A body as solid and unyielding as carved stone pressed down over Serine.

“Relax, Serine. I won’t hurt you.”

“L-liar…!”

Ignoring her protests, he brushed his lips against her cheek and temple. Even these brief, seemingly insignificant touches eased the tension gripping her entire body.

He pressed closer, forcing his way in with deliberate weight. Serine trembled like a fish on a spear, her body jerking uncontrollably. Her wide, innocent eyes quivered with fear, and her lips trembled helplessly.

And somehow, that only made her more captivating.

“Do you know how many times I dreamed of you? I lost count… every dream was about you.”

Even now, the memory stirred something heated in him.

“I thought if I ever saw you again, I wouldn’t hold back. But now… I almost feel like being gentle.”

Instead of the forceful intensity she expected, his movements were slower—almost deliberate, as if savoring the moment. Like tasting something carefully, he moved with controlled ease, exploring rather than conquering.

“Can you feel it?”

His voice was low, almost teasing.

Her body reacted in ways she couldn’t control—tense, resisting at first, then slowly giving way despite her efforts.

“See? You don’t have to fight it.”

A faint smile touched his lips.

“Just stay still.”

“Already losing control?”

It was maddening—how easily her composure unraveled. Serine sobbed like a child, her lips parted as she cried. Her flushed face tilted up toward him, tears spilling as she glared with quiet resentment.

“Are you doing this on purpose?”

He pressed down behind her knees, shifting his weight. The sensation deepened, making her flinch as though it reached too far, too close to something she couldn’t bear.

“Ah—! N-no…!”

At first, the unfamiliar sensation had stung, but now it burned in an overwhelming way that left her breathless, spreading through her body.

Each movement blurred her senses further. Through her tear-clouded vision, she caught glimpses of him: his solid frame moving with controlled force, and his sharp, unrelenting gaze.

When their eyes met, her body reacted before she could stop it.

“Aah—!”

“Look at you.”

He paused briefly, his expression tightening before he leaned down, capturing her lips again. The kiss was forceful, leaving her no space to breathe, no chance to gather herself.

She tried to turn away.

“I… don’t…”

Her voice faltered, barely forming words.

Her senses were overwhelmed. With her hearing gone, the narrowing of her vision only heightened her unease. Her hands reached out instinctively, clutching at him without meaning to.

“That’s new.”

This time, he didn’t pull away. Instead, he held her closer, closing the distance completely.

“You should breathe properly.”

His voice dropped, quieter now—almost coaxing.

But even as he said it, his movements didn’t slow.

“Stop… please…”

Her voice broke again, fragile and unsteady.

“You’re too easy.”

Tears spilled freely now, her cheeks flushed and damp. He watched her for a moment, then tilted his head slightly, as if considering something.

“Want to hear a secret?”

His voice softened as he leaned closer, the words brushing against her ear.

Leaning close, he murmured softly—

“I like that look on you… that helpless expression, Serine Penrose.”

Though he spoke right beside her ear, she couldn’t hear him.

And yet, as if she had, her body trembled, a broken sob slipping from her lips.

Her warmth, her softness, the way her expression crumpled so easily, the way her body reacted against her will—It was intoxicating.

Holding her close with deceptive gentleness, he continued without restraint.

Again and again.

***

When Serine came to her senses, she was in an unfamiliar mansion.

At once, she understood.

She was in serious trouble.

“Good morning, pretty.”

The trouble itself walked through the door.

He was dressed more casually than she had ever seen him—simple shirt and trousers. But the ease of his smile only made her realize it more clearly.

She had been brought into a tiger’s den.

“Where am I?”

“You already know the answer. My home.”

Despite his large frame, the way his eyes curved in a smile was almost… dangerously alluring.

“What would you like for breakfast? Eggs and bacon? Sweet pancakes with milk? Or… me?”

“…What are you planning to do?”

“If you’re asking me? Morning s*x.”

“If my father finds out, he won’t let this go.”

“Why? Because we had breakfast together?”

At her expression, Valoid laughed outright, clutching his stomach.

He truly was the worst kind of man.

“Eat first. We’ll talk while you do.”

Breakfast was exactly what he had mentioned—eggs, bacon, pancakes, and milk.

The problem was, she had no appetite.

Still, when she refused to eat, he fell silent as well. Reluctantly, she took a bite of egg.

“Enrique Penrose was returned alive.”

“…Then why was I brought here?”

“Because if I sent you back, you’d only be miserable.”

Her hand trembled around the fork.

She couldn’t deny it.

Seeing that, he continued, his explanation even more outrageous than before.

“Your group crossed the mountain and encountered a bear.”

“…What?”

“Enrique lost consciousness. A few servants were killed, and you ran. I just happened to pass by and found you.”

“Do you really think my father would accept that? Especially when he’s already at odds with you—”

The sharp lines of his face deepened with a mocking smile.

Only then Serine understood.

“So you did it on purpose, knowing he wouldn’t accept it. Didn’t you? You wanted me to be cast out because of this.”

“Now you’re starting to think.”

Serine’s face turned pale. She remembered the fury she had seen in her father’s eyes before.

Even if she truly had encountered a bear, her father would have preferred her to die tragically yet honorably. Surviving through Valoid’s intervention—something like that would never be forgiven.

“Did you know? You’ve already spent three days in my house.”

Despair sank in.

That alone would be enough for the Herlach family to call off the engagement.

She was already deaf—and now, with her “purity” in question, no one would consider her as a bride.

“Why…?”

“Why did I ruin your life?”

Resting his chin on his hand, he poured milk into her empty cup with casual ease.

“Because it’s entertaining.”

A surge of anger rose within her. She gripped the cup tightly, wanting to throw it in his face—wipe that arrogant expression away.

But just before she did, she hesitated.

“I’ve been thinking,” he said, catching her wrist.

“You really were raised to be a good daughter, weren’t you?”

His gaze, as if it saw straight through her, felt chilling.

Then, without resistance, he tilted her wrist upward—

“Ah!”

The milk spilled over him—soaking his dark hair, running down his sharp features.

He brushed at his lashes as drops slid down, and then he laughed.

“Now we’re even.”

Everything was unfolding exactly as he wanted.

Even her anger.

“I may have been a little petty earlier. It seemed like you’d forgotten what I said.”

“…What?”

“That thing about becoming my lover.”

“…You mean—?”

“That’s right. Let’s be together.”

The man who had taken her by force and brought her here now looked at her with an almost disarming ease, as if this were nothing more than a simple proposal.