“Young lady.”

Bern, who had been absentmindedly staring at Diana, opened his mouth a beat late.

“You were here.”

“Yes.”

She answered while fixing her gaze as if she only saw the man, not even looking at Bern.

It somehow made him feel both envious and uncomfortable.

“He is…”

‘My man gets very jealous.’

Bern hadn’t forgotten. The reason she rejected him.

“Is he your man, young lady?”

He thought she would be flustered. But Diana was confident and charming as always. Her unadorned appearance kept drawing his gaze.

“Yes. He’s my man.”

The woman’s smile as she spoke proudly was not unpleasant.

The sunlight that didn’t rise in the dark forest where the night continued seemed to be contained in her eyes, shining.

“You must be having a hard time. Thank you. Bern.”

“Ah, not at all.”

“I was able to relax because you worked hard. Everyone is grateful.”

Bern, who was about to open his mouth to say ‘then please take me with you’, retreated sullenly.

Her gaze was still directed at the man. They made eye contact when conversing, but that was it. She doesn’t look this way.

Placing the water bowl and towel on the side table, he bowed his head.

“I’ll take my leave now. Please rest.”

Tak- The door closed quietly and Diana made a wet towel, wringing out the water and wiping his face and body thoroughly. Even though he became clean with magic, she wanted to do it herself.

She felt deep relief and gratitude for his steady breathing. For you and me, even breathing is not a given.

“Rodrick.”

Changing a fate destined for death is not easy, but there will be no giving up.

“Wake up. Princess.”

He couldn’t seem to wake up easily.

According to his subordinates, he had been searching for her without eating or sleeping.

They wondered what their leader was even made of. He seemed like a different person. They said it was overwhelming just to keep up with the continued forced marches.

They had already dealt with this man trying to rampage with their exhausted bodies.

His haggard face made his features look even sharper. Reaching out, she traced down his facial lines.

You’ve lost a lot of weight. His eyelids fluttered at the gentle touch caressing his jawline.

“Rodrick? Are you awake?”

“…Is this a dream?”

Diana burst into laughter at the first words he uttered after absentmindedly opening his eyes. His locked voice that sounded as if it was hard to believe was pitiful.

“Are you still wandering in a dream, Princess?”

His blue eyes gradually became clearer at the gently lowered lips.

She, who had only existed in his dreams, was in front of his eyes. He raised his hand and caressed her cheek.

“Diana.”

She touched her forehead to his with a dazzling smile.

“Yes, I’m here.”

How much had he missed her warmth. Rodrick closed his eyes and fully felt the warmth she gave.

She sucked in Rodrick’s curse as she pressed her lips to his. The intense stimulation that occurred every time their lips touched made them gradually heat up.

The fatigue had accumulated as it had been a long time since she had dragged his heavy body around, but it disappeared as if washed away by a single kiss from her.

Some stiffness remained in his muscles, but that wasn’t something to worry about.

The only thing he needed to care about was Diana. He realized for the first time that he could go this crazy for a woman.

Yes, I’ve gone mad for you. Diana.

Diana, who had straddled on top of his body at some point amidst the gradually burning breaths, parted her lips.

“Rodrick.”

“Haa, speak.”

A rough, cracked voice penetrated her ears. Like a thirsty person, he impatiently pressed his lips to her flesh.

“From now on, even if I disappear, don’t recklessly come looking for me like this.”

Cold water was poured on the heated air. The lips that had been trailing down her neck abruptly stopped.

However, there was no way for the heated air to cool down.

Laying her down on the bed after she had straddled him in an instant, he twisted his face fiercely.

“Why would I…”

“Rodrick.”

“You’re the one who asked me to stay together for a lifetime.”

He bit her lips that spoke wicked words.

A growling, angry voice came out with a hot breath. As if it could never happen.

“No matter where you are, I’ll find you.”

“Can’t you wait for me to come find you?”

“No.”

“I don’t like it either. You’ll get hurt.”

After a meaningless staring contest, Rodrick sighed and backed away.

“Since it’s a problem solved by us sticking together, let’s stop talking about this.”

He spoke softly as he gently licked her bitten lips.

“But if this happens again…”

“Put a leash on me and drag me around.”

So focus on me right now, he pounced on her lips. She had no choice but to respond to the beast’s courtship.

She clearly felt his impatient and anxious heart.

As if to confirm her existence once more, he shared his hot breath on her everything.

His hands roamed past her breasts, tracing her waistline and wandering between her thighs.

As if telling her not to think about anything. He quenched the thirst he had harbored for a long time.

Swept up in the passion, she couldn’t think of anything as he intended. Only focusing on each other.

“Rodrick.”

The intense stimulation continued, and she couldn’t help but let out ecstatic moans at the sensations he gave.

“Diana.”

Deeply inhaling her alluring scent, he embraced her. As if to never let her escape from his arms again. As if they could no longer be apart.

The developed muscles along her bare back’s spine flexed sensuously. The firm muscles moved silently and rhythmically.

The heat that filled the bedroom swayed in the night that didn’t turn to morning.

