It was midnight.

The mansion was quiet, and the faint sound of the ticking clock echoed through the hallway. Everyone had long fallen asleep, yet Ethan stood before a single door, hesitating for a moment before finally knocking.

Knock. Knock.

"It's open. Come in," a soft, alluring voice called from inside.

Ethan slowly pushed the door open, and his breath caught the moment he stepped in. His eyes widened in disbelief.

All around the room hung paintings.

And they were paintings of him.

Some showed him standing with his sword, others resting, and even one where his expression was calm yet intimidating. The faint scent of perfume lingered in the air, mixed with the fragrance of red wine.

At the center of the room sat a woman. She faced the large window, her figure outlined by the moonlight.

She wore a deep red backless gown that shimmered faintly under the light, clinging to her perfect curves. Her fair skin glowed softly, her long crimson hair cascading down her bare back. The dress left little to the imagination, tracing the shape of her waist and hips with every subtle breath she took. In one hand, she held a half-full glass of wine, slowly twirling it near her lips.

Then, Countess Rina turned her head toward him and smiled. Her eyes gleamed with mischief as she spoke in a low, velvety voice.

"Tell me, Sir Ethan... Do you like the view?"

Ethan's lips parted slightly, his composure wavering for a brief second before he steadied himself and stepped forward.

"I don't understand," he said calmly. "Why are you doing this?"

His sharp gaze met hers, but Rina only smiled. She poured another glass of wine and handed it to him.

"You know," she began softly, "the first time I met Sophia, she was searching for a sponsor for her dresses. I wasn't that interested until she started talking about her man—her beautiful man. She described him as if he was some god. I laughed then, thinking she was exaggerating... but—"

"But what?" Ethan asked, sitting beside her and taking a cautious sip from the glass.

Rina looked toward the paintings and smiled faintly. "But I didn't believe her. So, I sent people to find you, to get a picture. And then I saw..."

Ethan raised a brow and smirked lightly. "Pictures are just pictures. How about the real me?"

Rina turned her face toward him. A playful glint appeared in her eyes as she leaned closer, her scent filling the air. "Wonderful," she whispered. "Words and images don't do justice to the real figure."

Her hand rose slowly, brushing against his cheek. "Those sharp eyes, that jawline, your hair, your hands... even the curve of your collarbone." She exhaled softly, her lips parting slightly. "You really don't look like anyone from this world."

Ethan's heart skipped a beat, but his expression stayed calm.

'You didn't know how true it is?'

"You're saying that as if you've seen every kind of person."Ethan chuckled.

"I have," she replied without hesitation.

"Huh?" Ethan looked at her, confused.

Rina smiled faintly, turning back toward the moonlit window. "I've been to every region, every border. In fact, I'm not even from here. The Count and I... we only had a contract marriage. We weren't husband and wife in truth."

Ethan's hand trembled slightly as he held the glass. "Why are you telling me this?" he asked quietly.

"Because you should know who you're getting involved with." Rina took a deep breath and downed the rest of her wine as if summoning her courage. Then, her voice turned soft. "I'm from the Empire of Huntington. I was the daughter of a major merchant family, but my family was destroyed by our enemies. To survive, I escaped here and met the Count."

Ethan frowned slightly, trying to recall what he knew about the late Count, though little information existed.

"The Count wasn't a simple man," Rina continued.

Ethan's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"

"The Count wanted to rebel," she said, her tone dropping low.

"Rebel?" Ethan repeated, stunned.

"Yes. His family had a feud with the king. They supported a prince who later died. That prince used to bully the current king. The king wanted revenge. At first, the king tried to force a woman into the Count's household to control him, but the Count refused. That caused tension until he found me." She paused for a moment. "I eased that pressure in exchange for my safety. But less than a year later, the king arranged a border mission for the Count. It was a trap that led him to his death."

Rina's voice trembled slightly, but she steadied it again. "After that, the king offered to marry one of his children to me. He promised wealth and status. But I refused."

Ethan looked at her, his expression serious. "So that's why he stripped you of your nobility."

Rina nodded, her eyes glistening faintly.

Ethan sighed deeply and asked, "Then if I marry you, won't that bring trouble to me as well?" His voice was steady but sharp.

He didn't like taking unnecessary risks. Even with his current strength, being targeted by the royal family was dangerous. And if something happened to him, what about Ray and Miranda?

He clenched the glass in his hand, his thoughts turning heavy as he awaited her answer.

"I know," Rina said softly, a faint smile touching her lips as she stepped closer to Ethan. The moonlight framed her face, and her perfume drifted faintly in the air. "That's why I won't be marrying into your house. From now on, I'll remain… an anonymous identity."

Ethan frowned slightly, his confusion growing. "Then what do you want from me?"

Rina stopped in front of him, her gaze lowering. Slowly, she placed her head against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

"Comfort," she whispered.

Ethan blinked. "Comfort?"

"Yes… comfort." Rina's voice trembled faintly, though her tone was calm. "I've been running for as long as I can remember. I've fought, endured, and hidden for years. I'm almost forty now,Sir Ethan. At this age, you should understand what a woman desires."

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