“It’s me. Open the door.”

But Latieana was still preparing to run away.

Like a wary kitten, she rejected Edan.

“I-I can do it myself.”

As if determined to protect her territory somehow, Latieana gripped the door until her fingertips turned red.

Edan’s cold gaze slowly surveyed the room through the gap in the door.

He immediately noticed something was off. Through the open door crack, her room appeared overly tidy in such a short time.

Like someone about to leave this place at any moment.

“Who said you could?”

Edan mercilessly pushed his body inside.

“I said I’d apply the medicine for you. Personally.”

She must have been scared. She had almost been dragged to the temple by Hillstain. The fact that she didn’t tell me about it and pretended nothing happened is infuriating, but I’ll let it slide once. Because she’s hurt.

That was Edan’s first warning to himself.

“If so, then please do it while standing.”

However, Latieana drew another line.

Edan was not a patient man, but he suppressed his unpleasant feelings by giving a second warning.

He lifted her wrist.

Right. Because she’s hurt. She must be picky. She must be sensitive after everything that’s happened in just one day.

While thinking that,

“Please send me to the capital.”

Latieana said such a thing with a bright smile.

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

She’s so pretty smiling while uttering another man’s name right in front of me.

And I’m equally furious. The third time couldn’t end with just a warning.

Edan, barely holding back the urge to stab the scissors into the wall, cut off the bandage and threw it away angrily.

“You think I gave you a wish just to use it on something like that?”

Irritation welled up. As always, nothing ever goes the way I want.

“Latieana.”

He could feel Latieana’s body trembling in his grasp.

Saying whatever she wants, acting as she pleases, yet so easily frightened.

Edan slowly released the hand that had been holding her chin.

Latieana didn’t miss that moment and tried to run away again by turning her body, but Edan caught her once more.

“Relax.”

This wasn’t a warning.

Latieana, not giving up her stubbornness, looked straight at Edan with large sky-blue eyes brimming with tears.

He thought she would beg for help or to be saved, but instead she’s trying to escape his embrace by any means.

Edan forcibly pulled Latieana closer.

It was something he could do easily without exerting much effort. She was pulled in so feebly it was almost disappointing.

“You’re cute, but stop misbehaving.”

The more she struggled in his arms, the more a sweet scent like strawberries or peaches wafted strongly.

“Because I want to pounce on you.”

He was serious.

And Latieana pushed against his chest with a terrified expression.

I knew it would be like this. As always, you only move as expected when doing something I don’t like.

Edan stepped back slightly as if willing to yield once. His shadow, with the moonlight at his back, covered Latieana’s face. It wasn’t bad. Even if just a shadow, it felt like she was completely trapped in his embrace.

“W-What are you saying!”

Latieana’s sharp voice flew out as she frowned deeply. Edan ran his hand through his hair, lowered his eyelids, and gazed at her with a heated look.

What am I saying? I’m saying I want to devour you.

Edan’s large, firm hand that had been tapping Latieana’s small head slowly moved downward.

He could feel in detail the slight twitching sensations of her earlobe, shoulder. He could sense all of her meaningless rejections as she tried to endure without reacting.

Latieana’s cheeks facing him turned pink. When he brought his face slightly closer, her breathing quickened.

Edan gently raised the corners of his mouth and slowly moved his hand, which had descended to her shoulder, to her collarbone.

He naturally caressed her snow-white nape and grasped her neck with one hand.

“Let go of me!”

Latieana pushed him away with all her might and stepped back one step. It seemed she wanted to retreat further, but there was nowhere to escape with the wall behind her. This time too, Edan easily let her go as if telling her to do as she pleased.

This was the first time Latieana had shown such blatant hostility. Though glaring with those round eyes wasn’t scary at all. After taking a deep breath that made her chest swell greatly, Latieana opened her mouth calmly as if she had made a firm resolution.

“I have a fiancé.”

All of a sudden.

“So what.”

It seems that wasn’t the answer she wanted. Latieana’s pupils shook rapidly with anxiety, dumbfounded.

“Hey, is it okay to do this to a woman with a fiancé? It’s not, right?”

Edan’s brow furrowed slightly, having seemed calm all along.

Is that what’s been bothering you all this time? That impotent bastard whatever his name is, when I’m right in front of you?

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

Edan answered calmly, deliberately suppressing the irritated tone that was about to emerge.

“What? Why?”

Latieana asked in confusion.

“Because he’ll die later.”

Then your fiancé or whatever will disappear, right? Your guilty conscience will vanish too.

One impotent bastard? Dealing with him is no big deal.

Edan’s lips curved into a gentle smile, as if the thought alone was satisfying.

Latieana looked at him as if staring at a madman.

She opened and closed her mouth as if searching for words to say, but seemingly unable to find the right ones, she closed her mouth for a moment.

