The small hand holding Reina’s arm tightened.

She wasn’t sure why, but the two of them never got along.

‘Of course Kaelid hates him.’

He knew exactly who Zephion was. Had Reina not asked, he would never have spared the boy’s life. The mere sight of Zephion was enough to ruin his mood. Above all, Kaelid understood the threat the boy might one day pose, and how dangerous he already was. Of course he would see him as a thorn in his side.

Reina glanced at Zephion — he was still young, but he had the eyes of a beast in the making.

Perhaps it was instinct that made him wary of Kaelid.

After all, children were often sensitive to the emotions of those around them.

“You’re walking around quite freely for someone with an injury.”

The man approached her in long strides with his arms crossed. In response, Reina tightened her grip on her arm.

“What brings you here?”

“Do I need a reason to come and see you?”

Instead of answering, Reina lowered her gaze slightly.

“Reina…”

Zephion called her name in an uneasy voice.

Kaelid, who was nearby, pushed the boy roughly aside. Zephion tried to resist, but there was no way a scrawny child could overpower a grown man. With a soft thud, he hit the ground.

Kaelid wrapped an arm around Reina’s waist and started to lead her back towards the manor. Her injured leg made her stumble, and the tighter he gripped her, the more she wavered. He pulled her in with relentless strength.

“Let go of Reina!”

Zephion scrambled to his feet and ran after them, tugging desperately at Kaelid’s arm.

“Impudent little—”

Kaelid muttered irritably under his breath, then shoved the boy away with ease. There was no mercy in the gesture — Zephion hit the ground a second time.

Reina glanced back at the boy, then turned her gaze to the man holding her so tightly that she could hardly breathe.

“Isn’t it a bit petty to pick fights with a child?”

Kaelid’s brow twitched at the remark.

“If you want that thing to live a little longer, you’d best teach him some manners, Reina.”

“He’s just a child.”

“And I don’t tolerate insolence.”

He gripped her face, digging his fingers in so hard that they left bruises. Reina could feel her jaw aching as he spoke slowly and coldly.

“Let’s be clear—I’m only tolerating that child. I still don’t understand why you’ve let him live…”

He trailed off, then suddenly laughed.

“Actually, I know exactly what you’re thinking.”

He leaned in close, his blue eyes gleaming dangerously. For a moment, it felt as if he could read her thoughts. A faint chill ran down her spine.

But she met his gaze with calm defiance, unflinching.

His fingers, which had been gripping her cheek so tightly, slowly relaxed, stroking her skin with a deceptively gentle caress.

“But things won’t go the way you want them to, my sweet Reina.”

She raised one corner of her mouth in a crooked smile.

“And what exactly do you think I’m planning?”

“Something pointless, I’m sure.”

He replied curtly, as though he had no interest in continuing the conversation. He leaned in closer, so close that she could feel his breath brushing her lips.

“That child may be your so-called war trophy, but you belong to me. If you want that brat to live a little longer, you’d better behave.”

“I’ve never gone against you, have I?”

“No, you haven’t. My good little sister.”

He said, laughing as though pleased by her answer. Then, without hesitation, he kissed her.

Zephion, crumpled on the ground, stared at them wide-eyed. Reina gently pushed Kaelid’s chest and turned her face away.

Kaelid, noticing the child watching them, let out a cold chuckle.

“What’s this? Suddenly shy because someone’s watching?”

“He’s just a child.”

“He’s still a child? Even though he’s a child, he’s still a man.”

“He’s not even ten yet…….”

“Judging by the way he’s clinging to you, his manly instincts seem to be intact.”

He turned his head as if to show Zephion the other way and tried to kiss him again.

“Stop, um, uh…….”

With legs that couldn’t even run away, all he could do was accept it. When he tightly shut his lips, Kaelid bit his lip hard.

“Ah.”

He let out a low groan, opening his mouth and moving his tongue restlessly against the inside of his cheek and over his even teeth.

She felt a hand on her waist, slowly tracing over the fabric of her clothes. Reina gasped softly and grabbed his wrist, her grip tightening in alarm.

“Ugh…….”

Zephion let out a small groan, then turned and ran off. When the sound of his footsteps faded into the distance, she gently pushed against his chest, and Kaelid pulled back without protest.

“Are you jealous? Of a nine-year-old?”

“Jealousy?”

