“So, the ‘Beginner Husband’s Warm Touch’…”

He had used that skill on Louise before.

In the North, it was so cold that just having the air brush against the tip of your nose could make your eyes water.

Since she was asleep now, he thought she probably wouldn’t notice if it made her a bit warmer.

Alec closed his eyes tightly for a moment, then opened them.

With lingering doubt about whether this would work, he moved carefully.

He sat on the bed as quietly as possible, making sure not to make any noise.

As his eyes were drawn to Louise’s sleeping face, he found himself captivated once again.

Her clear, pristine complexion was like morning dew, her petite yet elegant forehead, her sharply defined nose like a delicate sock, and her lips, so radiant and red it was as if something had been applied to them.

Finally, her silver hair, flowing like threads woven from the mysterious moonlight…

He was entranced, drawn in by her appearance.

But he quickly shook his head, regaining his senses.

In 12 hours, or maybe even 10, the castle might collapse.

He couldn’t imagine how heartbroken Louise would be if they lost Wiltsbrook Castle.

Gently, he grasped her wrist.

It was so slender it barely fit in his hand.

“Skill: Beginner Husband’s Warm Touch.”

No sooner had he murmured this to himself than the warmth from his hand transferred to Louise’s skin—

Beep!

[Wrong!]

[That is not the correct way to use ‘Beginner Husband’s Warm Touch.’]

“…?”

Alec’s eyes widened in shock.

Wrong?

He had used the skill to warm her up, but that wasn’t the correct method?

With a silent sigh, Alec rested his forehead in his hand.

His head suddenly felt unbearably heavy.

“I knew it.”

By now, he was starting to think that the “correct way” might mean something absurd.

Who would have thought he’d encounter such a perverted system?

But could he really use that method with the current awkward tension between them?

Alec looked up again to check the current affection level.

There had been something odd about it.

Even though Louise seemed to sense something strange about him, her affection level had remained the same.

However, her trust level had been fluctuating wildly throughout the day.

Like a stock graph, it surged in red and dropped in blue, confirming that she was indeed suspicious of him.

But her affection level didn’t rise or fall—it remained steady.

In fact, that only made him more anxious.

“…I thought her affection would drop.”

With a deep sigh, Alec turned his head back to look at Louise’s face.

And at that moment, he froze, as if struck by lightning.

She was looking at him with slightly blurred eyes.

Had she woken up at some point?

“…Why are you up? Is it morning already?”

“Ah, no. I just couldn’t sleep.”

“I see. I must’ve had a restless sleep too.”

“…”

Alec stared at her, swallowing nervously.

Her eyes were still drowsy, as if she wasn’t fully awake.

At that moment, her trust level began rising and falling again.

Just looking at him seemed to make her trust waver.

Her hazy eyes slowly began to clear.

Yet, her trust level kept oscillating before eventually returning to its original state.

Just like now.

Alec carefully reached out and grasped her hand.

Her pupils wavered, and her trust level dropped again.

He tightened his grip slightly and lowered his head.

Would Louise push him away?

His heart pounded nervously in his chest.

If he wanted to prevent the castle from collapsing, this was his only chance.

If he let tonight slip away and waited for tomorrow night, the 10 hours would have passed.

Louise just stared up at him with stiff, wide eyes.

As his lips drew closer, his eyelids gently closed.

The atmosphere was unfamiliar and strange, like the moment before a first kiss.

Finally, their lips touched.

He felt her body tremble slightly, but she didn’t immediately push him away.

Alec, gathering a bit more courage, propped himself up on the bed and opened his mouth.

Though they had kissed countless times, this felt different somehow.

It was as if his senses had become tens of times sharper, and he could feel the texture of her soft lips as if he could see it with his eyes.

The lips he had wanted for a lifetime were now enveloped within his own.

Louise’s body tensed slightly at his deep penetration.

Though it had been quite some time since she naturally accepted him, now she was being as cautious as if it were their first time.

Despite her reaction, Alec boldly intertwined his tongue.

He smoothly wrapped it around her soft skin and gently brushed the tender inside.

She flinched in surprise and trembled, and his heart also skipped a beat from the sensation.

“Ha.”

A soft, slightly strained breath escaped from between Louise’s lips.

That delicate, aroused moan seemed to intoxicate his ears.

Feeling his heart heat up, he unfastened Louise’s dress.

Once he started indulging in her touch, he couldn’t stop.

Suddenly, she slightly lifted her hips and wrapped her arms around his neck.

Their lips pressed together even more deeply.

Their lips and breaths intertwined as if they were becoming one, and their breathing grew faster.

For this moment, it was as if she was trying not to doubt him, and she began to feel him too.

No, perhaps Louise had half-lost her senses for a moment.

Their heartbeats and breathing echoed in their ears, louder than usual.

Why wasn’t she his woman?

Why, when he could feel her love and desire for him so strongly, was she someone he couldn’t have, and why didn’t she even know he existed?

And who was he now, after all?

He had long forgotten his original name.

As the sudden question muddled his mind, their clothes were quickly shed.

“Louise.”

He looked down at her, breathing a little heavily.

Her eyes seemed slightly dazed.

His vision was similarly blurred as he gazed at her.

With only Louise in his sight, Alec touched her gently.

“…!”

Louise’s pupils suddenly widened, and her chin lifted slightly.

Was it because warmth was seeping into her?

No, it occurred to him that it might have been a bit too hot.

*Ding!*

[Congratulations!]

[‘Beginner Husband’s Warm Touch’ has been used correctly!]

[Quest rewards will be determined based on usage.]

TL NOTE: More advanced chapter of this story is already up to the site. Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories