What’s this? Why is that coming out of there?

I was taking it out thinking it might be the book of darkness since the cover was red. I never imagined it wouldn’t be that book of darkness, but would contain the contents of another kind of darkness.

“No! Wait! That’s not it! It was the book next to it!”

I quickly improvised.

Whoosh, the book I pointed to with my finger had a sky blue cover.

As if pretending to go along with my lie even while knowing it was a lie, Edan put the burning skill book back in its place and picked up the sky blue book I had pointed to.

“Hmm. So you study with this.”

I nodded my head vigorously.

He’s probably trying to tease me again, but surely a book with such a bright sky blue cover can’t be a strange book. I stared at Edan with eyes full of confidence.

“I don’t know what kind of studying you’re doing, but it’s incredible.”

Edan sneered, twisting his lips crookedly.

I stared blankly at his laughing face, then rolled my eyes to look at the book cover.

It was a book with a giant acorn with arms and legs floating in the sky.

A children’s storybook with written in large letters.

Damn it. What kind of person was the previous owner of this castle?

Putting children’s storybooks and books like burning skills in the same place! For the vast amount of books, their organizing skills are terrible!

Opening my lips slightly and muttering, I concluded that getting out of this situation was the best course of action for now.

I immediately turned my body to the side.

But Edan reached his arm out beside my shoulder to block the passage, and leaned his upper body forward, holding out the book.

“Where are you going? You have to take the book.”

I really felt embarrassed, but I didn’t want to lose to the mocking Edan.

So I pretended to be haughty and slightly raised my chin.

“Thank you.”

It’s not a crime for an adult woman to read a book about a farting acorn.

I took the book and casually shoved it onto the bookshelf with as nonchalant a gesture as possible.

Kuk- Edan’s sneer burst through his teeth. No, really!

“Will you move aside now?”

“Latie.”

“Yes. What is it?”

“If you’re grateful, you can hug me.”

As he spoke, Edan’s fingers brushed my cheek and stroked down my hair.

Unlike his playful tone, his touch was so gentle it was as if he was handling a precious jewel.

As if worried it might break if he applied even a little force.

Edan’s hand went down to my shoulder and slowly stroked the nape of my neck with his thumb.

“Why. Aren’t you that grateful?”

“Of course not. I could have taken out the book by myself.”

“You’re being cheeky. Then what about the gift? Did you like it?”

I nodded my head after briefly recalling the amazing room interior, dress, and jewels.

“Yes. Well. It was pretty.”

“So you’re confident you won’t be embarrassed next time we go out to eat?”

So he was bothered by what I had said before.

“Yes.”

When I nodded in affirmation, Edan smiled and tilted his head to one side.

His thick neck veins protruded, visible between his shirt.

“Then hug me.”

I’m grateful, but why does it lead to that conclusion? I smiled back at Edan, who was narrowing his eyes lazily.

“I don’t want to.”

“Do I have to beg?”

“Go ahead and try.”

“I’m warning you, I’m a bit sensitive right now.”

“Oh, is that so?”

“I got headaches again while you were sick.”

Oh. For a moment I flinched and was at a loss for words. Come to think of it, even while I was collapsed, Edan continued fighting monsters in the north every night.

“What about pepper? Wait. I’ll bring you pepper right away.”

“No.”

As I quickly turned around, Edan hugged me from behind.

It felt like being caught by a large predator.

Edan’s breath dug deep between my neck as he bent his upper body and rubbed his face against my cheek.

“Do it yourself.”

“What?”

While I was standing there dumbfounded, Edan whirled me around.

“I want you to do it yourself.”

My breath becomes hot.

It felt like I was going to be devoured by Edan’s languid yet sharp gaze.

It’s not that I can’t do it. But.

“I won’t force you. I just want to feel it directly.”

What does that mean! At the somewhat suggestive expression, I shook my head.

“N-no. Pepper has been enough until now…”

“I said I’d do it well.”

I did say that, but honestly I’m a little scared.

Because I’m real, I’m afraid Edan might become more obsessed than he is now.

I don’t know how the future events might unfold where he might go crazy, but if I pour direct healing while sober… What if Edan completely loses his mind?

While I was hesitating with such confused thoughts, Edan suddenly let go of me.

I subtly backed away.

