The Herlin family was in chaos for a while. Everyone was at a loss with the sudden absence of the butler. Though no one spoke of it openly, the fact that many people had disappeared in such a short time likely played a part.

Rebecca, Ralph, and even the butler—three whole people had vanished. Considering that until now, people had disappeared one by one over several months, this was severe even for the cursed Herlin family.

Because of this, many people left the Herlin family. Of course, quite a few stayed at the manor as well. Those who remained were either people with nowhere else to go or those who didn’t care what happened. And I also stayed at the manor, remaining by Lux’s side without leaving.

“Lux, I think I need to get up now.”

My whole body ached like I’d been beaten after being tormented by him all night. The area between my legs burned like fire. My entire body was covered in mottled flower patterns—anyone who didn’t know might think I was being abused.

Even when I said I wanted to rest today, those flashing golden eyes wouldn’t let me be. He only released me after I was swept up in cl*max and poured out all the streams inside my body.

‘At this rate, I might not live out my natural lifespan.’

As I tried to lift my heavily drooping body from the bed, large arms caught me. Regret dripped from those eyes that mysteriously changed color whenever they caught the light.

“Do you really have to go?”

That picture-perfect beautiful face spoke words of pleading. Wasn’t it cheating to say such things with a face like that? I barely managed to hold onto my wavering heart.

“Yes, there aren’t many people left at the manor, so there’s a lot of work to do.”

“When exactly will you be able to stop doing that work?”

“Well, when more people come? But anyway, I’m a kitchen maid, so I don’t have separate days off.”

“Why not?”

I couldn’t help but laugh at Lux’s sullen expression. When the magic was broken, his boyish face had now changed into a man with sharp features. But he seemed even more like a child now. I hugged him tightly at his adorable complaints.

“If I, a kitchen maid, rest, the people at the manor can’t eat. That’s why I work like this and receive good pay.”

“Who cares if those humans starve or not.”

He grumbled that it didn’t matter. Lux wanted me not to do work and spend time with him instead. He’d even said he’d give me all of Veriton’s fortune in the manor if I wanted.

However, perhaps because I’d lived by working all my life, I couldn’t imagine myself just resting quietly. Becoming the lady of the manor and managing other people also seemed difficult. Actually, I liked myself the way I was now.

Working hard and sending the money I earned to my family—I was used to that kind of life.

“Once the manor stabilizes a bit, I’ll spend a lot more time with you then. Even if there are no days off, once more people come, there will be more break time.”

“…When will that be?”

“Um, that time will probably be…”

“What if you’re not here by then, Eliat?”

“Lux…”

I knew well what he was worried about. He was concerned because no one knew what results the unstable magic might bring. Neither Lux nor I knew when our lifespans would end. Even Veriton, who cast the magic, was the same.

Our last day could come today, or it could be tomorrow. So even if we loved each other like each day was our last, time wasn’t enough.

“If you disappear, I won’t be able to endure anymore. Those long years—what kind of heart did I have to bear them with…”

The gentle touch stroking my cheek carried his desperate feelings for me. The gaze looking at me was also full of tenderness. Just facing each other clearly revealed that I was loved by him.

“If you do this… I won’t be able to go to work.”

“That’s why I’m telling you not to go.”

Certainly, if I went to work like this, his image would flicker in my mind the entire time I was in the kitchen. His time without me was no different from being dead. He didn’t do anything or eat anything. I’d never seen him go outside the manor either.

Was it right to work while making such a person lonely? When the most precious thing to me is you.

“Then… I won’t go today.”

“Really?”

His gloomy face brightened instantly. How much must he have hated being alone? This side of him was both cute and pitiful, making my chest feel heavy. I really can’t help but love you.

“Yes, really.”

Come to think of it, there were many people in the kitchen who were uncomfortable with me. Part of it was because it became known that I had an unusual relationship with the young master of the manor, and they seemed to think there was nothing good about getting on my bad side if I became the lady of Herlin Manor.

The only one who welcomed me was Emily. I could already hear her voice grumbling about why I wasn’t coming to work.

‘I’ll get an earful from Emily today too. I’ll have to explain it well to her later.’

As I lay quietly in Lux’s arms, the cozy scent of wildflowers tickled my nose. It felt like lying in a field full of flowers on all sides. While sniffing his addictive body scent, my eyes met Lux’s.

