The Devil's Betrothed-Chapter 752: Unromantic Rascal

Erin’s heart raced faster, matching the rhythm of the heartbeat beneath her palm. Her face flushed as she met the sincere gaze of the man before her. This time, his eyes carried the weight of his words, revealing that he was not entirely devoid of emotion.

She didn’t know what to say or how to respond to his confession. Her throat felt dry, her ears deafened by the pounding of her own heartbeat. The air around them seemed to shift suddenly, thick with unspoken tension.

Just then, there was a knock at the study door. "My Lady, I brought it."

Erin snapped back to her senses, gently pulling her hand from Lucian’s grasp, which he allowed without resistance.

"You may enter," Lucian permitted, his gaze lingering on her flushed face.

The servant opened the door and entered the study, quietly placing a wooden tray and a box on the center table in front of the couch before leaving.

Erin’s heart continued to race as her mind replayed his words. Focusing her attention on the contents of the tray, she saw everything needed to treat the wound. Opening the box, she found herbal paste inside.

Not daring to look at him, she took a deep breath to steady her nerves and picked up the items to clean the wound. In the back of her mind, she couldn’t help but think, If this unromantic man can affect me this way with just his words and gaze, I can’t imagine what would happen if he were truly romantic. I might die of a heart attack.

Grabbing a clean, soft cloth soaked in water, she turned to him, her eyes fixed on the wound, avoiding his gaze.

"I need to clean the wound," she said, her focus unwavering, as her hand moved aside the fabric of his shirt.

"Hmm," he responded, his deep, dignified voice resonating over her head.

Even that low hum seemed to affect every fiber of her being. I’m crazy. Truly crazy, she thought, silently berating herself.

Slowly and gently, she began cleaning the wound, all the while feeling his gaze on her. She wished he would look away so she could focus without being so affected.

Once the wound was clean, she set the cloth aside. Thankfully, the bleeding had stopped.

She picked up the bowl of herbal paste with lightly trembling hands. fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm

"I’m applying the paste," she informed him, only to hear him respond with a simple, "Hmm."

Can he stop humming? He’d be better off saying nothing at all. Why does his voice have to be so attractive anyway?

Keeping her thoughts to herself, she carefully applied the paste to the wound, her movements deliberate. She could still feel his gaze on her and finally said, without looking at him, "Can you look somewhere else?"

There was no reply. She glanced up, only to meet his steady gaze. "Why are you looking at me?" she asked.

"Should I not?" he replied.

She hesitated, unsure how to respond. "It... it’s distracting me from doing my work."

"I don’t know where else to look," he said plainly. "Even if I try, my eyes seem to find their way back to you. It’s always been like this."

Her mind raced. What a unique way of flirting—and I’m sure he’s not even aware he’s doing it.

"Do you know what you’re doing?" she asked, her voice soft yet pointed.

"Being honest with you," he replied, his gaze unwavering as he looked straight into her expectant eyes.

"Your honesty is going to explode my heart," she mumbled before adding, "I need to wrap this cloth around your wound. You’ll need to take off your shirt so I can do it properly."

"Are you sure you want me to?" he asked in a serious tone. "It might not be appropriate for a lady."

Is he mocking me for when I told him to maintain my dignity as a noble lady and keep his distance? Is he always going to take that seriously?

"I am a physician. Do as I say," she replied with a frown. Unromantic rascal.

Lucian removed his coat first, letting it slide off his arms, before removing his shirt entirely. He sat before her with his bare torso exposed.

Though Erin focused on arranging the cloth to wrap his wound, she was acutely aware of him removing his shirt and couldn’t ignore the fact that he was now sitting shirtless in front of her.

She swallowed hard. Did I just make a mistake?

Taking a deep breath to steady herself, she turned to face him, only to have her breath catch in her chest.

What the hell? she screamed internally. Why does he have such an incredible body?

As their eyes met, she realized he was observing her reaction.

Cough!

Clearing her throat awkwardly, she snapped back to her senses and refocused on the task at hand. I hope he didn’t notice that I almost drooled over his body. Otherwise, he might think I’m a pervert.

Lucian remained still as Erin shifted slightly, getting onto her folded knees. He was taller than her, and she needed the extra height to run the bandage cloth over his shoulder and around his chest. The closeness between them made her heart race, but she focused intently on wrapping the bandage.

’I am the one to injure him, so it’s only right for me to treat him.’

Just then, she noticed the faint trace of a bite mark on his shoulder.

Her fingers lightly traced the wound, but his voice broke the silence. "You better finish faster," he said, his tone slightly restrained.

She snapped back to her senses and glanced at him, only to realize how close his face was to hers. Her breath hitched as she took in the look in his eyes—something different, something intense.

"Apologies," she murmured, her face flushing as she quickly resumed wrapping the bandage. Was he affected by the closeness? He must be... right? But it’s impossible to tell with him. He never shows anything.

"Done!" she announced, tying a secure knot on his shoulder before moving back to create a distance between them.

"Thank you," he said, picking up his shirt.

"That one’s ruined. You should wear another," she suggested, her voice regaining some composure.

"I will," he assured.

"She stood up. "I’ll take my leave then."

Erin turned and hurried out of the study, not daring to look back.

Lucian didn’t stop her, nor did he say anything.

He remained sited, his gaze fixed on the door she had exited through. Slowly, he placed a hand over his chest, feeling the wild rhythm of his heartbeat, his thoughts unknown.

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A/N- Last few hours of final round of the character event is left. Make sure to vote your points or coins to Oriana.

If Oriana wins the final, there will be 5 ChapterS MASS RELEASE with Oriana and Arlan back in the novel along with other characters.