ICPTD 01

Chapter 1

Leave Your Scent on My Body

“Anything but being labeled a loose woman… I can’t let that happen.”

It was a night when even the moonlight felt frightening.

A hazy summer breeze slipped through the half-open window. Violeta felt the hairs all over her body stand on end. To think she was here, in the duke’s bedroom at such a late hour…

This was something that absolutely must not be discovered by anyone.

Violeta tightened her grip on the chiffon curtain by the window behind her.

As if oblivious to her tension, the man who owned the bedroom simply smiled faintly.

Even though he was the very cause of this situation.

Leopold Otero von Bern.

The young master of a ducal house that was the source of the nation’s wealth, through which all currency flowed. Or, as many knew him, the empire’s greatest playboy—countless women having passed through his bed for a single night’s amusement.

He stepped closer, so close their breaths nearly touched, placing both hands on the window frame.

It effectively trapped Violeta in place.

“You won’t get caught. Don’t worry.”

His low voice, laced with a faint chuckle, brushed against her ear.

“Violeta Hernandez. You said you came to earn your pay.”

As if daring her to show everything she could do, he leaned in, meeting her gaze.

His silver eyes glimmered in the moonlight beneath his dark, night-sky-like hair.

Violeta took a deep breath.

This time had to be different. She needed results.

Even so, she didn’t want to cross the line she had set for herself.

She only wanted to get through this contract safely—without revealing her identity.

Her task:

To become the duke’s mistress and provoke the imperial princess into breaking off their engagement.

That was the mission written in the contract—a cruel deal that had staked her entire life.

At least… she didn’t have to reveal her identity publicly.

“Do I have to do it?”

His impatient tone brushed her ear.

Before she could respond, his large hand slid over hers, which was gripping the curtain.

“Ah—no! I’ll do it!”

Startled, Violeta pulled her hand away and quickly wrapped it around his neck.

“Like in the carriage last time. You remember, right?”
“…Yes, Your Grace.”

How could she forget?

His advice—to act so convincingly it would fool even herself.

And the way he had demonstrated it, heating the air inside that carriage with his own actions.

Only by leaving convincing evidence would the princess believe her fiancé’s infidelity.

It was a memory she wanted to forget, yet one that had haunted her dreams for days.

Violeta shook her head, trying to dispel the embarrassment.

Focus.

The princess’s carriage was waiting outside.

If she hadn’t come up yet, it meant she was still inside, watching.

Watching the silhouette of her fiancé and his supposed mistress cast against the thin chiffon curtain.

Which meant—

Violeta had to perform perfectly, right now.

She swallowed dryly.

Her lavender eyes, filled with tension, drifted over the bedroom behind him.

A tapestry bearing a lion crest hung ominously on the wall, and a crystal chandelier lit the center of the room.

Like a spotlight on a stage.

When faced with unavoidable reality, accept it quickly—and do your best in every moment.

That was how she had survived everything so far.

Violeta stepped closer to him.

“I really… can’t get caught.”

Her determined gaze met his.

She absolutely could not let the princess see her face.

Leopold let out a faint, incredulous laugh.

“Are you doing this on purpose? Trying to make me desperate?”
“Don’t misunderstand.”
“Well… it’s not bad, I suppose…”

His hands slid to her hips.

“I don’t have much patience.”

Violeta’s shoulders trembled.

His languid gaze, paired with a faint smile, was openly provocative.

He was enjoying this—without a doubt.

Even just looking at his lips brought back the memory of his touch from before.

“Or are you trying to back out now that you’ve taken what you wanted?”
“That’s not it.”
“Then honor the contract.”
“…”
“I’ve already agreed to all your ridiculous conditions.”

His warm breath brushed her sensitive skin.

Her ears burned.

Yet she couldn’t pull away.

A contract was a contract.

She had already taken something from him.

Which meant…

Violeta shut her eyes tightly, then opened them again.

Slowly, she pulled him closer.

His large body came willingly.

A cool, sensual woody scent filled her senses—like a misty summer forest at dawn.

“At least leave a mark—a kiss.”

She recalled his earlier instructions.

Not just dropping belongings, but leaving behind lingering traces of intimacy.

Thinking of that, she awkwardly brought her lips to his.

Soft warmth met hers.

Their lips parted slightly, moving together in a slow, clumsy rhythm.

Though she told herself it was just acting, her trembling betrayed her.

The summer night air grew thick around them.

The duke pulled her closer.

A signal to continue.

“Leave your scent on my body.”

The silent command echoed in his gaze.

Her cheeks burned.

Her fingertips tingled.

After a brief hesitation, her lips trailed down to his neck.

But his body grew tense.

Was he dissatisfied with her clumsiness?

With a low sigh, he took over—just like before.

“W-wait, I’ll do it!”

But her protest was ignored.

Instead, his lips moved over her skin, leaving heat in their wake.

“Ah!”

He buried his face along her neck, collarbone, and shoulders.

Then suddenly lifted her and carried her to a darker corner.

Her back hit the wall.

“W-wait! This isn’t what we agreed on!”
“…You need to focus on the act.”

His low voice crushed her resistance.

Like a predator tearing into its prey.

The tapestry and decorations fell to the floor.

From outside, the sound of a carriage door slamming echoed.

“Let go! This is too much—ah!”

She needed to escape.

Hide.

But he had no intention of letting her go.

Violeta was stunned.

How had she ended up like this?

Marked as his prey, trapped in a situation she couldn’t escape.

To understand why becoming the duke’s mistress had been her best option—

She would have to go back.

Back to the spring day when she first met him.

The second worst day of her life.

Warm sunlight bathed the stone road.

Lavender violets swayed gently in the breeze.

Spring had fully arrived.

The scent of blossoms spread along the railway, along the Licht River, into Bern—the empire’s largest trade city.

That same spring air filled Amor Park, a famous dating spot.

Luxury carriages and automobiles lined the entrance road.

Among them, one shabby rented carriage stood out.

“Remember—don’t be afraid of breaking up.”

Inside, Violeta spoke to her hundredth client.

“I—I can’t! We’re about to get married!”

The woman burst into tears.

As always, Violeta handed her a simple handkerchief.

“I’ve told you before—it’s not recommended to witness infidelity firsthand. It only doubles the pain. And enduring it… is up to you. I just want you to make the best choice for yourself.”

She meant it.

After all, she had experienced it too.

Out of five relationships, four had ended due to cheating.

Ironically, those experiences allowed her to run an infidelity consulting service.

It was the only way for her, a fallen noble, to support her family.

Though her reputation was slowly growing…

It wasn’t nearly enough to pay off their crushing debts.

There was another option.

Marriage for money.

But she had held onto a faint hope—

A marriage with love.

But…