As Kallian looked at the blood staining her chest and pooling between her br*asts, he gently lowered the neckline of her dress. As her bare skin met the cold night air, goosebumps began to creep up her body. The sound of the nearby stream became clearer in her ears. 

Kallian placed his hand on her pale, bloodstained chest and began to wipe it carefully, making sure he didn’t miss even the smallest stain. 

“Ah… ahh…” 

Elliope tried to stifle a moan as his hands moved over her skin, wiping away the blood. 

Kallian remained focused, his throat visibly tightening as he continued to clean her. Eventually, as her undergarments loosened, her chest was completely exposed.

‘It’s cold…’

Even though Kallian had held it in his hands until it was warm before letting it flow away, the thought still lingered. She couldn’t tell whether her body was hot or the water cold.

The stream, now mixed with the herbalist’s blood, trickled in a precarious path down her pale chest. When it reached the tip of her rosy n*pple, it gathered briefly before dripping down. The red water gradually turned pink before becoming clear.

By the time most of the blood had been wiped away, Elliope had almost rested her head on Kallian’s neck. Her warm breath brushed over his skin again and again.

“……”

As if examining every detail, Kallian slid his hand under Elliope’s br*ast, gently tracing her belly and the soft skin where her flesh met. 

Only after meticulously wiping away the last drop of blood that had pooled beneath her br*ast did he finally pull her away from his body and set her down on a rock by the stream. He then carefully examined the wound on her side, just below her chest. 

Although the shallow cut had stopped bleeding, Kallian lowered his lips to it, his touch almost playful, as if to tease her.

“Haah…”

As he applied slightly more pressure as he sucked on her skin, Elliope flinched, her body shaking from the intense sensation.

Kallian looked up at Elliope with a calm but deeply subdued gaze. The tip of his well-defined nose was pressed lightly against her side.

He suddenly remembered the time he had claimed there was poison and that he had to suck it out – just before he sank his teeth into her thigh. The thought crossed his mind again – could the tip of the arrow have been poisoned this time too? 

“Ha, uh…” 

Still, she lacked the strength to resist the overwhelming sensation as Kallian kissed and sucked at her skin, almost with a hint of resentment. 

Instead of protesting, Elliope bit down hard on her lower lip. Only then did Kallian finally pull away, leaving a lingering wet sound as his lips parted from her side.

Her ribs continued to throb and tingle from the lingering sensation of what he had done.

“……”

Kallian, however, still looked as if he had more to say.

Instead of speaking, Kallian gently traced his fingers over Elliope’s wounded area before lowering his chin to the top of her head. Neither could find the words.

After a moment, Elliope felt Kallian begin to pull away. Without realising it, she instinctively tightened her knees and wrapped her legs around his waist as if to prevent him from leaving.

“Elliope.”

A choked, low voice escaped from Kallian. Startled, Elliope immediately released the grip on her knees.

But before she could pull back completely, Kallian pressed down hard on her thighs, holding them in place. As he applied pressure, the soft flesh beneath his hands bulged slightly between his fingers.

“Right now…”

“…….”

“Right now…”

Kallian trailed off, but under the water his lower body was already swollen with desire, unaffected by the icy cold of the stream.

Without realising it, Elliope tightened her grip on Kallian’s collar, pulling him closer.

In the next moment, her vision reversed.

Before she knew it, she was lying on the rock, staring blankly, her lips slightly parted.

From above, Kallian looked down at her with darkened eyes. There was not only raw desire in his flickering gaze, but also an emotion she couldn’t quite decipher.

“Not right now.”

“…….”

Despite his obvious excitement, and despite what had just happened, Kallian decided to reject Elliope’s temptation.

“You’re hurt.”

With his words, he drew water once more and carefully wiped her side. The moment the cold water touched her wound, Elliope’s body trembled slightly.

“……!”

In an instant, Kallian enveloped her completely, covering her with his body. Her small frame was swallowed by his warmth, crushed under his broad and solid physique.

Just like that, Kallian buried his face in Elliope’s neck.

It was almost a silent reproach.

“You may do as you please.”

He whispered, his breath warm against her skin.

“That’s what I told you.”

The fine hairs on the back of her neck stood on end.

Elliope lay still, her n*ked body exposed as she took deep, uneven breaths. Although she was surrounded by a suffocating warmth and didn’t feel cold, an inexplicable restlessness suddenly surged through her, making her uneasy. 

In the same way that her hand had instinctively touched his lower body earlier, her body was now moving towards his p*nis without her being aware of it.

Kallian let out another soft moan before slowly lifting the fabric of her dress. His every move was careful and deliberate.

“Hnng…”

Soon Kallian’s hard p*nis was pressing against Elliope’s thigh. He clenched his teeth as he rubbed against her a few times before quickly pulling away.

“…Kallian.”

As she called his name, his face still buried in her neck, he began to pleasure himself. The obscene sound of his hand stroking his hard p*nis filled the air.

“…Haa…”

The mere heat of his large body moving over her sent shivers down her neck.

