A blue light shone in his eyes amidst the darkness. His gaze was unmistakably fixed on her.

As if he would regret even blinking, he stared into her pink eyes.

“It must not have been easy to get through the Beatus security.”

Unlike assassins who moved stealthily, he was a knight with a strong presence. Knights have a uniquely robust energy that is difficult to conceal.

There would have been many traps here and there. Yet he entered her room without a sound. That meant he had evaded all the guards and knights.

As expected, this man’s abilities were not those of a typical villain who disappeared before the original story.

“I came because I missed you.”

A cool sensation touched her eyes.

“You didn’t even contact me.”

His monotonous voice seemed to say he was disappointed. Somehow he also seemed to lack energy.

“We were only apart for two days.”

“We were apart for as long as two days.”

He straightened his back, took off his black gloves, untied his cloak, and began removing the items he wore one by one.

“What are you doing now?”

As he took off his loose tunic, his body, tightly built with muscles without an ounce of extra fat, was revealed in the moonlight. Diana blinked, her gaze captured by his chiseled abs.

“Rodrick?”

He raised an eyebrow as his hands moved down to his pants. He climbed onto the bed.

“Who did you dress up so prettily for?”

The red lipstick smeared sideways on his thumb. The sight was excessively sensual.

“Hmm? Diana.”

A deep possessiveness was revealed in his husky voice, thick with thirst.

Diana’s lips curved up alluringly as she stared at his muscular physique and handsome face as if enchanted.

As if she wouldn’t hand over control. Her slender fingertips lifted his chin.

“Who else would I want to look pretty for besides you?”

Her voice seduced him.

It felt like his reason, not even gripped by the madness, snapped at her provocative smile.

“Rodrick?”

She called out to him, finding it strange that he remained still as if frozen.

“……”

Rodrick, who had been looking down at her with smoldering eyes, let out a hot breath.

He needed to restrain himself. This was the Beatus household. He closed his eyes tightly and suppressed the boiling desire.

However, the raging passion did not subside, and it faintly colored his blue eyes as he opened them again.

“Beautiful lady.”

The beast, disguising its composure, gave a seductive smile.

“Will you grant me the honor of a kiss?”

He whispered lowly, as if a knight was requesting his lady.

“Of course. You don’t need permission for such a thing…”

Her words were swallowed by him before she could finish.

As if there was no way she could refuse.

He held back no longer and delved into her.

The moment they intertwined, all floating thoughts vanished.

The location did not matter.

In the throes of pleasure, they explored each other and found solace in each other’s existence.

The room, heated by the storm of passion that had passed, was filled only with the sound of soft breathing.

Click – the bedroom door opened without a sound.

“My lady, your makeup…”

Jamie froze with the basin in her hands. When her eyes met the brightly shining blue eyes, she almost made a sound.

Their lady lay collapsed on the man’s body, her fair back turned to them, fast asleep. Their bodies were flawlessly pressed together, enough to make one faint.

The man, boasting a muscular physique with wide shoulders, exuded a relaxed air like a satiated beast.

The man raised his index finger to his lips.

“What, mmph!”

Jane quickly covered her younger sister’s mouth as she tried to say something reproachful. Her wide-open eyes were spewing harsh curses.

“Apologies for the intrusion.”

Jane quickly bowed her head.

“Leave that here.”

With his eyes, he indicated the makeup removal items Jamie was holding.

It wasn’t just his aura that was extraordinary. Even his voice held the power of a ruler.

They shouldn’t antagonize him. Jane instinctively felt it.

Jane quickly pulled her sister out and closed the door.

“Hey! Are you crazy?!”

“……”

Jane remained frozen even after leaving the room. Jamie threw a fit.

“How can we leave our lady alone with some unknown man?!”

“Couldn’t you feel it?”

“Feel what?”

Jamie’s abilities were specialized in disguise and transformation. That’s why she couldn’t sense the delicately moving bloodlust.

Jane felt like cold sweat was running down her spine. It felt like submitting to an immense power.

With just a single glance, he extinguished the other’s energy. He blocked all movements. As if he wouldn’t tolerate any rash actions, he constricted their breathing.

“But who is that guy?”

“Rodrick Schwartz.”

Jamie’s mouth fell open, unable to say a word.

That infamous warmonger of the North? The image conjured up by the rumors was of a rough-looking man.

Like Diana, he also had no portraits. He had never shown his face in central social circles.

All that was known were the ominous stories that had spread through rumors.

So when considering the war records he had amassed, one couldn’t help but imagine a terrifying impression. On top of that, doesn’t he suffer from madness?

She had never imagined such a handsome man.

Jamie, whose aesthetic sense surpassed even the madams of the salons, highly appraised Rodrick’s appearance.

It was shocking.

‘He’s on par with the eldest young master!’

“But how do you know? We’ve never seen him before.”

“Felice Schwartz called our lady his sister-in-law. And she said she had been in the North until now. Who else could our lady be on such intimate terms with currently besides Rodrick Schwartz?”

