“…Both of the Darkness contractors became quite well-known. Enough to be recorded in history books.”

Although Magnus said this, Serena no longer had any expectations.

Because, no matter how she looked at it, Magnus’s expression didn’t seem to be saying anything hopeful or energetic.

“…Recorded in history books, you say? Not for anything good, I suppose?”

“Right, they became known as great villains or criminals.”

As expected, the words that came out of his mouth were nothing short of terrible.

“One was a serial killer who only targeted nobles… and the other was a mass murderer who committed indiscriminate massacres without reason or purpose.”

“…And next is the great villainess Serena Lavernia?”

Serena said with a bitter laugh.

“…Serena.”

Serena clenched her fist tightly.

“Isn’t that right? After the serial killer and the mass murderer… what’s next? A villainess who causes incidents wherever she goes?”

Serena gritted her teeth.

Being backstabbed was a familiar experience, but d*mn, she never thought it would be related to her villainess title again.

“I don’t understand what I’ve done wrong. I…”

Serena clenched her fist tightly.

“I tried so desperately not to become like this, and now what? What is this? I thought it was a contract with the World Tree, but it turns out to be a contract with Darkness?”

She spoke rapidly, breathing heavily as if her anger had not yet subsided.

“Does this make sense? How can a person be this unfortunate? I’m not trying to pity myself. But look, if I don’t feel sorry for myself, what else can I do?”

Even though she knew, she felt irritated for no reason.

No, it’s natural to feel irritated, but it feels like her mind is becoming increasingly extreme.

Serena felt her breathing becoming faster and grabbed her chest.

She tried her best to breathe properly.

Feeling like her emotions were about to run wild, Serena shook her head vigorously.

Still, her mind was becoming a mess. Only feelings of resentment kept rising. She just hated this whole situation.

“Why am I…”

“Serena.”

“I didn’t do anything, Magnus. I… really didn’t do anything.”

Serena reached out and clung to Magnus.

Magnus pulled Serena, who was clinging to him, into his arms, sat her on his lap, and patted her back.

“I didn’t do anything, so why is this happening? If I just died, it would all be over…”

Magnus saw the swirling pitch-black energy rising around her.

He could sense Drukan’s presence outside, but Drukan seemed to notice Magnus was there and didn’t barge in like last time.

“If you die, there’s no future, Serena.”

“A future like this is better off not existing.”

“We need to have a rabbit-like child, don’t you still need a future for that?”

“Rab… Huh?”

Serena’s shoulders flinched at Magnus’s words.

Her pupils, shaken by the unexpected words, met Magnus’s eyes.

“What… did you say?”

“A child like a rabbit, I said we should raise one together.”

Magnus said calmly, watching the murky black energy fluctuate and gradually subside.

“…You were thinking of having a child with me?”

This time, Magnus was slightly offended by Serena’s incredulous words.

“…No, were you not planning to have children?”

“No, you’re saying you’d have a child with me? How could I raise a child?”

Magnus immediately furrowed his brow at Serena’s words. At his look that seemed to ask what she was talking about, Serena sighed.

“You’ve seen it, how could I raise a child?”

“Why do you think you would raise the child? I can raise it.”

“No, but a child should be in its mother’s arms…”

Magnus shook his head at Serena’s words.

It looked particularly like he was looking at a pathetic person, which made Serena frown slightly.

“Serena, it’s troublesome if you’re trapped in such an outdated way of thinking.”

“…Huh?”

Isn’t this the old era?

‘Has the world’s common social perception already started to shift to modern times?’

She had grown up hearing tirelessly that women should give birth to children, raise them, and support their husbands.

Had that changed while she wasn’t around?

“These days, men raise the children.”

Magnus spoke, recalling the only example he had seen, his father, the previous Duke.

“My father raised me almost single-handedly.”

“…Oh, really?”

Serena blinked.

“Yes, since you’ve gone through the hardship of giving birth, it’s right that I should take on the task of raising the child. You can interact with the child when you’re not tired and when you’re in a relaxed state of mind.”

“No, is that really okay? Children aren’t pets…”

“It’s because they’re not pets that I’m saying this. Even that kind of love given sparingly is love.”

Magnus kissed her cheek with a soft peck.

“The children will come to understand how much you’re trying and how much you love them.”

“No, but jumping to the child stage already is a bit…”

“It’s alright, I’m good at high jumping.”

At those words, Serena closed her mouth.

‘Even if you’re good at it, I’m not.’

She held back the words she wanted to say.

Because she knew that this was Magnus’s clumsy attempt at comfort.

“There might be many people in the world who dislike you. Most people might not understand that it’s not your fault.”

“…It’s not that they don’t understand, they actually don’t know.”

Magnus’s lips curved slightly at Serena’s resigned words.

She recalled the recently changed atmosphere in social circles and spoke, half-heartedly hiding her reluctance.

“Serena.”

“Yes?”

“I heard there’s a regular banquet held at the imperial palace soon, do you want to attend?”

Serena’s face turned pale at Magnus’s suggestion.

She flinched as if to say ‘what on earth are you talking about’ and tried to escape from Magnus’s embrace.

Magnus tightened his arms around her waist.

Serena’s face contorted. Magnus immediately stopped moving at her expression.

“Are you crazy? Why are you doing this too?”

Serena said, on the verge of tears.

“…Don’t you do this too.”

“Serena.”

“…Yes.”

Serena nodded in response to the soft call.

“Have I ever done anything to harm you?”

Serena thought for a moment.

Then she nodded slightly.

“…No, I have?”

Magnus, who had asked confidently, was taken aback and questioned.

“Yes, like during the divorce… and when I was resting well, you came in and pushed me into the bathroom, called me a pig and said it was a pigsty… and just now, you said I was a person without human rights…”

“No, wait. Wasn’t that all for your own good!”

“Was it?”

Serena replied grumpily, pouting her lips.

“Yes! And this time is the same. I just want you to see for yourself.”

“…I don’t really want to see anything.”

Serena shook her head slightly.

“I think nothing much will change even if I see or feel something new at this point.”

Even if she met people now, even if she learned new aspects, Serena thought nothing would change much.

“Serena. There are things you’ve greatly changed.”

“…What?”

“Regardless of what rumors you’ve heard, there are things you’ve changed.”

“…What have I changed? I haven’t particularly changed anything…”

“You wouldn’t know if you stay in the mansion all the time. That’s why you need to see it for yourself.”

Serena pressed her lips tightly at Magnus’s words.

She wasn’t quite sure exactly what he was talking about, but one thing was certain.

That he was wearing an extremely confident expression right now.

“So why don’t you trust me just this once?”

Magnus kissed Serena’s cheek.

“Hmm?”

He laid Serena down on the bed and lightly straddled her, then pressed his lips against hers.

“Serena, don’t crumble at insignificant words. Never forget that I’m behind you.”

At Magnus’s calm assertion, Serena frowned slightly but eventually nodded slowly.

“Good, that’s enough. If you feel anxious… think of me.”

Magnus said as he pushed his tongue between Serena’s lips.

And as if praising her for complying with his words, he gently caressed the inside of her mouth.

Serena tightly gripped the sheets, then slowly reached out to wrap her arms around Magnus’s neck.

‘She follows well what she’s been taught.’

With a quite satisfied look, Magnus pressed his body a little closer to hers.

A faint heat emanated, eventually filling the entire room.