Even so, I was still within reach if he just stretched out his arm, but being even a little apart made me feel like my racing heartbeat was stabilizing.

Edan unbuttoned his neatly fastened uniform, then took off his cravat in order, and even unbuttoned his shirt.

His neck with a moderately protruding Adam’s apple was revealed. Though I didn’t mean to look, it inevitably caught my eye, and even his collarbone was clearly visible between the shirt collar.

“My lord? What are you doing?”

“It’s nothing. Keep saying no.”

“No, well… why.”

I don’t understand. What does that have to do with him taking off his clothes? What on earth is he doing?

I focused my gaze on Edan’s hands as he calmly unbuttoned his shirt.

Then, as he unbuttoned the third button, Edan raised his lowered gaze.

“I’ll take off one piece of clothing every time you say no.”

Eek! Isn’t he crazy! This! Really a psycho! Trying to win no matter what!

Aaack-! With my face turning red, I exclaimed in surprise, raising my voice.

“Stop it!”

At my loud outburst, Edan slightly furrowed his brow.

“Why can’t I take off my clothes as I please? What’s the problem?”

It’s a problem because you’re taking them off in front of me! Your sinister intentions are so obvious, that’s the problem!

With a bright red face, I scanned Edan’s neck.

And the muscular chest slightly visible below. I didn’t mean to look, my gaze just kept going there. In the end, I squeezed my eyes shut.

“I’ll do it.”

Just a little bit. Just a very little bit, controlling it like now.

Not letting Edan feel too much.

What drives ability users crazy is the pleasure of healing power. Just enough to ease the pain, carefully.

“Give me your hand.”

At my words, Edan obediently held out his hand.

I took a deep breath for a moment, then slowly poured healing power onto Edan’s palm.

Even though I had lost that much to Ivy, the healing power flowed out well in a pretty pink color.

“How is it, are you okay now?”

When I looked up, Edan smiled.

“It’s fine, but not enough.”

Edan’s gaze changed. I flinched and moved back a step, but my back touched the bookshelf.

It’s really a talent to always corner people like this.

Before I know it, I’m always driven to a place where I can’t escape.

“What’s not enough? Before, even less healing power was enough to subside it.”

“Was it?”

“It was.”

Edan’s large hand stroked my hair from my forehead down to the back of my neck.

“I don’t remember well.”

Edan, who had grabbed the nape of my neck, slightly brushed my cheek with his fingers, almost but not quite touching my lips.

“I can’t recall.”

Don’t lie!

Edan’s lowered red eyes were directed at my lips.

His left hand gripping my waist applied slight pressure, and the hand that had been fiddling with my earlobe slowly caressed my chin.

“My lord. Please move awa…”

“Don’t.”

Edan, who had cut off my words, lowered his head.

“What?”

The pretty eyes that had been resting on my lips slowly rose to meet mine.

“Call my name.”

Hot breath that was almost touching was transmitted between my lips.

“Hurry.”

I tried to apply force, but I couldn’t escape.

“E-Edan.”

“Once more.”

“Edan.”

At that moment, Edan’s head tilted slightly and his soft lips gently touched mine.

He’s doing it again. Again.

He must be enchanted by the healing power. This is why I didn’t want to do it directly.

When I firmly pressed my lips together, Edan removed his lips that had been lightly touching.

“You have a talent for arousing my competitive spirit. You give stimulation so diligently.”

I shook my head.

“It’s not like that.”

I wouldn’t deliberately try to stimulate you. It’s already overwhelming as it is.

“Mm. I understand.”

As if he didn’t care either way, Edan brought his lips close again, more relaxed and unhurried than before, but as if he was thirsty and couldn’t eat.

That’s when it happened.

Bam. The library door seemed to open, and someone approached where we were with unrestrained footsteps.

“Oh, did I interrupt?”

At those words, strength entered Edan’s fingertips that had stopped, and I quickly turned my head.

Damn! Why are you here?

An unexpected person appeared.

How did you get in here? I looked at Edan’s expression with a pale face.

“…”

Edan, who had lightly turned his head to check who it was, slowly released my neck as if his mood had already been ruined.

It was as if he would draw his sword immediately if it were by his side. He brushed back his hair with a cold expression.

“Lord Hillstain.”

It was the lowest and heaviest bass I had ever heard. As if terribly angry from deep in his stomach.