“Your father is surprisingly strict. That’s so harsh that even I’m surprised.” Izek, who finally opened his mouth, murmured slowly.

  My body shrank at his cold sarcastic voice.

  “He doesn’t usually do that, but I’ve had a bad accident. Shame on me……”


  “Why are you crying?”


  “Y-yes?”


  “Why are you crying?”


  Are you being sarcastic? I’m not crying. It’s just that I’m so scared of you that I’m tearing up, you cold-blooded monster!

  “Woo, I didn’t mean to cry…… I’m sorry, I’m afraid, afraid you’re disappointed in me……”


  He grabbed me by the arm and pulled me just as I was about to wipe my eyes with my fist. My eyes widened as my legs relaxed.

  Izek held my hands together and placed his head on top of it. He did it for a long time, without saying a word.

  As I stared blankly at his silver hair, which was wet and disheveled, 50,000 thoughts crossed my mind.

  And this was what he said when he finally raised his head, “People would think I made it like this.”


  “.……”


  “I’ll have nothing to say when the lizard comes after me.”


  What are you talking about, Dragon Slayer?

  My cheek, which was wet, was cupped by a rough palm.

  “I don’t know what to do when a girl cries. And……”


  “.……”


  “Every time you do this, I……”


  His teeth clenched, his eyes shook with a strange emotion.

  A completely perplexed look, one where he was suppressing anger, pain, and bitterness.

  I was confused, but I felt sorry for him.

  “I wish your husband was a wiser man than me, but now I can’t help it.”


  I didn’t know what to say.

  The touch on my wet cheek was soft.

  His hand was rough, with calluses, but it didn’t feel bad.

  “I have to stop roaming between consideration and avoidance……”


  “.……”


  “You have only one chance to come open now. So tell me what you want. You can do anything.”


  My head was ringing. I think he said this last time too. I could do anything after I chose……

  I didn’t know what that meant, but at this very moment, I could see that the opportunity I’d been looking for, had finally come back.

  I was clueless about this sudden change of heart, but I couldn’t miss it.

  “Answer me carefully. It won’t do any good if you regret it later.”


  Unconsciously, I may already have realized it.

  He gave me a few chances, and this was the last time.

  Once I opened this door, I’d never be able to go back, something I had never imagined would be waiting.

  I didn’t have another option in the first place anyway. If I had a chance to choose, it was already clear which way to go.

  I curled my arms around my husband’s neck. I tried to answer carefully, but as my mouth opened, my tongue twisted as if I had been possessed.

  “I want to live next to you with my friends.”


  His snake-like eyes glowed like a red warning light. Once, twice. Something soft and fierce…… I didn’t have time to reflect on what I was saying.

  “Oof!”


  The towel, which was wrapped around me, fell to the floor as my body jerked up.

  I was a chick again!

  I was struggling without knowing what to do, but my back was buried in a soft sheet.

  “Eh?”


  The large bed was covered with thick wool and fine cotton blankets.

  Izek put me down on top of it and took off his soaked gown from the bath earlier.

  His voluptuous statue-like body was revealed as the moist cloth flowed down.

  Strangely, it wasn’t as terrifying as last time.

  “That’s what I want……”


  It was hot. His soft lips on my feet were hot. The same foot that I had hurt earlier.

  Yes, he was holding my foot and kissing it.

  I watched the scene with my eyes about to pop out.

  I couldn’t believe that arrogant guy kissed me on the back of my foot. I couldn’t even have imagined it. Why did I feel so weird?

  It was not long before his body, muscles rippling, wriggled up.

  I felt like I was being attacked by a wild animal.

  His broad shoulders, chest, and waistline below it were as smooth and sensual as a leopard.

  Suddenly, a strange question arose.

  Who else was as brutal and beautiful as Izek?

  “Relax, Ruby.”


  I didn’t have time to react to hearing my nickname in his voice.

  Lips that felt like they were on fire, pressed against my lips.

