Edan narrowed his eyes and smiled, pinning my legs down on the sofa with his knees.

Then he crossed his arms, grasped the hem of his tunic, and without hesitation swiftly lifted it up.

From his well-defined hipbones to his sculpted abs and broad, firm chest above.

His beautifully muscular physique, like a statue, was fully exposed.

The red flames from the fireplace and moonlight pouring through the window brightly illuminated Edan’s body.

I unconsciously swallowed hard as I carefully observed his body.

His shoulders, already broad normally, seemed even wider, perhaps due to the light, and thick veins bulged on his arms though he didn’t seem to be flexing. The exquisite muscles traced along his abs, marked with small scars, were absolutely perfect.

As Edan tossed his tunic into the air, it fell limply to the floor. I had unconsciously shifted my gaze there, but quickly turned back to look at Edan.

His gaze, which met mine, was so beautiful, like a blazing sun.

My face was reflected in those red eyes.

As if his entire world was me. Only I filled it completely.

Somehow feeling both afraid and excited, a shiver ran through my whole body.

“My princess seems quite innocent and doesn’t know much.”

Edan unbuttoned his pants and slowly lowered his body.

“There are many ways to make you cry without going all the way.”

Swoosh – Edan descended, not forcefully, but with a sense of weight.

Though he wasn’t being rough, I felt the pressure of his very presence pressing down on my entire body.

And then.

“Huh?”

What is this…?

This is much more… much more bewildering than I imagined.

…No way. Is this real?

“What’s wrong.”

Edan remained calm.

“No, wait a moment…”

“You said you were confident.”

Even so, this is too…

I blinked repeatedly in disbelief, but he smiled, flexing his body as if it were no big deal.

“Do you like it?”

Cr… crazy, he’s really gone crazy! Insane!

I was so flustered by the unexpected situation that I couldn’t think straight. Unlike me, Edan was so relaxed, and I hurriedly grabbed his firm arm.

“Ugh…!”

“It’s okay.”

The renewed sense of weight made my lower abdomen tingle.

I breathed heavily.

“E-Edan!”

Seeing me with a face as red as an about-to-burst tomato, gasping for breath, Edan pulled up the corners of his mouth in satisfaction.

“Yes.”

A calm and gentle voice.

Edan, who had been supporting his upper body with both arms so as not to crush my body, lowered his head and kissed my forehead.

And then, smooch, smooch, smooch, smooch.

Starting from my eyes, he moved down to my nose, cheeks, and chin, then back up to cover my lips.

“Open up.”

I had been clenching my lips tightly, trying to endure my trembling body, but at his words, I slightly parted them.

Then Edan pushed in without hesitation.

“Mmph…”

Something soft and warm licked and caressed my lips, then moistly explored inside again.

It was too intense a movement compared to Edan’s shoulders, which were quietly and firmly braced above. Just his breath was this rough. Even though I was lying down with nowhere to retreat, I felt like I was being pushed back continuously.

When I raised my hands to grab his shoulders, Edan naturally began to caress my waist and back with his large hands.

Then, as if he couldn’t hold back anymore, he pressed his body against me, and when I moaned, he pulled back again.

My breath quickened and my toes curled at his smooth and delicate touch, which was so overwhelming I could barely think. Then suddenly,

“Haa, Lati.”

Edan’s rough, low breath touched my ear. At that moment, I exhaled hotly and shed a single tear.

Along with my pounding heartbeat, my fingertips, tightly gripping his shoulders, trembled.

I couldn’t open my tightly closed eyes for a while. Edan slowly separated our pressed lips and brushed back my sweat-soaked hair with his large hand.

As if praising me. And comforting me again and again.

The hand that had been caressing me continuously until my excited breathing calmed down stopped when I opened my eyes.

“P-pervert…”

At my pouty words, Edan looked down at me with eyes full of heat and smiled gently.

“Yes.”

And he licked away the falling tears.

“You did well.”

I was sick for a full week. Thanks to the painkillers, there was little pain from the bruises, but I had a high fever.

It seems my body reached its limit after being pushed around – fleeing due to weak stamina, being constrained by that ability, and so on.

Especially that night, really.

“I think I was… a bit perverted.”

I bashfully called Edan a pervert, pushing the blame onto him, but actually, I was the pervert. No, we both were. How on earth did that man know such things? I seemed to be the only one who was restless. But it really felt good…

“No! Don’t think about it! Thinking about it makes you seem more perverted! Get a grip!”

I slapped my face and poured the last pill into my mouth.

Looking in the mirror, I saw the dress the maid had put on me sparkle prettily. A simple yellow dress that wasn’t cumbersome to move in. Small diamonds were densely set along the shoulder and waist lines, making it look sophisticated rather than tacky. It was so pretty how it sparkled in the sunlight with just a slight movement, so I moved my shoulders a few times.

