“W-What do you want, then?”  

Asking someone who practically fell from the sky for a favour? He must be trying to squeeze water from a stone. I grumbled internally as I nervously asked, and Edwin turned his right cheek toward me.  

When I stared at him, not understanding, he tapped his cheek with his finger.  

‘Ugh, I want to pretend I don’t understand.’  

Realising his intent, I instinctively tried to turn my head away, but Edwin kindly leaned in closer, his cheek presented even more clearly, his smile even brighter.  

He glanced toward the window to remind me that if I pretended not to understand, I might end up hanging outside again. With no other choice, I reluctantly leaned forward and kissed his cheek.  

“This feels different.”  

“W-What’s wrong with it?”  

It was just a kiss, so what could be wrong with it? I glanced up nervously, watching Edwin rub his cheek. His long fingers slowly brushed over my lips, making the hair on the back of my neck stand on end.  

“What is my bride made of, I wonder?”  

For a moment, the random question puzzled me, but then I remembered Edwin had said the same thing in the original story while experimenting on the people he had kidnapped. The memory made me snap back to attention.  

‘Whoa, whoa. Calm down. People are all the same. There’s no need to confirm it.’  

You promised! No killing, no torture, no threats, remember?  

‘I really should have that contract on hand.’  

Sensing something strange in his gaze, I wanted to reach for the contract to use as a shield, but the drawer it was in was too far out of reach.  

‘Damn it, I should have figured out a way to carry it with me at all times.’  

While I was inwardly panicking, Edwin bit down on his fingertip and then brought it to his lips.  

“There’s no taste. How strange.”  

“W-What’s strange?”  

“When I touch you, I feel full even though I haven’t eaten anything, and my body feels lighter.”  

Edwin mumbled softly, tilting his head as if he couldn’t understand.  

“I thought it was just with my hands.”  

His long fingers intertwined with mine, slipping between each of my fingers.  

“But your lips feel even better.”  

His pale, delicate face drew closer, his blue eyes hazy as they locked onto mine. Inside, a voice screamed at me to run, but I was already trapped in his strong arms, unable to move.  

As his crimson lips, like the hue of pomegranates, neared mine, my heart pounded faster and faster. His blue eyes slowly drifted downward, and the thick lashes framing them fluttered like butterfly wings.

The moment I held my breath, fearing it might brush against him...  

*Grrrgle!*  

A loud rumble echoed from my stomach.  

An awkward silence filled the room.  

Then, Edwin burst into laughter.  

“Hahaha, my bride is truly entertaining.”  

As his shoulders shook with laughter, my face turned bright red. I was in his arms, leaving me nowhere to hide, so I buried my face in my hands.  

“I’m at fault. I didn’t realise Lina was hungry.”  

His hand gently patted my back, making me even more embarrassed.  

“Before your cute stomach protests any more, let’s head to the dining hall.”  

Scooping me up swiftly, Edwin strode out of the room.  

Even after we arrived at the dining hall, I couldn’t lift my head for a long time out of sheer embarrassment.

***

In the dim glow of the streetlights, a tall figure moved swiftly.  

‘Persistent, as expected of the Wolves.’  

Though he thought he had shaken them off, they had caught up again. Realising he was being tailed, the man quickened his pace.  

It was no surprise. His suspicious behaviour had drawn their attention.  

With a self-deprecating smile, the man pulled his hood lower.  

He would be out of the western district just a bit farther. Once he crossed into the central area, he could lose his pursuers.  

He slipped into the shadows between buildings, moving nimbly, his breathing steady and controlled.  

As he crossed the boundary between the western and central districts, familiar presences followed him.  

A masked figure suddenly appeared in front of him, bowing their head.  

The two exchanged glances even as they kept moving. The masked figure disappeared moments later, and the others trailing behind quickly scattered.  

The man deliberately took a winding route, and his situation eased until he reached a prepared horse.  

He mounted it and rode toward Hilea Mountain, located on the capital's outskirts.  

Deep within the mountain, a log cabin resembling a caretaker’s house came into view.  

Familiar with the place, the man unlocked the door and entered. With a long breath, he removed his hood, revealing ash-blonde hair gleaming in the moonlight filtering through the window.  

After hanging his robe over a chair, he walked to the fireplace, added some logs, and lit a fire.  

Soon, the wood's crackling and the flames' warmth filled the room.  

Watching the flickering fire, the man slowly moved to an armchair and sat down.  

‘That man was the Duke of Crawford.’  

His green eyes darkened as he recalled the man he had encountered at the fountain a few days ago.  

At first, he wasn’t sure. Although the man bore a strong resemblance to the late Duke, nothing else confirmed his identity.  

But his suspicion was confirmed once he realised that the men chasing him were Wolves.  

‘The Duke’s fiancée...’