At first, Yerpi didn’t understand what Raymond was saying. But she quickly realized—it was adult talk, something children wouldn’t know.

Yerpi, whose hand was held by him, followed behind as if being led.

Soon after arriving at Raymond’s bedroom, it became more real.

Opening the door, his scent filled the air—rich, like a flourishing forest.

The same fragrance that emanated from Raymond’s embrace now wafted through the bedroom, creating an illusion as if she were enveloped by him from head to toe.

The kiss began at the doorway. Their lips, hungrily exploring each other, burned hotter than mere sweetness.

Even her labored breath was swallowed by him. When she opened her eyes again, her back was already pressed against the bed.

The high ceiling of the canopy bed. And above her, Raymond loomed.

His golden eyes, which always shone with solemnity, looked different today—new, and in a slightly dangerous way.

“Your eyes…”

Yerpi asked, swallowing hard. He smiled. His lips curved upward, but his bright, intense gaze was entirely fixed on Yerpi.

“Are they a little wild?”

That was exactly it. His blazing eyes created the illusion of staring into the eyes of an impatient beast.

A shiver ran down her spine. Seeing her lightly tremble, Raymond kissed her gently.

“I’ve held back too much until now.”

In truth, Raymond’s waiting went beyond just Dante’s issue. Including two past lives, his patience had stretched unbroken until now.

And today, Raymond’s patience was set to reach its end.

Could she bear all the heat pouring down on her?

She was a little afraid. But even if she reached her limits, it didn’t matter.

She simply wanted to fully embrace this man. That was her desire, her longing toward Raymond.

Gathering courage, Yerpi cast aside her shyness. Her slender arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer.

Soon, their deepening kiss became a rapturous communion. For them, physical union was not merely an act done at night.

Yerpi could see into Raymond’s soul. Though his hair and eye color had changed, his soul remained exactly the same.

Her beloved, beautiful dragon. Today, Yerpi had resolved to give him everything she was.

“Please hold me.”

It was a shy yet provocative request. The faint spark Yerpi released became the final catalyst that broke Raymond’s last thread of restraint.

The act, beginning from morning, knew no end.

Even deep into the night.

And even when the morning dew moistened the rising sun in the east.

Their world existed only upon the bed.

***

Three days had passed since the Grand Duke’s bedroom had been firmly shut.

Only the tray left at the door by maids, carrying light meals, could enter the room.

Eating, sleeping, and resting—all happened on the bed.

Whenever she briefly regained consciousness, cool water trickled down her throat, and pieces of energy-boosting fruit were placed upon her tongue. After slowly chewing and swallowing them, the act would begin again.

Her relationship with him was like endless rapture. Time seemed to stand still on that bed.

In their own private universe, embracing him was the only thing she could do.

Only adults could understand the affairs of other adults. When Yerpi and Raymond secluded themselves, children came looking for them.

Dante and Lilia. The young dragon and the little girl stood silently, staring up at the tall door of the Grand Duke’s bedroom.

On Dante’s head sat a crown. Lilia also held in her arms a crown she had made herself.

“His Grace hasn’t come out yet, it seems.”

[Yeah. We should’ve listened to what the maids said.]

When asked where Yerpi and Raymond were, the maids only repeated that the two were currently occupied with important matters and must be waited for.

They had promised to inform them immediately when the bedroom door opened, but unable to wait any longer, they had come in person.

Lilia looked down at the crown in her arms with slight embarrassment.

Their plan to place the crowns they made together on the Grand Duke and his wife’s heads would have to be postponed for now.

“Should we come back later?”

[We should. No helping it. But the magician cast a preservation spell, so they won’t wilt.]

Two days ago, a magician had visited Growen Castle. But even they couldn’t meet Raymond and had to leave. All they left behind was the meaningful remark: “Newlyweds should enjoy their time.”

“Then that’s good. Magic is truly fascinating. I’d love to learn it someday!”

[I’ll mention it to Uncle later. Lilia might have talent too.]

“Really? I’m so happy!”

Seeing Lilia jumping with joy, Dante also felt happy. The two returned to Dante’s room to store the crowns, then went back outside.

[Let’s play by ourselves today and not disturb the adults!]

“Yes! Shall we play in the garden?”

[Yeah. Want to pick peaches together? I’ll pick them, and you gather them. Then we’ll take them to the kitchen and cook something delicious.]

Since the day they made peach pie together, Dante had developed a new hobby—creating new dishes using freshly picked peaches.

When building Dante’s room, Raymond had ordered high-quality peach trees to be planted near the castle. It was a gift for Dante.

The peach trees, brought directly from the Domain of Summer, were enchanted, allowing them to grow well even at the heart of Growen and produce exceptionally sweet peaches.

“Great! Let’s make peach jelly and peach salad too!”

[Of course! Let’s thinly slice the peaches and dry them. They say they become even sweeter and tastier that way.]

Already excited about the peach treats, Lilia began humming a little tune.

Peaches were also Lilia’s favorite fruit. In many ways, the two understood each other perfectly.

Working together, the children filled their basket with peaches. The ripe ones were taken to the kitchen, leading to a joyful cooking session.

While the children enjoyed their harmonious time, the Grand Duke’s bedroom remained hot. Another day passed like this.

The newlyweds finally emerged from the bedroom three more days later.

***

For nearly a week, Yerpi hadn’t taken a single step outside the bedroom.

Three days were spent warming herself in his embrace, and the rest were used for recovery. When she finally stepped into the corridor, it felt strangely unfamiliar.

Her legs had no strength at all. She had even lost consciousness several times—but it was fine. This was the first time she had ever been loved so completely.

Above all, watching his beast-like eyes soften so tenderly was a new delight.

It had been a while since they last shared a meal with the children, and now they were enjoying tea time together under the afternoon sun in the garden.

Just as drowsiness began to close her eyes, the opposite side of the garden grew noisy. Yerpi reluctantly opened her eyes and turned to Raymond.

“What’s happening?”

“One of my officers is coming. Seems he has a report.”

Following Raymond’s gaze, she saw Johan rushing toward them urgently.

It was the first time she’d seen him look so frantic—something serious must have happened. Upon reaching the couple, Johan wiped sweat from his forehead and tried to steady his breathing. Raymond asked:

“What is it?”

“Well… an intruder has appeared.”

“Intruder?”

Raymond frowned. After Charlotte’s incident, the underground passage had been under strict surveillance and security.

It was no longer possible for outsiders to enter Growen through the underground. Hearing this, Johan reported with a pale face:

“He climbed over the ice wall. This man is clearly insane. He’s insisting he must see His Grace and Her Grace immediately.”

“The ice wall is heavily secured. Could he be a magician?”

“Yes. We haven’t identified him yet, but he appears to be a fairly skilled magician.”

Simply surviving the climb over the ice wall was proof enough. Growen had the authority to execute outsiders on the spot. But for now, they were keeping him alive for proper interrogation.

“Where is he now?”

“He’s on the path from the Domain of Spring to Growen Castle. The knights are closely monitoring him. More importantly, he’s singing songs about wanting to see the two of you, so he doesn’t seem likely to escape.”

It was a strange matter. An outsider seeking out the masters of Growen? Puzzled, Yerpi turned to Raymond.

“I think we should meet him first.”

Even if judgment comes later, we need to know why he risked his life to enter Growen. Raymond nodded.