After John left Elise's room, she picked up her cellphone and stepped out in search of Lucien's study.
She had made a promise to Jiji, and she had to keep it. Since Lucien didn't go on a proper date with her, the least he could do was let her take a romantic picture of them together, something believable to Jiji.
Elise had no idea where Lucien's study was. She would have asked John, but he had said Lucien didn't like to be disturbed and would never have told her about it.
Elise looked around and realized there were no maids in sight. Unlike in the mornings when they cleaned, they were nowhere to be found now. Had they all returned home?
It wasn't like she cared. Lucien's servants were as rude as he was, ignoring her whenever she asked a question.
As she walked down the hallway, she noticed a door. A sign read: Do Not Disturb. She pressed her lips together, curious why such a signal had been placed there.
Looking around, she twisted the handle and stepped in, deciding she would just take a quick peek. Who knew—it might be Lucien's study.
From behind a dragon sculpture by the door, John stepped out and shook his head. He had been the one to place the sign there, knowing she would search for his master.
If this girl isn't giving up after everything, she might be the right one for my boss.
The Voss family needed an heir, and who knew—she could be the one to produce it.
Now that she was inside, John removed the sticker from the door and quietly walked away.
Elise gasped as she took in the sight before her. She had expected him, but not like this.
Lucien sat behind his desk, sleeves rolled slightly, golden eyes lowered as he went through paperwork. His posture was relaxed but powerful, like a predator at rest. The soft lamplight cast shadows across his sharp features.
He looked… so busy.
And somehow, even more infuriating.
Elise couldn't believe he hadn't followed her after what had happened. He hadn't even tried to apologize. Nothing.
Yet here she was, standing in front of him, heart pounding because she wanted to get evidence to show Jiji.
How annoying.
Then it came again…
That strange, aching heat curled low in her belly the moment she looked at him. It spread fast, intensely, and humiliatingly. Elise stiffened, crossing her legs and letting out a hitching breath.
She hated this feeling.
She didn't understand it. Every time she was near Lucien, her body betrayed her completely.
"What do you want?"
Lucien's voice cut through her thoughts. He didn't even look up.
"John said you had bandages," Elise lied calmly, hands clasped behind her back. Her manicured nails dug into her fingers as she immediately cut herself, grinding her teeth to swallow the sting. "For the cut I got… from your slap earlier."
Lucien's pen paused.
"Why couldn't he get it himself?" he asked.
"He said he didn't want to disturb you."
His golden eyes finally lifted dangerously as they settled on her. They lingered on her face, then down to his oversized shirt on her body. He exhaled quietly and opened a drawer, pulling out a bandage.
"Here."
Elise stepped forward. Her cut was fresh, blood still glistening. As she reached for the bandage, Lucien deliberately dropped it onto the table instead of handing it to her.
She picked it up without complaint. "Thank you," she said, but he had already looked away.
A frown creased her brow. She hadn't come all this way just to be dismissed.
She tried opening the bandage herself. The movement tugged at her wound.
"Ah—it hurts," she hissed softly.
But, as usual, Lucien said nothing. He didn't even glance at her.
What kind of heartless man was he?
"Can you help me, Master Lucien?" she asked quietly.
"Get John," Lucien replied coldly. Elise eyed him, lips pouting, her stare daring him. She wanted him, not John. She had not hurt herself for John to care.
Biting her lower lip, she decided to try something else to get his attention.
Her eyes flickered around the room before she smiled faintly. "Your study is beautiful."
"If you're done, leave."
"I'm not," Elise said. "You refused to help me. How can I leave like this?" She showed him her bleeding hands.
"I told you to meet John."
"You're my boyfriend, Master Lucien," she said firmly. "Not John. Why would I let another man touch me when you're right here?"
Lucien pressed his fingers to his temple, irritation flashing across his face. He was losing it slowly.
"Our relationship isn't even real."
"To you," Elise replied softly, "but to me it is. And I love you, Master Lucien. I really do."
His jaw tightened.
"Love doesn't work that way," Lucien said, then sighed. "Don't waste such powerful emotion on a man like me. Find someone else."
He shoved his papers aside. His work was officially ruined.
If only he knew he was the only man who had at least accepted her. Every other guy ran away when her sisters threatened them with her illness.
Those golden eyes locked onto her now, cold, calculating, assessing. Lucien was thinking of the next punishment to give her. Somewhere deep inside, something stirred… but he crushed it instantly.
The sooner she left, the better.
Elise, oblivious to the danger in his gaze, smiled faintly. She was just happy to finally have his attention.
"Come," Lucien said. "Let's bandage your hand so you can leave."
Elise walked to the desk and stopped at its edge, keeping a careful distance as she extended her hand.
"Come closer, Elise," he said coolly. "I don't bite."
Her breath trembled. She bit her inner cheek and stepped closer.
The heat between her legs intensified, worse than before. It was stronger this time. Overwhelming. Her body reacted violently to the closeness, to his scent, to his presence.
"I… I'm fine here, Master Lucien."
He turned, eyes narrowing. "What's wrong with you now?"
She had never been shy before. At least not to him.
"Come closer, Elise."
"I'm fine..."
"Stop acting like a virgin," Lucien snapped, grabbing her arm and pulling her forward.
Her body collided gently with his, and electricity surged through her instantly. Elise gasped.
Lucien moved a document aside and tapped the desk. "Sit."
She obeyed.
The moment she sat, her entire body lit up—nipples tightening, breath growing shallow. The ache between her thighs intensified, and all she wanted was satisfaction. She had no idea how to get it, but she wanted it right now.
Elise clutched the edge of the desk, overwhelmed.
What was wrong with her?
Was she possessed?
She had lived twenty-two years without a man, without sex. Was that why her body was reacting like this?
Lucien opened the bandage and took her finger.
"Unn..."
A tiny whimper slipped from her lips, and Lucien paused and looked up sharply.
His grip tightened slightly as he let out a sigh. He couldn't tell why she was being so dramatic for no reason.
"It won't hurt much," he said in a lower voice as he wrapped the bandage carefully around her finger. He had caused it anyway; it was his duty to treat it.
When he finished, he released her hand.
"You can leave now."
Elise pressed her lips together, her legs trembling weakly beneath her. She had no idea how to step down in this condition.
Her doctor had told her to ask her boyfriend for help whenever she felt this way.
"Master Lucien…" she whispered, voice soft and desperate.
"C... can you help me with something else?"