Depraved Noble: Forced To Live The Debaucherous Life Of An Evil Noble!

The boldness of Isabelle's question hung in the air, and she immediately regretted voicing it, her hands flying up to cover her burning face. "Oh no! I-I'm sorry, my lord, I shouldn't have said something so a-absurd!"

Cassius blinked, momentarily stunned by her audacity. A rare, unguarded laugh burst from him, rich and genuine, his head tilting back as he let her words sink in. He composed himself quickly, though his crimson eyes gleamed with wicked amusement as he leaned closer, a playful grin tugging at his lips.

"Well..." He said, his voice low as he stared at her adorable face that had gone red. "...in that case, Isabelle, I might really not call you beautiful."

Her heart sank for half a second before his smirk deepened, his gaze trailing over her nose that also had a tint of pink on it as he continued saying, "No, at that point, I'd call you something else entirely—something far more fitting."

"W-What would you call me, Young Master?" She peeked at him from between her fingers, her curiosity overtaking her embarrassment.

Cassius chuckled, his tone dipping as he murmured, "I'd call you overwhelmingly erotic. You'd look like a succubus, Isabelle—too sinful to be just considered 'beautiful."

His words hit her like a bolt, her entire face going scarlet as she gaped at him. "Y-Young Master! You can't say such things to a lady...I-It's inappropriate!" She squeaked, unable to form any coherent reply.

The vivid image his words conjured made her squirm, her body betraying her mortification with the heat rising in her cheeks and down her neck.

Cassius's sharp eyes softened as he watched her squirm, the blush on her cheeks spreading all the way to her neck. There was something utterly captivating about her purity, her innocence shining through even in moments like this.

A small, genuine smile tugged at his lips, a rare departure from his usual smirk when he saw this sight.

"You know, Isabelle..." He began, his tone lighter now, almost contemplative. "I really like your smile."

"M-My smile, Young Master?" She blinked, startled by the unexpected compliment.

He nodded, tilting his head slightly as his gaze lingered on her. "There's just something about it." He continued, his voice quieter, more thoughtful as he stared at her pink, plump lips that were still moist from the forbidden act that she had just committed. "It's warm—warmer than any fireplace could ever hope to be. And it's comforting to see, like I'm back at home or a place that I can feel safe in."

Her hands clenched nervously in her lap as she squirmed under his gaze, her eyes darting around everywhere from the overwhelming praise that came out of nowhere.

"Y-You're too kind, Young Master...This maid doesn't deserve such words of praise from you." She stammered, glancing down in an effort to hide her embarrassment.

Cassius chuckled softly at her reaction, but his smile faltered slightly, a faint shadow passing over his face. His expression turned pensive, his eyes narrowing as though he were lost in thought. After a moment, he let out a soft sigh and leaned back in the chair.

"Unfortunately..." He said, his tone heavy with something she couldn't quite place. "I don't think I'll be able to see that smile of yours directed at me from tomorrow."

Isabelle's head snapped up, her wide eyes filled with concern. The sudden shift in his demeanour made her chest tighten. "My lord, why would you say that?" She asked, her voice tinged with worry. "Is something wrong?"

Cassius shook his head, his expression unreadable as he avoided her gaze. "I can't say anything now." He replied, his voice quieter than before. "You'll just have to find out tomorrow."

Her stomach twisted uneasily at his words, a flicker of fear creeping into her heart.

But as she watched him, his face shadowed by something she couldn't understand, a spark of determination ignited within her. She straightened her posture, her hands curling into fists as she met his gaze with newfound resolve.

"Then no matter what happens tomorrow, Young Master." She said firmly, her voice steady and filled with conviction. "I'll follow my duty as your maid—and as the one you so mercifully saved." She hesitated for a moment, her expression softening. "And if my smile brings you even a little warmth, Young Master, then I'll smile for you until the very end of time or you get bored of this little maid's face."

Cassius's crimson eyes widened slightly when he heard her words of devotion, his lips parting as if to say something, but he stopped himself.

Instead, he simply stared at her, his gaze searching, as though he were trying to commit every detail of her face to memory. After what felt like an eternity, he let out a heavy sigh and leaned forward, his hand gently patting her head.

"You're a strange one, Isabelle." He said softly, his tone laced with a quiet affection. "And what you just said, we'll see about all of that tomorrow...Whether fate decides to keep us together or not."

His words trailed off, leaving an unspoken weight hanging in the air. For a moment, silence stretched between them, broken only by the faint crackle of the fireplace.

Then, as though shaking off the heaviness of the moment, Cassius straightened and offered her a small, mischievous smile.

"But for now..." He said, his voice returning to its usual teasing cheerfulness. "I should probably head back. If I stay here much longer, people might start thinking someone's kidnapped their precious young master."

Isabelle blinked, startled by the sudden shift, and quickly tried to stand, only to realise she was still perched on his lap. Her eyes turned limpid from embarrassment as she scrambled to move.