“That’s true.”

If it were Diana, she would have killed a man who intruded into her room, not fallen asleep comfortably entangled with him like that.

To that extent, they must be really close. Jamie let out a deep sigh, feeling betrayed.

“How could she do this? I thought our lady would live without a man. The North, really?”

“If it’s our lady’s choice, we can only follow.”

Jamie pursed her lips and silently followed behind Jane as she walked.

Diana’s eyes fluttered open, feeling a floating sensation. After being submerged in hot water, she closed her eyes again, fatigued.

“Wake up, Diana.”

Mmm. She snuggled into his embrace as if whining. He quietly smiled without a sound.

After washing her and moving to the living room instead of the bedroom, he sat on the sofa, placed her on his lap, and held her in his arms.

Holding her securely so she wouldn’t fall, he dried her wet hair with a towel and kissed the top of her head.

“I don’t want to part.”

“…Where are you going?”

“I have to go now.”

At his words about leaving, she struggled to open her eyes. In the dim dawn light, her narrowed pink eyes shone softly.

“Should I stay?”

He asked seriously, looking down at her intently. Diana burst into laughter.

“You have to go. Commander Schwartz. You’re an illegal intruder right now.”

A gentle laugh touched his ears.

“I can’t bear to see my man go to prison, Rodrick.”

He lowered his lips and swallowed her laughter as well.

“Your man is impatient, Diana.”

The conversation continued as their lips met.

“Wait just a little longer. Send the marriage proposal when I tell you.”

“Alright.”

Like an obedient beast, he agreed to her words. At that moment, something caught his eye.

“What’s that?”

Boxes filled an entire wall. Boxes of various sizes were densely stacked, forming a mountain.

Jane had been unpacking the gifts from the prince one by one, so Diana had instructed her to repack them. They were things to be returned.

Diana spoke nonchalantly.

“They’re gifts sent by my political marriage partner.”

“…Political marriage partner.”

His low growl sounded menacing. Diana stroked his cheek, calming him.

“You can’t bite him, you know?”

If, by some chance, though it was unlikely, he were to bite and tear the prince apart, they would be held accountable by the imperial family.

They mustn’t give the imperial family any pretext.

“I’ll handle it.”

He tightened his arm around her waist, holding her close.

“Am I to become your hidden lover?”

“You plan on hiding it?”

Revealing their relationship was only a matter of time. To break off the political marriage with the imperial family. They would have to create a big enough scandal to break it.

“Don’t forget. You’re my woman.”

With one last kiss, she absorbed his madness along with his anxiety.

“How long are you going to sulk?”

“I don’t know.”

Sitting across from her in the carriage, Jamie turned her head and grumbled. She was upset that Diana had met a man without telling them.

“Any unusual points?”

As they approached the imperial palace, Diana raised the tension. It was like a signal to her maids. Mistakes would not be tolerated.

“None.”

“That prince seemed quite naive. I think he liked your face, my lady. He looked like a wimp who had never held a woman’s hand before.”

She had already received a written report on his personal information.

Raid Graham.

He was the third son born to the empress consort from a count’s family.

He was the only surviving prince among the princes who had met questionable deaths at a young age.

Instead, if it could be called that, the prince’s mother, the empress consort, had died, and the prince left alone had to grow up in the imperial palace as if dead.

He had no notable maternal relatives. The count’s family all bowed their heads before the empress dowager’s power.

It was an environment where his self-esteem was bound to be low.

“Princess.”

Prince Raid, his haste evident in his panting, stood before Diana as she alighted from the carriage.

“Princess, today… are you alright?”

The prince gasped, unable to catch his rough breath. His appearance was like a puppy that had come running with its tail wagging.

“Greetings to Your Highness, the prince.”

Raid’s wheat-colored hair fluttered in the wind as he took a deep breath. His light golden eyes that held Diana turned hazy.

Something was different. Although her appearance was still perfect, Diana looked even more beautiful today.

“Your health…”

“I apologize for causing concern. I am in excellent health today, so do not worry.”

An illness where she couldn’t breathe outside air for long. Diana inwardly sighed.

They should have come up with a proper illness.

She glanced back at Jamie standing behind her. Their eyes met, and Jamie gave a bright smile.

It seemed to say, ‘The prince looks naive, just as I said, right?’

“I’m glad. I was worried you might still be sick.”

The excuse of being ill had given her a reason to refuse the prince’s invitations. They said he sent gifts each time she refused.

The prince must be doing it out of obligation, but there’s no need for us to tire each other out, is there?

She sat in the drawing room and waited until all the refreshments were brought out.

“Your Highness, the prince.”

Raid, who was just about to pick up his teacup, paused.

“Yes, please speak, princess.”

“I will be direct.”

Raid set down the teacup and nodded.

Hearing Diana’s next words, Raid thought he had done well to put down the teacup.

“Let’s break off our engagement.”

Otherwise, he might have spat tea on the princess’s face.

That face that looked like a work of art sculpted by God.