Tiny water droplets on the broad leaves reflected the sunlight, sparkling like jewels. The abundant fruits overhead all glowed with a mysterious light. Water sprayed gently from sprinklers installed throughout the greenhouse created delicate rainbows as they dispersed into the air.

The greenhouse was quiet yet brimming with life. Though not a breath of wind stirred inside, the rustling leaves created sounds that resonated like beautiful background music. This greenhouse was truly a place of unparalleled beauty unlike anywhere else in the world.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?”

“…Yes.”

Iska gazed at the greenhouse, seemingly lost in a trance. Despite his admiration, he also appeared somewhat intimidated. Rudis suddenly felt embarrassed about her earlier pride.

“Come here. I’ll explain everything to you.”

Rudis took Iska’s hand and led him deeper inside.

“The plants here only need harvesting occasionally, so there’s not much to worry about…”

Somehow Noah had managed to make everything grow well in the greenhouse regardless of season. Because of this, Rudis had only planted special seeds and saplings whose origins remained mysterious. The suspicious seed she received from an elderly man who had donated a large sum of money this spring was also planted here.

“This one needs premium fertilizer and growth accelerator. Whenever you remember. The more often, the better.”

The suspicious seed had sprouted into an equally suspicious plant. Despite receiving fertilizer and growth accelerator regularly, it had only grown to Rudis’s height, suggesting it was a woody species that took time to mature.

Though still a small sapling, Rudis could tell this tree was special. Whenever its dark blue leaves rustled, clear, small sounds rang from their tips—pure and clean like bell chimes.

“I’ll do that.”

“Thank you, Iska. Really.”

How could anyone speak ill of someone so kind? Looking into his blue eyes that sparkled brilliantly in the greenhouse sunlight, Rudis made a promise to herself. Someday, she would show those who misunderstood Iska, like Xenon, his true worth. She couldn’t have imagined what was to come.

* * *

“It’s already night…”

“You should rest today.”

By the time they returned from touring the greenhouse and finished dinner, the sun had already set and stars dotted the sky. Rudis habitually checked her incomplete quest list to verify deadlines. Though things would be a bit tighter, taking one day off didn’t seem problematic.

“Then shall I go to bed early tonight?!”

“Would you like to?”

Rudis yawned loudly while observing Iska. Seeing that he didn’t look upset at her declaration that implied he shouldn’t bother her tonight, she felt confident she could actually get to sleep early.

“Good night, Iska.”

“Sleep well.”

Rudis spoke as she lay down in bed. Iska took his usual place beside her. He embraced her lightly as always, but that was all. Unlike a few days ago, he wasn’t suffering from his mating season.

I should really sleep now.

Most of her incomplete quests were due tomorrow. This meant she absolutely needed to wake up early and move quickly. While outright refusing quests was one thing, accepting them and failing to complete them would significantly lower her affinity with the NPCs—a situation Rudis wanted to avoid.

But I can still manage it.

A major advantage was not having to do ranch work in the morning. She was grateful that Iska had volunteered to take care of those tasks.

So I need to sleep early…

The massive bulge pressing against her backside kept distracting her. Knowing what it was made it worse. Rudis instinctively became wet.

“Haa, Lady Rudis.”

Without realizing it, she had been wiggling her hips, rubbing against his flesh. Naturally, almost unavoidably.

“Hnng, you said you’d sleep early. If you do this, I’ll be too… haa.”

The sound of grinding teeth and rough breathing through bitten lips penetrated Rudis’s ears.

Her chest rose and fell steeply, following his short, shallow breaths. Her body began to twist and turn. Though she knew she shouldn’t, she couldn’t stop. Everything was stimulating—even the sound of her swallowing dry saliva.

Perhaps I’m the one in heat.

Finally surrendering to desire, Rudis whispered with a slightly trembling voice.

“Will you help me?”

“Lady Rudis…”

Iska called her name with a tender voice and no longer held himself back. Until dawn.

* * *

I’m doomed.

