Was she wearing a grim expression? She cautiously touched her brow. Although her mood had settled somewhat, even deliberately trying to lighten the atmosphere with a smile seemed futile.

In fact, it had always been like this. Valentin seemed to exhibit a superhuman sense when it came to matters related to her.

“Well…”

Adel tried to respond, intending to express that she was fine and grateful for his concern. However, her words didn’t come out as easily as she thought. And ‘용’ (Yong) was not a suitable companion for confessing human insecurities.

Adel pondered, chewing her lips in hesitation, but eventually, she had no choice but to smile once again.

“It was nothing.”

“…Really?”

“Yes. But rather than that, I have something more confidential to discuss. Can we move to another place for a moment?”

“Sure. Since the person who will help you change clothes is coming soon, it’s fine to go to your room, or not?”

Valentin raised his right eyebrow disapprovingly. However, his smile and tone were still as gentle as ever.

“Let’s go.”

He took the lead with a poised posture, climbing the stairs briskly. Whether it was because of the past few days spent dealing with knights in the training ground or not, the awkwardness that had felt strangely unnatural when he moved his body seemed to have completely disappeared.

As they entered the room, the work of decorating the room was in full swing. It was because the New Year was approaching. Adel gently instructed the maids, who were sticking branches with red berries in vases.

“Could you give us a moment and clear the space a little?”

“Of course, Your Highness. Ah, it seems the seamstress will arrive soon. What should we do?”

“It won’t take long. When she arrives, please send her this way.”
“This time, it passed smoothly, but you shouldn’t do this from next time. If we frequently use money that doesn’t fit our status, it will undoubtedly become a problem.”

Valentin’s smile deepened a bit.

“Who would notice?”

“Yes?”

“What kind of person would dare to interfere with me… that I need to be cautious about?”

His golden eyes gleamed ominously. At the moment Valentin lazily blinked his eyelashes, a sound of metal pouring down came from behind her. Adel urgently turned around.

The vase that was placed on the table had completely disappeared, and piles of shining gold coins were stacked in its place. Adel’s mouth fell open at this surreal sight.

“N-no, you shouldn’t do this!”

Adel barely regained her composure and grabbed Valentin’s arm in a hurry. The fear of being discovered by someone made Adel’s lips tremble.

“Why?”

“Why… because…”

“Offering me this much gold is easier than… breathing.”

Valentin wrapped his right arm around Adel’s waist. Holding her waist tightly, he slightly lifted her. As Adel’s feet floated in the air, she anxiously wrapped her arms around his neck. Valentin turned her body and pressed Adel’s back against the door I was expecting.

Adel blinked her eyes, frozen in her reversed position for a moment. She barely opened her mouth.

“This, this is not that kind of problem.”

“Or?”

He still answered with a cold face. He lowered his upper body a bit more. Shadows were cast over her head. A large hand, large enough to cover Adel’s face, sadly gripped her shoulder.

“I… I…”

Valentin’s gaze distorted slightly.

“Do you find me untrustworthy?”

“What?”

“Because I’m not… reliable enough to bear your worries?”

“No.”

She replied, trying to maintain composure. Whenever he made such an abandoned beast-like expression, it was hard to resist the urge to embrace him. Even if he were actually a terrifying monster…

No, in fact, for the past few days, Adel hadn’t really felt that he was a monster.

Knowing in her head that he was stealing human warmth like a veil, when he actually extended his large and warm hand to envelop her cheek, everything became uncertain. Even if he were to say that he was actually a fearsome demon…

No, in truth, for the past few days, Adel hadn’t really felt the reality of him being a demon.

Every time he made a face like an abandoned beast, it was hard to resist the urge to embrace him. Even if he were to say that he was actually a fearsome demon…

“No, looking at Adel’s expression… I know.”

“…”

“When you’re happy, your eyes sparkle like sunlight filtering through leaves. When you’re sad, your eyelashes gently tremble over your closed eyes. When you have concerns, you bite your lips and ask in a soft voice. You control yourself, becoming more and more disheveled.”

“…”

“I see you like this… I only see you.”

Continuing his words without hesitation, he lowered his head again with a face that became somewhat sulky.

“Bu-but you should… try harder.”
His voice lost confidence and sank. It was becoming closer to the initially harsh and barely understandable murmuring. Adel hesitated but gently touched the tip of her finger to his cheek. Valentin’s perfect almond-shaped eyes widened slightly with surprise and hope.

She was taken aback by Valentin’s dramatic change of expression and withdrew her fingers.