Of course, Dominic’s expression wasn’t pleasant either as he spoke.

He had the face of someone reluctantly sharing information. Naturally, Johan would know the reason for this by now.

A heavy silence flowed for a moment as neither of them spoke. Johan’s subdued voice broke that silence.

“…The fact that it’s starting to threaten means its position has diminished. In other words, as time passes, it’s one step closer to disappearing.”

‘Because of the compass, it’s more cornered, so it won’t want to miss the opportunity it’s regained….’

The moment it saw the mirror, many of the things that had been suppressed were probably released. Controlling it would be more difficult than before due to its strengthened resistance. Johan continued, deliberately suppressing his unpleasant emotions.

“Since the brainwashing that makes her believe she must perform that act is already in place, she will continue to desire intimacy…. But the lady’s mind itself will be clearer than before. That’s why she wanted affection… that kind of thing from you.”

“Then….”

Before Dominic could say anything, Johan preemptively added.

“But that’s an even more serious matter. If you saw it directly, you’d know this was an action taken because it’s cornered. Since the time it can control the body has shortened, it’s using that fleeting moment effectively. You said it left open the possibility of stabbing her neck until the end? It will do that whenever it gets the chance from now on. There will be times when it’s even worse….”

“……”

“Even if it seems difficult to harm one’s own body…. when moved by external force, hesitation disappears and it becomes not so difficult. How long do you think it would take to misstep on the second-floor stairs or throw the body out a window, even without a direct attempt?”

It probably wouldn’t take more than five seconds at most. So even if the thought-form could move the body for just a moment, the danger remained the same.

Hearing this, Dominic furrowed his brow and asked.

“Can’t we bind her so she can’t harm herself, can’t even try anything? It’s only a matter of time anyway—just keep her from doing anything until it’s gone.”

Johan firmly shook his head at this.

“Even if we restrain her limbs, that doesn’t mean there are no methods. She might bite her tongue…. As I said, we shouldn’t only consider the lady’s strength as we know it. Even the cloth used to bind her could become a good weapon.”

“……”

“For the same reason, it would be the same even if we gagged her. …Above all, didn’t I say that the duration it can possess the body isn’t long? That ultimately means for most of the time, we would be imprisoning the lady with a clear mind.”

“……”

“You seem to have softened immediately upon seeing her crying face…. How long do you think you can keep that innocent woman bound? No, even if you could do it coldly, I can’t.”

After finishing those words, Johan, who had been lost in thought for a moment, opened his mouth again with a heavy sigh.

“Honestly, I’d prefer not to accept your help at all. But even if I’m always by her side, a very small gap might occur…. Given the situation, you’ll have to play along until it disappears from the lady’s body.”

“…You mean I need to continue acts like today’s.”

“Yes. Because we can’t stimulate it. …The moment you hesitate and stop acting, the lady could be seriously injured.”

Having said that, Johan spoke with a somewhat composed expression.

“Let me be more clear. What it ultimately wants is the body of a fetus conceived through the act. Since it has no body of its own, it’s trying to take that.”

“……”

“As a smart lawyer, I’m sure you understand what I mean.”

And from now on, let’s truly not interfere with each other.

With that addition, Johan turned his back first. Dominic looked at the man’s back once, then stared for a long time at May’s firmly closed door.

The door with warm colors, its handle had a scent pouch that May had surely attached. The faint scent that he used to notice every time he passed by that place had dulled.

In an instant, his olfactory threshold heightened, and simultaneously, he began to feel a sense of dissonance in all the scenery of the mansion he had previously thought peaceful.

* * *

“Hmm… it was meant to be a teasing remark….”

The ducal household, busy preparing for a banquet, was more bustling than usual. Of course, that busyness didn’t apply to Derrick Hale, but….

“It was actually true.”

After staring for a long time at the jewel eyes of the snow-white dove perched on his shoulder, Derrick spoke.

As he continued to mutter to himself, the blonde knight beside him belatedly expressed curiosity.

“What do you mean?”

Derrick gave a slight eye-smile while looking at the expressionless woman. He had an itchy mouth, and now he had received a good question. The knight, who now realized that his earlier muttering had been a ploy, slightly narrowed her eyes.

