Chapter 3.3

Because she felt so wronged and frustrated, Claire wanted to cry. She also wanted to run away.

But she felt too guilty to ignore Rexion, who was now acting like a beast, constantly affected because of her. Even if it was Celia’s mistake, the fact remained that she was the one who started it all.

What should I do.

“Don’t you think you should help calm me down? Who knows? Maybe if we do it just once, things will settle down.”

When Claire couldn’t find any solution and stayed silent, Rexion was the first to speak.

Claire was so shocked by his unexpected words that her eyes went wide and she blinked rapidly several times. He continued,

“Weren’t you the one who suggested it first? That we sleep together.”

That wasn’t my intention! 

She needed to explain that she had been under a spell and said things she didn’t mean, but she couldn’t bring herself to say it. The moment she mentioned spell, she would be admitting she was the one responsible for turning him into a beast in heat, so she couldn’t do it.

“That was… a slip of the tongue.”

Instead, she used the excuse that it was a mistake. Even as she said it, Claire watched Rexion nervously, knowing how weak her excuse sounded.

“A mistake… I doubt you’re the type who doesn’t know you can’t take back words once they’re spoken. Are you saying you want to back out after provoking me first? I never realized, but you are quite a bad person, Lady Mansfield.”

A cold smile appeared on Rexion’s previously expressionless face. Just seeing that sent a chill down Claire’s spine.

“I’m sorry.”

There was nothing else she could say but to apologize. She couldn’t bear to keep looking at him, so her gaze kept dropping lower.

No answer came from Rexion. As the silence dragged on, cold sweat began to bead on Claire’s tense forehead.

She didn’t have the courage to go through with it with him. So, at this point, the best way to get out of the situation was to run away.

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to take responsibility. She just needed to escape for now and meet the mage. She needed to find her and get Rexion back to normal.

She needed to look for an opportunity to run, but the problem was, Rexion didn’t seem likely to let go of her hand.

Fortunately, her hand was no longer on his lower body, but how could she escape with her wrist still caught?

She tried to pull her hand free, but Rexion, noticing her intention, only gripped her wrist tighter.

“P-please give me a little more time to think. Just a day or two.”

“Oh? Are you saying you want to run away? I can’t allow that. Make up your mind right here.”

She tried to plead with pitiful eyes to buy some time, but all she got in return was his firm refusal.

What should I do.

Alone with him like this, she couldn’t think of anything but giving in if they stayed together all night. With a man as persistent as him, he would probably wait until she made a decision.

What if the night really passed and other colleagues came in?

Anyone could easily misunderstand this situation.

There was no other choice. She had to look away and use the distraction to escape. And right now, there was only one way to draw his attention away. It was cruel to Rexion, but Claire had no better option.

“I’m sorry.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Claire grabbed Rexion’s collar with her free hand.

The moment their eyes met, she pressed her lips to his. Having kissed him once already, the second time wasn’t as hard.

Remembering the languid look on his face earlier made her cheeks flush, but she forced herself to act as if nothing was wrong. She focused only on the fact that he, too, had been lost in the kiss, and barely managed to suppress her heated body.

As their breaths mingled, the familiar scent filled her mouth. Just catching his scent made her feel calm and at ease.

This isn’t an act of affection. It’s just a way to make my escape!

All sorts of improper feelings swirled through her mind, but she denied them all and slipped her tongue between his parted lips.

Clumsy but determined, she tried to stimulate him by slowly tracing the inside of his mouth. He responded by drawing her in, entwining and sucking her tongue, sharing a deep kiss.

Claire had started it, but Rexion’s response was so intense that she was quickly swept away by him.

As her strength began to fade, she forced herself to push even harder, repeating in her mind not to lose her grip on reason.

She sucked on his lips, tangled tongues, and tried everything she could to stimulate him. Rough breaths mingled between their tightly pressed lips.

“Mmm.”

The raw sound of their tongues twisting and saliva mixing began to fill the space.

This was only her second kiss, so she was still clumsy, but she had to keep stimulating Rexion to create a chance to escape, so her actions grew more urgent.

As the kiss deepened, she felt the grip on her wrist loosen.

Now!

Claire pushed Rexion away with all her strength. As their lips parted, their ragged breaths mixed together.

“P-please forget about what happened today!”

After shoving the stunned man away one more time, Claire ran out in a panic.

She opened the door, left the office, and only stopped running once she was outside the office.

Catching her breath, Claire looked back. Fortunately, everything was quiet, as if nothing had happened.

She had thought there was no other way but to run, but now that Rexion wasn’t chasing after her, she felt strange.

Ah, it must be because the spell still hasn’t worn off.

Claire blamed the spell for these feelings she couldn’t understand. Since it was the spell that had caused such an embarrassing scene earlier, she told herself it was the spell that had made a mess of her heart as well.

“At least I got through today… but what am I going to do tomorrow?”

Once she managed to calm her pounding heart, she started worrying about what would happen next.

The problem was, of all people, Rexion was her boss. Even if she wanted to avoid him, they worked in the same office, so she’d have to see him regardless.

Should I quit? 

But considering her family’s situation, that wasn’t possible.

Should I apply for a transfer to another department? 

But since the previous treasurer had embezzled funds, no department would take anyone from the Ministry of Finance until all suspicion was cleared.

No matter how she thought about it, the only way to avoid Rexion was to quit, and that made Claire’s steps heavy.

She wished tomorrow would never come.

With that ridiculous, hopeless wish, her body drooped like clothes soaked with water.