The Art of Reforming Villainous Men - Chapter 17
Chapter 17
Translator: Yonnee
—
Adeline ignored the bitter taste in her mouth and asked,
“So, will you accept my proposal?”
“I’m not sure. I don’t have enough confidence in it.”
“Confidence?”
Jack knew Adeline well.
And knowing her well meant he also knew about her social life and romantic history from her academy days.
And.
“You have no experience with men, do you?”
As far as Jack knew, Adeline had never been involved with anyone.
It was nothing short of astonishing.
Despite their polished appearances, the aristocracy was more decadent than one might expect.
Academy students, too, often changed partners frequently, indulging in pleasure from the moment they reached adulthood—sometimes even before.
Even after marriage, it was considered normal for noblewomen to keep lovers like personal attendants.
To be truly influential in high society, having at least one or two paramours was an unspoken requirement.
The social scene practically encouraged promiscuity.
Yet, Adeline had never once been caught in a scandal—not in the academy, nor in the social circles.
There were occasional rumors that she was seeing someone, but every time, it had been nothing more than a distant association.
Whenever someone asked her why she avoided relationships, Adeline had always responded the same way.
—The Zeller Duchy has no need for scandals.
Even without taking on lovers to establish influence, the Zeller family’s prestige was already recognized by all.
To her, indulging in high society’s debauchery would only tarnish the duchy’s honor.
And yet now—a contract relationship?
Jack reached out, wrapping an arm around her waist.
Pulling her in close, he whispered at her ear.
“I’m curious. Do you even know what lovers actually do?”
His voice was practically mocking, and Adeline’s face flushed slightly.
“Don’t underestimate me. I know enough.”
“Do you?”
Jack replied dryly, extending his hand.
His fingers—longer and thicker than hers by nearly a joint’s length—brushed against her cheek without permission.
The touch was slow, as if he were tucking her hair behind her ear, yet his fingers slid through the strands and trailed downward.
His rough palm grazed the tender skin hidden beneath her hair, moving over the curve of her neck, exposed by her low neckline.
“……!”
No one—not even a servant brushing her hair—had ever dared to touch her there.
The unfamiliar heat of his touch heightened her senses so much that she unconsciously held her breath.
Jack’s hand, broad across her shoulder, lifted a single finger—tracing along her skin in a slow, deliberate stroke.
Downward—until he reached the edge of her neckline.
His fingertip hovered just at the fabric covering her chest, barely catching at the edge of the cloth.
‘Ah.’
The sound nearly escaped her lips—just as his low voice cut through the air.
“Open your eyes, Adeline.”
It was only then that she realized—she had closed them.
When she lifted her lashes, she met his gaze, a shade of pale gray so light that his pupils were visible through the irises.
Eyes that still roved over her, boldly and unapologetically.
No—even more intensely than before.
As if she could see herself reflected in those eyes, her face flushed with color.
The lingering sensation of his hand against her skin refused to fade…
Jack finally withdrew his hand, speaking again in his usual, detached tone.
“If you’re going to pretend to be my lover, you’ll have to endure far worse than this. I quite like the way Crawford’s high society operates.”
“……I’ll do it. Whatever it takes.”
For a moment, Jack’s brows twitched slightly, as if that wasn’t the answer he had expected.
“And what exactly do you think I’ll ask of you?”
“I don’t care. If we’re lovers, this is only natural.”
And if it meant protecting the Zeller family, she would do anything.
At her words, Jack tapped his index finger lightly against his lips.
Though he said nothing, Adeline understood what it meant.
A man’s gaze never truly conceals his desire.
“……”
The overt gesture made her unconsciously furrow her brow.
But she forced herself to steel her resolve.
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