Chapter 16
Waiting for the perfect moment, only to almost end up kissing the enemy’s daughter.
I want to throw away these emotions my body keeps craving—completely.
Lerit was destined to die by my hand anyway.
Her father made it so.
Calyx roughly pushed the door open and stepped outside. Cold wind rolled in. A familiar scent brushed past him—one he occasionally remembered with irritation. Her scent.
He walked down the corridor with the flow of the wind and descended the stairs.
Lerit was standing still, staring at the distant mountains. Then she lowered her head, clutching it, before lifting her gaze again.
It was strange.
He wanted to kill her.
He had to kill her.
Yet his body refused to move as he wished.
Calyx looked down at the sword in his hand. The red aura around it was thicker than ever. Even so, the blade did not move.
As if it no longer followed its owner’s command.
At that moment, Lerit lifted her head. Her eyes met his, and her body stiffened. When he didn’t move, she slowly crept closer. Her face was full of doubt—and quiet fear.
Why is she coming when she’s scared?
Calyx looked at her with mockery.
“I’ve never killed a person.”
If you can’t even kill someone, why come closer?
If she gets hit by this blade, she’ll die instantly.
His blood boiled. He had taken four pills earlier, yet it wasn’t helping.
Lerit took another step closer.
“Duke…?”
Her voice trembled slightly. Calyx tightened his grip on the sword. The moment he stepped forward, the surging blood overwhelmed him—and his mind went blank.
* * *
What do I do…
Calyx’s body, which had suddenly shielded me, was heavy. No—it was pressing me down.
“Duke!”
I shook his shoulder, but he didn’t move. My heart pounded wildly. The sword in his hand was filled with red energy, as if he had fully intended to kill.
What is this… why…
Was he planning to hunt Berok at this hour? No matter how much I thought about it, I couldn’t read his intentions. And then there was how he had suddenly blocked me with his arm earlier.
Calyx’s strong scent filled my nose. His body wrapped around mine—like he was holding me. My face burned red.
Why did everything about Calyx feel tense and uncomfortable? And why was my face heating up again? Something was wrong.
Just earlier, I had only felt uneasy around him and focused on paying back the money. I should have pushed him away immediately.
But I couldn’t.
Because he collapsed?
Because I felt sorry for him?
Because he was warm?
I chose the least emotional answer.
It’s cold. He’s just warm.
That’s all. He was blocking the wind for me.
With that thought, I slowly lifted Calyx onto my back. I almost lost my footing, but years of training helped me regain balance.
I’ll make him demand a huge repayment later.
After all, I didn’t let him die outside. Thinking that, I dragged him all the way to his room. The closer I got, the more complaints rose inside me.
I really came here and ended up doing everything, didn’t I…
Thinking about my remaining debt, I forced my legs to move.
When I reached the room, I barely managed to lay Calyx down. His legs were so long. After adjusting his position, I stepped back. He truly looked unconscious.
His words echoed in my head.
“The fact that you’re alive is proof I didn’t lose control.
…When my heat rises, if a normal person touches me, they usually die.”
A princess…
No matter how I thought about it, I couldn’t believe it. I had lived a hard life—never once thinking I was royalty or nobility. Just someone worried about survival.
I turned and walked toward the door. Just as I was about to leave, the room felt too quiet. Like I was the only living person there. I turned back instinctively.
Normally, Calyx would at least be breathing heavily from fever. But now, he didn’t move at all.
He was arrogant and annoying…
But I couldn’t leave someone who looked like they were dying. That part of me—unable to kill—rose again.
I went back to Calyx and called him carefully.
“Duke.”
No response. That was expected. If my voice could wake him, he would have risen already. Before, he had opened his eyes when I grabbed his arm.
Remembering that, I gently took hold of his arm. Firm muscles pressed against my hand. It was my first time deliberately touching a man’s body—it felt strange.
His eyebrows twitched slightly. At least there was some reaction. Gaining courage, I placed my hand on his shoulder.
