The work in the Imperial Palace was making steady progress as Amanda planned. The nanny exceeded her expectations as head lady-in-waiting, and had organized the servants in a heartbeat.
Amanda kept secret watch on Asabe, whom Amanda suspected was in the employ of the Empress. The flower’s aroma was potentially harmful, and so Amanda had the plant placed in a drafty area and took extra care not to be expose herself to it.
‘Do I wait?’
If Asabe was revealed to be Empress’s spy, or if the plant was identified, Amanda could make her move as soon as possible. Anything could be used to attack the empress.
As Amanda briefly considered her plans, she suddenly looked up at Oliver eating his meal across from her. He was was overwhelmingly handsome. He had an air of intimidation about him, but when his deep blue eyes turned at her, she couldn’t help but swallow hard. His straight nose, sharp jawline, and muscled neck all looked as if they were laboriously sculpted by a craftsman. Even when Amanda first met Oliver, she knew he was incomparable to anyone else.
‘Is that why—?’
Her heart was beating at the sight of a handsome man. Oliver had affected her from the start, and she tentatively concluded that he was familiar around women. He had been quite good to her, but…
‘I can’t have been the only one.’
Although she had never seen Oliver with another woman, he had quickly gotten along with Amelia. And if Oliver treated another woman like he did Amanda, it would be inevitable that she would fall for him. He had even managed to turn the head of someone whose eyes were fixed only on revenge.
‘At a time when I should be thinking about my family…instead I’m feeling excited about my contract husband…’
On the one hand, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of shame. She didn’t think she had any room left in her mind for frivolity, but Oliver had stolen her attention…
Amanda was in turmoil over these confusing and new feelings.
“If you stare with such a passionate look, even I might get nervous.”
“…!”
Amanda’s red eyes widened. She had been staring at Oliver’s face without even realizing it.
“I—”
Amanda tried to formulate an excuse, but Oliver simply smiled and looked at her as if she was the only beautiful thing in the scenery.
“That doesn’t mean you should stop looking.”
Oliver interlocked his fingers and rested his chin on them.
“I don’t care how you look at me because I’m yours, but I’d like you to eat as well.”
They she looked at him wasn’t near the same intensity as Oliver’s gaze now. As she stared into his penetrating blue eyes, Amanda felt her heart beat faster again.
Dugeun, gugeun.
To have this feeling…
It was enormous.