As they entered the room, Count Laurien turned, bowing deeply to Viktor and Gwen with utmost courtesy, and said with a smile:
"I shall not disturb your rest any further."
Viktor responded with a nod, while Gwen maintained her serene expression. Upon seeing Viktor's nod, she too gave a slight bow of acknowledgment.
Count Laurien gracefully turned and left the room, thoughtfully closing the door behind him. His figure disappeared with a soft click of the lock.
Just as he reached the far end of the corridor, a servant came rushing from the side, bowing respectfully to Laurien:
"My lord Count, the young mistress has 'escaped' again."
Count Laurien's steps halted immediately. Looking down at the timid servant, he asked in a low voice:
"Has Priscis gone to her mother's room again?"
"No," the servant shook her head and continued:
"The young mistress appeared briefly when Princess Aurelianne from the Calensia Empire passed by the madam's room."
"But she only stayed there momentarily before leaving. I saw with my own eyes - she had no chance to enter madam's room."
"Besides, there's a sign in front of madam's door. The young mistress couldn't have gotten in."
The servant's report provided some relief to Laurien. He waved his hand and issued a stern command:
"Find her whereabouts quickly. Though most people wouldn't notice her, we have many guests today."
"It would be troublesome if she disturbs any of our visitors."
The servant nodded hurriedly before turning to leave at a quick pace.
Count Laurien stood alone in the hallway, glancing back at Viktor's room. Then, leaning on his cane, he slowly walked away. Only the dull echoes of his cane striking the floor remained in the corridor.
Inside the room, Viktor wasted no time. Magical runes and symbols swirled rapidly around his hands as power began to surge between them.
His hands glided gently across the door, embedding several magical arrays within.
Soundproofing, barriers, interference.
Various magical traps were laid throughout the surroundings.
Should anyone try to intrude, they would be ensnared by these magical traps and Viktor would be notified.
Viktor sensed the magical energies around him, only relaxing once he confirmed there were no other presences outside the room.
After handling these precautions, Viktor turned back to look at Gwen, who sat on the fur-covered sofa.
Compared to before, the current Gwen was almost too compliant.
Even sharing the same room, she showed neither shyness nor protest.
When they had stayed overnight in the town below the volcano, Gwen had been shy and somewhat displeased.
But now...
Sensing Viktor's gaze, Gwen blinked, a hint of confusion barely visible on her otherwise expressionless face.
Her personality had become completely different.
Though this was related to Gwen's current instinctive state.
Viktor drew the luxurious silk curtains, blocking the large windows and completely shutting out the pure moonlight.
He stepped across the gold-threaded carpet, turning to look at Gwen.
She had already removed her armor down to her knees.
Revealing undergarments as white as snow against her skin.
Her porcelain-like complexion was captivating, while her elegant figure added charm to her pure presence.
Gwen walked slowly toward Viktor, gradually closing the distance until she was almost pressed against him.
She stopped just before him, slightly raising her head to look at him with eyes calm as still water.
Then, under the dual gaze of Viktor and Vega.
She ignored the crow on Viktor's shoulder and gently wrapped her arms around his neck.
Pressing her forehead against his, her voice emerged like spring breeze brushing new buds, saying softly:
"Hold me."
"..."
About half an hour later, the steam-filled bathroom door slowly opened. Gwen emerged through the misty light, letting her damp hair fall naturally.
She took a towel and gently wrapped it around her hair to dry it.
Then she put on the thick bathrobe that had been hung ready.
Meanwhile, Viktor sat quietly in his chair, slightly reclined.
His coat had been removed, replaced by a white shirt and loose trousers.
His legs were stretched out under the crystal-carved dining table as he calmly read from a book.
Only the sound of falling water drops and turning pages filled the room, seeming to whisper of the intimate atmosphere.
The pages turned with his thoughts, one after another.
Seeing this, Gwen approached voluntarily, passing by Viktor like a spring breeze, stirring the air with a fresh fragrance that reached his nose.
It would be impossible to say Viktor hadn't noticed.
Gwen stood behind Viktor, her form slightly bent, leaning against his back as if unconsciously.
Her soft skin pressed against Viktor's shoulder, sending sand-like sensations from his shoulder to his heart.
Her hair swaying, she looked at the contents of Viktor's book and asked curiously:
"What are you reading?"
Feeling Gwen's breath so close, Viktor closed his eyes, but this only made the surrounding fragrance "attack" his senses more intensely.
The hand holding the book began to tremble slightly.
"Just a simple and ordinary magic book."
