She definitely didn’t sense anything malicious from Darren. She had come close to him just to check. The sinister aura she felt from the maids and ladies-in-waiting was not present in him.

So, where to begin?

Lost in thought, Diana was unaware of the scandal brewing between them.

The vile rumor spread rapidly, as if beneath the surface.

While the rumors hadn’t surfaced yet, the malice towards Diana was visibly accumulating.

It was a late night, the time when the servants were wrapping up their final tasks. A shadow moved stealthily.

“How can our Lady Irene be so beautiful even in sleep?”

“Her heart is as beautiful as her face. She even said she’d share her jewelry with us.”

“She’s the one who mak
“His Excellency has been looking for you.”

“Why?”

“Whereabouts. He ordered to track your location.”

Has he gone mad? Roderick’s deadly gaze seemed to question that. Has he become senile? He’s doing things he never used to.

The Duke’s spy had already reported his location and the happenings at the border. Diana was looking for him, so he hurried back.

The Duke even issued a formal command for show. To others, it might look like he was acting on her word.

I understand it’s to affirm her position, but it’s not like the Duke. Has he really lost his mind?

Regardless, Roderick just continued on his path. The limit of sustaining himself on sedatives was reached.

Usually, he would have to slaughter monsters or wild beasts to quell his boiling blood, but now there was another option.

Diana. Holding her would suffice.

Leading a robust group of knights, bugles sounded as he entered the city gates.

All mounted on noble steeds, they exuded a menacing atmosphere just like their lord.

“Welcome back, Commander.”

The first to greet them was the steward. Despite being an outcast and labeled a blood-crazed beast, the steward and servants lined up to welcome him.

Naturally, the feelings of other servants, excluding the steward, were different.

The horse in front of the steward snorted and stamped. Thump, thump. Roderick tapped the horse’s neck under its mane with his gloved hand, calming it.

The massive black horse, befitting its leader, quickly became docile under its master’s touch. Roderick smoothly dismounted.

The sporadic snowflakes scattered, shimmering like fish scales in the sunlight on his figure.

Intense features. His handsome appearance was almost overshadowed by the suffocating fierceness in his blue eyes.

A dangerous precariousness met beauty, creating a decadent atmosphere.

“Ah…….”

Diana was momentarily captivated by Roderick’s appearance. Perhaps even her heart was stolen.

Her heart thudded, as if struck hard. Diana briefly lost her words. Clutching her racing heart, she ran towards him.

“Roderick!”

Ignoring the thick fur Felice offered, she ran towards him. Others’ gazes didn’t matter.

She needed to embrace him, the man who promised to be hers.

She ran and hugged him tightly around the neck.

“Roderick!”

Roderick, not expecting such a warm welcome, widened his eyes in surprise, then softly smiled and closed them.

Warmth filled his embrace, calming his heart. His boiling blood gradually subsided as he tightly held her back.

“Roderick…….”

Ah. Indeed, she is my cure. The speed and amount of power filling his empty body were incomparable.

Burying his face in her thick hair, he inhaled her unique scent. The cool, refreshing fragrance brought tranquility.

Diana absorbed the curse, deeply inhaling the scent. Like rain moistening parched earth, or more like a downpour quenching her thirst. The empty well inside her seemed to fill up gradually.

“I missed you.”

“Why did you come so late?”

“You took a detour, right? You mustn’t have seen my letters?”

Holding her close, Roderick wanted to silence her chattering. Perhaps even desiring more intimate contact. This tingling sensation dominating his body made him want to eradicate it.

Diana’s effect on him was so profound that his thoughts numbed. Words naturally flowed.

“Diana.”

His voice, languidly relaxed, wrapped pleasantly around her ears.

“Hm? Why?”
What could he possibly have to say? Diana slightly pulled away to face him.

“May I kiss you?”

That one sentence. That bewitching phrase struck Diana’s heart once again.