“Then it’s okay, right?”

“It’s not okay! F-First, let go of me.”

“No.”

Latieana’s small lips parted in shock at Edan’s arbitrary response once again.

It was truly the look of someone staring at a madman, without a shred of doubt.

Regardless, Edan didn’t move an inch.

You’re asking me to let go when you’ll just run away if I do.

“If it bothers you that much, we’ll just hold hands while sleeping tonight.”

This was the limit of Edan’s patience and consideration.

He had compromised as much as possible by this point.

Though Edan had found a compromise by accommodating Latieana, he roughly pulled down his cravat, feeling frustrated.

And the moment the carelessly thrown cravat fell to the floor, he felt Latieana’s hand that he was holding twitch. Her fingertips, tense with nervousness, were pressing firmly against the back of Edan’s hand.

“…”

He knew.

That Latieana hadn’t done it intentionally.

But Edan was at his limit.

“If you want, we won’t go further.”

“No…!”

Like a madman who had lost his mind, he undid his shirt.

He pressed his hot breath, which he had been holding back all along, against her nape.

Meanwhile, Latieana’s small hands trying to push him away, her breathing as she tried to endure somehow, her trembling legs. Everything about her was a stimulant.

“Don’t move, it’s exciting.”

Edan whispered quietly in her ear and then brought his hand to Latieana’s cheek.

“Lati. You can’t go anywhere. I’ve decided to have you.”

When he applied pressure to her chin with his fingers, Latieana’s tightly closed lips parted helplessly.

Edan overlapped his breath without giving even a moment’s gap.

“Ugh, uhh… Wait.. That’s, that’s enough…!”

Was it because of my desperate plea? Edan, who had been clinging to me as if he had lost his mind, separated for a moment.

I turned my head immediately to avoid his gaze while gasping for breath, then stood with my body pressed against the wall as much as possible. It was to distance myself from Edan.

I can’t believe it. Decided to have me? What? Me? Why? Was he talking to me?

I’m not the one he should be obsessed with! Has this madman fixated on something strange because of Hillstain?

My mind was in chaos.

I had long given up on understanding this man’s thoughts, but now the situation was truly nonsensical.

And just now, this… Last time it was unavoidable because of the healing power, but now Edan is in his right mind.

Cold sweat trickled down my spine inside my damp clothes.

“Latieana.”

An unbelievably gentle voice flowed from Edan.

I slowly turned my head to meet his eyes.

“It’s not over.”

What?

“Focus.”

Edan’s hand, which had stroked my lips with his thumb, cupped my cheek. He devoured my lips again.

“…!”

Is this bastard really crazy? What did he do with Ivy at the ballroom before coming here!

I managed to raise my arm between our pressed chests.

Then I punched the spot where a lump had formed after being hit by the book corner last time, with all my might.

Thud! With a dull sound, Edan’s movements stopped as if he had broken down.

“Ha.”

It seems hitting the injured spot again had an effect. Edan’s hair swayed as he let out a dry laugh.

He removed the hand that had been holding my chin and ran it through his bangs, tilting his head crookedly.

His sparkling eyes were smiling.

“Isn’t it usually a slap to the face at times like this?”

He’s insane. But I won’t let it slide anymore either.

“Want me to slap you?”

I shot back as fiercely as I could, but he chuckled again as if I was easy to deal with.

“The place you hit hurts.”

“I hit it to make it hurt.”

“Right. You succeeded. Well done.”

Is that supposed to be praise right now?

“Apologize.”

“Why should I?”

I bit my lip.

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

“I told you I have a fiancé, but you kissed me! Forcibly at that!”

At my words, Edan’s gaze turned cold.

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

Who’s a worm? And were you serious?

“Did it sound like a joke?”

I thought it was half-joking, of course.

Edan turned around and picked up the cravat that had fallen to the floor.

Every time he moved, his firm muscular chest was clearly visible through his unbuttoned shirt, so I had to roll my eyes to the ceiling.

Edan, who had been massaging the back of his neck as if stretching, stopped as he was about to open the door and leave the room.

“Go to the capital.”

I widened my eyes.

“Really?”

“Yes. Go meet your fiancé.”

He must have felt sorry. My heart was pounding wildly with joy at Edan’s change of attitude.

“Th-Then… Can I go tomorrow right away?”

“Do as you please.”

I don’t know what exactly happened, but the power of the wish is amazing.

Those words about never letting me go and getting rid of Jenald must have been nonsense.

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

“Really? Thank you!”

Edan showed tremendous kindness, as if he truly felt sorry.

And with a grinning face, he added one more thing.

“Go break off the engagement and come back. If you don’t want to see that worm get crushed to death.”

Click. The door closed.