Since reaching the fourth tier, Viktor's self-control had improved significantly.
He rarely used spells like [Self-Suggestion] anymore.
But now, he suddenly felt an urge to pick it up again.
Vega on the table shook its body, its feathers quivering as it turned its head away, secretly laughing uncontrollably.
It seemed to greatly enjoy seeing Viktor in such a predicament, excited beyond measure.
Only when Gwen finally moved away from Viktor's shoulder did Vega barely manage to contain its laughter.
Hmm... incomprehensible.
For a knight, such magic books were still too advanced.
Gwen turned to sit on the soft bed, gracefully crossing one long leg over the other, tilting her head as she focused intently on watching Viktor.
Viktor read his book while Gwen simply watched him, creating a somewhat awkward atmosphere.
Seemingly realizing that if nothing was done, the entire night might pass this way.
Viktor put down his book, rubbed his brow, and looked at Gwen with slight frustration.
"...Why aren't you resting yet?"
"Waiting for you."
Gwen watched Viktor as she lifted one leg onto the bed, bending it slightly.
She hugged her leg, caressing it as if it were a beloved doll.
At the same time, she nestled against her soft leg, saying slowly:
"Last time, you didn't rest properly."
Last time?
He must mean that time at the inn near Mount Vesuvius.
Viktor clearly remembered they had only shared a room twice before.
Once in the town below the volcano, and now tonight.
That time, he had given the only bed to Gwen while he spent the night reading magic books and sitting quietly.
With the aid of magic, Viktor's mental fortitude could sustain him for several days without sleep.
But he hadn't expected Gwen to keep this matter in her heart all this time.
Seeing her like this, it seemed she had been genuinely concerned about not letting him rest properly that time.
After all, in her current instinct-driven state, Gwen would express everything without reservation, hiding nothing in her heart.
Viktor heaved a deep sigh and voluntarily put down his book.
The book in his hand gradually crumbled, transforming into black fragments that finally dispersed into ash, like the last autumn flower petal scattered by the wind.
Gradually disappearing.
Viktor rose and walked toward Gwen. She tilted her head back slightly.
His figure reflected in her pupils.
Watching as he came closer and closer.
Until he was right before her.
Gwen could see Viktor's chest just by looking up.
And smell the scent emanating from him.
Viktor spoke:
"Alright, let's sleep."
Upon hearing this, Gwen immediately slipped under the covers, assuming a waiting posture.
Coming to her senses, she looked at Viktor who still stood beside the bed.
So she extended her hands, lifted the covers, and patted the bed beside her.
Gesturing for Viktor to sleep next to her.
But just as she raised her eyes to meet Viktor's gaze.
A strange luster of mixed pink and purple flashed in Viktor's eyes.
[First-tier Magic: Sleep]
[Evaluating target's resistance, target resistance < spell potency, save failed.]
[Sleep successful]
Suddenly, Gwen felt a wave of fatigue surge from below, and her hand patting the bed instantly lost its strength.
Her head gently tilted, her body falling to one side.
The next second, she was sound asleep.
One of her cheeks buried in the soft pillow, a pink flush spread across her cheeks, like a ripe apple emanating an alluring aura.
Viktor just quietly watched her, expressionless.
A seasoned mage always has methods to maintain the upper hand.
He looked at Gwen and said in a low voice.
"If you wouldn't fall asleep, how could I proceed with my actions?"
Then, after ensuring Gwen was absolutely asleep, Viktor extended his finger and lightly traced a path along her back.
[First-tier Magic: Cutting Hand]
His forearm instantly lit up with bright blue light, forming rings of magical power.
With a gentle wave, a straight line was cut from top to bottom in Gwen's bathrobe.
The robe split along the line, revealing Gwen's fair skin beneath.
His fingers flicked to both sides, opening the robe wider until almost her entire back was exposed.
The curves of her figure were faintly visible at the edges.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath:
"Pardon my rudeness."
Viktor extended his finger again, like a pianist performing a piece, tracing from the top of her spine all the way down.
Only stopping at her tailbone.
The next second, Gwen's back split open as if cracking, and golden light poured out from the fissure.
Vega flapped its wings and flew over, perching on Viktor's shoulder.
Looking down, it made clicking sounds with its beak:
"How remarkable."
It opened and closed its beak, looking at Gwen's back with admiration:
A golden scale pattern, like a brand, was embedded in her back.
"The Goddess of Justice's acknowledgment."
"So the Goddess of Justice has already chosen her as an avatar?"
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