The small house, barely big enough for three people, was filled with stacks of books.

Dorothy pretended to read while sneaking glances at Alice and Khalid. Alice brewed cheap black tea and offered it to Khalid.

Khalid had a mature presence that made it hard to believe he was younger. Brilliant golden hair and ocean-blue eyes. Seeing him after so long, he was still handsome.

Khalid sipped his tea and spoke.

“I wonder if I came too late.”

“…”

“I thought you might come looking for me during these four years. But you never did.”

“I’m sorry.”

When Alice averted her eyes, Khalid smiled and said.

“It’s alright. I found you instead. I’ve been busy. After my father passed away, I had to hurriedly inherit the title.”

“Count Walsh?”

“Yes. He was attacked by bandits while riding in a carriage with Leah, a slave. Quite unfortunate.”

“…”

“Mother was so shocked that she’s recuperating at our villa in Slecofat.”

“The Countess?”

“Yes. Mother is a strong person, but she became quite fragile after father’s death.”

Alice found this strange. The Countess she knew was stronger than the Count, practically leading the household in his place. And she never seemed to love her husband.

Khalid looked at Dorothy, who was reading a large dictionary. Afraid of being caught glancing at them, she began reading the dictionary out loud.

“There are five empires! Tuboka, Botarin, Slecofat, Adrisunard, and Giserus. They surround Adrisunard to the east, west, south, and north…”

“Your name is Dorothy, right?”

Seeing Khalid address her so casually, Dorothy began to hiccup.

“Hic. Gulp. Y-yes! That’s right!”

Dorothy, who had never spoken to a nobleman before, was extremely nervous. Khalid reached out his snow-white hand and patted her head.

“Reading books so well… You’re cute.”

“Th-thank! Hic. You!”

Alice quickly filled a cup with water and handed it to Dorothy.

“Dorothy. Drinking water will stop your hiccups.”

“Thanks, Mom!”

Dorothy quickly took the cup with her small hands and gulped it down. When her hiccups stopped, she hid behind Alice. Khalid was looking at Dorothy’s blue eyes. As Dorothy’s face turned red, he smiled.

“I’m going to be your father, Dorothy.”

Dorothy opened her mouth wide and looked at Alice. Alice looked very troubled but stroked Dorothy’s face gently and said kindly.

“He’s your father, Dorothy. You can call him Count.”

“…Count? If he’s my father, why call him Count?”

“That’s…”

Alice was in a difficult position.

It was nearly impossible for a child born to a slave to be recognized as legitimate. Moreover, Dorothy believed she was a commoner.

Just then, Khalid slipped his hands under Dorothy’s arms and lifted her up.

“You can call me father, Dorothy.”

“…Really?”

“Of course.”

“Okay. Fa…ther.”

Dorothy’s face wasn’t the usually expressionless one. The child who just met her father smiled more brilliantly than anyone.

Khalid had a mansion in the capital. A hired nanny took Dorothy to Khalid’s mansion.

As soon as Dorothy left, Khalid kissed Alice. While kissing him, Alice felt anxious without Dorothy.

Khalid laid Alice down on the bed.

“W-wait a moment, Lord Khalid…!”

Khalid’s hands squeezed Alice’s br*asts. Alice pushed him away in pain, but Khalid didn’t budge. He continued to hold her tightly.

“Ugh.”

“Noel… Who is that child’s father?”

“What…?”

Alice’s body stiffened. Seeing this, Khalid gave a twisted smile. His hand went under Alice’s skirt and caressed her panties.

“Mmph.”

“…Is it that man Belfi? I heard you met him often at the inn?”

“No… No. Dorothy is Lord Khalid’s…”

Khalid’s hand paused momentarily as he looked down at Alice lying on the bed. His finger entered Alice’s mouth.

“Lying is bad, Noel. Don’t want to return to being a slave? Is that why you’re taking such a risk?”

“…It’s true. Really…”

“I have no intention of making the child a slave. I’ll let her live as a commoner.”

“…”

That was fortunate, but Dorothy believed her father was a nobleman.

‘She’ll definitely be disappointed.’

“Noel… Is now the time to think about the child? How long has it been since we’ve seen each other?”

“…Lord Khalid.”

Even if she insisted Dorothy was Khalid’s child, he wouldn’t believe her anyway.

Khalid removed his pants. Holding his red, grotesquely hard er*ction, he pressed it against Alice’s lips.

“Lick it well, like a slave.”

Alice sat up in front of Khalid. She extended her red tongue and licked his manhood. Just a few licks made Khalid’s breathing rough. He grabbed Alice’s head and shoved his member into her mouth.

“Mmph…!”

“…Purse your lips more, Noel.”

“Mmm.”

His still large member couldn’t fully fit in her mouth. Khalid’s hand gripped Alice’s head and moved it back and forth vigorously.

“Mmmph!”

Tears briefly flowed from Alice’s eyes. The large member pushed deep into her throat, making it difficult to breathe.

“D*mn!”

“Hah. Ugh.”

Her mouth felt like it would tear. Alice’s mouth was stretched to its limit around his member. Yet, perhaps because of his scent, Alice’s lower region was getting moist. Shamefully, Alice was feeling aroused in this situation.

“Haa. I’m going to come, so swallow it all. Understand?”

“Mmph.”

When Alice nodded slightly, Khalid smirked. After thrusting a few more times, he finally ej*culated in Alice’s mouth.

With tears in the corners of her eyes, Alice swallowed the fishy s*men. Only then did Khalid release his grip on her head.

“…Well done, Noel.”

“…I’m not Noel, I’m Alice, Lord Khalid.”

At Alice’s words, Khalid’s eyes widened briefly. He grabbed Alice’s chin and kissed her. His tongue wrapped around hers and sucked hard. After the gentle kiss ended, Khalid looked at Alice.

“I know. I wanted to hear it directly from your mouth. Alice.”

“…Lord Khalid. About Dorothy…!”

Khalid covered Alice’s mouth. Blue veins bulged on his forehead.

“Dorothy is not my flesh and blood. A child with my blood will be conceived from now on.”

“No! Dorothy is really Lord Khalid’s…”

Alice felt frustrated.

‘Why won’t Lord Khalid believe me? Is it because she’s a slave’s child, a commoner, that he doesn’t want to acknowledge her?’

Khalid glared at Alice with cold eyes. But Alice wasn’t afraid of Khalid more than anyone else in the world. She knew he wouldn’t hurt her. So she gathered her courage.

“Dorothy is truly Lord Khalid’s child!”

“…I suppose she is.”

“What?”

“You are mine, so your child is also mine.”

“…”

This was like talking to a wall, utterly absurd. If Khalid weren’t a nobleman, Alice would have wanted to hit him on the head.

Khalid removed Alice’s top and licked her br*asts with his tongue.

“Ahh…!”

“Alice.”

“…”

“You dated quite a few men during these four years. Though I was busy, I commissioned the guild. I know everything about where you lived, the men you dated.”

“…I didn’t date anyone. Mmh…”

“Is that so?”