Abel held her waist and pulled her body into his arms. Her skin was hot. He thrust his hips. His c*ck, still confined in clothes, rubbed between her legs.

“Hmm.”

Marian opened her eyes wide at the unfamiliar sensation. He pressed his lips wherever he could. While keeping her captive in his arms, Abel whispered languidly. His waist was moving slowly.

“Everything about you is insanely beautiful, Marian.”

She shut her eyes tightly. The hot heat seemed to devour her. He still hadn’t taken off his clothes. Marian pulled at his pants as if tearing them off. The fact that she was a stronger mage than Abel, that she had been a murderous ghost on the battlefield, all of it was forgotten.

Her touch was utterly powerless and fragile.

“Today is just for you.”

“What, what do you mean?”

Marian asked in a trembling voice. Abel smiled brightly.

“I’m only trying to show you how beautiful you are.”

Though clearly gentle, it felt like having a beast at her back. She trembled without realizing it. He moved again. His hot, moist lips traveled down her back. The feeling of being licked intensely raised goosebumps all over her body.

“Huah……”

When his lips touched an unexpected lower part, she thought she would pass out. Abel, who restrained the struggling Marian, was a usurper without any mercy.

**

Marian opened her eyes with a start.

“Ah.”

It was early morning. She rustled as she got up from the bed. Dawn was breaking, and sunlight resembling Abel was seeping into the room. She gazed at him lying beside her.

Marian pulled up the blanket.

Last night, Abel had used all means at his disposal to worship her. And, he showed her. How precious she was.

She reached out toward him.

Unable to touch those soundly sleeping cheeks, she just pulled up the blanket instead.

Abel had put aside his own desires last night. Even with her limited experience, she knew that bedding didn’t end there. But he had filled the time with embracing her, kissing her, and comforting her.

Marian raised her knees and curled her body into a ball.

‘How, just how……’

The scars on her back no longer bothered her. Abel had taught her that such things did not diminish her value in the slightest.

He kissed the scars that even she was afraid to look at, and caressed them sweetly.

Despite crying so much, her tears hadn’t dried up, as tears fell again. It wasn’t her will. Her lips trembled finely.

“Abel, you……”

Marian bowed her head deeply. Her black hair poured down like a waterfall. While she was sniffling, her wrist was caught. She raised her face in surprise. Abel, who had awakened without her noticing, sighed and pulled her.

He held her in his arms.

Her thin body sank into his large embrace.

“Sleep a bit more, Marian.”

“……Abel.”

“It’s still dawn. You need to eat better and sleep better.”

Abel patted her back. He didn’t seem to care that they were both n*ked. She struggled for a bit before giving up and closing her eyes.

It seemed difficult to escape his stone-like embrace. Marian buried her head in his shoulder.

Come to think of it, she didn’t have any nightmares last night.

After crying, or clinging to him as if she would die, she had fallen asleep just like that. As if suffocating in the hot heat.

Abel was like a flame that burned her.

And it seemed that flame had burned away her nightmares last night.

It was a truly deep sleep after a long time.

Marian burrowed into his embrace. At that moment, Abel paused. He bit the tip of his tongue slightly and stroked her back. All of this was a situation he had brought upon himself.

Abel tried to discipline his increasingly uncomfortable body and forced himself to close his eyes.

No matter how beastly his desires were, now was not the time. It was necessary to match her pace.

“Thank you, Abel.”

Marian whispered. He elegantly raised his lips. Abel held her cheek. She, suddenly pulled from his embrace, struggled.

He gave her a short kiss.

In moments like this, they both knew what words should be said. Transparent blue eyes met red eyes resembling the sunset.

But even without saying any particular words, they could feel that their hearts were touching.

It was an emotion that couldn’t be defined in a single word.

Abel kissed her once more.

It was in place of words.

‘I think I like you.’

**

Meanwhile, Cesare stood in front of the Emperor’s palace.

He had chosen particularly dignified attire for today.

It was selected by his aide who was still serving as temporary head butler. A new head butler was expected to arrive soon. He had chosen the most trustworthy and intelligent person among his distant relatives.