His chest began to rise and fall slowly. His breathing was hot and fast. It felt strange—like I had peeked into something private.
Just as I was about to pull my hand away, a strong force grabbed my arm and slammed me down.
I was pinned beneath him.
Calyx stared at me like he wanted to kill me.
“What are you doing?”
His voice was unusually low and rough. Trembling, I spoke.
“I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to touch you on purpose—no, I wasn’t planning anything, it’s not like that, it’s just… just……”
I shut my mouth.
Why did I only say the wrong things every time I opened it? I wanted to cry.
Calyx frowned. His hot breath brushed over me, then he released my arm. He immediately pulled away and grabbed the robe folded on the table, heading into the bathroom.
The door slammed shut.
Silence followed.
Normally he would’ve mocked me by now… why is he saying nothing?
His reaction felt unfamiliar. And the warmth left on my arm lingered, burning.
I stared down at my arm with an awkward expression.
What was that…
I thought I had saved someone, but my head was only more complicated now. Princesses, his aura—everything made my head hurt. I quickly left Calyx’s office.
Cold air filled my lungs the moment I stepped outside. I finally felt better.
Calyx stripped off not only his shirt, but his trousers as soon as he entered the bathroom. Burning heat surged through his body.
Lerit’s face still lingered in his mind. The way she trembled beneath him stirred him deeply.
Earlier, he had even wanted to cover her mouth and pour out his desire.
He ran his hand roughly through his hair and stepped into cold water.
“Damn it.”
His body had gone mad. It tried to devour the reason left in his mind. Losing consciousness wasn’t enough—he wanted her.
I should have killed her.
No. He couldn’t anymore. The refreshing feeling from earlier wouldn’t fade. So intense that he forgot she was the enemy’s daughter.
Calyx let out a deep breath. No matter how much he tried to suppress it, his instincts kept breaking free. He thought the medicine had erased them.
But all it took was her touch.
“Damn it.”
He laughed at himself. Even worse—now it wasn’t just his body. His mind wanted her too.
Naturally. Easily.
* * *
After dinner, I整理ed information about the scammer. He probably wasn’t really using the name Prod Swindel. He had money—and might be connected to the Royal Knights.
That made me think of Calyx.
Why…
Even I thought it was ridiculous. I folded the paper and checked the time. It was time to hunt Berok.
Meeting Calyx felt awkward and uncomfortable, but work was work. I went outside.
The soldiers were already dressed and waiting. Just then, Calyx came down from the wall with Herkel.
Herkel smiled with his eyes when he saw me and bowed.
I really need to talk to him properly later.
As I watched, a new soldier stood beside him.
Lotus, was it?
His pale face stood out—like someone who had never suffered.
Calyx stepped forward and called out.
“We’re heading to an area swarming with Berok tonight. Be prepared.”
“Yes!”
“If you fall behind, you’ll die. Stay sharp.”
The soldiers’ voices surrounded us. Their resolve sounded strong. Calyx scanned them, then looked at Herkel.
“Tonight, I’ll go northwest with the new soldiers. The vice-captain will head northeast.”
“Duke, how about I take the new soldiers northwest, and you go northeast with Lerit?” Herkel suggested.
“Why?”
Calyx’s gaze sharpened. I also turned my eyes to Herkel.
Why?
Herkel answered casually.
“The new soldier needs time to adapt. He’s motivated, but needs more real combat practice against Berok.”
At that moment, Lotus spoke up.
“But I think I’ll be fine training with Lerit! I heard she’s a very skilled mercenary.”
He pointed directly at me. Calyx looked down at both of us.
After a moment, he made his decision.
“Go with Herkel.”
Herkel smiled faintly and greeted me. I stood there, completely stunned.
What… what just happened?
Cold wind swept past.
Herkel stepped closer and whispered.
“Lerit, I made this arrangement especially for you.
Enjoy your time.”
