I wondered why he was greeting me again when we had just met earlier, but before I realized what was happening, Seth pulled me into his arms. His touch was so gentle that I didn’t notice what was happening until I was in his embrace.

“Hello?”

Although I didn’t understand what was going on, I greeted him back.

Soon, a smile appeared on the man’s lips, and then they suddenly came closer.

Ah.

A soft sensation suddenly took over me.

The feeling of something invading my mouth was both unfamiliar and familiar, sending shivers down my spine. The liquid entering my mouth was sweet, making me want to drink more, so I clung to him.

I like it. I really like it.

I craved him so much that I didn’t even notice the large hand caressing my upper body.

“Ah.”

When our lips parted, I let out a sigh without realizing it.

“Shall we do more?”

Seth asked, tilting his head to the side and licking his wet lips.

“Ye… No!”

Shaking my head vigorously as I felt this could lead to trouble, I discovered my exposed skin becoming more visible.

“When did this happen!”

What I was wearing was a dress.

I had worn a long dress so as not to look out of place when I came here, but Seth had been undoing the buttons on the upper part one by one.

By the time I grabbed Seth’s hands, more than half of it was already open.

“Why, Master?”

Seth interlaced his fingers with mine as I grabbed him, giving me a smile that took my breath away.

My gaze followed his elegant intertwining fingers as if mesmerized, and the soles of my feet tingled.

This damn alarm doesn’t even ring anymore.

I turned my creaking neck to face Seth.

“S-s-someone might come!”

“If you’re talking about His Highness the Crown Prince, he won’t be able to come back soon.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“His Majesty is having an audience with him, and the Emperor has many questions for His Highness.”

Seth gave a gentle eye-smile.

“You…!”

No matter how I look at it, this is your doing!

“So don’t worry.”

After finishing his words, Seth buried his face in my chest and made smooching sounds.

“Seth!”

I pulled his red hair, but the small head didn’t budge at all.

“Hic! Hick!”

I tried to lean my upper body backward, but Seth’s hands were already firmly supporting my back and waist. I covered my mouth with both hands to prevent moans from escaping.

I’m going crazy.

It feels insanely good.

Everything felt good, from the sensation of flesh being kneaded to the feeling of wetness left behind by his tongue.

“I missed you.”

Even his occasionally whispered plaintive tone drove me crazy.

“Seth, ah. Please.”

Finding it increasingly difficult to endure the growing tickling sensation, I hit Seth’s back. I also stomped my feet.

“Please, sob.”

“Please, what?”

Seth whispered gently, and I almost shouted “More.”

“Stop. Stop it.”

When I started to sniffle, Seth raised his head with a sigh. Then he hugged me tightly.

“Master, come with me. Okay?”

I should firmly refuse, but the lips pressing against my earlobe and the solid male torso pressing against my chest made it impossible for me to speak.

“Let’s go together.”

The scent I love that makes me dizzy, the whispering voice.

Beep beep beep beep!

Finally, the red alert started ringing.

Right, I might fall for Seth’s sweet talk at this rate. Let’s change the subject quickly!

“Seth, how did you know I came?”

“How did I know?”

Seth kissed my cheek with a smack.

“Of course I know, because the guard in charge of the castle entrance told me.”

That guy from earlier? I should definitely fire him.

“After you disappeared, I issued an order to the whole country. Black hair, black eyes.”

Seth slowly raised his head to meet my gaze.

“If the name is Lietrie Extri, or something similar, report it to the Chancellor’s office or the Imperial Palace immediately.”

So you put out a nationwide search for me, is that it?

What a terrifying guy.

My expression reflected in his crimson eyes seemed no different from usual, but Seth must have read my inner thoughts like a ghost. Judging by the way he smiled, twisting his lips.

“Why? Feeling frustrated that you got caught after running away?”

“You should speak properly. Was that me running away?”

I raised my chin and opened my eyes wide.

“I got caught up in Yuno’s accident.”

If he hadn’t blown up the magic tower while experimenting, I wouldn’t have ended up in that damn monastery.

There was nothing wrong with what I said, so Seth seemed to agree readily.

“To be precise, an explosion occurred while making medicine for the stupid Knight Commander… So isn’t the damn Knight Commander the problem?”

Why does it turn out like that?

Since I was the cause of Dietrich’s strange desires, I decided to pretend not to know.

“More importantly, Seth, aren’t you hungry?”

“I’m not hungry.”

Despite his spiteful answer, Seth called someone to prepare a meal. The manager followed Seth’s orders without a word.

As expected of the shadow Chancellor who has taken control of the Imperial Palace.

“Seth, since you’re here anyway, eat before you go.”

I sat down at the table at the edge of the room. Seth followed.

“You didn’t eat properly while I was gone, did you?”

The crimson eyes silently stared at me, and somehow it became difficult to face them, so I turned my head abruptly.

“You’re so thin it’s unpleasant to look at.”

Wondering if I had spoken too harshly, I glanced at him and saw Seth biting his lips firmly. I gently placed my hand on his mouth.

“I told you not to do that. The scab hasn’t even formed yet, if you do it again it’ll tear.”

Seth, who had been looking down at me intently, wrapped his hand around mine that was touching his lips, then made me embrace his neck.

“Se-“

My voice, about to call his name, was instantly swallowed. On the tip of my tongue, there’s a fishy taste I didn’t notice earlier.

This time, Seth quickly pulled away and met my eyes again.

“Why?”

“I missed you.”

Seth whispers, pulling my hand to his cheek.

“I missed you, Master…”

Eeeeeeeeng! Eeeeeeeeeeeeng!

The red alert rings like crazy.

I need to escape!

“Seth, shall we go look around the backyard? No, let’s go! To the world of dreams and hope!”

“Master, didn’t you miss me?”

Oh, Seth Milan. Please pretend you didn’t notice.

Various emotions, whether nervousness or heart-fluttering, overwhelmed me.

“Answer me. Did you really not think of me even once?”

I should say no, that I thought of you a lot, but why can’t I speak?

In the end, I just opened and closed my mouth like a fool, and Seth…

He laughed. A very bitter laugh.

Before the red alert could even sound, I heard my heart plummet with a thud.

Knock knock.

The awkward atmosphere was broken by the sound of knocking.

“Come in.”

“I’m bringing in the meal.”

The manager came in pushing a cart. On it were steaming dishes.

“We didn’t have time to prepare many dishes. If you’re still eating, I’ll bring more.”

“It’s fine.”

I waved my hand to indicate it was enough, and the manager looked at Seth once.

“Do as she says.”

The manager bowed deeply and left the room.

“Eat. Eat quickly.”

I put food in front of Seth even before I started eating myself.