Adele quickly changed the subject.

“Come to think of it, your intonation is much cleaner now. You don’t blur the end of your words either.”

Valentin, seemingly aware of all her maneuvers, subtly responded as if letting it slide.

“Well, I did come to the palace.”

“I find it difficult to understand your intentions.”

“It doesn’t concern me, but I can’t let you be embarrassed.”

Compared to his shameless behavior in Ansgar, it was a quite decent response.

Valentin burst into a teasing laughter, as if amused by Adele’s bewildering expression.

“If I act a little off, those people will swarm to snatch your cute territory.”

“My cute territory?”

“The old castle you use like a cozy rabbit hole.”

“…You’re not talking about Ansgar Castle, are you?”

“That’s right. Ansgar Castle.”

To treat that massive fortress as a mere rabbit hole. She wondered where to start correcting him.

From the beginning, it wasn’t her castle but the ‘Castle of Ansgar’ and a domain, right? Although it was old and worn out, it certainly didn’t resemble a rabbit hole.

Of course, from Valentin’s perspective, it was just human territory, and scrutinizing it in detail didn’t make much sense.

The size of the dizzying castle might feel like a rabbit hole from a non-human perspective.

“I just wanted to see you enjoy life.”

He, who had squeezed his fingers tightly between her fingers, suddenly smiled and said.

“I was curious. What life did you want so badly that you were willing to give up everything? Living like this, what’s so good about it?”

Again.

With a face that seemed to be wandering in the past rather than the present, every time he said such things, her heart tightened.

But no matter how much Adele wished for Valentin’s affection, she wasn’t ‘that woman.’ She couldn’t and wouldn’t become her.

‘Maybe, in the past he speaks of, there’s a me I don’t remember. Whether it’s a past life or a soul…’

In fact, that was optimistic. Even if what she guessed roughly approached the truth, her life was solely ‘Adeleheit of Leihenau.’

Adele barely swallowed the inexplicable and overwhelming emotions. Then she firmly spoke.

“I, Valentin, am not that kind of person.”

“Adeleheit.”

However, as he called her name, the rebellious spirit she had barely mustered disappeared in an instant.

Adele. Adeleheit. At least, as he called this name with deep affection, it was entirely hers.

“I wonder how much I practiced calling that name in a human voice.”

Valentin smiled with eyes that almost seemed like they were about to cry.

At times like this, he was almost desperate. Looking at him, longing for him, holding him but feeling a lack of warmth. In moments like this, even the somewhat resentful feelings vanished without a trace.
When Adele cautiously extended her hand, Valentin caught her fingertips and brought them to his lips.

“…Did you practice my name?”

“Yeah.”

“Why?”

“I wanted to properly call your name when we meet.”

‘Adeleheit.’

The memory of that day when he walked out of the palace and his voice was vivid in her mind.

Could one forget even at the moment of death? However, strangely, the terror of that day began to feel different now.

Somehow, it felt tender. While all other words were vague, the fact that he never got her name wrong seemed like significant evidence of profound affection.

“Adele, I’ve been waiting for you for a very long time.”

Therefore, it was ultimately meaningless. Whether he mistook me for someone else, she was the one receiving all sorts of affection by his side.

Adele. Adeleheit. The name he called several times belonged solely to her.

‘For now, this is enough.’

At that moment, Adele felt deep relief. It meant that her feelings for Valentin were not yet so deep.

Although, eventually, they might not be otherwise.

“Valentin. By the way, your hands are cold.”

Valentin, who grabbed her, indeed had cold fingertips. Adele pulled his hand and brought it into the blanket.

“If you’re going to stay, come into the blanket. You might catch a cold.”

“Are you worrying about me now?”

“If you catch a cold and suffer, all kinds of rumors will circulate. Those who covet Ansgar under the guise of caring about the lord’s health will consider this a good opportunity.”

Valentin chuckled as if it was amusing, but when she pulled the blanket up a bit, his smile gradually disappeared.

Slowly, with a completely expressionless face devoid of laughter, he looked down at her.

“…”

In that intense gaze, Adele realized that she had behaved excessively childishly.

“I-it’s okay if you didn’t hear. I really requested it for temperature preservation, and there’s really no other meaning…”

“Why are you making excuses?”

Valentin, who raised the corner of his mouth as if tension had been released, slowly leaned forward and touched the bed.

As he approached, Adele leaned her upper body backward. His eyes narrowed provocatively.

“What kind of imagination did you have? Huh?”

“I-I…”

“Get a hold of yourself, Adele. There are only two of us here. If you provoke like this and can’t handle it, what are you going to do?”