Chapter 50 - 46: Catherine’s First Kiss

Chapter 50: Chapter 46: Catherine’s First Kiss

In the humble wooden cabin, floral curtains blocked the sunlight, and with it, any prying eyes.

Catherine gazed at the handsome young man before her, listening to the moving words of love that fell from his lips. Her cheeks flushed as she instinctively reached out, cupped Lian’s face, and kissed him.

Before Lian could even react, he felt the touch of her soft lips.

And so, he responded in kind.

Perhaps physical contact was the fastest way to cultivate feelings, especially in a moment like this.

Judging by Catherine’s inexperienced kiss, it was clear this was her first.

She didn’t even know how to respond to his tongue.

"I’m sorry."

Catherine said apologetically. She felt her actions had been improper.

Although she and Lian had verbally agreed to be engaged, they had, in essence, only met twice.

Besides, official documents were required to legally recognize their status.

This felt less like a formal arrangement and more like they were actually dating.

Catherine didn’t want to give Lian the impression that she was greedy, even though he was very generous.

"If you’re really sorry, then you should let me catch you by surprise for once."

As he spoke, Lian captured Catherine’s lips again.

This time, Catherine was much more natural.

She was a quick learner, always willing to improve.

Once ignited, passion is difficult to extinguish.

Especially between two people who mutually admired each other.

And so the kiss lasted for a full five minutes. It was intermittent, their breathing growing ragged.

Finally, their foreheads rested against each other, as if it were the only way to keep their balance. They looked into each other’s eyes and broke into brilliant smiles.

This was the happiest Catherine had felt since the fall of the Blue Moon Territory.

It was also the first time in her sixteen years that she had been this close to a man.

’But I can’t fall in love with the man before me, even though I’m already deeply smitten.’

’If I fall in love, I’ll become weak.’

’For the sake of my revenge, I cannot be weak.’

"There’s still one red entry. We can clear it after your body has recovered."

Lian said.

Catherine nodded.

"Come on. Return with me to the Green Shade Territory."

Lian stood up, extended his hand, and pulled Catherine up from the bed.

Catherine gave a slight nod. After making sure her clothes were in order, she put on a hat with a black silk veil. The dark mesh obscured her face, hiding her features from view.

Pushing open the wooden door, Lian and Catherine left the farmhouse, one after the other, and boarded their respective carriages.

Mina and Knight Kage Mori breathed a sigh of relief when they saw that Catherine was unharmed.

Knight Kage Mori loaded the luggage, while Mina followed Catherine into the Blue Moon Territory’s carriage.

This small, unassuming carriage was drawn by only two horses, and its cabin could accommodate four people at most.

Yet, it had carried them away from danger time and again. It was a fine carriage designed by the Blue Moon Territory, equipped with Magic Stones.

It was four to five times faster than an ordinary carriage.

It was a piece of equipment they could not afford to lose.

"Miss Catherine, are you all right?"

Mina asked with concern.

"I’m fine."

Catherine said.

"Did Lord Lian give you a hard time? I thought I heard you crying out in pain."

Mina asked, biting her lip.

"No, Lord Lian is a very gentle man."

Catherine said with a smile, "Mina, there’s no need to worry about me. This is the best choice we have right now."

"But... did you see the Lady Witch and the Maid by Lord Lian’s side? They all seem to have very intimate relationships with him."

Mina couldn’t help but worry about Catherine’s future. The Moria Clan’s promiscuity was famous throughout the kingdom.

It was said that Old Lord Moria had taken 33 wives and concubines, in addition to countless unrecorded lovers.

Lord Old Old Moria, who lived in the Royal Capital, had reportedly taken seven wives and concubines, had three official mistresses, and had fathered a double-digit number of Illegitimate Children.

Following that pattern, Lian was bound to have even more.

While it was normal for a Lord to have mistresses, Mina couldn’t help but worry for Catherine.

"Mina, this is a good thing for me."

"Why, Miss Catherine?"

Mina looked at her lady, utterly confused. As the noble heir to the Blue Moon Territory, she shouldn’t have to be so humbled.

"Because he will discover that no one is more tolerant of his philandering than I am. I won’t care how many lovers he takes in the future."

Catherine had already resolved to focus on her revenge, so she wouldn’t mind her fiancé being a man who was free with his affections.

She even hoped Lian wouldn’t focus too much time and attention on her. All she needed was for him to lend her sufficient power.

’This is, in essence, a transaction. To hope for faithful love on top of the deal—wouldn’t that be too greedy?’

Catherine was not a greedy person. She was restrained, calm, and intelligent, and she knew a fleeting crush meant nothing.

The hardships of her past had forged a maturity beyond her years, even though she was only sixteen.

"Miss Catherine, you deserve more."

Mina said, her heart aching.

"No, what I’m asking for is already more than enough."

Catherine wiped away the tears that had fallen without her noticing.

"I used to dream of escaping that High Tower countless times. But after I left, I found myself always dreaming of returning to it. Now, my only wish is for revenge."

"Miss Catherine."

Mina lowered her head and said no more.

Knight Kage Mori also remained silent.

The two carriages traveled together down a muddy country lane, their wheels making a heavy CLOP-CLOP sound and leaving clear ruts in their wake.

Lian leaned back in his luxurious carriage, his chin propped on one hand, staring intently at the fishbowl in Sophie’s hands.

"Why are you raising a tadpole?"

"?"

Sophie looked at Lian in confusion, her expression clearly asking, ’Isn’t this a fish?’

"They both have big heads and little tails, but have you noticed? It doesn’t have any scales, and it’s pathetically tiny."

Lian asked.

Only then did Sophie, who lacked basic common sense, realize her mistake.

"It’s fine. Tadpoles have a strong Life Force. They evolve into four-legged, hopping frogs. Maybe it’ll be even easier to raise."

Lian comforted her.

"Skinned frogs, stewed in a pot, make a delicious soup."

Annie reminded them.

Sophie clutched the fishbowl, shielding her tadpole, and shuffled to a spot where Annie couldn’t see it.

"The next time I go out for supplies, I’ll buy two real carp for Miss Sophie."

Anna said with a smile.

"Don’t be so stingy. Buy a hundred for Miss Sophie."

Lian said generously. ’He figured if the probability of Sophie keeping one carp alive was 1%, then surely one out of a hundred would survive, right?’

"Of course."

Anna smiled and nodded, then abruptly changed the subject.

"Lord Lian, did you just sleep with Miss Catherine?"