Chapter 8

Although Hazel knew Vivian wasn’t asking because she was aware of what had happened between her and Enoch, her heart still sank. 

Vivian casually settled into a chair in the corner of the professor’s office, adopting a relaxed posture as she spoke. 

“As expected, he’s really popular. Well, it makes sense. He’s handsome, has a great physique, and is an Imperial Knight. It would be stranger if he weren’t popular.” 

Seeing Hazel quietly reviewing her lecture materials without reacting, Vivian pursed her lips. 

“If you stay dazed like that, someone might snatch him away. You should stay sharp.” 

“We’re not like that, so stop saying weird things. I’m just being nice because we’re colleagues. You’d do the same if one of your colleagues came to visit, wouldn’t you?” 

Realizing Hazel wouldn’t entertain her any further, Vivian expressed her dissatisfaction and stood up. Just then, she turned her head toward the sound of footsteps near the door and exclaimed, 

“Oh my, Professor Meyer, what brings you here?” 

Hazel, who had been focused on her documents, quickly looked up. Enoch was standing at the doorway. 

Surely, he hadn’t come to confirm some promise about last night, had he? 

Hazel instinctively clenched her thighs, feeling the faint ache that served as a reminder of the previous night. 

As Hazel’s fearful gaze wavered, Enoch, who had been watching her intently, smiled and addressed Vivian. 

“I heard there are some useful reference materials here. Where can I find them?” 

“Ah, Professor Carlo left them with Professor Hoover. Well then, I’ll be on my way. Have a great day, everyone!” 

Vivian’s voice carried a hint of amusement. As if assessing something, she glanced back and forth between the two before winking at Hazel and silently mouthing, “Good luck.” 

Good luck? More like, don’t spread weird rumors. 

After Vivian left, Hazel cleared her throat and stood up, unable to ignore Enoch’s unwavering gaze. 

“I’ll help you find the materials.” 

“Thank you.” 

“It’s my job, after all.” 

Looking at Enoch’s calm demeanor, Hazel wondered if she had overreacted and jumped to conclusions. However, having seen his other side, she couldn’t afford to let her guard down. 

Hazel grabbed a key from the drawer and walked toward the tall storage cabinet in the corner of the office. 

Since she was in charge of managing the archive, it wasn’t an issue for her to assist. The only problem was that Enoch might use this as an excuse to frequent her office. 

A strange chill ran down her spine, but she didn’t let it show. Without looking in Enoch’s direction, Hazel said, 

“From now on, you can find the materials you need here. If you need more detailed resources, you can go to the annex archive. Use this key for access.” 

She placed a key in his hand and tried to return to her desk. However, Enoch blocked her path, leaving her unable to move a step. 

Then, a low hum escaped his lips. Instinctively looking up, Hazel met Enoch’s gaze, his expression unreadable. 

He reached out and closed a drawer that hadn’t been shut properly. 

The hinges, which she usually kept well-oiled, made a creaking sound, as if foreshadowing the uncertain path ahead in her life. 

“Thank you. Professor Hoover, you’re very kind, even to people you’re not close with.” 

His soft smile accompanied the words, but Hazel couldn’t help but hiccup. His lips curved gently, but his eyes weren’t smiling. 

So, he heard everything. 

Hazel tried her best to appear unaffected. After all, she hadn’t insulted him; she had merely stated the truth. 

As she busied herself justifying her actions in her mind, a sudden realization struck her. 

In her rush to get ready and head to work, she had forgotten something important. 

Her face, which had been tense with vigilance, suddenly turned pale. Enoch’s sharp gaze softened in an instant. 

“What’s wrong all of a sudden?” 

His voice was noticeably gentler, and his concerned look made Hazel instinctively take a step back. Her clear gesture of rejection caused Enoch’s brows to furrow slightly. 

“No, it’s just… um….” 

The words she wanted to say—about needing to take a contraceptive tea because of what he had done—refused to come out. But it was something that had to be said. 

Summoning her courage, Hazel looked Enoch straight in the eye and asked, 

“Did you use contraception last night?” 

At her question, Enoch let out a small “Ah,” as if he finally understood why her face had gone so pale. 

“Don’t worry. Right after joining the Imperial Knights, I had a contraceptive magic sigil engraved. There’s no chance of any issues.” 

“A contraceptive magic sigil?” 

Ah. 

Hazel frowned slightly, her head tilting in confusion, before letting out a small exclamation. 

She recalled hearing about a law that had been enacted long ago due to issues with illegitimate children among the Imperial Knights. 

It required knights to have a contraceptive magic sigil engraved upon their induction, which could only be removed if they got married. 

“Does it really work?” 

“Well, since it halts certain bodily functions, it’s effective. Oh, but it doesn’t mean those functions disappear entirely. Once the magic sigil is removed, everything returns to normal.” 

Understanding his explanation all too well, Hazel forced an awkward laugh. 

Perhaps sensing her lingering doubts, Enoch took a step closer as she tried to keep her distance. 

“If you want, I can show you.” 

“Show me the magic sigil?” 

Enoch nodded. 

“That way, you can feel more reassured. I could be lying about having a contraceptive magic sigil, after all. Of course, if you’re still uneasy, you can take the contraceptive tea, but I just wanted you to know I didn’t act thoughtlessly.” 

If he hadn’t acted thoughtlessly, none of this would have happened in the first place. 

Though she wanted to call him out, Hazel simply nodded. 

She had planned to take the contraceptive tea anyway, but as he suggested, it wouldn’t hurt to confirm. 

“Alright. Show me.” 

As if he had been waiting for this, Enoch set the documents he was holding aside. Then, he reached for his waistband. 

Before she could process what he was doing, he had already undone his belt and unbuttoned his pants. 

Startled, Hazel silently screamed and grabbed his hand just as he was about to pull his pants down. 

“W-What are you doing?!” 

“You asked to see the contraceptive magic sigil.” 

I asked to see the sigil, not for you to take off your pants! 

Wait. Could it be…? 

Seeing Enoch’s expression, which seemed to question what the problem was, Hazel’s mouth fell open. Her gaze drifted downward. 

Through the gap in his now-loosened pants, she could see the dark fabric of his underwear. She stared at the slightly bulging shadow before quickly looking away. 

“Stop joking around and explain properly.” 

“Do I look like I’m joking?” 

That was the problem—he wasn’t joking. His sincere gaze made Hazel glance downward again. His underwear was even more noticeably bulging than before. 

Disgusted by Enoch’s inability to control himself, Hazel scowled. 

“I don’t need to see it. If you say it’s there, I’ll believe you.” 

When she coldly swatted his hand away, Enoch looked at her with a hint of dissatisfaction, as if disappointed he couldn’t show her. 

Ignoring his reluctance to fix his pants, Hazel hurried him along. 

“I have work to do, so you should leave now.” 

Practically shooing him out, Hazel let out a deep sigh. 

“…I just need to endure for a year, right?” 

* * * 

After drinking the contraceptive tea, Hazel immediately researched the special rules of the Imperial Knights. 

It turned out there really was a law requiring knights to have a contraceptive magic sigil engraved upon becoming official members. 

While this reassured her, it also left her feeling conflicted. She couldn’t help but imagine how the sigil was engraved in the first place.