“Do you really have to do this? Can’t Lord Usta come and get the medicine himself?”

Marquis Usta might recognize Lisette’s face, so going directly to the Usta residence made her uncomfortable.

“No. That won’t work.”

But seeing Celia’s firm attitude, it seemed there was a reason why Lisette had to go herself.

“Is there a specific reason I need to go personally?”

“You’ll find out when you get there. I’ll contact Lord Usta myself, so you just need to deliver the medicine to him.”

Though feeling disgruntled, Lisette decided to listen to Celia. After all, there weren’t many factors that could cause her to fail in preventing the marriage between Lord Usta and Natalie.

* * *

On the promised day, Lisette’s steps felt heavy as she headed toward the Usta residence.

‘Do I really have to go?’

‘Yes.’

Since Marquis Usta might recognize her face, visiting the Usta family without a veil bothered her. She expressed her reluctance several times before the visit, but the answer remained the same.

‘If you really hate it, I can withdraw the wish.’

‘No, no. I’ll go.’

Seemingly tired of responding, Celia eventually threatened her using the wish as an excuse, and Lisette had to comply.

‘I scheduled it for a day when Marquis Usta will be out, so don’t worry.’

‘Thank you.’

Celia had shown consideration in her own way. With the Marquis absent, Lisette had no reason not to go, so despite her reluctance, she headed to the Usta residence.

“You’ve arrived.”

A maid guided Lisette into the reception room as soon as she entered the mansion, suggesting they had been notified in advance. When the reception room door opened, Claude was already there waiting.

“Shall I bring some tea?”

“No, that won’t be necessary.”

Claude firmly declined the maid’s offer to bring tea.

‘Am I not considered a guest? Is he someone who discriminates against people of different status?’

At his refusal to serve tea, something welled up from deep within Lisette. Though she didn’t particularly need tea, she couldn’t help feeling hurt by the poor hospitality.

“Let’s go to the basement.”

“The basement?”

“I was told the medicine I want will only be effective if received in the basement.”

Why the basement of all places?

Following Claude down a dark staircase without any light, they eventually reached the basement. Opening the door revealed a small room. Though damp and dark, it was fully furnished with a bed, sofa, desk, table, and other essentials.

“This must be an emergency shelter.”

“Yes. When I said I wanted to buy medicine, I was told to open it here. I don’t know why.”

Claude’s gaze turned toward the table.

“Tea has been prepared in advance, so please drink.”

Following his gaze, Lisette saw two teacups on the table. The steam rising from them indicated they had been prepared recently.

He’s not lacking manners after all.

Realizing she had misunderstood, Lisette felt embarrassed but pretended not to notice as she drank the prepared tea.

Instead of sitting across from her and drinking tea, Claude strode to the bed and lay down.

What is he doing?

Claude wasn’t someone known for strange behavior. He had never shown interest in women, let alone touched them, so Lisette tilted her head in confusion.

“I see you weren’t told anything about this errand.”

Claude said, noticing Lisette’s bewilderment.

“I’ll lie on the bed with my eyes closed. After you finish your tea, come beside me and open the vial you’re holding.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he lay on the bed with his legs together and hands clasped over his stomach in a solemn posture, then closed his eyes.

“Did Celia tell you to lie down like that?”

“Yes.”

His current behavior seemed completely unrelated to breaking off the marriage with the Imperial Princess.

What kind of medicine is this?

Lisette took out the medicine from her pocket and examined the glass vial containing a deep pink liquid. It didn’t look much different from Celia’s usual potions, except for the color.

The situation was puzzling, but since Lisette hadn’t heard Celia’s specific plan, she had no choice but to follow his instructions.

Tilting her head in confusion, Lisette slowly removed the bottle cap. Immediately, the liquid transformed into thick smoke, and a sour smell stung her nostrils.

What is this smell?

It wasn’t particularly pleasant, and just as she was about to cover her nose, a strange energy began to fill the basement.

She looked at Claude to see if he felt it too, but with his eyes closed, he seemed completely unaware.

It was odd that he appeared so calm, especially since knights were known to have much sharper senses than ordinary people.

Is it because of the magical power?

As the smoke that filled the ceiling gradually descended, a peculiar sensation accompanied by heat began to spread from her lower abdomen. The feeling intensified as it traveled from her abdomen to her intimate areas.

‘How can I be getting wet when I haven’t done anything?’

At first, she only felt heat, but gradually her body began to tremble, and her legs wobbled so much she could barely stand upright. Staggering, Lisette managed to stay standing by bracing herself against the wall.

“Are you alright?”

Though he hadn’t detected the strange smoke, Claude must have heard her staggering footsteps, as he rose from the bed to support her.

The moment he slightly touched her body, Lisette pushed his hand away. Even that brief contact had caused her intimate area to become wetter.

What on earth is happening?

Her body grew increasingly hot, and now even her breath became hot and rapid. Her body felt increasingly urgent.

Her mind went blank, and she couldn’t think of anything except wanting to touch the man in front of her.

‘Am I the only one feeling strange?’

She felt embarrassed, thinking she might be the only one affected. She needed to leave to avoid further humiliation, but her legs trembled so much she could barely take a step.

That’s when it happened.

“Stay away from me!”

Claude urgently averted his gaze. He too had begun to sweat profusely. The man who always maintained composure and restraint now appeared somewhat disheveled.

Claude’s face contorted in pain, like he was struggling to endure something unbearable.

‘So I’m not the only one affected?’

Despite her physical distress, Lisette carefully observed Claude’s condition. When she noticed his lower body bulging, she realized he was in the same state as her.

No way. This situation… we’re under the influence of an aphrodisiac, right?

Lisette could roughly guess the reason. Even though she lived alone in the Detached Palace, she wasn’t so innocent that she couldn’t understand what was happening.

However, having only heard about such things but never experienced them firsthand, she didn’t know what to do.

This is insane. She asked for three days just to make an aphrodisiac? Spending three days making with magic something that could be bought on the market, what kind of situation is this?

It was ridiculous. Normally she would have laughed, but now she didn’t have that luxury. Her body felt increasingly strange as time passed.

Claude’s frown deepened as well, indicating how much he was restraining himself.

“I’ll… I’ll leave first, so take your time coming out.”

Seeing Claude trying his best to maintain his manners by resisting the aphrodisiac, she was relieved that he was the kind of man the rumors described.

Having experienced greater pain on the battlefield, he seemed more accustomed to endurance than she was. However, his body wouldn’t move as he wished, and his steps backward seemed incredibly heavy.

Lisette also struggled to back away from him. For now, this was the best option.

Getting close would be dangerous. She felt like she might do something irreversible. So she needed to escape before that happened.

“Kyaa!”

But she was so tense that she failed to watch her step and lost her balance, staggering.

“Watch out!”

Claude, who had been backing away, rushed forward with a startled face to catch her as she stumbled.

At that moment, her body jolted in shock. He seemed to feel the same sensation, pausing in surprise.

When their eyes met, a spark ignited between them, and their reason crumbled instantly.

The moment their restraint snapped, Lisette and Claude rushed toward each other and pressed their lips together. Their breaths mingled, transmitting each other’s warmth.