“How many jewels are set in this? It looks really expensive. I should be careful.”

After quickly adjusting my clothes, I opened the door to see a long corridor with a red carpet.

It was actually the first time I’d come out after being confined to the room for a week, just receiving treatment.

There was a bathroom attached inside, clothes were brought by the maid every morning and evening like clockwork, and meals came as healthy food tailored to my condition.

Thanks to that, there was no need to go out, and the maid who had guided me here on the first day checked on me from time to time.

And at night, Edan.

Honestly, except for the first day, my memories of Edan are hazy.

I was really in so much pain from the high fever that for 2-3 days I could barely swallow medicine. After that, I was constantly asleep.

Fortunately, from yesterday morning my condition improved rapidly, and I was able to sleep comfortably at night.

And after waking up in the morning, my body felt completely refreshed. Perhaps because they used good medicine, my condition had almost returned to normal.

“He said to come down to the first floor when I’m ready, right?”

I headed to the first floor, following the wide staircase located in the center of the corridor.

“Lady Latieana!”

As soon as I arrived on the first floor, a familiar voice called out as if they had been waiting.

“Maxium!”

I jumped up and down, clasping hands with Maxium.

“How are you feeling? Are you alright? I was so worried!”

Maxium shook my hands up and down and tilted his body greatly to the left and right while examining me.

“There are still some bruises left, but I’m fine. How about you, Maxium? Were you okay?”

It’s a bit late to ask now, but I hadn’t been able to check on Maxium that day due to the chaos.

Actually, rather than not being able to check, Maxium had already disappeared when I went to talk to the High Priest in the corner of the garden. I was worried that something might have happened, but fortunately Maxium looked to be in good condition.

“I’m fine too! Lord Hillstain took care of me!”

“Lord Hillstain?”

“Yes!”

Just as Maxium nodded vigorously, it happened.

Thud. Footsteps were heard from behind, and Maxium suddenly flinched, letting go of my hand, and shouted.

“Aaack! It’s a mistake! It was a mistake! I made a mistake because I was happy to see you!”

“…”

Maxium, why are you acting like this?

Confused by the strange reaction, I blinked, and when the owner of the footsteps said nothing, we both turned to look at the other person at the same time.

“L-Lord Ruben!”

Maxium, who had broken out in a cold sweat in that short moment, put his hand on his chest and let out a deep sigh of relief.

Ruben bowed his head to me politely, then asked Maxium.

“Why are you so surprised?”

“I-I thought you were the Grand Duke.”

“Did you feel guilty for holding hands because you were happy to see her?”

Flinch, Maxium’s eyes widened.

“Really! Truly! I moved instinctively because I was happy to see her! It was a mistake! Please keep it a secret. Please.”

Seeing Maxium begging Ruben as if his life depended on it, I tilted my head in confusion.

“You can hold hands if you’re happy to see someone. What’s wrong? I don’t mind.”

“Even if you don’t mind, Lady Latieana, the Grand Duke does.”

At those words, I suddenly remembered something. On the day Hillstain brought Maxium to the castle to cheer me up, Edan had seen me shaking hands with Maxium in the library.

He had been grumbling for a while after that, but was it not just towards me?

“Did something happen?”

I asked Maxium.

“No… not really anything worth mentioning… I’d rather not recall it…”

So something did happen.

Maxium, who had trailed off, shook his head vigorously from side to side like a dog shaking off water.

I turned my gaze towards Ruben. Then Ruben let out a low sigh as if he had no choice and said,

“‘If you touch Latieana one more time, be it a handshake or whatever, I’ll blow your head off. Remember that.'”

“…”

“…is what he said.”

I looked at Maxium with sympathy, my eyes trembling with guilt.

Maxium, whose eyes met mine, forced a smile and waved both hands vigorously.

“Ah! Of course it must have been a joke. But I was scared! It’s already been quite a while, so it’s fine!”

“…”

Maxium, we held hands in our temple too. When we were escaping. That must remain a secret forever.

Edan, he really was a crazy obsessive person.

Just for holding hands…

‘I feel like I’ll go crazy if even another man’s fingertip touches you.’

I guess it wasn’t a joke, for real. Somehow feeling a chill, I rubbed my arms with my hands, thinking I should be careful.

“The Grand Duke is waiting.”

“Yes. Let’s go.”

“Before that, please stop by the reception room first.”

Reception room?

As I blinked, Ruben’s forehead twitched as if he was somehow reluctant.

“I don’t really want to show you, but Lady Latieana needs to check it herself.”