“A closer, more intimate relationship?”
Roman repeated what Elise had said.
“Mm.”
Elise leaned in, her warm breath brushing against Roman’s face.
“I don’t understand what you mean.”
Roman shook his head.
Elise showed a hint of a forgiving smile upon hearing that and explained, “I just need you to say one sentence out loud.”
“Otherwise, I won’t be able to convince myself to hide things from Miss for your sake.”
Understanding Elise’s meaning, the puzzled look on Roman’s face gradually faded.
He then spoke softly, “In my heart, you couldn’t possibly be any closer or more intimate than you already are.”
Elise fell silent.
Yet her attitude didn’t soften.
The hands wrapped around Roman tightened, and she even gently bit his ear.
“Is that so? It seems…”
“That’s what I mean!”
Elise’s assertive action flustered Roman instantly.
Blushing, he hurried to explain.
“I mean, if you got any closer to me, our relationship would be going too far.”
Elise nibbled on Roman’s earlobe, pondering his words.
After thinking it through, her mood brightened considerably.
“So you mean, if our relationship got any closer, mine and yours would be just like Miss’s and yours?”
Roman fell silent, but the warmth spreading from his earlobe and his slowly closing eyes gave Elise the answer.
“Heh.”
Elise couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Lord Roman, don’t you realize what it means to shyly close your eyes like that in front of a woman?”
After saying that, her lips slowly pressed against Roman’s cheek, inching toward that spot.
“No!”
Roman immediately opened his eyes and glared at Elise.
However, his glare held no intimidation at all; instead, it carried the air of a shy little white rabbit, which only encouraged Elise’s playful teasing even more.
“Lord Roman, as your loyal maid, I must warn you—if you’re ever threatened by those women, don’t try to threaten them back like this. Otherwise, you’ll only provoke their violent urges.”
Elise’s lips lingered on Roman’s cheek, her smile warm and mischievous.
“But don’t worry, I wouldn’t do such a thing.”
Hearing this and feeling the cool touch of her lips, Roman pursed his lips, utterly speechless.
Doesn’t what you’re doing right now count?
“Elise, stop it, let me go, will you?” Under the roof and held in her arms, Roman had no choice but to plead softly.
“And also—”
Elise suddenly added, “If you’re being threatened, don’t act all weak and desperate.”
“With your charm, even those who don’t have that kind of intention would probably be stirred into desire.”
Roman suppressed a smile and turned cold, falling silent.
“Hmm.”
Elise sighed, “You look quite charming when you frown like that. Your silver hair already gives off a cool elegance, but your usual gentle smile hides that. Now, with your cold expression, you look like a cold beauty.”
“Most nobles are arrogant; they like to bully not the submissive ones, but those like you—flawless in appearance, with an air of aloofness.”
“To conquer an iceberg and make it melt into warm spring water beneath you… just thinking about it makes me a little excited.”
Hearing this, Roman finally understood. Perhaps earlier Elise was seriously bargaining with him, but now she was shamelessly teasing him.
Getting angry wouldn’t do, yielding wouldn’t do, and sulking wouldn’t do either.
Was he born to seduce women and then be bullied?
He said nothing, his face silent as he tried with all his strength to break free, no longer wanting to play this cat-and-mouse game with Elise.
Unfortunately, the key to cat-and-mouse games is that the big cat always holds the initiative.
Elise, the noble and elegant gray cat, showed a faint smile and poked his flawless cheek.
“Lord Roman, if you kiss me once, I’ll let you go.”
Naturally, Roman refused, “If Sister Luo Xiya were here, you wouldn’t dare be so reckless.”
Elise’s movement halted.
Roman thought invoking Luo Xiya’s name would scare Elise, but instead she gently laughed.
“If Lady Luo Xiya were here, of course I wouldn’t do this.”
Her candidness caught Roman off guard.
After all, in his mind, Elise had always been elegant, loyal, and aloof—it was hard to imagine her saying such a line that shattered that image.
But Roman had forgotten that the first impression Elise gave him wasn’t those qualities—it was her sharp tongue and strong will.
“But you’ve entrusted the estate to me for the time being, and you are my current Master. Even the Noble Lady doesn’t compare to you in my heart.”
“In that case, let me go.”
“Yet, even as a servant, I hope to earn my Master’s affection and trust—and that requires action to prove.”
Elise smiled.
“Miss trusted me enough to share a bed and consider me in everything; maybe I’ve become spoiled.”
Roman almost got persuaded by her twisted reasoning and replied, “But I don’t want to prove anything to you.”
“That’s a pity.”
Elise sighed, her arms still wrapped tightly around him.
Time passed by slowly.
Without any lights or open curtains, the room was unusually dark, and only the shadows on the floor showed the subtle movements of the two.
In the shadows, Roman’s body finally moved.
Turning his face sideways, he gradually pressed closer to Elise.
His cool yet sweet lips gently brushed against Elise’s cheek.
She raised an eyebrow, letting out a satisfied breath.
The arms encircling Roman finally loosened. He hurried to escape, but was “kindly” reminded by Elise from behind.
“Master, remember to wipe your face clean before you go out.”
Roman then realized there was a lipstick mark left by Elise’s “kiss” on his cheek.
Flustered, he suddenly noticed Elise thoughtfully handing him a tissue.
After shooting her a glare, Roman wiped off the mark and finally pushed the door open.
Elise remained where she was, savoring the charming embarrassment Roman had just shown.
She couldn’t help but lick her lips with her slender tongue.