All of this was real. She was definitely here, more beautiful than before, giving off a scent that drove people mad.

Just like this, in his arms.

“I’m really happy, Adel.”

In fact, it had been on his mind all day.

That he couldn’t respond the same way to Adel, who was saying that with a happy face at the breakfast table.

Was her heart then like his now?

Did it feel like it would burst if he didn’t say it like this because his chest was too full?

“I’m relieved. You looked bad this morning, so I was worried.”

“I usually feel a bit down in the morning.”

“I see. I’ll keep that in mind.”

And so Adel whispered, hugging Christine’s waist tightly.

“I’m really happy too, Chris.”

That way, the two held each other tightly for a while.

Meanwhile, the people gathered in one side of the kitchen were anxiously watching them.

“If we don’t take the pie out now, it’ll become a charcoal lump.”

The chef mumbled worriedly, and Tanya whispered.

“The two of them would be happy even with a charcoal lump.”

“Yeah, I guess so.”

In front of the oven where the apple pie was baking were Christine and Adel, hugging tightly. But they couldn’t possibly ask them to move so they could take the pie out.

The sweet smell of the pie was turning into a burnt smell, but the servants tiptoed out of the kitchen.

Because the atmosphere between the two was so hot, they felt like they were about to become pies in the oven too.

(This is a time divider.)

“I’m sorry. Next time I’ll really bake a delicious pie for you.”

“No, it’s delicious.”

Fortunately, Adel came to her senses when the pie was half burnt. Thanks to that, half of it could be saved intact. Of course, the burnt smell was quite strong, but it couldn’t be helped.

But to Christine, with a nose more sensitive than a dog’s, a wolf’s, the burnt smell didn’t matter. He was lost in the fantasy of eating the most delicious pie in the world.

He scraped off the burnt parts and ate the ragged piece of pie as if it was really tasty.

This could only be the true power of love.

“Ha!”

Across the table, Adel could not help but laugh.

“Why?”

“Your lips. They’re all black.”

“Come and wipe it off.”

Christine lifted his chin and pouted.

“What, you’re not a child.”

Even so, Adel picked up a napkin and went to him.

In an instant, Christine pulled her waist and sat her on his lap.

“Is this why you called me over?”

“No, but this position seems comfortable.”

“It’s not comfortable at all.”

“Are you nervous?”

Adel was flustered, but

“Seems like you’re the nervous one, Count?”

She teased, smiling with her eyes, and wiped Christine’s lips with the napkin.

Being so close together, the beating of their hearts could be felt. Whether it was his or hers, it was uncertain…

But Adel pretended to focus only on wiping his lips as if nothing was wrong.
Then Christine naturally took her hand and kissed her finger. Even that was not enough, he looked at Adel’s expression and gently held that finger with his lips.

A hot and thrilling sensation.

“Hot! What, what is this!”

Adel jumped up from his lap, wide awake.

“Your finger looked so sweet, so I couldn’t help it.”

He spoke naturally, tasting his lips.

“Is my finger some kind of candy stick?”

“I haven’t tasted it properly, so I don’t know. Maybe it’s even sweeter?”

With his lascivious look and tone, Adel’s face heated up.

She really didn’t know if she would stay up all night in sexual frustration like this.

“Oh, I forgot to talk to Tanya…….”

It was when Adel turned her body to escape the heated atmosphere.

“Hold on!”

Christine pulled Adel to him and stood leaning against the window.

“Why?”

He walked to the window without answering. The eyes that had been thrilling and hot just a moment ago were now sharp and cold like a beast’s.

When he opened the window and looked outside, there were only the desolate trees without leaves and the rustling sound of the wind, nothing else.

“Why, is something there?”

As Adel approached with an anxious face, he shook his head, smiling as if to reassure her.

“No, it just seems like a wild beast passed by.”

“You felt that from here?”

“Living on the battlefield makes my senses a little sensitive.”

Adel looked at Christine pityingly. He too had endured a tough time just as much as her. How frightening and horrible must the days on the battlefield, where he had to fight for his life, have been?

“Don’t worry. This is not a battlefield, and there’s no one who would dare to harm Vice Earl.”

“Yes.”

“And if someone tries to harm you, I will protect you.”

“Adel, you?”

Christine raised his eyebrows slightly, snorting.

Adel responded confidently.

“I am the wicked woman of Calarime after all. I can become a wicked woman for my fiancé anytime.”

Looking at her absurdly, Christine soon ruffled her hair as if she was cute.

“It’s reassuring.”

“Oh my, it’s not a lie!”

“Yes, yes, I don’t know how reassuring it is to monopolize the love of the wicked lady.”

“Chris!”

(This is a time divider.)

After drinking tea, Christine escorted Adel to the bedroom.

He had to be satisfied with a light goodnight kiss, but after doing this for a few days, it was bearable. It felt like he could even endure this for a lifetime.

However, the expression on his face as he went out into the garden of Marvel Palace was completely different from when he was with Adel.

“Was there an intruder?”

Zimmer approached him as he surveyed the surroundings with sharp eyes.

“It seems so.”

Christine walked towards the dining room window.

He had definitely felt it just a little while ago. The gaze watching them from there. The fact that he hadn’t sensed any presence until it got so close.

When he went to the dining room window, dry branches were broken, and the grasses were pressed down.

“It’s a person with the weight and build of an average adult male.”

“Could it have been the patrol of the guard?”

Christine shook his head decisively.

“No, it’s not the guards.”

A faintly disgusting smell of blood.

It was similar to what wafted from that handkerchief earlier in the day.

“Strengthen the guard for the time being. And around Adel too.”

“Yes, Commander!”