Kaelid laughed as if he had just heard the funniest thing in the world.

“That’s nothing. You’re already mine, so there’s no need to be jealous.”

“Then you wouldn’t do anything childish.”

“Why would I care about that?”

He grabbed Reina and pulled her along with him. She couldn’t keep up with her slow, laboured pace, stumbling and almost falling. Kaelid picked her up. Without wasting any time in the bedroom, he strode into the living room nearby.

He locked the door and threw her down on the sofa.

“Why would you care about a kid who isn’t even ten years old? Do you have any feelings for a boy who hasn’t even got a p*nis yet?”

She laughed at that, but it was in vain.

“That can’t be true.”

“Then it wouldn’t be a problem for me to have s*x with you in front of him. After all, he’s just a child.”

Without hesitation, Kaelid lifted her skirt and took off her underwear. He hurriedly felt for the split in the flesh where his fingers had been, then dug into the dry hole.

As Reina flinched, Kaelid grabbed her hair with her other hand.

“Ah!”

She tilted her head back as his hand tangled in her hair, pulling it firmly. The man pressed his lips against her exposed, porcelain neck, exhaling a ragged breath.

“If you want to keep your precious trophy, you’d better watch your mouth around me.”

“Ah, ugh…”

He sank his teeth into her slender neck, hard. A cold shiver shot down her spine, crawling all the way up to her head. Reina gasped, squeezing her eyes shut before forcing them open again.

It was a clear warning—if she pushed him any further, he could get rid of Zephion at any moment.

“At least until he’s able to protect himself.”

She couldn’t protect the child—not now, and perhaps not ever. Everything Reina had came from Count Berend—and most of all, from Kaelid. Until the day Zephion could stand on his own, she had no choice but to keep her head down and avoid provoking him.

Instead of arguing, Reina quietly wrapped her arms around the man’s back. The fury that had flared in him seemed to ease at her gesture, and he slowly ran his tongue over the bite marks he’d left on her neck.

“Haa…

Without realising it, her tense body relaxed slightly. The fingers gripping her hair loosened, beginning to gently stroke her platinum-blonde locks instead.

She could feel those same fingers exploring the dry, sensitive area between her legs. Kaelid’s hand grazed her shoulder and slowly tugged at her clothes.

His nose brushed her collarbone, moving lower to touch her br*ast. He drew in a deep breath as his hands continued to pull her clothes down. Her br*asts, still wrapped in fabric, shifted gently before slipping free.

Kaelid held her soft flesh in his hand and stimulated her pale pink n*pple with his fingertips.

Regardless of her thoughts, her body — already accustomed to pleasure — responded immediately to his touch.

The small piece of flesh turned slightly redder and hardened.

“Ah, yes…”

She let out a breathy sound immediately. Kaelid lightly touched her er*ect n*pple with his tongue, then sucked the tip into his mouth.

As he gently bit it and skilfully stimulated it with his tongue, a hot sensation spread through her body. This small pleasure started in her n*pple and spread to her fingertips, building slowly in her stomach.

Reina’s breathing quickened slightly. As her chest rose and fell rapidly, her fingers became more flexible as they stimulated her lower region.

Soaked with her juices, his fingers repeatedly went in and out, making the area between her legs slick and wet.

They felt the wrinkles inside and dug a little deeper. Kaelid, who had skilfully located a sensitive spot, lightly rubbed it.

“Haaa!”

Even the slightest touch made Reina’s body jerk. It was as if a breath of air had fanned resting embers into an open flame, sending scalding pleasure to the crown of her head in an instant. She could feel her inner walls growing slick with arousal.

“Ha, ugh… ah.”

Her cheeks flushed hot. Panting with bliss that reached her toes, she gripped Kaelid’s arm tightly. Her insides clenched around him and, when the delicate, sticky membrane clung to his fingers, he chuckled with satisfaction and teased the same spot repeatedly.

“Huu, ah… ah!”

Even if she had wanted to pull away, there was nowhere to escape to. The surge of pleasure made her lower belly quiver and tighten of its own accord. As Reina’s hips trembled in small jerks, Kaelid laughed quietly and traced his tongue over her damp, sweaty br*ast.

“Does it feel good?”

Her vision blurred and cleared in dizzy waves. Heat flooded her entire body and the fire deep in her belly burned even hotter.

“Y-yes… it feels good.”