What on earth could have happened to make even the great Noel look troubled?

After being lost in thought for a moment, Abel spoke.

“Could it be with Grand Duke Hector…?”

“Yes, Hector!”

Suddenly, Noel stood up from his seat.

The scent he had faintly sensed was definitely Hector’s pheromones.

“What?!”

Seemingly not noticing the startled Abel, Noel continued.

“I smelled a very fragrant pheromone.”

“Pheromone?”

“It was a scent I’d never smelled before. More alluring and refreshing than a Master’s… To the point where I want to smell it just one more time.”

Curiosity sparkled in his previously empty eyes.

As if recalling the scent, the corners of his tightly closed mouth lifted slightly.

This appearance of Noel created an even greater sense of dissonance.

However, as that wasn’t the important thing right now, Abel asked.

“But why Grand Duke Hector?”

“Well, you see.”

Noel suddenly turned to Abel.

“Abel. You said Miller’s movements have been suspicious lately, right?”

“It seemed like he was searching for someone, poking around here and there.”

“There’s no way there could be a scent among Masters that I don’t know. Miller is looking for someone, and Grand Duke Hector… The Grand Duke and the Emperor…”

It was a conversation with no apparent context. But Abel seemed used to it and waited silently.

The footsteps that had been wandering around the office suddenly stopped.

“The lost princess?”

Abel’s body leaned forward a span from where he was sitting.

“Are you saying Grand Duke Hector found the princess?”

“I don’t know. But it was too fragrant to be a Master’s.”

“Then a Grand Master?”

Without answering Abel’s question, Noel left the office.

“I’ll go on this subjugation expedition. Abel.”

* * *

Crack- Crack-

Fractured sunlight poured into the Hunt family bedroom.

Charlie had been asleep for exactly one day since then.

Hector had cleaned her body with a wet towel and even put on a chemise, but her consciousness, fallen into deep sleep, didn’t notice him.

There was nothing wrong with her health.

It was just that she needed recovery due to excessive use of holy power.

“Mmm…”

A cozy scent awakened her sleeping mind. Following that, a dull sensation swept through her entire body.

Charlie frowned and tossed her body, heavy as a thousand pounds.

“It’s time to wake up. Charlie.”

Instead of answering, her body wriggled as if wanting to sleep more, burrowing into the large embrace.

A smile spread across Hector’s face.

“Does it hurt anywhere?”

Hector kissed Charlie’s forehead.

Charlie shook her head slightly in her unconscious state.

She only wanted to stay buried in this comfort a little longer.

Hector gave up on trying to wake her and gently embraced Charlie.

It’s unclear whether she knew or not that he had massaged her all night out of worry for her groaning appearance.

Once again, the sound of light breathing echoed in the quiet stillness.

Still, it was fortunate.

Hector’s lips curved into a smile as he looked at Charlie sleeping with a much more comfortable expression.

Crack- Crack-

The flower scent carried by the gentle breeze tickled his nose.

Hector looked out the window.

Although it was the same sky as yesterday, the clear sky was exceptionally brilliant.

The breath he inhaled felt refreshing, and even the air brushing against his skin was crisp.

Hector could instinctively tell that this wasn’t just a change due to purification.

His gaze, which had been looking out the window, turned back to Charlie sleeping in his arms.

As if pleased by the gentle stroking touch, Charlie smiled faintly.

The smile that slowly spread like paint diffusing on a clear water surface soon transferred to Hector.

Hector closed his eyes while embracing Charlie just like that.

* * *

Before they knew it, dusk had settled on the sky that had been blue.

The chirping of birds that had noisily echoed in their ears had disappeared.

On the other hand, the Hunt residence was now bustling as if greeting the morning.

The kitchen was filled with the aroma of cream risotto, Charlie’s favorite. Delicious meat and fresh fruit were also in place.

Audrey had prepared medicine good for energy recovery, and Tanner had contacted Isabelle to order custom-made clothes for Hector and Charlie. Leon brightened up the entirely dark interior while also maintaining the carriage.

Of course, no one mentioned Charlie and Hector by name.

But cheerful humming flowed from here and there.

In the bedroom, the intervals between sluggish movements were getting closer and closer.

Hector whispered softly.

“Charlie.”

