Seeing that Adel’s expression continued to be poor, Christine left the dessert shop.

Zimmer, who had been informed in advance, was already waiting with the carriage in front of the store.

“Sorry. I ruined our first date.”

“Don’t worry about it. There are plenty of opportunities ahead. Rather, I think I pushed you too hard when you’re not fully recovered.”

Christine escorted Adel to the carriage with care, and, not feeling quite assured, made her lean against a cushion and covered her with his jacket.

“I should have been more attentive……”

Handling her with kid gloves, yet muttering as if blaming himself.

Adel felt as if the cake she had eaten was stuck in her throat. Having worn a couple’s ring with him, having a joyful date with him, but continually thinking about another terrible man.

As she fiddled with Christine’s ringed hand, Adel forced a smile.

“I had a really great time today. The ring, the dessert, and especially your appearance buried in the dolls…….”

“Forget about that.”

“It actually suited you quite well.”

“Forget it, just close your eyes and rest.”

He sat down beside her, tapping her shoulder as if reassuring.

Seeing his broad, solid shoulder, Adel recalled his image as he practiced with the guards. Now, although he appeared as a neat gentleman, when he swung his sword barechested, he seemed like an entirely different person.

Each movement revealed taut muscles and sinews bulging, and the smooth, elastic skin seemed as if it could repel even a blade. His sleek and dynamic appearance looked like a hunting beast.

So, of course, he was so vigorous.

Sitting close to him in the carriage, thinking such thoughts, Adel’s face heated up.

Could it be that he was as fierce in bed as he was when handling soldiers…….

“Do you want me to do it?”

“What?”

Startled, she looked up, and Christine gently cupped her cheek, letting her rest against his shoulder.

“You can sleep until we arrive.”

His hand had a pleasant and familiar scent. It made her restless all night after they had danced, often causing her heart to flutter when he drew near.

Like a forest…….

“You seem to have a fever.”

His hand that touched her cheek now touched her forehead. His big, warm hand seemed to make her face heat up even more.

She wanted to feel his touch a little longer, a little more affectionate and intimate…….

“Wait just a fortnight, Chris.”

Christine quickly withdrew his hand, coughing awkwardly, as if caught in mischief.

“Of course, Adel. The doctor said it would take about a fortnight for you to fully recover, so I’ll wait no matter what. Of course, even one day more than that will be hard, but.”

“Yes, that’s enough.”

Adel relaxed her body and laid her head on Christine’s broad shoulder.

A fortnight.

‘I’ll get rid of Stone’s mark within that time. By any means necessary!’

(This is a time separator.)

“Take care of Adel, Tanya.”
“Yes, don’t worry.”

Upon arriving at Mabel Castle, Christine decided to part ways in front of Adel’s bedroom.

It was still early in the evening, so Adel was quite reluctant. However, she could not be responsible for his vitality, so she decided to let him go graciously.

“You should go in and rest soon, Chris.”

“Yeah. I’m a bit tired too.”

“Then, see you tomorrow.”

As Adel was about to open the door and enter, Christine tightly grabbed her hem. It seemed like a bit of a desperate gesture.

“Why? Is there something you want to say?”

“A goodnight kiss?”

Adel laughed at Christine’s pouting face, as if he was teasing her. At times like this, he seemed to revert to the boy Chris from the mining town.

“I’m worried that if I kiss you for no reason, I’ll make the guards uncomfortable again.”

“That won’t happen at this level.”

“That’s a relief.”

Adel hugged Christine’s neck and slightly lifted her heels. Gently, she pressed her lips to his and then withdrew, gazing deeply into his grayishblue eyes.

“See you in my dreams, Chris.”

“I might become a pervert in my dreams.”

He smiled, seeing her surprised.

“Don’t forget what you said about still loving me even if I’m a pervert.”

Adel looked around, flustered. Beside her were Tanya, Zimmer, and Henry. Of course, they were all pretending not to hear, but still.

“Chris, save that kind of talk for when we’re alone.”

Adel rolled her eyes, her face turning red.

But even that looked lascivious to him…

“Alright.”

He could not bear to watch Adel enter her bedroom and abruptly turned his body away.

Bang!

After entering her bedroom and closing the door, she collapsed onto the sofa with a groan, gasping in frustration.

“It’s getting harder and harder to endure.”

Every cell in his body strongly desired to be with Adel. Even her small actions excited him more easily, and his body became more heated.

Zimmer, who followed her in, could not help but cluck his tongue.

“How about staying at the guard’s quarters for a fortnight?”

Christine firmly shook his head.

“You don’t know the sweet agony.”

“Sweet agony… It really sounds perverted.”

Even at his joke, Christine did not get angry but was serious.

“It may really become that way after a fortnight.”

Zimmer was creeped out. It would be better for Adel to recover soon. His state was getting weirder, and it might become uncontrollable.

Then Zimmer seemed to remember something.

“By the way, I found her. The maid who saw Stone quarreling with the late Duke Oswald on the day he died.”

“Really? Where is she now?”

The wolf that had been writhing with desire moments ago was back to its sharp form.

Zimmer answered with a slightly awkward expression.

“Do you want to meet her now?”

“Yes, immediately. Lead the way.”

Christine was reinvestigating Oswald’s death. Especially regarding Stone, there were many suspicious points.

“I think you should know that she had a special relationship with my lord, Stone Oswald.”

He didn’t believe Seira’s story, but it was clear that there was something between Adel and him. Therefore, he could not have falsely accused her of being a murderer.

He wanted to know the exact reason.