I felt so thirsty as soon as I woke up. I removed the stupid blanket that covered my body and rubbed my half-closed eyes with my hands.

Usually at this point, a maid would bring me water, but I didn’t sense any signs of activity outside my room today.

‘Mmm, why is that so?’ As I opened my eyes questioningly, a glass of water popped out before me.

“Aarck.”

The one who handed me the water was none other than Calix.

‘W-Why is C-Calix here?’ In bewilderment, I blinked my eyes and looked up at him. Calix smiled.

‘Ugh, why are you smiling all of a sudden? That’s bad for  my heart!’

“Laure. Good morning.”

“Y-Yes? Ah, Yes…”

‘What, what is it? What the hell happened yesterday? Calix’s mood is very unusual. Something seems peculiar and weird… Ack!’ I suddenly remembered.

I almost dropped the glass of water he gave me. ‘I, I, y-yesterday with Calix… kkaaak!’

I gulped down the water, returned the glass to Calix, and swiftly hid under the blanket.

The memories of last night kept flashing through my mind, so my heart was  palpitating and my face began to burn. ‘I’m sure I look like a bright red tomato right now. Ah, it’s embarrassing. Really!’

“Laure.”

Calling my name with a warm, gentle voice, Calix attempted to lift the blanket.

I desperately held the blanket and resisted. ‘N-no! I don’t want you to see my messed-up, ugly face right now.’

However, Calix was much stronger than me. Eventually, the blanket fluttered like  a feather and flew over the bed,

“Woaaahh…”

As I was exposed, my body curled up like a defensive armadillo,

And then I realized I wasn’t wearing anything. ‘Aack, I must be crazy!’

“Laure.”

I felt his gown brush against my shoulder. Before long, my body seemed to float, and when I finally came to my senses, I was already in Calix’s arms.

“Ugh,” I let out a groan as I tried to compose myself. Calix was looking down at me from under his nose. ‘Keuk, why do you look so handsome? I think there’s a halo that shines brightly from your back.’

“Is your body feeling okay?”

Calix asked tenderly. I answered with a hushed ‘yes’. He smiled and hugged me, then headed to the bathroom.

“E-Excuse me? Calix?”

“Hmmn, Laure.”

“I, I can wash by myself. This is a little…”

I didn’t know if he intended to help me bathe. Calix put me down in a bathtub full of warm water, and rolled up his sleeves.

As my body flushed red up until the back of my nape, I avoided Calix’s gaze.

‘I’m  aware that we’ve already seen everything there is to see with each other’s bodies. Still… this is… quite embarrassing, isn’t it?!’ As I glanced up at Calix timidly, he gave me a benevolent smile, which was as warm as a spring breeze.

“You don’t have to feel burdened. Laure.”

“B-but…”

“We’re getting married soon anyways, aren’t we?”

‘O-Of, of course. But soon, you will fall in love with the heroine, which will then cause you to abandon me.’

‘And once I get overwhelmed with jealousy, I will commit unimaginably evil  deeds and inevitably suffer the consequences.’

‘That’s why I’ve been very cautious so far. Fighting my urge to like you…’

“You’ll have to eat more than usual from now on, Laure.”

‘You’re acting so kind like this, that’s why my heart keeps wavering!’

‘Heuk, but what can I do? It’s already like this.’ I placed my head on the surface of the water and turned my face away from Calix. ‘You don’t even know how I feel, you bastard. You future traitor!’

I patted the bath water, splashing it about, and it subsequently bounced in all directions.

I could feel Calix staring at me with a perplexed expression.

At a loss for what to do, Calix stroked my shoulder helplessly.

His hands, that caressed my shoulder, were so soft and tender that tears welled up in the corners of my eyes. ‘Calix, you sinful man!’

Translator: Mae
Editor: Lys