Just as Elise was about to retract her request, Karan, who had stood up, reached for the hair clip on the table.

Their hands overlapped as Elise tried to grab the clip back.

But Karan lifted both her hand and the clip together, then slowly turned her hand over to take the clip.

“As you know, I’m a Tritrisian, so I’m not adept at this kind of thing.”

The task Elise asked for was difficult even for a Bedrocan.

“But I’ll try. It might be a bit risky, but I’ll do my best to endure it.”

Elise didn’t understand what he meant by risky or enduring, but she didn’t ask.

His eyes held the same swirling energy as on their wedding night, making Elise swallow nervously.

Karan stood behind her. Tritrisians are known for their high body temperature, and she felt the heat as soon as he stood behind her.

Karan didn’t hesitate to kneel on one knee on the cold floor.

“How should I do your hair?”

Had she misjudged him?

Karan’s voice was very composed, despite seeming agitated earlier.

“Just gather it into one.”

Elise’s voice quivered faintly.

Karan moved as she instructed, like a marionette.

“Excuse me.”

After a polite announcement, Karan began gathering her hair with his large hands.

His touch was unexpectedly gentle, contrary to the hands known for wielding swords, killing monsters, and tearing animals.

Karan tried not to touch Elise as much as possible.

He held her hair as if grasping the air, causing strands to escape near her nape and shoulders.

Left with no choice, Elise made another request.

“All of it.”

Karan, usually quick to respond and act, remained silent this time.

Was there a problem? As Elise turned her head, Karan hurriedly spoke.

“Stay still. Your hair is slipping.”

He seemed to sigh lightly as he restrained her movement.

Then, Karan started gathering her hair more carefully than before.
Naturally, his fingertips brushed Elise’s nape.

At that moment, Elise realized what Karan was trying so hard to restrain.

Even the lightest touch seemed charged with an indefinable tension.

Her nape and ears flushed a delicate pink.

Karan’s sigh drifted down upon Elise’s head.

This wasn’t just a feeling; it was real.

“It’s done,” he said in a low voice.

Elise took a deep breath to calm her racing heart, trying to focus on her conversation with Jasmine.

After tying her hair, she instructed, “Now, roll it up and secure it with the clip I gave you.”

Karan effortlessly followed her instructions and awaited the next step.

“Lift it to the back of my head, and use the clip to secure it.”

Despite the vague instructions, Karan diligently worked, manipulating the clip.

Elise felt the blunt end of the clip scrape against her scalp.

“Is it done?”

“Let go and see.”

Karan slowly released his grip on the clip.

The pin, resembling a collection of animal ribs, firmly held Elise’s soft hair.

Her neck line was now fully exposed.

Karan, gazing at her slender, pale nape, exhaled long and deeply to control his surging desires.

The sight of her extended neck stirred a primal hunger in him.

Unaware that his breath was tickling her nape and warming her body, Karan repeated his actions several times, committed to keeping his promise to Elise.

“If you’re done, please sit down, Karan.”

Unable to bear his intense gaze any longer, Elise spoke. Karan finally sat across from her.

Sounds of breaths being caught filled the air.

Noticing the commotion, Karan looked around. Those who had been watching them scrambled to act nonchalant.

‘They were looking at Elise.’

Karan’s eyes cooled down.

His glittering gaze held a wild ferocity, causing a few onlookers to pale significantly.

This was why he had not wanted to meet in crowded places.

She was too beautiful, attracting others’ greed. He felt an urge to gouge out those greedy eyes.

Another kind of desire surged within Karan, and he clenched his fist.