‘No, how should I handle this?’

It was a few days after Chersion’s bombshell statement.

Until then, I was in a dazed state.

For his desire to become a magician, I could persuade him that such beings no longer exist in this world.

But a splendid magician ‘like Sir Joseph’.

That’s a different story. It means Chersion clearly knows that Sir Joseph is a magician.

As soon as I came to my senses, I went to see Kardiel.

Only I, Sergei, and Kardiel knew that Sir Joseph was a magician, and I thought if someone had leaked it to Chersion, it was most likely Kardiel.

And I heard surprising news from Kardiel.

What?

I asked for the full story. Then Kardiel told me this.

……It was possible.

Besides, the incident Kardiel mentioned clearly involved Sir Joseph’s magic.

Come to think of it, at that time, Sir Joseph had recommended becoming a magician as the best way to solve Chersion’s memory problems.

In other words, he said he could pass on Chronomancy to Chersion.

‘I opposed it because he would have to live with a lifelong headache.’

My opinion remains the same now. In the end, all I can do is persuade Chersion, but……

‘How can I immediately say no when my son has talked about his dream for the first time!’

Honestly speaking, it was enough to drive me crazy.

“It would be nice if there was room for positive consideration.”

“……”

You’re saying that now?

Sir Joseph touched on my already troubled mood.

As I sharply glared at him, he chuckled softly and again buried his lips deep into my palm.

It was in the middle of the night, with the snow storm still raging fiercely.

After putting the children to bed, I went to Sir Joseph’s room to consult about Chersion’s matter.

The guest room in the western wing of Daiern Castle where he was staying was nicknamed the ‘Blue Delphinium Room’.

A room where you can see a garden of dazzlingly bright blue flowers at a glance between June and September, just before the social season begins.

However, unfortunately, it’s winter now, and a snow storm is sweeping outside, so we can’t see the delphiniums.

Still, it was a room that I had put quite a bit of effort into, honestly, decorated with things reminiscent of delphiniums, from bedding and curtains to paintings, all themed in blue.

Especially this sapphire-colored couch where Sir Joseph and I are sitting now…

“…By the way, Sir Joseph, how long do you intend to keep doing that?”

Gradually, a ticklish heat rises from the inside of my palm where his lips and breath touch.

With the sensation of my fingertips and toes curling, I wanted to twist my body and shake off Sir Joseph.

He had never held on for this long before, is the pain that severe?

“Hmm……”

Only then did Sir Joseph swallow the breath he had been exhaling into my palm with a nasal sound.

However, even after that, he still didn’t let go of my hand he was holding.

“I have to be cautious even when just kissing your palm like this.”

“…?”

“Young Master Chelsea is your son no matter what anyone says, so it seems mothers and sons can embrace each other more freely.”

His red eyes, which were now rubbing my hand against his cheek, crinkled gently.

Somehow, there was a bite to his words. Moreover, that gaze is full of discontent.

So now, is he grumbling because I said to let go a bit?

“…Please say something that makes sense. I am that child’s mother, and theoretically, I will die 20 years earlier than that Chelsea.”

It’s not difficult for me to spend my life hugging my child.

But humans eventually grow old, and when they get old, it’s natural for bodily functions to decline and reach the end of their lifespan.

Then what happens? As soon as I lie in the grave, Chelsea’s lifespan also starts counting down.

Suffering from a terrible headache curse, like Sir Joseph.

“There’s no room at all to think positively. Sir Joseph……”

A cold feeling of disappointment rose along with anger.

“How can you say such things when Chelsea might experience the same pain as you?”

“No, that’s not what I meant.”

Sir Joseph immediately lowered his tail.

“I meant it would be nice if there was a way for you to positively consider Young Master Chelsea’s dream. Not that I would pass on Chronomancy to the young master.”

“……”

What, that’s what he meant?

Thanks to that, I also calmed down the thorns I had raised.

“If there was such a way, I would have no reason to stop Chelsea.”

Chelsea, as cute and lovely as a fairy, and magic.

It seemed like a fantastically fitting combination, not just because he’s my child. Doesn’t he look just like a prince straight out of a fairy tale?

……But.

While I was lost in thought, Sir Joseph was opportunistically fixating on my palm again.

By this point, it was impossible not to know that he wasn’t doing this simply because of a headache.

“…Sir Joseph.”

Just as I was about to rebuke him to stop.

His alluring red eyes were filled with my face.

“Can’t we stay like this a little longer?”

“Pardon?”

“You said you wouldn’t abandon me, didn’t you?”

“That’s……”

My brows furrowed without me realizing. His words were correct. I had taken responsibility for Sir Joseph’s life.

That’s why now was certainly the stage to make sure. Is it really true that his curse will be lifted by marrying me?

If not. If there is actually a separate true ‘successor’ of Landgritz.

I shouldn’t marry him. It would be right to let him go, but……

“…I’m not unaware of what you’re thinking, my lady.”

Sir Joseph’s voice, which broke my contemplation, gently leaned towards me.

In an instant, before I could react, my body was completely laid down on the couch.

“…!”

“But regardless of that, isn’t our contract still a contract?”

I almost let out a scream.

I immediately bit my lip, but my startled heart started beating wildly on its own, spreading goosebumps throughout my body.

“If it’s true that I helped you, and it’s true that I helped your children. Then you should rightfully have something to pay me.”

“That’s… true, but……”

Couldn’t that somehow be considered paid with what I just did? I didn’t think it was something to say for someone who had been burying his lips in my palm until just now.

However, a small problem arose for me here.

‘It’s that I don’t dislike this kind of contact.’

Considering my relationship with that husband of mine, my current emotions were quite unfamiliar and surprising.

Partly because sexual contact with the Duke was more like a duty, but anyway, since it was an act for which I had no right of refusal, I hadn’t really thought about whether I liked it or not…

Sir Joseph’s touch is welcome to me.

No, it was more than welcome.

My heart swelled with anticipation that made my whole body tingle, enough to make my shoulders curl involuntarily.

When you give your heart, does it naturally become so effortless to allow yourself like this?

‘W-wait a minute. Even so, in this state, this is a bit…!’

But by the time I came to my senses, it was already too late to exercise my right of refusal.

Sir Joseph’s heavy weight settled on top of my body, which was tilted almost enough to see the ceiling.

However, the time I could see the ceiling wasn’t very long.

Soon, beautiful red eyes from the face creating a shadow in my view gently curved.

The mysterious silver-white hair that made my heart flutter every time I saw it, and the long eyelashes of the same color, were laden with clearly seductive intent.

“Perhaps I need separate permission.”

“…!”

The suddenly close breath hovered precariously right above the bridge of my nose.

However, deceptively, the hand separate from the lips waiting for an answer was already freely exercising control over my body.

Supporting one arm above my head and setting his knee beside my thigh, he leisurely caressed my waist with his free opposite hand.

How big were his hands, I couldn’t move at all under his touch that not only reached my waist but also tapped my shoulder blades.

I hurriedly bit my lip to swallow the unrefined sound.

Then my body, refusing to release the heat, began to warm up helplessly.