  No, wasn’t this going too fast all of a sudden? Has been holding back for too long?

  His soft tongue opened my lips, swept through my teeth, and squeezed in.

  Short of breath, I could feel a throb.

  A heart was pounding.

  Pulsing, thumping. I didn’t know whose heart it was.

  I couldn’t move because of the dizziness.

  “I-Iz……”


  A warm breath hovered on my neck, and I looked up. Just in time to see him sweep the hair on his forehead back.

  His red eyes glistened above me, breathing hard.

  Deep ruby eyes with a silver light. Their depth was so much that it felt like I was about to get sucked into them.

  “Damn it, you keep looking at me like that……”


  Are you accusing me or being sarcastic?

  His lips fell around my eyes as I blinked.

  Kisses poured on my eyelids, on my nose, on my lips and neck again.

  It was no match for me to kiss him on the cheek, it would seem like a joke.

  This almost felt passionate. The song from before rang in my ear.

  My only condition is, tell me you’ll remember me……

  The hand that was stroking my shoulder went down past the collarbone.

  My body trembled at the feeling of his fingers grazing my ribs. I tried to stay calm, but my limbs kept flinching.

  “Ah!”


  His long fingers brushed my solar plexus and stomach, reaching my lower abdomen. My leg reflexively shuddered, causing my eyes to water.

  “Relax and breathe.”


  “But, but……”


  “There’s nothing to be ashamed of. I’m as nervous as you are.”


  Really? Why do I think you’re better than me? Is this the main character buff? What an unfair world.

  I relaxed my tensed limbs. Cool air poured in through the gap.

  My body kept burning. Finally, a translucent thread hung around the tip of his finger, as my upper body jerked up.

  “Hand. Like before.”


  He gave me a low command and nuzzled me on the shoulder.

  I raised my arm and hugged him by the neck as before.

  “Like this……?”


  Instead of answering, Izek lowered his head and bit my shoulder slightly. And then slowly came in. It was all in an instant.

  “W-Wait a minute!”


  A steel-like arm held me tight.

  It was useless even if I struggled and slapped his shoulder.

  I wondered if my body would break into pieces.

  It hurts, it hurts, hubby!

  “Relax, or it’ll hurt more.”


  “Huuu……“


  I know that, but how did you know that? I don’t know why it’s so hard to relax.

  I thought my lower half had loosened a little, but a wrist suddenly popped up in front of me.

  I accidentally bit it. Wasn’t that why he gave it to me?

  It’s not fair if I’m the only one in pain. Good, I hope it bruises, you cold-blooded b*stard!

  I was a little too ambitious. A groan, almost a moan, sounded near my ear.

  “Did you actually bite me? You’ll be a mess by tomorrow.”


  “Oh my God, I’m so sorry……”


  “This is crazy, really.”


  A giggle rang out.

  I was high even in the daze. The tension eased little by little while he kissed my head with me supported by his arms.

  Slowly repeated thrusts made me shudder with pain and joy.

  “I-Iz……”


  “What?”


  “I-I feel weird……”


  “I know. So do I.”


  Why was that look so confusing for me?

  It was as if I was the one who’s trapped, who’s caught in a trap, even while knowing it’s bait……

  I just realized I couldn’t go back to what I used to be.

  God, how did I know what I would turn into here?

  How did I know whether this night could be a blessing or a curse for me?

  The excitement shook my mind and his lips gently pressed on my cheek, which was flushed red.

  The kiss on my face was sweet. It was so sweet that I almost cried.

  “Pretty. Really.”


  Really?

  My hand went up and grabbed a handful of his hair.

  So are you.

  So tell me you’ll remember me.

  Wearing shining armour and looking at the sunset.

  Why was it a mistake to think of that song today? I didn’t know why my heart ached so much when I didn’t have enough courage to say anything.

  We were stuck together all night.

  I was sure this memory would follow him around even after he leaves me one day.

  Even if it was just a dream he’d forget when he woke up.