“Uh? So what…….”

But Lea couldn’t finish her sentence. The moment she felt the heat emanating from Akia, a familiar sense of foreboding overcame her.

‘Could it be, side effects……?’

Instantly, Lea froze, recalling the symptoms of the drug’s side effects she had experienced before.

How many days had she been holed up in her room with a headache since that night?

Yet, here she was again in a similar predicament. Lea felt a bead of sweat trickle down her spine, her nerves on edge.

“I’ll take responsibility.”

He muttered lowly in a cavernous tone. Removing his left hand that had been leaning on the desk, he wrapped it around her waist.

“You should keep your word.”

He tightened his grip as if to ensnare her.

“Ththat is……”

His haughty demeanor challenged her to respond.

Yes, she had said she would take responsibility, but that was solely as a pharmacist concerning the side effects.

Was she trying to avoid his fiery gaze? Or deny the rising heat in her own body?

Finding it hard to meet his reflection in the window, she eventually averted her eyes.

“Lea.”

As Lea lowered her head and stood silently, Akia lifted his hand that had been resting on the desk.

Slowly cupping her face, he raised her head. Once again, she found herself meeting his lustful gaze reflected in the pristine window.

‘Starving beast.’

Indeed, his face resembled that of a carnivore that had gone days without food, and she felt like a herbivore in front of such a beast.

Despite calling her name several times, when Lea did not respond, Akia spoke first.

“You have to answer.”

His lips stimulated the nape of her neck every time he spoke. His hot breath and slightly rough lips.

The sensation even made the soft fuzz on her skin stand on end.

Like a child pestering a mother for candy, he nudged her to speak.

Each word he uttered seemed to make her consciousness fade. Unable to bear it any longer, Lea met his gaze.

“……Fine.”

Avoiding the Count’s heated gaze, Lea responded. As she finally spoke, he looked down at her with eyes full of anticipation.

“I will fill the bathtub quickly. If you soak in cold water, surely……”

However, that wasn’t the answer he wanted. Judging by the furrowing of his brows before she even finished.

“No.”

Before she could finish, Akia grabbed Lea’s wrist as she attempted to leave the room.

“Rather.”

Then he pulled Lea into his arms. His nose, seemingly about to touch her any moment, made contact.

His palpable lust felt even in the quiet darkness.

The moment her eyes met his moist lips, Lea’s own lips dried up.

“This will be more effective.”

Ignoring Lea’s wideopen eyes, his lips mercilessly devoured hers.

The small room, previously filled with silence, was soon filled with heavy breathing and sticky sounds.

‘I have to stop.’

Right now, she had to push the Count away and leave the room.

Surely, that was what she had to do, but why……

‘Don’t I want to stop?’

Contrary to reason, her nature urged her to cling to him even more. Just like that night. As if the devil was whispering in her ear to plunge into that deep abyss with him.

‘……I can’t.’

Regaining her sanity, Lea exhaled sharply.

“Ha…… Wwait. No more……”

She pleaded with halfclosed eyes.

“Not enough.”

Just as their lips were about to touch again, the Count paused.

“……Count?”
She sensed something odd and quietly opened her eyes. At that moment, Count Heidern was staring at the door with a guarded expression.

Lea, finding this strange, was about to call out to him again when the sound of footsteps brushed past her ear.

“Count, is someone outside…”

“Shh.”

As if to quiet her, he placed his index finger over Lea’s lips.

‘Who could it be…?’

There was no one in the mansion except for the Count and herself. The distant noise of movement was getting closer.

Eventually, the shuffling sound stopped right in front of the room where both of them were.

Count Heidern forcefully swung open the door. Then what appeared was…

“Count…!”

“Rikel?”

Startled by the sudden opening of the door, Rikel asked while clutching his chest.

“I looked for you because you weren’t in your room. But.”

He alternated glances between the two, seeming puzzled.

“Why are both of you here…”

Annoyed by Rikel’s bewildered reaction, Count Heidern brushed his hair away with his hand.

“Follow me.”

Then, he cast a fierce gaze.

If one could kill with a look, the Count’s eyes when he looked at Rikel just moments ago would certainly qualify.

(This is a time marker.)

The next morning, an awkward atmosphere floated between Lea and Count Heidern, who were seated opposite each other at a large dining table.

‘Ah, it’s bothering me.’

Despite her best efforts, she found her gaze drifting towards the Count.

Even the enticing aroma of the soup couldn’t appeal to her.

As soon as Lea woke up in the morning, she remembered what had happened with Count Heidern last night and let out a silent scream.