“Mmm…”

Unlike the morning, a whining head shake followed.

Hector chuckled at the sight.

“Charlie.”

“……”

Charlie didn’t move at all despite Hector’s voice.

After pondering for a moment, Hector lifted Charlie up in his arms.

“……!”

Her eyes, which hadn’t even opened properly, widened in surprise.

“You need to eat and sleep.”

Eventually, Hector, who was sitting down while holding Charlie, used his ability to pull over the prepared washbasin.

Before she could even grasp what was going on, a large hand wiped Charlie’s face clean.

As the coolness touched her swollen eyes, her vision gradually returned.

Following that, a fluffy towel absorbed the remaining moisture.

“……”

She couldn’t understand why Hector was washing her face.

Her eyes, blinking slowly with a drowsy mind, stared at Hector.

“Did you sleep well?”

Hector brushed Charlie’s disheveled hair.

How long had she been intoxicated by such an affectionate touch?

A gentle kiss landed on her forehead, then traveled down her cheek to her lips.

“……!”

Only then did Charlie recall last night’s events and turned bright red that looked as if she was about to burst.

Her lowered gaze fell on the chemise she had been changed into.

The heavy feeling from below made her realize it wasn’t a dream.

“……”

The thoughts arising simultaneously were so numerous that she didn’t know what to be embarrassed about first.

Hector’s lips stretched into a smile as he detected the fluctuating pheromones.

“Let’s have the meal in the room.”

* * *

Hector, who had achieved perfect purification, was dazzlingly brilliant.

His complexion, free from the side effects of his ability, was bright, and his fluttering black hair and red eyes seemed to emit their own light.

The overflowing magical power was enough to shake even the surrounding air.

Rustle- Rustle-

The Hunt family, having regained the full power of its head, was more peaceful than ever.

And not just the Hunt family.

The duchy was also enjoying peaceful days under Hector’s shield.

From the upcoming monster subjugation expedition to the Blessing Period, and even Charlie’s existence, Tanner’s mouth never stopped smiling as all worries and concerns disappeared.

It was the same for Leon and the Knight Order.

Rustle- Swish- Rustle-

“……”

Charlie’s daily life was very ordinary.

A day of falling asleep together and greeting the morning, just like before they had s*x.

She played with toys beside Hector as he attended to state affairs, and after lunch, they enjoyed walks together.

If anything had changed, it was Hector’s constant touching at all times.

Rustle- Rus…

Suddenly, the sound of the pen tip echoing in the office stopped.

Hector, raising his head, gazed intently at Charlie who was making a sailing ship.

The purple ribbon tied above the snow-white ruffle decoration fluttered following Charlie’s movements.

Why did that line feel so dizzying? His gaze that was capturing Charlie was lost for a moment.

How much time had passed like that?

Just as her hand was leaving the railing decoration,

Charlie’s body floated up into the air.

“……!”

Charlie, who had somehow ended up on Hector’s lap, frowned.

“Can’t you just call me?”

Since they had s*x, Hector had been like this every time.

Without any warning, he would just stare intently and then approach like this as if he couldn’t hold back.

“I did call.”

Despite his gruff words, Hector’s lips curved into a smile.

His long eyelashes folded beautifully.

Charlie turned her gaze away, twitching her cheeks that had reddened for no reason.

“No, I mean…!”

Charlie’s mumbling was cut off by his overlapping lips.

The tip of his tongue that came in right away entwined with hers.

As the actions of sucking and licking repeated, her mind became dizzier.

Her small fingertips, helplessly surrendering to the surging sweetness, grasped his broad shoulders.

Hector, cupping Charlie’s face with one hand, pulled her slender waist close, pressing their bodies together.

Since the night they had s*x, Hector hadn’t tried to embrace Charlie.

It was out of concern for Charlie’s health due to excessive use of holy power.

In fact, Charlie had been sleeping a lot more.

But that didn’t mean his feelings had subsided. As their exchanged kisses intensified, their heated breaths intertwined.

“Haa…”

He desperately wanted to pick her up and head to the bedroom right away.

He wanted to shower her lovely body, so beautiful it wouldn’t hurt to put in his eyes, with kisses.

He wanted to hold her in his arms all day long and do nothing.

It felt like even a lifetime of that wouldn’t be enough.

“Charlie.”