Charlie’s laughter echoed through the ducal residence as she stepped out of the annex.

It felt like the lavender scent would waft around her every time she spun.

The light fabric fluttered like wings. The full skirt did not restrict her movements. Without a corset, there was no discomfort.

It was pretty, comfortable, and she got it for free. It was the perfect combination.

Moreover, she had also managed to get clothes for Emma.

Charlie seemed to be at the peak of her excitement.

Tanner and Leon were also smiling contentedly.

“Don’t run.”

Hector, who had approached unnoticed, looked down at Charlie.

“I wasn’t running.”

Giggling—

Charlie twirled around, making her skirt flutter.

At that moment, the ground grew distant, and the sky came closer.

“You’ll fall.”

Hector’s action of lifting Charlie was very natural.

There was no sense of awkwardness, and those watching didn’t find it unusual either. The same went for Charlie.

To be precise, she was too excited to care about such things.

“Is it already finished?”

Hector lightly held Charlie with one hand and turned towards the main building.

“No, they gave it to me because it matched my size.”

For a moment, Hector stopped walking and looked back at Tanner. Tanner nodded slightly, confirming it.

“And I got it for free.”

Clearly in a good mood, Charlie was chattering more than usual. Her pheromones were particularly strong.

Finding it pleasant, Hector responded to Charlie’s words.

“Why is that?”

His steps were light as he walked again.

“They said it was just for me. They were grateful that the dress found its owner.”

Could she be this happy over getting a single dress?

Charlie’s pheromones seemed to fill Hector’s entire being.

Maybe it was because of this. Or perhaps it was the sparkling dress.

The surroundings seemed particularly radiant as they pierced Hector’s eyes.

“Liking free things will make you bald.”

As Hector and Charlie’s pheromones mixed, they left behind a mysterious fragrance, just like their presence.

* * *

It was a typical day.

Thud, thud, thud— a small figure dashed across the mansion.

Her watchful eyes and quiet steps resembled a chase scene.

In contrast, the long shadow trailing her seemed to emit a lavender scent.

The steps stopped abruptly upon reaching the destination.

Knock, knock—

Even as she knocked on the door, Charlie kept glancing around.

“Come in.”

Charlie then grabbed the doorknob. But the massive door didn’t budge.

Among the doors in the Duke’s residence, the only one Charlie could easily open was the Grand Duchess’s bedroom.

And the heaviest one was Tanner’s office door.

When she had classes, Tanner would leave the door open for Charlie’s arrival.

“…….”

Could it be locked?

No. If it were, he wouldn’t have told her to come in.

Charlie grabbed the doorknob with both hands.

She hung onto the handle, even using her feet, but the massive door showed no sign of opening.

From inside the office.

Tanner tilted his head, watching the door open slightly and then close again.

“Ah.”

Hearing the voice, Tanner’s lips stretched into a smile.

“Miss Charlie?”

* * *

“Are you talking about this purification?”

Tanner’s eyes widened as he opened the office cabinet to take out some refreshments, reacting to Charlie’s words.

The reason she had come was to suggest that the young lady from the previous day be Hector’s purification partner.

The young lady Charlie recommended was a shy baron’s daughter who reminded her of Liliana.

“But her holy power is among the lower ranks even for a Master…….”

Tanner showed a hint of discomfort.

“His Grace has instructed that his next purification partner should have high holy power. He already knows who the designated partner is.”

“It seems he doesn’t like women who come on strong. Holy power isn’t everything, is it?”

Charlie quickly added.

No matter how she thought about it, she couldn’t understand why purification couldn’t happen without making eye contact.

After all, the woman had thrown off her clothes even before Hector entered that day.

There was no way Hector, who had a phobia of germs and avoided women, would like that.

Of course, there was also the strong suspicion that he preferred forced encounters.

“That may be true, but…….”

Tanner’s gaze swept over Charlie.

“And you need to meet various types of women to know what suits you best.”

Specifically, a woman who is timid, quiet, and delicate like Liliana.

It was uncertain whether the baron’s daughter had low self-esteem and would reject the relationship, but it was worth a try.

“There’s nothing to lose, right?”

Charlie flashed a bright smile at Tanner.

