With just Ste and Ronald left in the room, Ronald nced over at Ste with a teasing smirk. "If you keep going, you might get your face stuck in that bowl." Ste shot him an exasperated look but didn''t say anything.


    Ronald''s demeanor had shiftedpletely from the stern expression he had shown Finley earlier. Now, he was all smiles.


    "Come here," he said, his voice gentle.


    Ste reluctantly moved over to sit beside him. Ronald reached out and began to untie the scarf around her neck.


    "What are you doing?" Ste eximed, mping her hand over the scarf to stop him.


    If he took it off, everyone would see. And if they all started asking questions like Finley did, what would she say?


    "You really think keeping it covered means no one knows?" Ronald raised an eyebrow at her.


    Ste''s heart sank. "So everyone knows now?" she asked, her eyes pleading as she looked up at him.


    If word got back to Ferrond, her mother and Yvonne would surely find out. The thought made Ste''s mind spin with anxiety.


    She tugged at Ronald''s sleeve, feeling the weight of the situation.


    Just then, Ronald ced a freshly baked biscuit into her bowl. Hisugh was soft when he noticed her tugging. "What''s wrong?"


    "I''m scared," Ste admitted in a quiet voice.


    She wasn''t just saying it; she truly felt that way. She could handle anyone else finding out, but facing her mother''s questions? That was a another story entirely.


    Ronald took a measured sip of milk, his eyes never leaving hers. "Didn''t I already give you the solution?"


    "You mean just say it was all your idea?" she asked, her eyes searching his.


    Ronald met her gaze, his eyes as deep and mysterious as a starry night sky. Ste swallowed hard. "But wouldn''t that ruin your reputation?"


    She lowered her head, worried. For years, she had kept her feelings locked away, uncertain of Ronald''s true intentions. She didn''t want to bring disgrace to the Lugar family or Quinn families- both so influential in Ferrond.


    Though they weren''t rted by blood, the world saw them as siblings. Her mother always introduced her as "my youngest daughter" at social gatherings, making the situation between them all more tangled. Ronald gently lifted her chin with his thumb and pressed a soft kiss to her lips. "Who would dare?" he said, his voice full of confidence and authority.


    Ste''s heart skipped a beat, and her eyes welled up with tears.


    Ronald brushed a thumb across her cheek. "Don''t you trust me, Star?"


    "It''s not that. I just..."


    "No one in Ferrond has any right to meddle in the Lugar family''s affairs."


    Ste nodded, her heart fluttering again. Ronald was right. No one had the authority to challenge the Lugar family. If Ronald was willing to take the risk, surely no one else would dare say a word. She sniffed and looked up at him, her eyes meeting his. "So, if Yvonne asks, I should just tell her that?"


    Ronald chuckled softly, giving her earlobe a yful tug. "Yes."


    Ste hesitated for a moment before asking, "When did you start feeling this way about me?"


    Ronald seemed amused by the question. "What do you mean?"


    "You know... when did you start having those feelings?" she pressed. Memories of his feigned obliviousness shed through her mind.


    Back then, it had terrified her, every unexpected gesture of his making her heart race uncontrobly. Hiding her own feelings had always been a struggle. And now, with the marks he left on her, it had be even more precarious.


    But it turned gut he knew everything all along and was just teasing her. The realization made her want to retaliate with a yful bite. Yet, when her eyesnded on the faint


    bruise on his neck, she decided to let it go.