Chapter 55
At dawn the next day, the two guards on night duty beside Senika — Guards 3 and 4 — suddenly grew restless.
Because…
“Haa…”
Senika, who had been sleeping soundly, suddenly began breathing heavily, her body feverish and drenched in cold sweat.
The two guards immediately realized what was happening — the growth pains of her mature form had begun.
But it was the middle of the night — the hour when everyone was fast asleep.
Their minds raced, trying to decide what to do. In the end, Guard 3 made a decision first. He left Guard 4 by Senika’s side and quietly went to fetch someone.
Knock, knock—
“Apologies for the late hour, Young Master.”
“…Lead the way.”
Jayus didn’t scold the guard for disturbing him at such a late hour. He simply followed behind.
He already knew very well why the guard had come to him.
“How bad is she?”
“She’s sweating profusely and her breathing is shallow.”
While walking the short distance to Senika’s room, Jayus was already gauging her condition.
When they arrived, he dismissed the guards outside.
“Eh? But…”
“It’ll be inconvenient to treat her with others watching.”
“Ah…”
Though the Patriarch had ordered them never to leave Senika alone, the guards nodded and stepped outside to stand watch.
They truly believed Jayus was there to treat her — and that belief would later cause a huge misunderstanding.
Once inside, Jayus sat beside Senika’s bed, wiping the sweat trickling down from her temple. He called to her softly.
“Senika.”
There was no reply — only ragged, heated breaths spilling from her small lips.
She was clearly delirious from the fever.
Deciding he could no longer wait, Jayus brushed her bangs aside and laid his broad hand across her forehead.
A black aura spread from his palm like mist, then seeped into her body.
“Urgh—”
Jayus’s eyes widened in surprise. The flow and rhythm of energy were completely different from just three days ago.
…Is it being pulled out of me?
Before, it had felt like he was giving his pheromones voluntarily. But now — they were being sucked out of him.
His head swam, and he withdrew his hand from her forehead.
His strong frame swayed as he staggered off the bed.
It’s not my imagination.
He was certain now — Senika’s body, and the pheromones within her, remembered his own.
They even remembered how his pheromones had once calmed the uncontrollable flames raging inside her.
That was why her body was greedily drawing his in again.
The realization left him troubled. A dragon’s pheromones were their life force — to give them away recklessly was to risk his own strength and even his life.
If I’m not careful, this could turn dangerous.
Of course, pheromones could be regenerated over time, but this wasn’t a situation where he could afford to gamble on that.
“Haa…”
Some of his pheromones had already been absorbed into her through the earlier contact. Thanks to that, her breathing was visibly steadier now.
Seeing that, Jayus’s earlier worry started to feel meaningless.
Even if it costs my life, I want to save her.
If he failed to stabilize his pheromones, they could run wild — and a runaway state was almost always fatal for a dragon.
Remembering that possibility, Jayus shook his head. His crimson eyes darkened as a familiar possessiveness began to creep back in.
…You can’t die.
He reached out again, this time placing his hand against her cheek.
Her face still had traces of baby fat — soft and warm to the touch, smoother than fine silk. His composure began to crack.
But he forced himself to focus, knowing what needed to come first.
Thankfully, perhaps because he had resisted before, the rate at which his pheromones were being absorbed slowed significantly.
At this pace, it should be fine.
Time passed. Eventually, Senika’s expression eased. Her sweat stopped, and her breathing became calm and regular.
Jayus, thinking her pheromones had stabilized, was about to withdraw his hand when—
“Mm…”
Senika, who had been lying flat on her back, turned over — now facing him.
Since Jayus was kneeling by the bed, their faces were suddenly very close.
And because of her movement, the blanket had slipped, exposing part of her sleepwear.
Unfortunately, this room was the most secure place in the entire estate — no intruder could possibly enter — so Senika slept in very comfortable clothes.
Damn it…
He immediately pulled the blanket back up over her shoulders, but the image of her pale skin burned into his mind.
The dizziness from the pheromone loss didn’t help either.
I should go. My job here’s done.
Even as his gaze lingered on her, Jayus knew he had to draw a line while he still could.
They would both soon reach maturity, but if he stayed here any longer… it might become dangerous — for her, not for him.
