“Wow!”

In the next moment, a triumphant cheer echoed as if the entire training ground was about to leave. Even the knights who had collapsed from exhaustion clapped their hands, rolled their feet, and cheered for Ansgar. In the eyes of the knights, it must have looked like the Duke’s ‘complete recovery.’ Even the emotionless face of Gwynter, the knight captain observing from the corner, showed a faint smile.

In the north, power equaled justice. The strength of the lord who should personally lead the war was not only power but also, above all, a powerful foundation of trust for the gods.

“Ansgar! Ansgar!”

“Honor to the King of the North!”

Adel looked at the cheering knights with a strange look. Even though they might have shared life and death, no one seemed to notice that Valentine’s soul had changed.

Valentine, nonchalantly retrieving his sword, seemed to notice Adel, who was standing at the entrance of the training ground, only now. He gave a short command to the knights.

“Oh, return the formation.”

He quickly approached Adel with brisk steps. He didn’t look like someone who had just engaged in intense combat a while ago. His breathing was orderly, and there wasn’t a drop of sweat on his forehead.

Valentine reached Adel with a broad smile, unlike a knight. He gently lifted her cheek with a perplexed expression when she bowed her knees in courtesy, as if trying to avoid his touch.

“Adel.”

“My lord.”

She bowed her knee to show respect to the lord. However, Valentine, in an uncharacteristic manner for a knight, awkwardly extended his hand. He urgently grasped her forearm.

“D-don’t bow… as my wife, you’re just like me.”

Adel raised an eyebrow in puzzlement. Even though she was the lord’s wife, it was only natural to show respect to the lord. Women’s worth was useful tools for continuing the family lineage, unlike men who were pillars for maintaining the lineage. She had learned and lived like that.

Is this something he can think of because he is a monster? Does he have a different way of thinking from humans from the beginning?

“How did you come here?”

Whether Adel was confused or not, Valentine looked extremely pleased. With widened eyes, he playfully asked, and the movement of his eyes looked innocent.

The smile on his face, gently brushing her cheek, seemed to know exactly which expression would make his perfect face look most exquisite. Adel, who had been staring at that smile blankly, blushed and averted her gaze.

“There’s something urgent I need to discuss.”

Valentine, who lightly brushed Adel’s cheek with a chuckle, spoke with a voice full of concern.

“Your body is cold in the middle.”

“I’m fine. Your lordship’s hand is warm, so that’s why.”

“Hug me.”

Valentine’s eyes narrowed as if Adel was playing some unnecessary prank. He quickly took her small hand with his large hand. Holding her narrow pace, he cautiously moved his steps as well.
The gaze that scrutinized me like breathing was uncomfortably familiar. Whenever he behaved like this, she couldn’t help but feel bewildered about how to react.

“Ah.”

Suddenly, they were in front of the corridor. Unconsciously reaching out the hand that wasn’t holding Yannick, Valentine casually extended his arm and grabbed her waist.

It was a posture that reminded her of a woman being abducted to the death in the underground world of the Holy Flame. Yannick, standing by her side, flinched and avoided eye contact. Seeing Valentine’s unusual expression, it was clear that he was giving unnecessary attention to Yannick.

The boundary drawn on that day, something she had seen before. She first realized that warm golden eyes could burn so intensely blue.

“Adel. You need to come to your senses.”

“…….”

“Hold tight.”

Softly warning in her ear without context, he gently embraced Adel as she wrapped her arms around his neck in surprise, and Valentine burst into a soft laugh.

“You’re good.”

The steps walking through the corridor were steady. Climbing high stairs and crossing long corridors, he didn’t catch his breath once he entered his nature. As he passed by the onlookers, their eyes widened, and some sent him pleased smiles, but generally, there were faces filled with confusion.

Adel pleaded with her face buried in the nape of his neck.

“Please, put me down…”

“Why?”

“Everyone’s watching. If you act like this, the dignity of the lord won’t be maintained. You know that.”

“I, I get it.”

“…….”

“Adel, because you’re small and cute. I can walk faster.”

Adel was perplexed by his shameless words. It seemed like he was acting as if she were missing something completely obvious. It also felt like he was questioning why she insisted on doing inefficient work when I could work more efficiently.

Adel somewhat helplessly swayed in his arms, but realizing that they were approaching the staircase leading to the bedroom on the third floor, she struggled again.

“No, not the bedroom.”

“Why?”