She seemed to know that she had been tense all along, as her hand, which had been stroking the back of her neck, slipped down to her arm, spreading warmth gradually from her fingertips.

“Ah…”

His traces filled every delicate part on her wrist and the sensitive areas inside her arm.

“…!”

And before they knew it, when the two of them were close, Veril involuntarily held him tightly.

The field seemed to be pouring out breath. The slightly warmer breath was already rising enough.
However, he didn’t hastily disentangle her. He moved slowly from her ankle to the side of her knee, where tension had been building up, until the hem of her clothing flowed down over his black hair.

“Vered…!”

Surprisingly, an audible sound reached their ears.

Even more striking was the sensation of his movement.

The surging tide was enough to shake her to her core.
Her dress fluttered as she rose to her feet.

Before the cold air could touch her, his warm body enveloped her completely.

“…”

Amidst the heat that had yet to dissipate, his presence became vivid, causing Vered to exhale.

His body, heated to the point of melting, emanated both strength and gentleness.

But she didn’t want to let go, not like this.

Her arms, wrapped around Belred’s neck, tightened.

Is every night like this?
Do all couples spend such gentle nights? Is this why people fall in love?

Or is it possible to spend a night like this because they’re in love?

It was confusing.

“He doesn’t love me.”

…If he doesn’t love me and we’re having a night like this, what could a deeper night be like?

“…”

She unconsciously pressed her lips together. To her, Belred whispered,

“I told you, there’s no need to endure.”
You need to unleash your desires, not suppress them.

She didn’t just react to his words. It was because he suddenly closed the distance as if he wouldn’t retreat.

“…”

Her shallow breath, which she hadn’t suppressed in time, escaped her lips. Belred let out a low laugh.

“Yes, like that.”

As if urging her to do more.

From Belred, who was holding her, it sounded like the beating of a heart.
No, maybe it wasn’t mine. Thump, even if he didn’t shake, my whole body felt like it was shaking.

Is this what it feels like to be loved?

Am I being loved?

Beril was confused. What is it that I want?

Is it that my heart beats when I see him, that I crave pleasure from his touch, or is it…

Is it that I love him?
If it’s love, can such intense emotions arise in a short time? Why does it feel like only the two of them are left in the whole world?

If this sudden surge is love, won’t it cool off just as quickly as it surged?

Then she suddenly thought. In this person’s long life, what is she to him… what kind of presence is she?

“……!”
Once again, her thoughts scattered before taking shape in the warmth he provided. Consequently, what emerged were just fragmented questions.

“Belred, originally…”

The question slipped through her breath.

“Were you human?”

In response to this, Belred didn’t hesitate and answered.

“Yes.”
It didn’t seem like a big secret. Beril felt like she had let go of something that had been bothering her since earlier. It felt like secretly investigating someone else.

“Were you surprised?”

In response to that question, Beril nodded honestly.

Who would believe that a demon was once human? In the temple, they taught as if demons and humans were entirely different species.

“I knew that demons… received the curse of the gods.”
At those words, Belred narrowed his eyes.

“If they received it, they must have. The gods…,”

Belred interrupted his speech briefly with his movements, gently touching her as he spoke.

“They didn’t want anyone to possess abilities that could threaten my authority.”

He kissed her on her exposed white knees and whispered. His gaze was still fixed on her.

“In other words, it was the will of the gods to eliminate all wizards who challenged the power of the gods.”
At those words, Veril’s eyes widened.

“A wizard?”

Magic had been abolished long ago.

The history she had learned was that the power of the gods was much stronger than magic, leading to the natural decline of magic.

But was that not the case?

“Yes, I was a wizard.”

The strong hand of the man supporting her knees beneath lifted her leg slightly.

“All demons were wizards. They strove to achieve their desires with the power of humans alone.”
The lips touching the inside of her knees sent a tingling and electrifying sensation. Veril’s body involuntarily leaned backward.
“Those who didn’t just pray to the gods and expect miracles but sought to achieve it with the power of humans.”

The hand that was massaging the inside of the knees moved more boldly. Veril’s body trembled slightly as she exhaled softly.

“From the perspective of the gods, we must have been very, uncomfortable.”
The reclined body turned gently to the side. His hand delved into the exposed back.

“If you’re talking about curses, then yes, there were curses. They made it so that wizards…”

As his hand moved softly into her lower back, she twisted her lips.