"Then repay me with your body, Lord."
*
The northernmost Paliz and the southernmost Quintbeck.
The bad blood between Grand Duke Matthias Paliz and Guild Master Timothy Quintbeck was famous throughout high society, but facing a blizzard on a trade route, even Timothy had no choice but to accept his help.
"You look like an absolute mess, Lord."
Seeing those arrogant green eyes used to make his stomach turn, but...
Matthias's demeanor inside this castle felt entirely unfamiliar.
His subtly anxious reaction when Timothy mentioned leaving high society for two years to study abroad was a truly new side of him.
"You told me. You said you would do anything in exchange for letting you stay in the castle."
"...As the master of Quintbeck, I won't go back on my word."
As Matthias suddenly leaned in close, the dizzying scent of his body mixed with alcohol washed over him.
"Then repay me with your body, Lord."
Was it just his imagination that he saw a hint of pleading in Matthias's eyes, now just inches away?
