It’s me. Open the door.

But Latieana was still preparing to run away.

Like a wary little kitten, she rejected Edan.

“I can do it myself.”

As if determined to defend her territory at all costs, Latieana gripped the door until her fingertips turned red.

Edan’s cold gaze slowly swept across the room through the crack in the door.

He instantly noticed something was off. Her room, glimpsed through the open gap, had been excessively tidied up in a very short time.

As if she were ready to leave this place at any moment.

“Who gave you permission?”

Edan forcefully pushed his body forward.

“I told you I’d apply the medicine myself. Personally.”

She must be scared. After all, she had nearly been dragged off to the temple by Hillstain. It pissed him off that she hadn’t told him and pretended nothing happened—but he’d let it slide this once. Because she was hurting.

That was the first warning Edan muttered to himself.

“Then please stand up.”

But Latieana drew another line.

Edan wasn’t a patient man, yet he suppressed his irritation and gave her a second warning.

He lifted her wrist.

Right. She was hurting. That’s why she was being difficult. So many things had happened in just one day—no wonder she was sensitive.

While he was thinking this,

“Please send me to the capital.”

Latieana smiled brightly as she said something absurd.

“It’s Jenald’s birthday. I want to go congratulate him.”

She was smiling, mentioning another man’s name right in front of him—and she looked far too beautiful doing it.

And that infuriated him. He couldn’t let this slide as a mere warning anymore.

Edan clenched his teeth, suppressing the urge to slam the scissors into the wall. He cut the bandage roughly and tossed it aside.

“Do you think I gave you that wish for you to waste it on something like that?”

His frustration boiled over. Nothing ever went the way he wanted with her.

“Latieana.”

He could feel her trembling in his grasp.

She said whatever she wanted, acted as she pleased, yet was still so easily frightened.

Slowly, Edan released the hand holding her chin.

Latieana seized the moment and immediately tried to turn away to escape again—only for Edan to snatch her back.

“Relax.”

This wasn’t a warning.

Latieana, refusing to yield, stared straight at Edan with large, sky-blue eyes brimming with tears.

He expected her to beg for help or mercy—but instead, she was still trying to wriggle out of his arms.

Edan forcibly pulled her closer.

It was effortless. She came along so limply it was almost disappointing.

“You’re cute, but stop squirming.”

The more she struggled in his arms, the stronger the sweet scent—like strawberries or peaches—wafted toward him.

“Or I’ll just pin you down.”

He meant it.

And Latieana, horrified, shoved his chest away.

He knew this would happen. Of course she only ever acted predictably when doing something he disliked.

Edan stepped back slightly, as if conceding defeat this once. His shadow, backlit by moonlight, enveloped Latieana’s face. Not bad. Even as a shadow, she was completely trapped within his embrace.

“W, what are you talking about?!”

Latieana’s sharp voice flew at him, her brow furrowed deeply. Edan swept his hair back, lowered his eyelids, and gazed at her with burning intensity.

What do you think I’m talking about? I want to devour you.

Edan’s large, firm hand, which had been gently tapping her small head, slowly slid downward.

He felt every tiny tremor—the earlobe, the shoulder. He understood every meaningless attempt she made to suppress her reaction.

Latieana’s cheeks flushed pink. As he leaned closer, her breath quickened.

Edan’s lips curved softly upward as his hand, having reached her shoulder, gradually moved to her collarbone.

Naturally, he caressed her pale neck and wrapped his fingers around it.

“Let me go!”

Latieana shoved him with all her strength and stepped back one pace. She clearly wanted to retreat further, but the wall blocked her escape. Once again, Edan easily released her, as if inviting her to do whatever she pleased.

This was the first time Latieana had shown such blatant hostility. Still, glaring at him with those round eyes wasn’t scary at all. Latieana took a deep, steadying breath—as if steeling herself—and spoke calmly.

“I have a fiancé.”

As if reminding him of something he should already know.

“So what?”

Apparently, that wasn’t the answer she wanted. Her pupils trembled rapidly with anxiety.

“H, how can you do this to a woman who has a fiancé? It’s not allowed!”

Edan’s brow, which had appeared calm until now, slightly furrowed.

Was she still hung up on that nonsense? That pathetic worm who dared to act up while he was standing right here?

“It’s fine. He won’t exist starting tomorrow.”

Edan suppressed his irritated tone and answered as indifferently as he could.

“What? Why?”

Latieana asked, bewildered.

“He’ll be dead by then.”

Then you won’t have a fiancé anymore. And your conscience won’t bother you either.

One pathetic worm? Eliminating him is no trouble at all.

Satisfied by the mere thought, Edan’s lips gently curved into a smile.

Latieana stared at him as if he’d lost his mind.