He had of course commissioned the information guild and various other guilds to investigate the dead head butler, and had also reported to the police. It didn’t matter whoever brought results first, Cesare only needed to know the culprit.

Touching the Madrian head butler was equivalent to touching Cesare himself.

‘How dare they touch Madrian without fear.’

Cesare clicked his tongue with furrowed brows. Once the culprit was caught, he would cut off their head as an example. To show what happens to those who dare to oppose Madrian.

But now, there was something he needed to do first. He adjusted his attire once more and entered. The chamberlain came out to greet him.

“His Majesty the Emperor is waiting for you, Your Grace.”

“Thank you.”

Cesare smiled sweetly. This wasn’t something to discuss with Marian, the person directly involved. It was a matter to discuss with the one who held the power of life and death over her.

The Emperor welcomed Cesare.

Unlike before, there was a faint anger in his eyes as he looked at him.

‘Is it because she’s his daughter after all? That can’t be it.’

Cesare licked his lips. Whatever the reason, he needed to meet Marian today. He needed to confirm the nature of these suspicions. He needed to shake off this filthy feeling!

“I have come to reflect on my wrongdoings at the last banquet and to ask for forgiveness, Your Majesty.”

Cesare smiled smoothly.

The Emperor stared at him with a cold face. Since joining hands with Madrian to bring down Drake, Madrian had been growing increasingly arrogant.

After Cesare’s parents died in an unfortunate accident long ago, the previous head of the family who had ruled Madrian for a long time was growing senile.

The Emperor naturally thought Madrian would be absorbed.

But the senile old man held out until Cesare was fully grown and succeeded in passing his family intact to his bloodline.

Fortunately, Cesare was the type who preferred enjoying women and wine and looking after his own welfare rather than increasing wealth and engaging in business and politics. If there was any consolation, it was that he resembled his grandfather in disregarding the imperial family and acting arrogantly.

Benjamin’s weak nature probably played a part as well.

Even now, judging by his appearance with that smooth face held stiffly, he clearly had no sense of guilt.

Nevertheless, it was lamentable that Madrian couldn’t be dismissed.

The Emperor opened his lips.

“I’m glad you’ve come to seek reconciliation first. Marian will understand you too. Leading a great family isn’t easy. Continuing the bloodline isn’t easy either. However, the next Duke of Madrian……”

The Emperor let his words trail off.

Cesare understood the hidden meaning with uncanny perception. He bowed his head deeply.

“Yulian’s bloodline will never be registered in my family register first, Your Majesty. That child will fulfill his duty by assisting the next head of the family while keeping his place.”

“……That at least is fortunate.”

“And this is a token of my apology to Your Majesty.”

The Emperor received the envelope and twitched his eyebrows. He took out the document inside.

<Deed of Transfer for Ownership of Olend Plains>

The Emperor’s eyes widened. The Olend Plains were one of the Empire’s granaries. Madrian was giving up what they had held onto for decades.

The Emperor raised his head.

“The land has been resting for the past year, so it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say treasures are sleeping in this land. We’ve also spread plenty of pig manure to enrich the nutrients, so it will be a bountiful harvest just by planting. You could sell this land to fund the military, or grow crops to sell.”

“Cesare, you……!”

“This is my sincere loyalty, please accept it.”

The Emperor’s expression softened.

Cesare swallowed a wry laugh. Giving up that land was somewhat painful for him too. But the accident he had caused this time was quite serious, so it couldn’t be helped.

“I’ve taught Marian well, so she’ll understand that much. As you know, the Empress is rather strict. She’s made sure the children are well-educated. Marian must be waiting for you. It’s the first time since that day, isn’t it?”

The Emperor spoke favorably.

An emperor’s pride that could be sold for a few coins. Cesare nodded.

“Yes, Your Majesty. Then I shall go to Princess Marian now. I must apologize for my wrongdoing and ease her mind.”

The Emperor burst into hearty laughter. Cesare left the Emperor’s palace with dignity.

**