Their romance storyline only begins on the second playthrough

Ivina gazed at Rhodes, and she finally decided to leave everything to Rhodes' choice.

If Rhodes told her to live, she would live; if he told her to die, then it wouldn't matter if she died.

Rhodes' choice will define her ultimate life, nothing more.

Ivina wiped away the excess tears, knowing that there was only one thing she could do now.

That means staying with Rhodes, building confidence, overcoming inner psychological barriers, and leaving the Duke's mansion.

She wanted... she wanted to spend more time with him, she wanted him not to abandon her...

Ivina looked at Rhodes with gentle eyes.

now--

Cecilia's words echoed in her mind—

[Or, you could go up and experience it for yourself now.]

what……

The crimson hue of maple leaves once again stained her fair skin.

Greed began to grow in her heart.

Just like an animal's instinct, when faced with a desperate situation, one must do everything in their power to create something.

Yes.

Anyway... anyway, I don't know how long it can last, anyway, the shared senses already mean I've kissed him, anyway, he hasn't woken up yet...

So, it wouldn't be a problem for her to experience it a little bit, right?

She bit her lip hard.

Ivina was dressed very lightly, still wearing the same simple white dress she had worn that morning.

At that moment, she bent down her slender waist, inserted her fingertips into the heels of her shoes, and took them off.

In an instant, her delicate little feet appeared in the air, still warm from being wrapped in boots.

She placed one foot on the bed, supported herself with one hand, and climbed onto the bed step by step.

At once……

It seems to be like Cecilia.

Or rather, it was because she had just seen Cecilia's movements that she was able to mimic them by sitting on Rhodes's waist.

"what……"

As soon as she sat down, the shame on her face intensified, and she pressed her pink lips tightly together.

Her thighs were pressed against Rhodes's, and her hand gently touched his body.

The solid feeling made the tips of her ears turn red.

"If, if we really became a couple, it would actually be a very bad thing..."

She was thinking about some really bad things.

Weighing less than 40 kilograms, she was like a chick in Rod's eyes, so if they really became a couple...

She really is going to die.

No, no, no... Don't think about those things.

I was just curious and wanted to try it out; I didn't really want to be in a relationship with this guy, okay?

Rather, he's not even a friend...

She desperately tried to deny it in her mind, then coughed slightly:

"Cough, I'm going to die anyway, so I'm just here to experience what it feels like. It's not because I really want to enjoy the feeling of kissing."

She gave a soft hum, then gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear with her fingertips, bending down like a dutiful wife.

Eyes closed tightly, body drawing closer, little by little...

A tender emotion welled up within her, and her breathing became warmer. Her heart pounded wildly, and then—

She felt her mouth being covered and heard a sound:

“Miss Ivina, I understand that you may be emotionally overwhelmed by the suspension bridge effect, but please calm down.”

You need to understand, a girl's first kiss is very important. Actually, you don't like me; you're just grateful to me for saving you.

"Huh?"

Upon hearing the voice, Ivina's face stiffened, and her eyes opened blankly.

And at this moment, she discovered—

Eyes facing each other.

"what!!!"

Screams erupted.

Chapter 43 I'm just being arrogant, okay?

"what!!!"

War cry starts.

"I, I just..." Ivina's voice stammered as her face flushed, "Yes, I just saw a bug on you, so I wanted to pick it off!"

Ivina looked flustered. Realizing that her lewd behavior had definitely created a very bad impression, she completely turned into a cat with its fur standing on end.

Can--

At that moment, she felt as if a thick, rough hand had been placed on her head.

In that instant, with the gentle touch, her emotions calmed down, her face blank:

"Eh..."

Yes, Rhodes is currently stroking Ivina's head with his palm.

"Really? That's good. You must cherish everything about yourself and every emotion you have, so that my rescue of you won't have been in vain."

Rod slowly got up, leaning his back against the cushion, while Ivina slid down from his waist to his lap like a toy.

“I…I know.” Ivina coughed and nodded. “Hmph, although I don’t actually need you to save me, thank you anyway.”

“I heard everything Miss Ivina said when she was facing Daphne,” Rhodes said softly.

"Huh?! Quick, quick, forget it! I was just, just a little bit... ahhhhh!"

Ivina shyly stretched out her finger and scratched Rhodes twice like a kitten.

Rod didn't seem to care much, and simply smiled:

"In short, Miss Ivina, since you're willing to help me catch bugs, you're acknowledging me as your friend, right?"

thump.

Ivina's heart skipped a beat.

Rhodes's voice fell like a heavy hammer blow straight into Ivina's heart.

She listened to those words, stunned and frozen for a long while, before realizing—

Rod said that she and he were friends?

Are you friends now?

Upon learning this fact, she was not particularly excited, nor did she feel moved to tears.

However, a warm feeling washed over her, and her face fell slightly, revealing a childlike smile on her lips.

Can--

Soon, however, she remembered the sharp blade hanging over her head.

No matter when, that sharp blade was like cold water, instantly suffocating her comfortable heart.

She bit her lip slightly:

"Humph……"

"How...how could that be...you're not my friend. I only helped you because you were seriously injured because of me...!"

Ivina turned her head away and quickly scooted back to avoid Rhodes's hand.

Rod was slightly taken aback upon seeing this.

My God... how can someone be so genuinely arrogant?

Unlike Lilith, who only appears cold on the outside but is actually warm on the inside, Ivina's expression reveals all her emotions, clearly stating, "I am a tsundere."

She's so cute, so incredibly cute, Rhodes really wants to tease her a little.

"Huh? So I'm not a friend after all?" Rod said, a little dazed. "Sorry, I was just overthinking it."

"Ok?"

Ivina snapped out of her daze, and only after seeing Rhodes's dejected expression did she break free from the stagnation in her heart and come to her senses.

In an instant, she panicked.

"No, no, I was just saying, um, um, don't take it to heart..." Ivina stammered as she explained.

"What do you mean? I don't understand."

Ivina gritted her teeth, seemingly going through a great deal of inner turmoil and struggle, before finally saying, her face flushed:

"I... I was just saying one thing and meaning another..."

"Ok?"

"Really! You're my friend, okay?! I'm just not good at talking, okay?! Don't make me feel awkward anymore..."

A smile appeared on Rod's face.

"it is good."