Tap. Tap.

Only the sound of water droplets falling in the quiet bathroom echoed.

Blair, entering the bath, crouched her exhausted body while hearing that sound.

‘Warm…’

Immersed in the warm water with her eyes closed, her body relaxed. It felt like she could fall asleep just like this.

It was a moment of rare peace.

It had been days since she started being tormented by Herdin day and night.

Now, when she opened her eyes, not feeling his warmth, it felt strangely awkward, not having his skin against hers.

When she woke up a little while ago, she hadn’t seen him for days.

Taking advantage of that gap, Blair came to the bathroom. She wanted to wash her body covered in various bodily fluids. She had persuaded Melly and Lina, who also wanted some alone time, to share the bath time.

When Herdin was around, taking a bath together was meaningless. She would get dirty again right after washing.

Yet, she didn’t refuse him because it was to confirm the pregnancy a bit more.

She had accepted his opinion to maintain the contract until the trial to clear Esmeralda’s false accusation was conducted. By then, she would likely show symptoms confirming the pregnancy.

Blair covered her lower abdomen with her hand and gently stroked it. It had become a habit since the day she had Asiel.

‘Come to think of it, we haven’t had our romantic time this month.’

Calculating the dates carefully, Blair realized that the regularly scheduled romantic time was being delayed.

It was occasionally late by a few days, but since she knew about Asiel being conceived during this period, she reacted more sensitively.

‘I hope morning sickness starts soon.’

Of course, she knew that once definite symptoms appeared, it would be awkward to hide the pregnancy, but the desire to confirm the pregnancy quickly was also strong.

That way, her mind would be at ease. It was a contradictory emotion.

‘Now, shall I get up?’

As Blair took a moment to catch her breath, just when she was about to start washing herself, the sound of the bathroom door opening suddenly echoed.

Surprised, Blair turned around to see Herdin entering through the arched door connected to the bath.

“……Herdin?”

Blair looked at him with a somewhat flustered expression at the unexpected intrusion.

For some reason, his blue eyes looking at her under the arch felt strangely chilling.

A silent tension filled the air between them. Even the surrounding air seemed to hold its breath.

When Herdin’s persistent gaze made Blair feel embarrassed, she opened her mouth as she stealthily hid her body under the bath.

“Was about to wash up and leave… Did you, by any chance, find it?”

“…….,”

He just stared at her without saying a word, offering no response.
Slightly disheveled hair, a chest rising and falling between loose robes, and a demeanor that clearly indicated he was looking for her.

Blair, briefly assessing his demeanor, turned the conversation.

“You seemed urgent. Is everything okay now?”

“…….”

“Oh, did you find evidence?”

Blair thought he urgently sought her for that reason. Because it was good news, the news she had been waiting for, and she wanted to hear it quickly.

As if waiting only for that news, innocent questions that didn’t know it was disturbing him.

Herdin twisted his lips and replied.

“No.”

“Ah… I see.”

Then why did he urgently come looking for me like that?

That question was answered the moment she met his gaze that was openly fixated on her.

It was the gaze of a beast.

With just a little movement, it felt like he would pounce on her and tear her throat apart.

Blair spoke, avoiding that gaze.

“I’ll wash up quickly and go back. You should rest fir—”

But before Blair could finish speaking, Herdin closed the distance. Without giving Blair a chance to avoid him, his large hand grabbed the back of her neck, and their lips met.

“Suck…”

Blair’s attempt to push away was easily thwarted by Herdin’s hand.

As the rough kiss continued, the sound of moist friction echoed in the quiet bath.

Perhaps due to the humid steam filling the bath, even her thoughts seemed distant.

Blair, whose breath was cut off, managed to push his gown away from her and only then did their lips part.

But that wasn’t the end.

Herdin entered the bath still wearing the robe.

Blair, realizing his intention, tried to escape, kneeling and standing up, but Herdin was faster.

He caught Blair’s waist, holding her between his body and the edge of the bath.

His large hand covering her swollen belly gradually moved down. Blair twisted her body in response.

“I don’t want it here, Herdin. Let’s go back to the bedroom…”

“Then you should have waited quietly in bed.”

With his response, soft biting grazed her ear. Unable to endure the stimulation from his large hands moving up and down, Blair couldn’t help but moan.

She couldn’t escape from him. Even if she twisted her body, his gown covered her back, leaving only Herdin’s robe disheveled.

Pressing his lips against Blair’s white shoulder and back, he untied and discarded the gown, overlapping their bodies.

“Ah!”