That was her only thought upon seeing the sunlight streaming through the window. Despite her determination to wake up early, it was already midday. Rudis grabbed her head and sighed deeply.

Why did I do that?

She tried to recall the night’s events, but every memory that surfaced was so embarrassing she wished she could forget them all.

Though she clearly hadn’t intended for things to escalate, Iska’s damp, grassy scent seemed to have made her lose all reason.

Most shameful of all were the words she had spoken.

“Will you help me?”

Just remembering made her skin crawl. She couldn’t believe she had said something so embarrassing. Worse still, it hadn’t happened just once. Throughout the night, Rudis had begged Iska to embrace her again and again.

Though she couldn’t remember clearly—perhaps she hadn’t been in her right mind—she even seemed to recall climbing on top of him as he lay there. Entirely of her own volition.

I really wasn’t myself.

Rudis pulled the blanket over her head and recalled traces of the previous night. Those blue eyes, tinged with red, still lingered in her vision. She remembered Iska’s low, rough breathing each time she moved, and how his expression gradually softened as he looked at her. Even the way his muscles became more defined under her touch. Everything had been so intense.

“…Lady Rudis?”

Her hands, which had been pulling at her hair, stopped. Iska was slowly rising, calling out to her.

Rudis’s gaze immediately went to Iska’s upper body. His skin, visible outside the sheets, was covered with congestion marks—traces she had left the night before. Every place her nails, lips, and teeth had touched was clearly marked.

“I’m sorry. Last night, I wasn’t myself.”

His appearance prompted an automatic apology.

“…Did that hurt?”

Rudis pointed to the vivid red mark on Iska’s chest. Judging by its shape, she must have bitten and chewed on it fiercely. It looked painful just to look at.

“No. I was happy. Truly.”

In response to Rudis’s apology, Iska placed his hand on his chest. His gently flushed face suggested he really was fine. No, he looked genuinely happy. Purely so. This only made Rudis feel more guilty.

“I’m sorry. I won’t do it again. I must have gone crazy.”

Rudis couldn’t stop apologizing. It was the natural response for any normal person.

“…”

Suddenly, Iska’s expression stiffened. His eyes, which had been gently curved just moments ago, froze instantly. The cold gaze felt like it could pierce through her heart.

“Sorry…”

Just facing that gaze brought a chill of fear. Rudis lowered her head to avoid his eyes and apologized again through her constricted throat.

His gaze toward Rudis wavered briefly. Then, as though he had steeled himself, it returned to normal.

“I’ll prepare breakfast.”

After a long silence, those were the only words Iska uttered.

* * *

Rudis hesitantly sat at the table. Despite the meal Iska had prepared, she found it difficult to start eating. Iska’s brief but unmistakable hardened expression from earlier wouldn’t leave her mind.

Why was he angry?

Rudis felt confused. To be precise, it wasn’t just anger. Though brief, various emotions had crossed Iska’s face—anger, sadness, and something precarious, like he was falling apart.

I can’t ask him about it, and I probably shouldn’t apologize again…

Simply letting it go without questioning seemed the wisest choice. She sensed that saying more would only weigh heavier on Iska’s heart.

In the end, what Rudis could do was simple: eat the food Iska had carefully prepared as deliciously and abundantly as possible. In the awkward silence, she picked up her spoon and took a bite.

“Mmm…”

The stew melted softly in her mouth. The broth was a deep brown, exuding a rich and profound aroma. Unique spices blended together, and above all, it carried the damp forest scent reminiscent of Iska. Large pieces of shadow mushrooms were clearly visible, generously added. When she chewed the soft, well-cooked mushroom pieces, juicy flavors burst forth. A subtle mixture of nuttiness and bitterness lingered on her tongue.

“Eat plenty.”

Iska was now sitting across from her, watching with a pleased smile. His face looked affectionate, almost salivating.

“This is delicious!”

Rudis chewed enthusiastically on spoonfuls of stew. She had completely forgotten about her incomplete quests, as though they didn’t exist at all. For quite a long time.