“T-this is the imperial palace.”

“You were trying to cuddle in the inn just fine.”

“T-that… it’s really not like that…”

When she became tongue-tied and teary-eyed, Valentin smoothly lifted his lips and smiled beautifully.

“You don’t have to defend yourself like that. I didn’t misunderstand. Even if I want you without any restraint, I’m not reckless enough to touch someone exhausted.”

“…”

“Still, I don’t miss opportunities.”

As if implying when did he hesitate, he came into the blanket and embraced her into his arms.
With firm arms wrapped around her waist seamlessly, Valentin pressed his lips onto Adele’s forehead. The warm breath felt ticklish on her skin.

“Uncomfortable?”

“No…”

In fact, it was warm. Much better than she thought. Adele crouched, using his broad chest as a support.

Thump, the sound of his heartbeat echoed gently in her ear as he held her close.

She secretly let out a satisfied sigh. Sometimes, it was fascinating how Valentin became a source of such immense comfort.

“Aren’t you scared? When I’m right next to you.”

As Adele fidgeted to find a comfortable position in his arms, he pulled her tightly once.

He gently brushed away her messy hair.

“Again. You talk like that.”

“Ah… It’s become a habit now.”

He smiled slightly, as if he found it amusing.

Well, sometimes, feelings toward him seemed to progress abruptly, perplexing her without knowing why.

If the uneasy feeling disappeared at some point, she felt an unexplainable affection towards him at another moment.

Perhaps it wasn’t since the moment she became aware of magic with his help…

‘Magic?’

She opened her eyes, which had been comfortably blinking. Come to think of it, it was strange.

Cuddling in his arms again after threatening his life. Feeling complete affection only from him.

“…”

She felt a faint crack that had not been seen before. It seemed like she was missing something very important.

“Sleep a little more. You must be tired.”

Did he notice the subtle change in her expression? Valentin touched his forehead to hers.

The moment she felt the magic flowing through, she felt comforted again.

Yes, it must all be a misunderstanding. His embrace was so warm. So cozy.

“Soon… you know. Don’t dream…”

From some point on, she couldn’t even hear his voice clearly. Adele fell into a deep sleep without realizing it.

Eventually, her fever began to rise from dawn. Her body was naturally weak, and the loss of energy from long-distance travel in bad weather exacerbated it.

The maids were worried all day that they might receive some punishment for not serving the lord properly. Marguerite was so busy with flower bouquets and letters pouring in from everywhere that she completely lost her mind.

“The trust that His Majesty the Emperor is showing to our Duke seems to be extraordinary.”

Marguerite murmured while inserting the ninth large bouquet into a new vase.

Even though she worriedly looked at Adele, pride shone on her face.

She said that the royal family was now properly recognizing the value of Ansgar.

“Fever is rising again…”

And Valentin consistently remained gloomy, attributing all of this to his misuse of magic that awakened her.
He half-crazily clung to Adele’s bed, staring at approaching people with vigilant eyes.

“It seems to be a psychological issue. She doesn’t even take healing magic…”

The imperial physician and healer, sent by the Emperor, lowered their heads with a gloomy expression.

As the situation reached that point, at the evening banquets held every night, Valentin alone showed his face, and that was all.

Valentin displayed unwavering patience and forbearance in taking care of her.

When her mouth was dry, he offered a water glass, and he forced her to swallow medicine and porridge each time. He even tasted the food first, seemingly uninterested in the maids.

“Since the Grand Victory Tournament is on its last day, don’t worry and rest. You need to recover quickly.”

As Adele struggled to gather her lost wits, Valentin was sitting by the bed.

Bending his upper body and placing magical energy into his hand, he gently touched her white forehead.

Feeling the cool magical energy flowing in, Adele instinctively grabbed his hand and lightly slapped her flushed cheek against it.

‘It feels refreshing.’

The imperial physician said her emotions were causing pain due to instability, but for her, it was the opposite.

As her body weakened, the pent-up emotions began to surge chaotically.

Despite her efforts to avoid, the tightly contained emotions were now on the verge of overflowing like a pot that would spill over with the slightest poke.

He was both wonderful and terrible, terrifying yet affectionate.

When conflicting emotions surged to the brink, a profound self-loathing swept in.

Yet, like a mad person, she yearned for his warmth.

“Hate…”

“Yes, Adele. I’m here.”

Valentin gently wiped the damp forehead and neck, soothing her sweaty cheek. At that moment, strangely, her fever dropped. There was a clean and refreshing scent emanating from him in his embrace.