Unlike the night when she had cried beneath him until her voice was hoarse, Evelyn greeted him, the Crown Prince, with quite a modest attitude. Meanwhile, Nox, detecting the subtle undercurrent flowing between the two, frowned.

‘Are the Crown Prince and Evelyn acquainted?’

Luinel, known as a walking human thresher, never offers a handshake to just anyone. Even if that person is the Saintess who has appeared in the Empire after a hundred years. Given the Crown Prince’s usual character, he would have merely offered a customary welcome greeting before getting straight to the point.

But those eyes, looking at Evelyn with devouring intensity, clearly showed that they were not meeting for the first time today. Could Luinel possibly be connected to Evelyn’s unexplained extended outings?

Having stepped down from his position as Holy Knight Commander to prepare for his role as the Imperial Knight Commander, Nox hadn’t yet heard from Evelyn about where she had been or what she had done for those two days. Thus, Nox instinctively sensed that Luinel had been involved in those two days of hers that he knew nothing about.

“Since it’s around lunchtime, I was thinking of having a light meal in the greenhouse followed by teatime. What does the Saintess think?”

“I’d like that. I’m a bit hungry anyway.”

“Holy Knight, or rather, Knight Commander, it would be best for you to go to the audience chamber as my father is waiting. The Saintess will meet my father with me later at the banquet.”

Luinel’s words pierced Nox’s ears like a suggestion for unwelcome guests to leave. Struggling to control his furrowing brow, Nox approached Evelyn’s side and kissed the back of her hand. While doing so, he kept his gaze fixed on Luinel and said in a lowered voice, pressing his lips firmly against Evelyn’s hand.

“Then I shall visit you separately before the banquet, Saintess.”

“Yes, Lord Leias. See you later.”

At the sight of the two who appeared quite close, it was now Luinel’s eyebrow that twitched. Despite the subtle tension between the two men, Evelyn simply smiled, appearing completely oblivious to everything.  Of course, as a 5-year veteran of Korean corporate life where survival depends on being perceptive, she clearly saw through their mental battle.

‘Look at these two.’

At this rate, they might end up pulling each other’s hair. When she’s alone later, she should check the affection levels of the male leads. She had a good feeling that not only Nox’s but also Luinel’s affection level had risen considerably. Just as Evelyn was feeling excited about this prospect.

‘But what does it matter.’

Later, she would have to sneak out of the banquet hall to attend some secret auction or whatever at the black market. Suddenly feeling gloomy, Evelyn entered the Imperial Palace escorted by Luinel.

Under their lightly linked arms, she naturally felt the touch of firm muscles, which reminded her of the grip that had almost crushed her b*ttocks.

“Your eyes suddenly became lewd. What are you thinking about?”

After confirming they were at a suitable distance from the servants, Luinel whispered while pretending to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. Similarly maintaining an outwardly cheerful smile, Evelyn retorted.

“It’s hard to forget when Your Highness tormented me so persistently.”

“You seem quite close with Nox Leias. Does he know that you were crying lewdly in the Crown Prince’s palace for the past two days?”

“He doesn’t know yet, but he might soon.”

“…Don’t tell me you’ve also healed Nox Leias with your body?”

Evelyn, who didn’t deny it, walked through the corridor of the Imperial Palace with Luinel, breathing in the sweet fragrance of flowers. With all kinds of flowers and trees abundant everywhere, simply walking through the corridor gave her a refreshing feeling, clearing her mind that had been steeped in lustful thoughts.

‘My ultimate goal is to achieve 100% affection with all male protagonists.’

In the end, she had no choice but to follow the route of being with all of them together. She absolutely must not show favoritism toward one side. If that happened, these male protagonists with their nasty personalities would be the type to draw knives fighting over her.

Therefore, while they should be aware of each other’s existence, she shouldn’t make them feel that she favors someone in particular. For this reason, Evelyn made up a reasonable excuse to alleviate Luinel’s displeasure.

“As you know, my magic manifests most powerfully through bodily fluids. And the Commander was badly injured by a level 2 monster.”

“I know you treated Nox Leias in the forest that day. I didn’t know it involved treating him with your body. Well, it doesn’t matter anyway. All I need from you is your body.”

Evelyn was actually pleased by Luinel’s sarcastic remark. She hoped the Crown Prince would maintain that mindset until the end so she could achieve 100% affection through just physical relations!

“Yes, that’s fine.”

Rather than being hurt, Evelyn smiled even more brightly, which strangely made Luinel feel disgusted.

‘She smiles even when I openly treat her like a pr*stitute?’

It was ironic that he had worried she might misunderstand their relationship and try to cross boundaries just because they had been intimate for two days. She had drawn an even more resolute line between them.

Strangely, this fact made Luinel’s mood rapidly deteriorate, and he closed his mouth. They arrived at the greenhouse, but his mood continued to worsen to the point where he couldn’t even notice the abundance of food prepared there. With a wave of his hand, he dismissed the servants who were trying to attend to them and ordered the head steward who was waiting in the greenhouse.

“Take everyone out. I have urgent matters to discuss with the Saintess.”

“Pardon? But Your Highness.”

“It shall be done, Your Highness.”

Unlike the confused chef, the head steward perceptively ushered all the servants out of the greenhouse. The servants, well aware of his usual temperament, left the greenhouse with minimal noise. Instead, they waited outside the greenhouse, ready to enter at Luinel’s call.

Although the greenhouse was made of glass, the plants densely filling the interior prevented a clear view from outside. After carefully scanning the surroundings with sharp eyes that appeared nonchalant, Luinel turned to Evelyn who was standing blankly behind him and said.

“Sit down.”

“Yes. Seeing meat after three days makes me want to cry…”

“Not there. Your place is here.”

Evelyn hesitated as she was about to naturally sit across from Luinel. The place Luinel was pointing to, making his expectation clear, was his lap.

“Isn’t that Your Highness’s lap, no matter how I look at it?”

“I told you earlier. I need your body.”

It had been just three days since he had been separated from Evelyn. This morning, there were signs that the magical attacks, which had completely disappeared, were starting again. So, this was purely out of necessity that he was embracing Evelyn. It absolutely wasn’t because his c*ck was going crazy with lust the moment he saw her.

Having quickly rationalized to himself, Luinel urged Evelyn, who was looking around in panic.

“If I move myself, you’ll end up sitting not on my lap but on the table.”

“Are you really going to do this here? With servants just outside?”

“Then you’d better not make any noise this time.”

Seeing Luinel’s look that said he wouldn’t let her refuse twice, Evelyn approached him with a whimper. As soon as she came within reach, he pulled her by the waist and sat her on his lap, then picked up a knife and began cutting into a thick steak.

“Last time, I noticed you went crazy for meat, so I specially invited a chef from a famous restaurant in the Empire to prepare this.”

“Hic. Thank… ah.”

“I wonder if it will suit your taste.”

His tone was gentle, just like when he first met her in her cat form. However, his lips, tracing down her neckline,e were not so gentle. He gnawed at her br*ast, which was outlined through her thin robe, fiercely baring his teeth against her skin.

“Ahng!”