“I want to be with you tonight.”

Upon Karina’s words, Illeion seemed momentarily stiff.

“Do you not want to?”

The time waiting for Illeion’s response felt long. Karina was very tense, but Illeion soon faced her and spoke with a joyful tone.

“Shall we go to my bedroom? Or stay here?”

In case of rejection, Karina wondered what would happen next. She felt relieved.

To make it clear, wouldn’t it be better to go to the Grand Duke’s bedroom?

“Let’s go to your bedroom.”

Illeion lifted Karina in his arms and headed to his bedroom.

Gently placing her on the large bed, Illeion kissed her forehead.

“I’ll go freshen up. Or would you like to go first?”

“I already bathed in my room.”

“I see. Just wait a moment.”

As Illeion disappeared from the bedroom, Karina calmed her pounding heart.

“I can do this.”

She wasn’t some inexperienced maiden.

She had only spent one night with Sabiel.

But she had a secret weapon prepared. Karina quickly began to undress.

“Karina?”

Illeion entered the bedroom after washing and fastening his gown at the waist.

The bedroom, which had dimmed the lights during that time, was dark.

“Did you fall asleep already?”

When Illeion slightly touched the sheet, which protruded from the center of the bed, it was the moment Karina, lying beneath the sheet, suddenly sat up.

“That appearance…”

“How is it?”

Illeion’s pupils shook as he looked at her.

Seeing Illeion, Karina smiled with a repentant smile.

‘If he likes Rona, he must be weak to this appearance, right?’

A definite blow was needed.

Then, she would be able to bear Illeion’s child.

‘Considering how he clings to Rona, they must have had something when she worked as a maid.’

Without such moments, a lord like Illeion wouldn’t personally visit a lady’s house. For an official title holder like him, it would be shameful to go propose in person and face rejection. Usually, only representatives were sent.

“Illeion. I’ll do as you wish.”

Thinking he would have to come over first, Karina tried to ease her tension.

“What do I want?”

“Yes.”

“Anything?”

With a trembling heart, Karina nodded.

Then, Illeion left the room and soon returned. In his hands was a thick book.

“What’s that book…”

Illeion extended the brought book to Karina.

‘Palagara War History? What is this?’

Meanwhile, he comfortably lay down next to Karina, his eyes gleaming.

“Read me the book.”

“What?”

“You said Rina absolutely shouldn’t read Palagara War History. Since I said I would do anything you wanted, read me that book.”

Karina lowered the thick book with a trembling heart.

“Hurry.”
Without time to think, Illeion, seizing the wind, inadvertently flipped the pages of the bookmarked section due to the gust of wind.

“Paleromo, who underestimated the troops of Tropagara, suffered defeat in the first battle. It was a significant event that dealt a great blow to Paleromo’s pride, who enjoyed battles and reveled in war. Paleromo began to strengthen his military preparations for the second battle, producing 2,000 cannons, 300 trebuchets, and 5,000 crossbows. He also organized a new auxiliary force with 25,000 recruits and 50,000 retired soldiers.”

What is this?

“However, Tropagara, having tasted a great victory in the first battle, could not have imagined an increase in military forces to 100,000 with the support of the young.”

What is this?

Illeion, now asleep, had a satisfied expression on his face.

Throughout the night, Elysia cried while looking up at Illeion’s bedroom window, where the lights were turned off.

Around dawn, Elysia walked into the forest with little strength.

“It’s still here.”

The cottage, table, and chairs Illeion had prepared for her were still neatly arranged.

Elysia entered the cottage with a tired body and sat down on the bed inside, curling up.

“Don’t do this. You didn’t know.”

Last night, witnessing Karina seducing Illeion was a coincidence. She didn’t expect to see Illeion embracing her joyfully and taking her to his bedroom.

Her heart seemed to freeze, unable to think properly, and it felt like her chest was pierced without blood circulating. It was an unbearable and challenging situation, so she barely managed to catch her breath and ran outside the mansion.

But…

Casually looking up, she saw Illeion’s bedroom window.

In that window, the light flickered from being bright to dark, as if someone were lighting a small lamp next to the bed, then turning it off until it went out.

Elysia stood there.

Tears kept flowing from her eyes.

She didn’t have the right to blame Illeion.

But the turmoil in her heart was a different matter.

“I wish I could have left sooner.”

She didn’t want to see him like this.

Illeion wasn’t just idly puffing the wind.

He had moved toward the original development that Elysia always vaguely imagined, hoping it would save him and everyone.

Thinking he knew that well, yet feeling tormented repeatedly, made her feel miserable.

“I feel like dying.”

Elysia’s quietly murmured face contorted into a mess.

She wanted to leave his side, gain a new life, and live well.