“Dame, you know my brother was born lacking, right?”

The knight replied stiffly to his excited voice.

“…The Third Young Master is an excellent prosecutor.”

“Hmm, is that so? Well, let’s say he is….”

Derrick vaguely agreed with an attitude that showed he didn’t understand at all, then immediately smiled brightly and said cheerfully,

“Actually, he seems busy having an affair these days, what do you think? Interesting story, right?”

It couldn’t be interesting. It was common knowledge that the Duchess of Hale not only disliked but abhorred concubines and mistresses. To such an extent that she warned her sons about it since childhood. So to ask if the Third Young Master having an affair was interesting…. The knight’s face, who had momentarily lost words, visibly soured.

“…As far as I know, he doesn’t even have a fiancée yet.”

Of course, Derrick continued without minding her expression.

“Ah, did I confuse you? Aiden is the concubine. Isn’t that really funny?”

Despite deliberately speaking to cause a misunderstanding, the man explained as if he had truly made a mistake. Seeing him, the knight’s eyes showed a tired look.

“No, it’s not funny.”

“Ah, is this humor too difficult for a swordsman who uses her body to understand?”

After deliberately choosing words that would anger the knight, Derrick pondered deeply.

‘They were really sticking together at all hours… I wonder if there’s even room for Aiden who arrived late.’

Or would she perhaps like it more? Since she’d have one more man to sleep with. Aiden was desperate to be with that maid, so perhaps it could be a good thing for both of them.

‘Or maybe he can’t eat even when fed?’

Since that’s how it’s been until now, it might be the case.

“Hmm….”

Derrick seriously considered the possibility that his brother might be impotent. Just looking at Aiden’s sensitive face, he could tell that he hadn’t yet lost his virginity.

And because of that, perhaps that maid who was desperate for him had brought in another man.

His brother was definitely lacking. As far as he knew, he had been alone with her for quite a long time, yet he was still fumbling around unable to handle one small woman, and a commoner at that, with nothing to hold him back….

Clicking his tongue, Derrick then pondered a bit more.

He was contemplating whether to tell the story brought by the magical bird he consistently sent to Almar for his brother’s sake to the person concerned.

Of course, it wasn’t a concern for Aiden’s mental health.

Derrick was simply weighing which would be more entertaining: Aiden knowing the truth beforehand or finding out later.

He was very curious about what face his brother would make upon hearing about their lifestyle—how they were having s*x so much that one could smell bodily fluids just by approaching the mansion—so the option of Aiden not knowing about it didn’t exist from the start.

‘Ah, this is really fun.’

“Hehe….”

The knight looked at the finally laughing Derrick as if he were something creepy. She didn’t even bother to pretend to hide that gaze anymore.

“…Second Young Master, your expression is too wicked right now. There are many visitors coming and going from outside during this period, and priests are also present, so it would be better to show some restraint.”

“Is that so? Ah, right… then, Dame Delphina, could you decide for me?”

Having thought of a good idea, Derrick immediately floated two magical spheres of identical size and appearance in the air. He spoke to the knight who now looked puzzled.

“Choose one of the two. I have quite a dilemma, and you’re a somewhat interesting person with a pretty good sense.”

You’ll probably choose the more fun option. Swallowing the latter part, Derrick smiled brightly.

Soon, the knight’s fingertip pointed at the sphere on the left. Watching the magical energy scatter, Derrick nodded.

“Following your choice, I’ll go with not telling for now.”

“…I don’t understand what you’ve been talking about. If you gave me choices, it seems courteous to explain what they meant as well.”

Ignoring her voice mixed with slight dissatisfaction, Derrick hummed a tune.

Come to think of it, he thought it would create a more entertaining situation if Aiden were to ‘directly’ witness the truth with his own eyes belatedly, rather than hastily conveying the situation now.

Only a week remained until the banquet began. So a week and three days. After that, Aiden would undoubtedly rush to that mansion as if he had endured enough.

‘I should have a carriage waiting at the Almar train station in advance.’

“Dame, you do seem to have good intuition. Thanks for the good choice.”

Thanks to you, Aiden will suffer a bit more. Hehe.

The knight’s eyebrows furrowed slightly as she saw Derrick smiling like a demon.