Kwajik- The juice of the burst pomegranate flowed down the back of the hand where solid bones were exposed.

The red stream flowing down the white flesh looked just like blood.

The splendid golden eyes stared at it quietly, then cleanly shook it off with overflowing mana.

As if he had never dirtied his hands, he made everything disappear with a glint of golden dust.

“Strange. It’s not time for the Schwartz’s pawn to burst yet.”

The man, who boasted beauty to the point that it was a shame he was male, showed a smile as sweet as honey.

“It should happen when the time comes. Why did it try to burst early? Hm?”

Contained in the dangerously sweet smile was distinct anger. The robed man standing opposite bowed his head.

“It’s also strange that it returned to its original state. Once it goes berserk, it shouldn’t be reversible.”

“……”

Seeing the man not answering, the Crown Prince’s smile deepened. The man simply bowed his head without a single excuse.

“Yes, who am I even trying to talk to.”

Even though his mouth had already been sealed with mana, he asked as if expecting an answer.

“……”

“Go.”

The man disappeared, shining his crimson eyes hidden under the robe. The man was a magician the Crown Prince used like a limb, freely utilizing the royal family’s privilege-like mana.

“Your Highness the Crown Prince. His Highness the Prince has arrived.”

A knock rang out with good timing, and the Crown Prince smiled brightly and strode across the reception room to open the door himself.

“Come in.”

“G-Greetings to Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

Like a frightened mouse in front of a huge snake’s maw, the Prince bowed his head to the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince, who had been looking down at the Prince with leisurely eyes, made the Prince stand up.

“Call me comfortably.”

“Yes, elder brother. Did you summon me?”

With light wheat-colored hair and light golden eyes, the Prince who seemed to have all his colors faded like gold looked naive.

“Sit.”

The Prince, who quietly sat in the seat he guided, was sweating nervously, on the verge of crying, not knowing why he was here.

As if holding his breath, the Crown Prince said nothing. The Crown Prince’s attitude, which seemed to torture with silence, made him feel even more choked up.

“Are the preparations going well?”

The Prince couldn’t understand the Crown Prince’s words when he finally opened his mouth.

“What…”

“I mean the marriage talks with Beatus.”

“Pardon?”

The light golden eyes widened as if not understanding. Beatus, he said. As if hearing it for the first time, the Prince asked again.

“I… don’t know what you mean.”

“Oh my. Did no one tell you the schedule?”

The Prince just blinked and waited for the Crown Prince’s words. Heh. As if seeing something cute, he smiled softly at his pitiful younger brother.

“You will soon be marrying the youngest princess of Beatus. Keep that in mind.”

It was a notice. It meant his opinion didn’t matter. Was there anything that went his way after being born under the royal family?

“If it’s Beatus, isn’t that the family of Lady Vanessa who will become the Crown Princess?”

“Yes, that’s why it’s even better.”

The Prince bowed his head at the incomprehensible words. It was surprising, but he couldn’t go against it. The Prince answered as if resigned.

“I understand.”

“I’ve called the young lady of Beatus to the palace, so she will arrive soon.”

It was even the same day. With the schedule set without giving him time to prepare, the Prince gritted his teeth. This humiliation was rare.

“What are you doing?”

“Pardon?”

“Hurry and go.”

The Prince awkwardly got up from his seat but stopped at the Crown Prince’s call.

“Ah, make sure to capture the heart of Beatus firmly. You should also be helpful as a member of the royal family, right?”

“…I’ll keep that in mind.”

Tak. The door engraved with gold on a white background closed, and the Crown Prince turned his gaze to the chessboard on the table.

Breathing mana as easily as air, he moved the chess pieces with just his eyes. Tak.

“Vanessa Beatus is blinded by jealousy and stacking mana nicely, so that’s done.”

A curse filled with resentment attracts contaminated mana. The moment Vanessa cursed the women, high-quality mana was seeping under the palace.

“Debir Beatus has entered the palace on his own and is using mana. That is also permeating under the palace.”

Debir Beatus seemed to cling to the hope that he could break this yoke.

Is there hope for those heading to ruin? There is only death ahead. No matter how much they struggle, it’s futile.

Tak. The chess piece moved to the square he wanted. The Crown Prince, who had been looking down at the chessboard indifferently, smiled leisurely.

“Diana Beatus. An unexpected piece has appeared. It’s good to have one more Beatus. Especially if it’s a direct descendant.”

Indeed, I wonder if it will move the Schwartz’s pawn as well.

His meaningful words scattered and disappeared into the air with mana. As if everything was meaningless.

A huge luxury carriage pulled by four white horses was entering the palace.

No one stopped it. The family crest representing Beatus was no different from an entry pass.

The carriage stopped in front of the Prince’s palace and the door opened.

Ttak. The lady who stepped out of the carriage holding the escort knight’s hand gracefully arranged the trailing hem of her dress.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Your Highness the Prince. I am Diana Beatus.”

Elegant and haughty eyes. She was perfect like a textbook when it came to showing courtesy.

The Prince blankly stared at Diana. No, at Jamie disguised as Diana.