That Lady’s Stalker - Chapter 1
A massive, ornate chandelier hangs from the high ceiling, surrounded by vibrant flowers decorating the walls. The atmosphere sparkles with life. People, each adorned like peacocks, wear joyful smiles. Among them shines a woman most brightly: Olivia Flonari.
She resembled a graceful deer, with her long, slender limbs and delicate neckline. Her flowing red hair danced gently like roses coaxing butterflies.
“Oliver, isn’t your sister in a bit of danger?”
Oliver gazed at Olivia, standing tall among the young ladies. While she seemed to be laughing joyfully, her frequent sidelong glances suggested something was bothering her.
The guests seemed to sense why the belle of the social scene was uncomfortable, but Oliver understood.
Exactly why.
“Don’t worry.”
The light of the chandelier, blooming like a flower turned upside down, couldn’t reach a corner of the banquet hall where shadows loomed thick.
There, a man with dark hair, as shadowy as the dimness surrounding him, leaned against the wall, his piercing eyes fixed intently on his sister.
He was Commander-in-chief Asher Brescobaldi, the Emperor’s only brother and his loyal shadow.
“But she looks uncomfortable…”
“It’s not because of the Commander.”
That was true, but it didn’t mean he was the one causing her discomfort. The reason Olivia looked so distressed was something else entirely.
* * *
Today, there was one less letter from Asher than yesterday.
With eyes burning hot enough to incinerate a pile of letters, Olivia exuded a sense of dread.
“Is this really all that arrived?”
Her face hardened as if a situation that should not have happened had occurred.
“Yes, Miss.”
Despite the maid’s anxious glances, Olivia clenched her dress tightly, her anger rising. How could he do this to me!
Dressed beautifully for the Empress’s birthday banquet, Olivia chewed on her delicately tinted lips, making them appear even redder than the rouge she wore.
She glared fiercely at the stack of letters as if it was Asher himself. Just yesterday, there were thirty-five letters. If anything, the number of letters should have increased, not decreased.
She trembled with shock and a sense of betrayal washed over her.
For a moment, engulfed in dark, sticky emotions, Olivia stood before a mirror elegantly adorned with vine-like carvings. Wearing a silver mermaid dress that subtly showcased her figure, she was pleased with her reflection—except for the irritation in her eyes.
Forcing herself to relax her furrowed brow, Olivia stepped out of the room.
As Olivia boarded the carriage waiting at the entrance of the Flonari residence, heading toward the palace, her mood remained tightly wound.
This was the reason she appeared uncomfortable to those around her. The forced smile on her face felt like it might cause her muscles to spasm. Moreover, she had an overwhelming urge to confront Asher immediately.
Unable to hold back any longer, Olivia ascended to the second floor of the banquet hall and made her way to the balcony. She guessed it wouldn’t take Asher more than a minute to follow her through the balcony door.
Once inside, she drew the thick curtains closed so he wouldn’t see her and stepped back a pace. Staring intently at the dark blue fabric, she began to count silently to herself.
‘One, two….’
As she reached around forty seconds, she heard the click of the doorknob turning. When Asher emerged more quickly than she had anticipated, she couldn’t help but smile in satisfaction before forcing her expression into a frown.
This was one thing, that was another.
“Asher.”
Though he had entered the room, Olivia called out to him while remaining hidden behind the curtains.
“……”
There was his usual silence. While nothing seemed different, the decrease in letters was a significant change.
Olivia took a step toward the bulging curtain, shifting her weight as her white shoe slipped between Asher’s black shoes. Their bodies pressed against each other through the fabric.
“Ah….”
“Why did you do that?”
A rough gasp, akin to a low moan, came from beyond the thick curtain, but Olivia ignored it, pressing her body even closer.
“Hmm?”
“W-What?”
As she subtly rubbed against him, Asher let out a sound that looked like he was being choked.
“Today’s letter. Was it all there was?”
“Ha….”
It seemed Asher wasn’t fully grasping her words. Olivia gently slipped her hand through the parted curtains to grab his jacket and pull him closer.
The handsome man with loosely tied black hair looked at her with an excited expression. She placed her hand against his chest and asked once more,
“Why did you send one less letter today?”
This has never happened before.
Despite the sharpness in her smile, her hand caressed Asher’s chest tenderly. He struggled to collect his thoughts, feeling light-headed from her touch, and with trembling fingers, he retrieved a letter from his inner pocket.
“I meant to give you one in person.”
His deep voice resonated, wrapping around Olivia’s ears like a warm blanket. When she finally saw the blue envelope Asher offered, Olivia’s tension eased, and she broke into a wide, joyful smile.
Her radiant grin was as fresh as a blooming rose, captivating Asher’s gaze.
He couldn’t help but reach out to her.
She was always, in every moment, irresistibly enchanting.