She opened and closed her mouth several times, seemingly searching for words—but eventually fell silent, unable to find anything suitable.

“Then it’s fine, right?”

“It’s not fine! L, let me go first!”

“No.”

Latieana’s small lips parted in shock at Edan’s latest selfish response.

It was unmistakably the look one gives a lunatic.

Edan remained completely unmoved.

If he let her go, she’d just run away—so why should he?

“If you’re that bothered, I’ll just hold your hand tonight and sleep.”

Even Edan’s patience and consideration had reached their limit.

This was already his maximum concession.

Though he’d tried to find a compromise suited to Latieana, frustration overwhelmed him, and he roughly yanked off his cravat.

The moment the cravat hit the floor carelessly, he felt Latieana’s hand twitch in his grasp. Her fingertips, tense with nervousness, pressed firmly against the back of his hand.

“…….”

He knew.

He knew she hadn’t done it on purpose.

But Edan had reached his limit.

“If you want, we can go further.”

“No…!”

Like a madman who’d snapped, he tore open his shirt.

He pressed his heated breath against her neck.

Her small hands pushing against his chest, her breaths struggling to stay controlled, her trembling legs—everything about her was a provocation.

“Don’t move. You’re turning me on.”

Whispering quietly into her ear, Edan brought his hand to her cheek.

“Lati. You’re not going anywhere. I’ve decided to keep you.”

As he pressed her chin with his fingers, Latieana’s tightly closed lips parted helplessly.

Edan didn’t give her even a moment’s pause—he immediately overlapped his breath with hers.

“Ugh, ugh… wait… stop… now…!”

Perhaps because of my desperate plea, Edan—who had clung to me like a man possessed—pulled away for a moment.

I gasped for air, immediately turned my head to avoid his gaze, and pressed myself as close to the wall as possible. I needed distance from Edan.

Unbelievable. He said he’d decided to keep me? Me? Why? Was he really talking to me?

I’m not the one who should be obsessed! Has Hillstain’s madness made him fixate on something absurd?

My mind was in chaos.

I’d long given up trying to understand this man’s thoughts—but this situation truly made no sense.

And what just happened…? Last time, I could blame it on my healing ability, but now Edan was completely sober.

Cold sweat trickled down my spine beneath my damp clothes.

“Latieana.”

An unbelievably gentle voice flowed from Edan.

Slowly, I turned my head and met his eyes.

“It’s not over.”

What?

“Focus.”

Edan’s thumb gently traced my lips, then his hand cupped my cheek. He claimed my lips again.

“……!”

Is this bastard seriously insane? What did he do after meeting Ivy at the ball?!

I managed to force my arms up between our pressed chests.

Then, I punched with all my strength at the spot where I’d bruised him last time with a book’s corner.

Thud! His movements froze abruptly, as if broken.

“Ha.”

Hitting the injured spot again seemed effective. Edan let out a hollow laugh, his hair swaying slightly.

He tilted his head, released his grip on my chin, and swept his bangs aside.

His sparkling eyes were laughing.

“Don’t people usually slap cheeks in moments like this?”

He’s lost it. But I won’t tolerate him anymore.

“You want me to hit you?”

I snapped as fiercely as I could—but he just chuckled again, as if I were harmless.

“It hurts where you hit.”

“I hit you so it would hurt.”

“Right. You succeeded. Well done.”

Is that supposed to be praise?

“Apologize.”

“Why should I?”

I bit my lip.

This conversation… feels like we’ve had it before.

“I told you I have a fiancé, yet you kissed me! And forcibly!”

At my words, Edan’s gaze turned icy.

“I already said I’d get rid of him. That worm.”

Who’s a worm? And were you serious?

“Did it sound like a joke?”

Of course, I assumed at least half of it was.

Edan turned around, picked up the cravat lying on the floor.

Every time he moved, his unbuttoned shirt revealed his firm, muscular chest—I had to roll my eyes toward the ceiling.

Edan, massaging his neck as if stretching, paused just before stepping out the door.

“Go to the capital.”

I widened my eyes.

“Really?”

“Yes. Go meet your fiancé.”

He must feel guilty. His sudden change in attitude made my heart race with joy.

“T, then… can I leave tomorrow?”

“Do as you like.”

I didn’t understand what had happened, but the power of the wish was truly incredible.

His earlier declarations—about never letting me go, about eliminating Jenald—must have all been empty threats.

“I’ll tell Ruben to escort you to the capital.”

“Really? Thank you!”

Edan was being extraordinarily kind—perhaps he truly felt remorseful.

Then, with a sly smile, he added one more thing.

“Go break off the engagement. Unless you want to watch that worm get crushed to death.”

Thud. The door closed.