He smiled silently without saying anything. I felt embarrassed for no reason and my face grew hot. As I tried to turn my head away, large hands caught my chin. I was caught by him without being able to turn away.

“Why are you avoiding me?”

“…Just because.”

“I don’t think that’s it.”

“Actually… I was embarrassed.”

“About what?”

“It feels like I’m acting too shamelessly. Emily told me that when you like someone, you shouldn’t show that you like them too much.”

Lux frowned like he couldn’t understand.

“Why?”

“So the other person won’t get tired of you…”

He let out a hollow laugh. Then he pinched my nose lightly, not enough to hurt.

“What nonsense.”

“But…”

He kissed me teasingly. Once on my lips, once on my cheek, once on the bridge of my nose. The shower of kisses continued endlessly.

“Just looking at you like this makes me feel like I’m dying of longing. Sometimes I have crazy thoughts. Like wondering if I could stop this thirst by devouring you.”

His rippling eyes revealed their sinister depths. Looking into his eyes like this made me feel like a beast caught in a trap. Like I was helplessly captivated and devoured by him over and over again.

“Other humans probably think this way too. Because you’re a lovable being.”

“Lux…”

“That’s why I get angry. I want you to look only at me. You’re mine. If there’s anyone who l*sts after you, I can’t stand it—I want to cut their throat.”

His red lips stopped at kissing distance. His languidly lowered gaze seemed to seek my consent. Instead of answering, I kissed him.

His tongue swept over the tender mucous membrane. The soft and gentle movement made me even more desperate. As our breaths intertwined, I felt his angry member against my lower abdomen where we touched.

Lux smiled fiercely.

“Eliat, my c*ck got hard because of you. Just thinking about you makes me go into heat like a crazy bastard.”

It was larger than my forearm. I always thought about it, but I couldn’t believe how something so huge could fit inside.

His hot, boiling member pulsed violently. I could tell how excited he was without even touching it directly. Just imagining that hard flesh piercing and entering made my lower region grow wet.

Even though the magic’s influence had disappeared and my body no longer went into heat, I’d become even more lewd than before. To think I’d flow just from imagining it.

Noticing my body heating up, Lux thr*st two long fingers deep between my tender flesh. Having become thoroughly familiar with my body, he quickly found my sensitive spots.

“Mmh, ugh…!”

He persistently stirred the deep inner places. The satisfaction his fingers gave was beyond imagination. My lower region twitched and I couldn’t keep my body still. I instinctively moved my hips.

Confirming that the narrow gap had softened, Lux added one more finger. Three fairly thick fingers stirred my entrance. Not satisfied with that, four gathered together and moved back and forth.

“Ugh, ah… ugh…!”

Just a little more and it would feel good. I felt like I was about to come soon. While I was struggling in waves of pleasure, he suddenly pulled out his fingers. The rising heat cooled instantly.

“…Lux?”

I looked at him with an expression of disbelief. Lux smiled like a mischievous child.

“Want to continue?”

As I bit my lips and nodded, he closed his eyes gently. While I was captivated by his beautiful appearance, an answer different from my expectations flowed out.

“Then you move this time.”

“…Me?”

“I’ve taught you well all this time.”

He pointed with his hand at his heated flesh pillar. What he was saying now seemed like he wanted me to climb on top myself. But I didn’t have the courage to do that.

Last time when I climbed on top of him without knowing anything, it hurt like my lower region was tearing. I didn’t want to feel the same pain as then. Perhaps noticing my feelings, Lux smiled and said:

“It won’t hurt like that time.”

“How can you be sure?”

“Because I’ve thoroughly trained your lower hole with my c*ck. It doesn’t hurt that much anymore when we do it, right?”

It didn’t not hurt at all. However, his words made sense too. When we made love, the pain was only brief and soon ecstatic pleasure would cover me. At my wavering face, Lux whispered like a devil:

“Or I’ll make your bottom thoroughly wet.”

Before I could answer properly, he spread my thighs apart. Golden eyes stared directly at that place. Since it had been stirred until just before, my gaping v*lva was exposed raw. My face grew hot like a ripe tomato.

“Stop looking.”

“Why?”

“It’s strange.”

“Not at all, it’s only pretty.”

“…Liar.”

“Being honest and cute is exactly like you, Eliat.”