“…Haa.”

After a while, Kallian shivered as if he had reached his climax.

He silently washed his hand in the stream before straightening Elliope’s messy clothes.

Then he reached out for her again, as if he wanted to carry her once more, as he had before. 

“……” 

Although she understood that he was reluctant to hold her too tightly because of her injury, an inexplicable sadness brushed against Elliope’s chest. 

She quickly pushed the feeling aside, and as soon as Kallian held out his hand, she leaned into it.

【 The Rift of Nahir 】

“…You may kill me if you wish.”

Ruben, who had arrived late, knelt down with a solemn expression on his face. 

This was while Elliope, who had been carried back to the priest’s house in Kallian’s arms, had been thoroughly cleaned and rested, and was now having breakfast after waking up. 

Although Ruben looked as if he had spent the whole night in pursuit, he still could not raise his head in front of Kallian. Meanwhile Kallian just looked down at him in silence. 

“The target has escaped.” 

“You abandoned the person you were supposed to protect, and in the end you lost the target as well.”

The moment Kallian spoke, his voice flat yet tinged with mockery – something Elliope hadn’t heard in a long time – she unconsciously tightened her grip on the hem of his clothes. 

Both Kallian and Ruben had witnessed the scene. 

When Elliope parted her lips slightly as if to speak, Ruben shot her a quick look, signalling her not to. 

“But… 

Still, she didn’t want Ruben to be punished. 

He had only done his best to fulfil her wish.

It was also Ruben who had refused to leave without telling the priests of their whereabouts before following her. If he hadn’t, Kallian might never have arrived in time yesterday.

The air was heavy with tension.

Elliope opened and closed her lips several times, choosing her words carefully, before unconsciously whispering –

“Honey…”

“……”

At these words, both Kallian and Ruben jumped at the same time.

In a slightly shaky voice, Elliope continued.

“I told you last night, that I…”

At that moment, just before she could say that she did not want Ruben to be punished, a long sigh escaped from Kallian. The sound made Elliope jump instinctively.

“You really are…”

“……”

Then, as if seeking comfort, Kallian laid his head lightly on Elliope’s shoulder.

Just as she was about to raise her hand to stroke him, he suddenly lifted his head, as if unwilling to remain in this moment of tenderness. The sudden absence of warmth on her shoulder left Elliope with a faint feeling of emptiness. 

“Consider your actions and discipline yourself accordingly.” 

“I will obey.” 

Although Kallian’s words seemed light, the firm expression on Ruben’s face made it clear that he wouldn’t take them lightly. 

While Elliope felt a little guilty and uncertain about Ruben’s situation, she found herself even more drawn to Kallian’s actions.

Just as Elliope felt the dryness in her mouth and was about to call out to Kallian –

“Hone…..”

“Don’t call me that now.”

Kallian’s gaze, tinged with something that felt like resentment, turned to her. Elliope parted her lips blankly before closing them.

“But you were the one who asked me to call you that…”

“Right now… calling me that is unfair.”

Kallian ran a hand over his face, as if wiping away exhaustion.

“…Why can I never bring myself to say anything against you?”

“……”

Because of the suppressed emotions hidden in that murmur… 

Elliope didn’t know how to react and unconsciously took a step back. 

For some reason, Kallian lowered his hand and stared at her intently, as if trying to decipher her reaction. 

The words that followed were completely unexpected. 

“Don’t avoid me.”

In truth, those were the very words she had wanted to say to Kallian. 

“My lord…” 

But before she could say more, their brief exchange was interrupted as the priests and knights arrived to report on Kallian’s schedule for the day. 

After that, Kallian threw himself into his work for several days. 

By the time they returned to the manor in the carriage, even his playful habit of tapping his foot against hers whenever they were together had completely disappeared. 

Elliope’s chest tightened.

‘If I only…’

She would have preferred Kallian to hug her as he usually did – tightly, until her mind was completely engulfed in his warmth. 

When they reached the manor, she hesitated to even reach for his hand. 

Finally, she cautiously reached out and gently grasped the sleeve of his shirt. Kallian looked at her with a calm expression – but he didn’t push her hand away. 

As Elliope watched him, she swallowed hard, trying to steady herself. 

“My lord! My lady!” 

Dylan, Emma and Sien burst out of the mansion as if they had been waiting for her and ran towards her.

Once again, Dylan’s expression was stiff. Lately it seemed as if all she saw was his tense and urgent face. 

Kallian seemed to have noticed as well. With a short sigh he asked Dylan directly, 

“What’s wrong?” 

“While you were in Zenya… something happened at the ducal estate…” 

Before continuing, Dylan looked at Elliope briefly, seemingly hesitating. 

“A royal envoy has arrived regarding your marriage. His Grace, the Duke, has sent an official summons for you, my lord.”

“So he wants me to appear in person and give an explanation?”

Dylan looked away slightly, as if unsure, before continuing hesitantly. 

“The summons is not just for you, my lord. The lady is required to appear immediately and give an explanation as well.”