Lady Felice’s Secret Class - Chapter 99

Claude leaned in, lowering his voice near Felice’s ear.

“As soon as you leave the gallery, if you turn right and head to the end of the corridor, there’s a small statue. Behind it is a little alcove—almost like a hidden space.”

Felice widened her eyes in surprise at this new information, but nodded to show she understood.

“It seems like someone over there has noticed us, too. Let’s walk over while chatting, as if we don’t know anything.”

Claude said, offering his arm.

Felice placed her hand on his arm and looked towards the end of the hall. Just imagining that there was a couple in the throes of passion listening in on their conversation made her wonder what on earth she should say while walking by.

“Felice.”

Suddenly, Claude’s voice turned firm as he called her name.

Felice glanced nervously at him—she knew that tone; it was the tone he used before issuing a command.

“Kiss me.”

Just as she expected, the command came.

Felice scrunched her eyebrows, glancing once more down the gallery corridor before giving Claude a meaningful look.

Lowering his voice, Claude wrapped an arm around her waist.

“We should show off our own boldness, don’t you think?”

Felice pressed her lips together anxiously.

“What if someone walks by?”

She whispered, looking up and down the hallway.

“It’s fine.”

What’s fine about it? They’d left the gallery, but occasional laughter still drifted over from that direction.

Before she could argue further, Claude pulled her closer, lowering his head in a silent demand.

Apparently, he wanted to make sure Lady Elise saw him kissing Felice—just as bold, if not bolder, than the supposed secret couple in the alcove.

Felice still didn’t fully understand his motives, but recalling what she’d learned about Elise’s rare romantic tastes—and the fact that she might actually be impressed by such audacity—made it hard for Felice to refuse.

Her worry was growing. Claude leaned in again, speaking softly.

“Elise already has a lover. If you want to win someone like that over, you need to be even bolder than her current man.”

He had a point…

Felice nervously glanced down the corridor once more, then made up her mind. Elise already had a lover—if Claude was going to make an impression, he had to show he could be just as daring.

So, despite her anxieties and all the careful thinking she’d done the night before, Felice pressed her lips to his.

What am I doing—kissing in a school, of all places?

She exhaled softly, pulling him closer, her heart pounding at the thought that anyone could appear at any moment.

Just as Felice tried to keep their kiss quiet, Claude deepened the kiss, drawing her in with a loud, unmistakable smack.

Startled, Felice tapped his shoulder in a silent plea to stop, but he didn’t let her go. With a broad smile, he kept up the passionate kiss. He was clearly aiming to be noticed by someone at the end of the hall.

The sound echoed through the corridor.

Soon, the wet noises of their kiss filled the space. Felice’s ragged breaths punctuated the silence between them.

* * *

“Julian.”

Marchioness Depende called her pupil’s name sharply.

“Yes?”

Julian’s reply was unenthusiastic at best. Watching his indifferent expression up close, she wanted to scold him, but she forced herself to swallow her anger.

They were talking in the most secluded corner of the gallery, but she couldn’t afford to raise her voice or make a scene—too many eyes were watching.

“You’re in desperate need of a sponsor, so what’s with that attitude?”

“Ha…I simply asked Baron Racliffe if he’d consider sponsoring me.”

“Julian, are you trying to be clever with me right now? I’m talking about what you’re doing regarding Felice. She’s here as Baron Racliffe’s partner, and what do you think you’re doing?”

“…..”

Julian’s lips pressed together as he fell silent. The Marchioness knew perfectly well that his silence was not from remorse.