“Ah…”
He tried to rise, but his body gave out and he pressed a hand to his forehead.
He’d thought a short rest would steady him, but instead the dizziness grew worse.
Fatigue crashed over him like a wave. Even three sleepless nights hadn’t worn him down like this. His vision began to blur.
Not here… I can’t pass out here…
Half-collapsed over the bed, Jayus turned his head to look at Senika.
His consciousness wavered, and he reached out toward her—
Thud—
Even the mighty Jayus couldn’t fight off the heaviest thing in the world — sleep.
The next morning, Joshua was on his way to Senika’s room when he spotted Rita heading in the same direction.
Happy to see her, he jogged lightly to her side.
“Miss Rita!”
“Oh, Joshua. Good morning.”
She smiled warmly, and the two chatted cheerfully about the morning and their duties as they walked.
Joshua felt unusually optimistic that morning — like something good was bound to happen.
“Young Miss, it’s time to wake—”
The two entered the room laughing — and froze at the same moment.
To describe their reactions precisely: Rita’s words died in her throat, while Joshua’s brows furrowed tighter and tighter, his face twisting in disbelief.
That “good feeling” he’d had? Completely wrong.
Because what they saw was—
Jayus, asleep with his upper body slumped over Senika’s bed, and Senika curled up facing him.
“Young Miss!”
Joshua was the first to snap out of it.
He strode forward in alarm, taking in the scene in detail.
From afar it hadn’t been clear, but up close— they were holding hands.
He nearly cursed aloud.
This bastard… with our young lady…!
He bit back the words, jaw clenched so tightly it hurt. He wanted to grab Jayus by the collar and throw him out of the room, but he couldn’t — this was someone he couldn’t lay a hand on.
So he swallowed his anger.
“…Lord Bayet?”
He called through gritted teeth. But Jayus didn’t stir.
Joshua took a deep breath, then reached out to shake his shoulder gently.
Finally, Jayus’s eyelids fluttered open, revealing crimson eyes.
Rita, who had stepped closer to confirm his identity, spoke next.
“What happened here last night?”
Unlike Joshua, who was emotional, Rita stayed calm — reasoning through why Jayus might be in this room.
There was really only one explanation.
Still rubbing his aching forehead, Jayus rose to his feet.
“The guards came to my room before dawn. They said Senika was unwell.”
That one line was enough for Rita and Joshua to piece together what had happened.
If Senika had been sick, it made sense that Jayus had come.
But the scene they had walked in on… that, they couldn’t comprehend no matter how hard they tried.
“Was there a reason you didn’t return to your room afterward?”
“Ah. I must have fallen asleep by accident.”
It was the truth — but it didn’t sound like it.
He’d done nothing but hold her hand, yet to them, he was already branded a scoundrel.
Jayus met their gazes silently, then looked down at Senika one last time.
It’s about time I step out.
He straightened his cardigan and brushed his hair back.
“I have a schedule to keep, so I’ll take my leave.”
“Ah, yes…”
“I’ve confirmed that Senika’s condition has stabilized. You don’t need to worry.”
With that, he exited the room.
Once the door closed fully behind him, he stopped in the hallway and exhaled deeply.
So they saw me like that… in another family’s house, no less.
It wasn’t exactly scandalous, but it was embarrassing — and his pride stung.
Ever since childhood, Vivian had drilled into him: Never let others see you vulnerable.
…Whatever. It doesn’t matter.
After all, the White Dragon clan owed his family — and him — a great debt right now.
He shook his head and started walking again.
Then, suddenly, an unpleasant pheromone wafted from around the corner ahead.
It was familiar — someone waiting for him.
I know this scent… but who?
If it was familiar, it meant they’d met before.
But the fact he couldn’t recall the person meant they’d left no impression — not someone important enough to remember.
He decided to meet them anyway.
Anyone inside this mansion had to belong to the White Dragon clan — and unless they’d gone mad, they wouldn’t dare attack him.
“Hoho, it’s an honor to meet you.”
As Jayus turned the corner, a middle-aged man with wavy silver hair greeted him with a polite bow.
“I am Richt Peronis, elder of the White Dragon family.”
