“I should call May. I want to take a bath. My head feels a bit itchy. And my mouth feels dry.”

Watching Ariel’s back as she got out of bed and walked to the bathroom after being attended by May, Leopold was deeply concerned. He worried she might fall because she said her legs were hurting. Fortunately, that did not happen.

‘Is it my imagination, or does she seem livelier than before?’

The shadow that had been cast over her face was gone.

It seemed like the invisible barrier he felt every time he was with her had disappeared too.

Was there a change in her feelings?

He was worried about what she might say, but at the same time, he was looking forward to her brighter demeanor.

‘The people who need to be informed that Ariel has awakened… The people of the Clark family. Hyle Robert. Liese Willington.’

Ah, Duke Noah Diaz…

He was supposed to call him, but he had completely forgotten about his existence.

―After everything is settled, I will explain everything.

―Is there any other reason? It sounds like you’re in league with the minions of the Demon King.

Leopold and Hyle Robert shared the same thought. For an ordinary person, he knew too much about the dark mages’ hideout location and the existence of secret passages.

But saving Ariel was the priority, so he did not press further.

‘For now, I just want to spend some time with Ariel.’

After worrying so much for so long, it seemed surreal that Ariel was awake.

He wanted to entrust his duties to Walter and Richard for the next few days and enjoy the happiness he had regained at ease.

Afterward, he thought of calling Noah Diaz to consider what to do with him.

Click-!

The door opened and Ariel came out. Her damp golden hair wetted her thin negligee. Leopold’s gaze lingered on her in a daze.

“I feel refreshed after washing.”

Ariel sat in front of the vanity with a bright expression.

‘As expected, May knows my needs well.’

After lying down for several days, her body felt stiff, but May’s gentle massage made her shoulders and back feel refreshed.

How precious.

To have someone who understands your needs without having to say anything.

May began attending to her by drying her hair with a towel.

Leopold turned and lay down next to the bed. He watched Ariel getting ready.

The shock of being kidnapped did not show at all on her clear and clean face reflected in the mirror.

‘I wonder if she’s pretending to be okay, not wanting people to worry, despite not being okay.’

Leopold was lost in thought. Ariel caught a glimpse of his expressionless reflection in the mirror.

“Your Majesty.”

You must be curious if I’m really okay. Not knowing that I was a demon beast hunter.

“Yes.”

“What are you so deeply thinking about?”

Ariel entrusted her face to May and glanced at Leopold while speaking. Skincare products and lotion were applied in turn on her clean and white skin.

“I was wondering if you’re really okay since you look fine.”

Ariel realized her guess was right, nodded once, and then looked up at May.

“May, please leave us alone for a moment.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Please call me whenever you need.”

After confirming May had left, Ariel walked over to Leopold lying on the bed.

His eyes widened at her sudden approach.

‘A big man like him can look cute too.’

A smile crept up her lips. She felt a ticklish feeling around her heart. A playful urge to surprise him further kicked in.

Ariel lay down on the bed and looked into his eyes with deep emotion.

Should I tell him right now? That I have fallen in love with him.

No, that I realized I have been in love with him all along. And now, I want to whisper that I no longer want to be just a contract wife but truly his wife.

How would he react? To my words.

“Why?”

“You’re suddenly coming closer.”

His dark brown pupils shook violently.

At first, Ariel’s affectionate gaze made his heart skip a beat.

And because of her prone position, her soft and squishy chest pushed up against her negligee, making his lips go dry.

Her chest area became visible over his darkened pupils.

Leopold sat up abruptly and covered Ariel’s body with a blanket.

“Ah, why do you do that?”

“Did you do that on purpose?”

He’s quick to catch on. To think he realized it in an instant.

Ariel peeked out only her face from under the blanket.

Covering his mouth with his hand, Leopold seemed quite embarrassed. His cheeks and earlobes turned a rosy hue.

‘She has changed. Definitely.’

Leopold buried his face in his hand that lingered near his lips. He imagined the sensual figure hidden under the blanket.

Her playful expression and eyes full of affection. Her fearless approach made him feel bewildered.

“Hm, what if I did it on purpose?”

She said so and then smiled bashfully like a child. Her smooth and glossy lips beautifully curled up.

Leopold’s gaze stayed there.

“Just a moment, excuse me.”

It’s hard to endure.

Leopold frowned and lowered his body. Their faces came closer together.

Their lips met smoothly, feeling each other’s warm breaths. A mix of relief and desire intertwined.

Was it because she acknowledged her feelings for him? Ariel felt thirsty.

‘Just a little more, just a bit more.’

Chanting that, Ariel reached out her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. She tightly shut her eyes at the refreshing scent emanating from his mouth.

That’s when it happened.

Knock knock-

“Your Majesty. Breakfast is ready.”

It was Richard.

Their lips slowly parted. A sense of longing was evident in their eyes.

“Go back. I will call you again.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Leopold wiped her glistening lips. Ariel looked at him with heavy breaths.

‘So tender and warm.’

As always. And even now, still.

She thought it felt like someone was rummaging through her heart.

“Just a little more.”

A flushed Ariel spoke with embarrassment. Her eyes were clouded with desire.

Leopold climbed onto the bed, trapping her beneath his arms. At her words of wanting him, his dark eyes trembled.

Could it be that what he truly desired was coming true?

His lips gently descended. With another kiss, he willingly answered her request.

Rough hands with many scars tousled her soft hair.

***

Leopold called for Richard, and the maids prepared breakfast.

Mushroom soup made from finely chopped mushrooms and bread with a buttery aroma. A salad topped with seasonal fruit. And a steak specially requested by Leopold for Ariel’s recovery.

It looked simple, but it was a breakfast made with care.

“There’s no need to attend us. Everyone may leave.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Thud–

The door closed.

Only after all the servants had left did Leopold start to cut the steak with a fork and knife.

“You have something to tell me.”

Her attitude, gaze, tone, and expression. So much had changed it was hard to find anything that hadn’t.

Thus, Leopold was inwardly curious about what stories Ariel would unfold.

“Yes. I have something to tell you.”

Ariel scooped up a spoonful of mushroom soup. The umami of the mushrooms and the creaminess were harmonious.

‘Delicious.’

Her lips adorably moved as she ate.

“I’m curious. What story you’ll tell.”

Since it was her first meal in three days, he busily cut the meat into small pieces.

With each pass of the knife, the top-quality veal was smoothly sliced.

But then Ariel suddenly put down her fork. Her face, as she wiped her mouth with a napkin, was quite serious.

“The story I’m about to tell now, Your Majesty might not believe.”

Who would believe it? The fact that she was transmigrated into the world of a novel. That she had been avoiding him because, like in the original story, he might kill her.

“With you saying that, I’m even more curious. I wonder what kind of story it is.”

Leopold also put down his knife and fork and lifted a glass of water to moisten his lips.

He couldn’t even begin to imagine what story would come from her lips.

Ariel looked down and took a deep breath.

‘He might be shocked.’

What kind of storm would follow if Leopold found out she was actually a fictional character from a novel?

Ariel fell into contemplation for a moment.

Would it really be right to tell him everything?

‘But still… I don’t want to hide anything from Leopold anymore.’

Her sparkling emerald eyes turned towards Leopold.

“I am, in fact, not Ariel.”

Was that the reason why she showed a different demeanor after regaining consciousness?

Leopold’s dark eyes began to tremble.