Naoya never expected anyone to stop him—why would they? The Zen’in men were given plenty of leeway, and trysts like these were far from scandalous. If anything, they were tradition.

Earlier, he’d noticed your timid glances—wide-eyed and full of disbelief, as if someone like him would ever spare you a second thought. The way you quickly averted your gaze whenever he caught you staring only amused him. Each flinch fed his ego.

Naoya had seen countless women like you before. You were no different—just another serving girl mistaking proximity for significance.

He’d throw you a bone—only because he knew he could get something in return. Unlike his father or brothers, Naoya didn’t need to chase after every woman who crossed his path. When he wanted something, it was his without question.

And tonight, for whatever reason, he wanted you.

As he guided you into a quiet corridor, away from the banquet he had no interest in attending, his smirk widened.

“You’re really too easy, you know that?” he murmured, his thumb tracing slow, possessive circles along your hip.