Even the words spat out were.

“Um… who are you?”

For a moment, I failed to manage my expression. How could she not know me?

But thinking about it, Latieana had never seen me before. So when I reminded her, she started trembling all over. Anyone would think she was being threatened with death.

All I did was tell her my name. As if I’d done something terribly wrong.

I wondered how I’d fend her off if she fell for me and made a move. Since she was trying so hard for me with her perfect healing powers, maybe I should just let it happen. But instead of pouncing, Latieana kept backing away, rendering all of Edan’s resolve utterly useless.

“Am I scary?”

“N-no?”

And yet, she boldly lied.

It would’ve been more honest to admit she was scared, but not scared? With a face that looked like it’d burst into tears at the slightest touch?

“I-I have this condition where my body shakes at night.”

She even spouted boring nonsense.

I had a headache from the long battle, so I got tired of responding and shut my mouth, and it quickly got quiet. That was fine, but…

“Make it again.”

The next day after seeing Edan, Latieana didn’t infuse her healing powers into breakfast.

What was she so scared of and hiding? How long did she think she could keep it up?

She was so small and trembling, Edan slowly approached and trapped her in his arms so she couldn’t escape.

“Spices—what did you leave out?”

Her round eyes darted back and forth.

Right, left, ceiling. Then down, and back to the ceiling.

Her scheming was so obvious it was almost comical.

“P-pepper! I forgot the pepper!”

Latieana quickly pulled a pepper container from her pocket to show.

“It’s pepper from a neighbor! She said it’s expensive and hard to get, but it must’ve helped with the headache!”

“…Is that so?”

Pepper, my foot. That’s her excuse?

Now that I think about it, she says weird things every now and then.

And the weirdest thing was…

“She doesn’t react even when looking at my face.”

Is her eyesight bad? Edan knew well that his looks were far superior to others.

He didn’t like it himself, but he was fully aware that women endlessly praised his universally handsome face. Yet Latieana’s reaction was different from any woman he’d ever met.

Last night, it was dark, and I was covered in blood, so I could understand her being scared. But now it was broad daylight.

And yet, she seemed more inclined to avoid him.

“Pepper isn’t something you eat a lot of anyway.”

That damn pepper.

Edan leaned closer, locking eyes with Latieana.

Her clear, large eyes, as pure as her healing powers, blinked slowly, as if shy.

“If you eat it wrong, you’ll cough…”

Her shoulders and hands were thin, but her cheeks, with just the right amount of flesh, gradually turned pink.

“Your throat hurts…”

Soft, plush cheeks that looked like they’d be sweet if you took a bite.

“Spicy…”

Would she cry if I touched them? That wouldn’t be so bad.

That’s what he was thinking when—

Daring to escape, Latieana pushed his arm.

Her lips were tightly shut, her forehead flushed red, as if she’d used all her strength, but well.

Her startled eyes met his.

“Why are you so weak?”

“…I’m sorry.”

Latieana Merigold.

She has the perfect healing powers I want, and she’s pretty.

“I love you! I’ve wanted to say it all this time. So if you dangle a carrot, I’ll take responsibility!”

Pretty enough to receive passionate confessions from other men.

“I have a fiancé.”

She’s pretty, so of course she has a fiancé.

“Pretty bold for an ugly guy, huh?”

How annoying.

[This is the timeline separator]

“The imperial palace has sent the fifth invitation.”

Ruben held out an envelope with golden patterns.

Edan took it with a sour expression.

“A congratulatory ball…”

It seems Ivy Violet has finally been ordained as the High Saintess.

“Are you going?”

“Well.”

“You should probably respond this time. They’ve been coming for a month. If you’re not up for it, shall I decline as usual?”

“…Well.”

It’s been a while since the imperial palace held a ball.

Since it was a very important invitation for the High Saintess, it was time to send a reply out of courtesy. But Edan’s attention seemed elsewhere.

With a sour face, Edan skimmed the contents and tossed the invitation carelessly onto the side table.

“Latieana submitted her resignation.”

“What?”

Ruben looked at Edan with narrowed eyes.

His expression was one of disbelief. All this time, Ruben had secretly hoped Latieana would fall head over heels for Edan like other women.

She was the first woman with the perfect healing powers suited for his master.

But the situation Edan described was nothing like expected.

Not only did she avoid any physical contact, but now a resignation? Quitting her job? Why?

“Oh.”