"Ah, yes, of course, my lord! I-I'm so sorry!" She stammered, her movements hurried and clumsy in her embarrassment.

Cassius laughed softly, his hands gently gripping her waist to help her off. "Calm down, Isabelle." He said, his voice rich with amusement as he noticed how slim her waist was compared to her full hips. "You're going to trip over yourself at this rate."

As she finally stood, smoothing her skirt with trembling hands, she glanced back at him, her expression still tinged with concern. "Will...Will you be alright, Young Master?"

Cassius raised an eyebrow, his lips curving into a smirk as he observed her petite figure. "Well..." He said it as a joke. "...if I said no, would you be willing to carry me all the way back to the mansion? It's a long way, you know."

For a moment, she stared at him, blinking in confusion. Then, to his surprise, her expression shifted into one of solemn determination.

"If that's what you wish, Young Master..." She said seriously, her voice steady."...then I wouldn't mind even if my feeble hands snap under the weight. I'd carry you all the way home and not leave your side until I've delivered you safely."

Cassius's smirk faltered, replaced by an expression of sheer disbelief as he straightened. "Wait, what?" He asked, blinking as she stepped closer, her gaze resolute.

"I mean it." Isabelle continued, glancing down at her arms with a fleeting look of doubt before nodding firmly. "Even if I have to carry you like a princess, I won't rest until I see you back at the mansion, safe and sound."

The image of her struggling to princess-carry him all the way through town flashed in his mind, and he let out a laugh so loud and genuine it echoed in the room.

"Oh, Isabelle~" He said between chuckles, shaking his head. "You really are something else."

Her determination didn't waver, though her cheeks tinged pink at his amusement. "I-I'm serious, Young Master...P-Please don't make fun of my determination." She murmured, lowering her gaze shyly.

Cassius stepped forward, his laughter softening into a warm smile as he reached out to take her hands in his. Her smaller fingers trembled slightly in his grasp, but he held them steady, his touch firm yet gentle.

"You've got it all wrong, Isabelle." He said, his voice dipping into a more tender tone. "These hands of yours—they're not meant for carrying stubborn men like me around." He paused, lifting her hands slightly and running his thumb along her knuckles. "They're meant to knead dough and craft the most delicious cakes, to create meals that leave me wondering if I'll ever taste something better."

Her blush deepened, her heart racing as his words sank in. "Young Master..." She whispered, her voice barely audible.

Cassius smirked faintly, leaning down and then, to her utter shock, pressing a soft kiss to the back of one hand, then the other.

Kiss~

The warmth of his lips lingered against her skin, sending a shiver through her entire body. Her heart felt like it might burst, the gesture so intimate and unexpected it left her completely dazed.

"So keep these hands safe." He concluded quietly, his crimson eyes meeting hers as he straightened. "I'm looking forward to eating what you make again."

Isabelle could only nod, her voice caught in her throat as she stared up at him, her cheeks aflame and her body buzzing with warmth.

Cassius let her hands go gently, turning toward the door and pulling it open with an easy motion. He gestured toward the hall with a playful smirk. "Ladies first." He said, his tone light but firm, thinking that after everything that's happened tonight, he didn't want her lingering around here any longer, especially when Edmund looked like a feral donkey at the moment.

Still caught in a reverie, Isabelle blinked slowly before stepping forward, her movements almost mechanical as she passed him. Her mind swirled with the warmth of his kisses, the sound of his voice, and the intensity of his eyes.

She barely registered her surroundings as she began walking, her feet carrying her on autopilot down the dimly lit pathway.

Cassius stepped out, watching her with an amused but faintly exasperated expression. Her dazed state was painfully obvious, her steps slow and unfocused, her gaze distant.

"At this rate, she's going to walk straight into a lake." He muttered to himself.

"I'd better send someone to make sure she gets home safely." Cassius muttered under his breath, shaking his head with a small smile. He glanced toward the path where Isabelle had wandered off, still dazed and stumbling like she was floating on air. "Who would've thought she'd be so innocent and gullible that a few kisses on her hands would have her acting like that...She didn't even react this way after having a taste of me."

The smirk on his lips deepened, though it held a hint of something more sombre beneath its surface. His crimson eyes flicked to the horizon, his thoughts turning inward.

"Still..." He murmured to himself, his voice softer now. "I wonder if she'll still look at me like that after tomorrow." His smirk faltered briefly, and he exhaled slowly, the faintest shadow crossing his face. "Or if she'll hate me altogether."

The thought lingered for a moment, heavy and unavoidable, before he shook it off with another faint smile. "It doesn't matter. And if it does, it's not something I can interfere in." He said quietly, as though convincing himself.

"...She'll get the inevitable punishment she deserves, and all I can do is hope for the best."

He sighed as he looked up at the pretty moon high up in the sky, not knowing how the 'purge' he was going to commit tomorrow was going to go.