They didn’t finish the ice cream bucket, but Lynsandra could safely say her view of Cassian had slightly changed. The guy was ridiculous in a lot of ways. Some of his logic was questionable, but at the same time, he was someone who knew he would make mistakes and still did things anyway.

She learned from him.

About her conversation with Victor or anything related to it, they didn’t talk about it. She wanted to, because she felt like it was necessary. But after hearing what he had to say, she didn’t feel like it mattered anymore.

Once they reached the harem driveway, Lynsandra paused as Cassian jumped out of the driver’s seat. She watched him through the windshield until the door opened.

"Thank you," she said as she stepped out.

Walking back toward the mansion, Cassian shoved his hands into his pockets.

"Lizzie," he called, staring at the mansion. "Is this where you stayed before we arrived?"

She tilted her head. "Why?"

"It’s just very big," he pointed out. "I have a villa, but it’s not like this. And sometimes, it feels huge even for me."

"I like big spaces."

"Why?" he asked, cocking his head to the side.

Lynsandra thought about it because no one had really asked her that before. Everyone just assumed something as big as this mansion suited a woman of her standing. But now that someone was asking, she had to think of an answer.

The only one she came up with?

It was easy to hide things in such a big place.

"I just... like it?" she answered, her steps slowing.

This time, Cassian didn’t answer as they walked toward the residence. He had parked far away from the mansion so they could walk more, so he could spend more time with her. But even with this slow pace, he felt like he should’ve parked a few blocks away instead.

"Cassian," she hummed, snapping him out of his thoughts. "During the last full moon... did your brother come in here?"

His brows rose. "How did you know that?"

"Minnie told me."

"Ah..." his expression soured, thinking he had trusted Minnie too early. "Yes."

"I see."

"But he told me he didn’t make it!" Cassian corrected quickly, a part he hadn’t told Minnie earlier because their conversation hadn’t reached that point.

She paused and turned to him. "What does that mean?"

"I was angry at my brother and kept bombarding his phone out of frustration," he explained. "I told him I’d get in trouble if I let others into the harem without your permission. So he told me he didn’t make it that night."

He shrugged. "I didn’t tell Minnie that part because she only asked why I was upset with my brother."

"..." Lynsandra studied him before smiling in relief. "That’s good to hear."

"Why, Lizzie?" he asked, tilting his head. "Am I in trouble?"

"No." She reached out and cupped his cheek, smiling. "You’re not in trouble."

His cheeks instantly flushed at her touch. Even after she pulled her hand away, something felt stuck in his throat.

"Lizzie, can I call tonight our first date?" he asked, earning a chuckle from her.

Lynsandra resumed walking and glanced at him. "Isn’t this our first date?"

"???" Cassian blinked several times before his face lit up. "Really?!"

He hurried after her, leaning toward her. "Does that mean I’m the first one you’ve gone on a date with?"

"No."

"What?"

"August and I went on a date first, I believe."

He gasped, clutching his chest dramatically, his face twisting as he imagined August smirking smugly.

"That cunning fox..." he muttered.

If only he knew what kind of date it was.

Meanwhile, Lynsandra chuckled quietly and shook her head. She kept her stride slow because somehow, she didn’t want to go home yet. There was just something telling her the night was far from over.

As she kept walking, Cassian stopped, distracted by thoughts of the cunning doctor. But when he snapped out of it, he looked toward Lynsandra’s figure.

He blinked, watching her back and the way her hair moved with the soft wind.

Slowly, he lengthened his strides until he reached her again. Without a word, Cassian wrapped his arms around her from behind, stopping her.

"Lizzie," he whispered, securing his arms around her shoulders. His eyes softened, the tips of his ears turning just as red as his cheeks. He lowered his head until half his face was buried against his arms and her shoulder.

"Thank you for today," he murmured. "I’m very happy... are you?"

Lynsandra reached for his arm and lowered her head slightly. "I enjoyed it for sure."

"Then that’s good enough for me," he muttered, tightening his hold without suffocating her. "I don’t want this moment to end. Let’s stay like this for a moment."

And she gave him what he wanted.

She didn’t move, letting him hold her from behind. However, as the wind blew, the tips of her ears twitched. Lifting her gaze, she spotted someone at one of the windows.

Elias.

Elias quietly opened the second-floor window and peeked his head out. Then, very slowly, he raised his hands and formed small circles with his fingers, pretending they were binoculars as he exaggerated a zooming motion.

"..." Lynsandra was rendered speechless before reluctance crossed her face.

This was why she felt like her night wasn’t over.

That guy — using his hands as binoculars — was the reason.

Finally, Cassian released her and stepped back. Then he moved to her side and held her hand.

"We’re almost there," he said. "Let’s go, Lizzie."

With a small smile, Lynsandra held his hand and walked home with him. Once they reached the mansion, he faced her.

"Lizzie, I’m about to finish my tutor lessons and morning prayer service," he said. "Let’s do this again next time, okay?"

She nodded. "Good night, Cassian."

With that, Lynsandra climbed the stairs slowly. She glanced back at Cassian, who was still standing there, smiling at her.

Shit.

She forced a smile and winced when she looked away.

When she reached the mezzanine and turned, she stopped and waited. After a minute, she peeked over to check if he was still there. She caught him walking away, giggling to himself.

"Hah..." she sighed as she pulled her head back, only to flinch at the person leaning against the wall beside her.

There, mimicking her posture with his back against the wall, curiosity and smugness written all over his face, was none other than...

Elias.

"What? What?" Elias peeked over her toward the stairs before meeting her eyes. "What are we looking at?"

"How did you get in here without me noticing?" she deadpanned. She seriously hadn’t sensed him, which was impressive.

Elias smirked and winked at her. "You went on a date," he pointed out, studying her from head to toe as his brows rose. "And you even dressed differently."

"..." she huffed, peeling herself off the wall. Facing him, she spread her arms and looked at him dead in the eye. "Go on. Let’s get it over with. Come, bite."

Meaning, go hug her.

"That’s not challenging." He frowned. "You’re making this very awkward."

"That’s the point." She shrugged. "Go on."

Elias leaned comfortably and crossed his arms. "Instead of a hug... can I touch your breast?"

"Forget it." She dropped her arms and turned to leave.

"Haha." He laughed, taking a long stride to walk beside her. "Come on, don’t be angry. I’ll just fondle them once. I promise."

She ignored him completely while he walked her back to her room, poisoning her ears with his nonsense.