Ruben, deep in thought, tapped his forehead as if he’d forgotten something.

“She mentioned a fiancé, didn’t she?”

“Yeah, something like that.”

“She must really love that fiancé.”

Edan’s eyebrow twitched slightly, but he didn’t respond.

“So, did you accept her resignation?”

“Am I crazy?”

“Right? Good call. Then talk it out and…”

“I tore it up.”

Edan smirked.

“By the way, Ruben.”

“Yes?”

“Get me some magic traps.”

“Magic traps? Where are you setting them?”

“The old castle.”

Ruben immediately understood why his master wanted magic traps.

But using expensive traps meant for catching monsters in that rural old castle? For monitoring a frail woman, wasn’t that overkill… They’re for catching monsters…

“Here they are.”

But Ruben was a loyal subordinate, so he handed the traps to Edan, who set them up around the castle and linked them to himself with a magic spell. And sure enough, Latieana triggered one.

“Hah.”

In the deep darkness of the northern dawn.

In the middle of fighting a monster, Edan froze his sword in midair.

At that moment, the monster’s giant hand swung toward his head. But with a loud crash! He sliced off the monster’s arm in one stroke, ran his hand through his hair, and turned around.

“G-Grand Duke?”

“Grand Duke!”

“Grand Duke! Where are you going?”

His subordinates called out desperately from behind, but Edan stepped through the portal without hesitation.

“Where to?”

When I call, is that a face of despair she’s giving me?

Latieana, trying to climb the castle wall in a ridiculous pose, looked like the world was ending when she saw Edan. And then.

“You can escape.”

“R-really?”

She usually hid her feelings so well, but now she reacted honestly to his probing words, ready to bolt.

With a face so thrilled, it was infuriating.

“But if you get caught, you’re dead.”

Go ahead, try. If you can.

Edan gave a sly smile. Fortunately, Latieana was so scared that a little threat made her quickly change her stance.

She seemed to give up escaping out of fear, but Edan didn’t care about her little predicament.

Who said you could slip out of my grasp?

[This is the timeline separator]

“Hold me. Don’t let go. It’s cold.”

Edan, about to lay the fainted Latieana on the bed, froze.

Her small frame in his arms was trembling. Coming from the cold northern air to a warm place seemed to make her shiver from the temperature shift.

“Am I catching a cold?”

Edan, debating whether to put her down or not, couldn’t bring himself to do it after hearing her murmur to herself.

“I don’t want to die…”

Seriously, what’s with her?

Holding her, Edan turned and headed to his room.

Latieana’s words and actions were so contradictory.

She was terrified of Hillstain, trembling in fear, yet stepped up when Ruben was injured.

And then saying she doesn’t want to die?

Edan laid Latieana on the bed and washed up.

He thought only he was dirty, but the monster’s blood on his clothes had stained hers too.

Even her bag and outer clothes seemed uncomfortable as she squirmed.

“…”

Edan went to Latieana’s room and rummaged through her wardrobe.

There were three or four white nightgowns she wore to sleep, all similar in design.

Picking one up, Edan clicked his tongue.

Is this even clothes? It’s so small. But when he checked, it fit her.

Quickly changing her, Edan covered her with a blanket and gazed at her face.

Now looking somewhat at ease, Latieana breathed softly, falling into a deep sleep.

After debating whether to touch her cheek, Edan just watched her face and fell asleep.

The next day, Latieana’s fist flew at his chest.

“Are you insane!”

A complete cotton ball. Is this supposed to hurt? Should I pretend it does?

“You saw me naked without permission! I’ve never shown it to anyone!”

What? It’s her first time? Not even to her fiancé?

Jenald or whoever that jerk is? How could he resist with her in front of him?

Edan had no taste for taking advantage of the vulnerable, so he held back, but if Latieana had woken up last night, he might’ve tried to charm and overpower her.

Her first time? Damn it.

A laugh escaped Edan’s lips.

But while he was in a good mood, Latieana looked utterly wronged.

Apparently, messing with his chest wasn’t enough.

So, willing to show his too, he started pulling down his pants, and she freaked out and ran out of the room.

Slumping onto the bed with his arm over his forehead, Latieana’s voice echoed in Edan’s mind.

“There are no scars on your pretty face, thank goodness.”

She was thinking that while trying to escape?

Being praised for his looks never felt this good in his entire life.

Good job, me, for being pretty.