Fendrick smiled faintly, his lips still wrapped around her n*pple.

“Do you like it that much, Rina? Hmm?”

As he spoke, both hands gripped her hips, spreading her wider as he pushed himself deeper into her. She was already caught in the lingering waves of her peak, yet an even stronger surge of sensation followed.

“Ah—…!”

Katarina couldn’t endure it. Her back arched helplessly.

The movement pulled her chest away from his mouth, slipping from his lips. Milk that hadn’t yet been drawn spilled freely, trailing down the full curve of her br*ast in small droplets.

“…What a waste.”

Supporting her back and waist, Fendrick leaned in and slowly traced the path of it with his tongue—from beneath her br*ast all the way up to the tip.

Then, without hesitation, he took it into his mouth again, biting down lightly before drawing from her with unrestrained hunger.

“Ah… ah…!”

“Mm…”

A wave of pleasure overtook her, causing her body to tremble and tighten around him uncontrollably.

The sharp, overwhelming sensation blended with the lingering sweetness that still filled his mouth, making it feel almost unreal — as though he were stepping into something beyond reason.

Katarina wrapped her arms tightly around his neck.

“Ah… Fendrick… Fen…”

Her hazel eyes, half-lidded, shimmered as though lit from within, bursting with emotion.

Without hesitation, she pressed her lips to his, parting them as she slipped her tongue inside.

Fendrick welcomed it easily, drawing her in, entwining his tongue with hers as if savoring every moment.

‘How could she be this lovely…’

Holding her securely, he rose to his feet without separating from her.

The sudden shift drove him deeper, and Katarina cried out.

“Ah! N-no, this position—too deep… ah—!”

“You take it so well, and still you complain? You like it, don’t you?”

Her voice broke as she clung to him, wrapping her legs tightly around his waist, holding on as if she might fall.

But there was no danger of that.

Gripping her firmly, Fendrick lifted her with ease, his hands steady at her hips as he began to move with purpose.

“Ah—! Fen— ngh… ah…!”

With each thr*st, she cried out.

Her softened chest pressed against his with each movement, heightening the overwhelming sensations with every contact.

It was all too much — too intense — enough to make her feel as though she might lose consciousness.

“…You’ve given me so much already. I should return the favor… properly.”

He held her close, moving slowly and deliberately, and pressed his warm lips against her neck.

Katarina felt everything: every shift, every subtle pulse until the sensation overwhelmed her completely.

No one else could ever understand just how consuming and intoxicating it was.

All she could do was cling to him.

She let herself be carried away.

It seemed the doctor had been right.

The more time they spent together, the easier it became for her to accept him. It was almost hard to believe that the first time they had been together, she had been confined to bed for two whole days afterwards.

Now, If even a single day passed without it, a quiet restlessness would take hold of her.

Pressing her lips together, Katarina whispered softly.

“Fendrick… even so, shouldn’t we show a little restraint in a place like this…? We could go to the bedroom. For the sake of the marquis family’s reputation…”

“The marquis family’s reputation?”

Fendrick murmured, brushing his lips against her damp forehead.

“You know exactly what the Lorhast name is known for.”

With that, he laid her down on the long bench beside the music room.

Lifting her legs, he rested them on his shoulders, his gaze lowering without restraint.

Her flushed, unsteady body still bore traces of their recent intimacy — an overwhelming sight that took his breath away.

And yet—

Was she asking him to wait until they reached the bedroom?

He almost laughed.

Instead, he leaned in closer, a faint smile playing on his lips.

“Then I suppose I should restore the family’s honor… like this.”

“Ah…!”

“No longer a man who seeks anyone and everyone, but one who devotes himself to a single person for life.”

His tone was teasing, but his movements carried a different weight—something far more insistent.

“Ah… ngh… Fen…”

Katarina’s voice trembled as she called his name, clinging to him.

Something in that sound stirred him further.

A low breath escaped him as he drew closer again, holding her firmly.

“Ah—!”

Her breath faltered and her voice became unsteady, each sound carrying emotion.

Tears welled in her eyes, not from pain, but from the intensity of the moment.

Yet even as she trembled, she moved with him instinctively.

“Ah… mm… more… please…”

“Rina…”

As she wrapped her arms around him and pulled him close, a soft, breathless laugh escaped her lips, mingling with a trembling sigh.

What could compare to the feeling of being held so closely, with no space between you, as you share a kiss and reach that height together?

It was happiness.

Every day and every moment was filled with it.

After some time had passed, Katarina lay quietly against Fendrick’s chest. Through the slightly open glass door, the distant sound of waves could be heard.

Absentmindedly, she twirled a strand of her hair around her finger, feeling his hand idly playing with it.

Then, as if a thought had just occurred to her, she spoke.

“Fen, don’t you want a second child?”

At that, Fendrick stiffened slightly.

“It could be a girl who looks just like Asti, or a boy to run around with her. I think it would be nice to have another baby next year.”

“No matter how much help we have, you’re the one who has to carry and give birth.”

Fendrick replied gently, trying to soothe her.

“It won’t be easy. How are you going to manage that alongside your studies? Wouldn’t it be better to wait until you graduate?”

Katarina lifted her head and looked at him.

“I’ve only just started – barely half a year. If we wait, we’ll be waiting for years, won’t we?”

“Even so, you’ve finally started studying ancient languages in earnest. It’s something you love — you should give it your full attention.”

“I do like studying, but children are just too precious.”

Katarina nestled closer, rubbing her cheek against the nape of his neck.

“Ever since Asti was born, my life has become so much happier and fuller. If we had another child, how much happier would we be?”

Fendrick said nothing for a moment, his chest tightening with emotion. Then he pulled her into a firm embrace.

“Let’s take our time with the second child.”

As he spoke, his fingers gently combed through her hair.

“Who knows? The next child might be born with red hair — as beautiful as the wine used in the sacrament.”

At that, Katarina suddenly lifted her head.

“Come to think of it, Fen, where did you learn to describe it like that? Like sacramental wine?”

“Hmm? Isn’t that a common way to describe red hair? The wine used in the sacrament shines with a brilliant red, lit by countless candles filled with people’s prayers. It’s the most beautiful shade of red in the world.”

Fendrick answered as if it were obvious, but Katarina tilted her head slightly.

“No, it’s not. When I was little, I once said I didn’t like my red hair, and Sister Lucia—the nun who took care of me—told me that. It just so happened to be the day of the sacrament. Doesn’t it sound just like something a nun would say?”

“I suppose it does.”

“But I don’t think I’ve ever said that to you. Ah—now that I think about it, you used the exact same expression in a letter you sent me before. How did that happen? You haven’t met Sister Lucia, have you?”

Fendrick shook his head.

“No, never. I must have heard it from someone. I’m not the kind of man who could come up with something that poetic on my own.”

“That’s strange…”

Katarina gently placed her hand over his, the one still twirling her hair.

“Hm… speaking of the convent, Rina—wouldn’t you like to see the records of Valdemar I that are kept there?”

“Oh, yes. I was actually wondering if there might be a way to visit before the semester starts. It would be nice if you could come with me…”

“You can. We can go together.”

Fendrick spoke a little awkwardly, and Katarina’s eyes widened in surprise.

“What? How?”

“Well… I ended up receiving the entire convent building.”

Katarina looked up at him, clearly puzzled by what he meant.

Meeting her gaze, Fendrick broke into a playful grin.