breath. Steady. Graceful. Dangerous.

She stepped forward, hips swaying just slightly with each step, her white dress brushing against her thighs like a whispered warning.

Her voice was soft — but sharp.

> "If you want to flirt," she said, "go ahead."

Jin raised an eyebrow.

> "But remember this," Rina continued, her golden eyes locking with his, her tone like chilled velvet. "If any girl dares touch what belongs to me…"

> She leaned in, her voice dropping to a whisper. "I will make sure they don't walk again."

The smile that broke across Jin's face was sudden — wide, delighted, and unmistakably impressed.

> "Oh?" he chuckled, setting down the pan. "Possessive already?"

Rina crossed her arms, ignoring the heat in her face. "I'm not possessive. I just know how to protect what's mine."

Jin took a slow step toward her again, eyes flickering with something darker. "Does that mean I'm yours now, Rina?"

She hesitated.

The air cracked between them again.

*Mine…?*

> *What am I doing…?*

She looked away.

"I'm going to eat," she said quickly, moving past him toward the counter.

Jin let her go, the smirk never leaving his lips.