* * *

Thus, Hector’s purification ritual came around once again.

Charlie glanced up at the sky and thought to herself.

‘Quick and swift purification, please. Are you listening? I’m the one who donated five hundred trangs.’

The ritual preparations flowed naturally, like water. From the attendants to the knights, everyone seemed accustomed to the task.

On the other hand, Charlie was filled with anticipation.

Tanner, who had been observing her, spoke.

“You seem particularly excited today.”

“When I went out last time, I stopped by the temple and prayed a bit.”

Tanner already knew this from Leon and Emma, but he pretended not to and asked,

“What did you pray for?”

“What else? For His Grace’s perfect purification.”

Charlie wiggled her eyebrows, making Tanner chuckle.

“Did you?”

“I donated a whole five hundred trangs, you know.”

Charlie lifted her chin proudly.

“Oh, five hundred trangs, you say.”

Tanner’s eyes widened in surprise.

Charlie, who usually had her eyes on money, was known to be a miser. Yet, she had generously decided to get Emma three dresses.

Although buying Estella’s clothes for fifty trangs was impossible.

In fact, the Hunt family had agreed to cover the remaining amount. Charlie was unaware of the separate arrangement made with Isabelle.

“I hope your prayer has a significant effect.”

Tanner looked at Charlie with a meaningful smile.

* * *

Today, too, Charlie was the first to enter the room and sit down.

After some time had passed.

The baron’s daughter from the portrait entered.

There was no sign of her hastily removing her gown or acting haughty as before.

The woman cautiously sat on the bed. Her gaze, slightly lowered in embarrassment, kept glancing at the closed door.

‘Just as I thought!’

Charlie cheered inwardly with a good feeling.

Why hadn’t she thought of this sooner?

As someone who knew the original story, she felt stupid and regretful for not utilizing this knowledge.

Of course, it wasn’t that Hector loved Liliana.

There was no sentence in the novel that definitively stated it wasn’t love, but Charlie was convinced.

If he truly loved her, he wouldn’t have acted that way in front of her death.

Hector seemed more angered by losing a Miracle than saddened by losing Liliana.

His actions towards Liliana were closer to an obsession with a Miracle than love.

Perhaps it was Cedric who genuinely loved Liliana.

He was the first man she had a relationship with and the only character who shed tears.

While Charlie was lost in thought, the door opened again.

* * *

“…….”

What was this situation?

Hector’s brow furrowed.

The change in the purification partner was a problem, but the woman hesitated to remove her gown. Moreover, Charlie was brimming with anticipation.

Hector disliked unnecessary contact.

He especially loathed those who expected more than purification.

Acting as if they were lovers rather than contractual partners, just like now.

This wasn’t Tanner’s doing.

Hector turned to look at Charlie.

Charlie nodded slightly, as if urging him to undress the woman.

“Sigh…….”

Hector let out a long sigh and was about to leave.

“I’m not very good at this……. Please take care of me.”

The woman hesitated and undid her gown. Hector’s face twisted with displeasure.

To add, Hector hated talking during the purification ritual the most.

‘Please, just this once.’

Charlie clasped her hands together, looking at him with desperate eyes.

Not knowing what she was thinking, Hector approached the woman.

Soon, the s*x began.

But Hector’s face showed confusion.

He was indeed making eye contact with Charlie. Yet, the amount of purification he felt was less than before.

Charlie’s pheromones were not weak. In fact, they were highly elevated.

Nor was the woman’s arousal low.

No, the woman, who cl*maxed as soon as he inserted his c*ck, was moving her hips on her own.

“Haa, haa.”

For a moment, Hector stopped moving.

It was a completely different scene from when she said she wasn’t good at it and was embarrassed.

And he felt as if he could see through Charlie, the guide, completely.

“…….”

Charlie swallowed dryly with a bewildered expression.

Although she couldn’t see the woman’s face, it was clear she was enjoying it.

Hector’s figure was still, but the woman was moving.

Could it be that her holy power was high?

If so, it was the shortest time to climax.

Charlie was flustered as the situation flowed in a completely different direction from her intention.

“Ah, it feels so good.”

“…….”

“Harder, harder.”

“…….”

Hector dropped his body.

* * *