The next day, as soon as the sun rose, I earnestly asked the butterflies for a favor.

‘Find me some people.’

To locate Candidate 3, that guy’s whereabouts, it would be faster to seek the help of the butterflies. I would also have to ask Arwin… but first, I needed to figure out what to say to Black Mamba. I couldn’t casually reveal my secret to her.

{Okay, I’ll do my best to find them! But I can’t go too far. You and I, as the contractor, shouldn’t be too far apart.}

{And you can’t stay away for too long. If it takes too much time, I’ll end up coming back to you.}

Nodding my head in response to the butterflies’ words, I asked step by step.

‘Alright, I see. How far can you go? And how long can you stay away?’

{Hmm… It’s challenging to orbit this star.}

{Around 5 weeks? Should be fine.}

…Well, isn’t that just fine? There’s no way Candidate 3 would be on some unknown continent.

{But you never know. He might be hiding on an unknown continent.}

{Right, that species does that.}

‘…Certainly… that’s true. Anyway, can’t you easily investigate the entire continent? Whether it’s an unknown continent or not, explore every nook and cranny of the Eprosa continent for me.’

{Sure, got it!}

{Leave it to us~!}

{You can trust us, Gloria!}

Dozens of butterflies confidently shouted and flew out the window. Many more butterflies than that remained by my side, probably to protect me in case of danger.

‘You have to be careful, Gloria.’

‘Haven’t you replied to the king yet? That guy is surely eager. ‘

‘…Yeah, I should reply soon.’

I was procrastinating the response to King Ainstain’s divorce order. When I reject it, it’s to prepare in advance for various things the king might do.

In short, I’m buying time.

‘According to Greian, it might take up to a week, so it should be finished soon…’

Once the preparations were complete, I planned to send a rejection. I had already thought about what to write.

‘Rumors spread much faster than I expected, and by now, news of what happened in the Alphonse region must have reached King Ainstain’s ears…’

Considering that, it’s surprisingly quiet. Rumors are just rumors, and does he believe I’ll naturally agree to the divorce?

‘Well… considering Gloria’s temperament, it’s not unreasonable.’

While looking out the window with my fist against my chin, the dawn air was too chilly, so I eventually closed the window. I was planning to ventilate the room, but it was too cold to do so.

Crawling back into the bed’s blanket, Gracian, who was still asleep, flinched a bit. As if he sensed my presence unconsciously.

His strong arms reached out, gently enveloping my body, pulling me into his embrace.
Falling asleep on his chest, I buried my face and wrapped myself tightly around him, and my heart raced uncontrollably.

It was evident that I couldn’t fall back asleep in this state. I decided to just quietly close my eyes and lie down.

Grecian’s characteristic cool scent subtly emanated.

‘…How can a person have such a fragrance? This has to be pheromones.’

Just smelling this fragrance made my heart flutter and my body heat up; the effects of pheromones were undoubtedly at play!

‘Is there no way to turn the pheromone function on/off…? Does he always go around emitting this…! This shameless wolf! Just for me!’

Was my inner voice too loud? Greian, who had been sleeping soundly until then, opened his eyes with a faint, misty gaze.

Staring blankly at me in that state, he then smiled gently and buried his face in my neck. I was startled as his lips touched my skin.

“Ah, hng, no, stop—.”

A damp and ticklish sensation followed from my neck. Maybe… am I in a dog-like state again…?! Did I lose my mind again?

Seeing my flustered state, he carefully caressed me, then lifted his face from my neck and met my eyes.

…Judging by his gaze, I understand. This man is really here.

‘This guy is for real.’

I scolded him by lightly hitting his chest with a fist that felt like it wouldn’t cause any damage.

“Why are you licking me… and causing a scene from the morning!”

To that, he responded with a teasing smile.

“Because I like it.”

“….!”

Mad.

I almost had a heart attack just now. What’s with that smile…! It feels like flowers and sparkles are fluttering around. It was that pretty and radiant of a smile.

“I like it too much… I might go crazy.”

No, don’t go crazy.

“I like you too much, Gloria.”

At this point, it’s starting to get a bit scary.

Greian persistently left marks all over my body.

When I went to the bathroom to wash up and looked in the mirror, red petal-like marks covered my entire body.

‘What is this…!’

At this rate, I won’t have any clothes to wear! I have to become Mira! From head to toe, I’m wrapped up like a cocoon!

“Madam, I will help you wash up.”

In the meantime, Greian, with an inexplicably delighted expression, came over with face wash and soap.

Staring at him with an utterly dumbfounded expression, I sighed deeply and replied.

“I’ll wash up on my own, so just give me that.”