The boldness of Isabelle's question hung in the air, and she immediately regretted voicing it, her hands flying up to cover her burning face. "Oh no! I-I'm sorry, my lord, I shouldn't have said something so a-absurd!"
Cassius blinked, momentarily stunned by her audacity. A rare, unguarded laugh burst from him, rich and genuine, his head tilting back as he let her words sink in. He composed himself quickly, though his crimson eyes gleamed with wicked amusement as he leaned closer, a playful grin tugging at his lips.
"Well..." He said, his voice low as he stared at her adorable face that had gone red. "...in that case, Isabelle, I might really not call you beautiful."
Her heart sank for half a second before his smirk deepened, his gaze trailing over her nose that also had a tint of pink on it as he continued saying, "No, at that point, I'd call you something else entirely—something far more fitting."
