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Catherine gently closed her eyes and halted her thoughts.

A tale of mental strain being physically drained away.

Catherine shook her head vigorously and barely managed to regain her senses.

To push away the incessant thoughts, she focused on the taste lingering on her tongue.

“Uh, anyway, this Amadeus Rocher has a flavor somewhat like Alraune’s Tear, yet distinct, and it’s quite addictive. Surely there’s no actual addictive quality to it, right?”

“If there were, wouldn’t we have faced divine punishment back in the Great Hall?”

“Well, I was just saying that.”

Catherine instinctively reached for the Rocher, hesitated, then withdrew her hand with a dissatisfied expression.

‘That was a close grab.’

The Rocher, unlike the dishes she had eaten before, had a taste that invited her hand to reach out.

She could somewhat understand why she was summoned by the gods.

“This uniquely textured taste in the very center is especially…”

“Is it the hazelnut at the core?”

“No, not that.”

Catherine shook her wrist horizontally.

“I’m talking about a paste that’s thicker than this jam.”

“Oh, Nutella, is it?”

“Nutella.”

Catherine rolled her tongue as if savoring it, pronouncing it slowly.

“Naturally, it’s from your previous life, right?”

“Yes. It’s a jam made by mixing hazelnut paste with Amadeus.”

“Ha, that must have required quite a bit of effort.”

Crushing nuts and turning them into a paste isn’t usually an easy task.

Only a House Fairy could whip it up with ease.

Karem hadn’t been making nut pastes like peanut butter by himself; he always asked Mary for help. Catherine well understood that.

Yet Mary hadn’t left the tower for several days now.

“Is it possible you made it yourself? Your arms seem perfectly fine.”

“Ah, I had some help from a forest fairy.”

“A Dryad, Flora?”

“The vines turned out to be more useful than expected.”

Thinking of the grim scenario of having to make hazelnut paste with both hands without Mary’s assistance was still dizzying.

But necessity drives one forward.

The web that wrapped the Amadeus fruit, extending like legs skittering towards you, like a spider chasing a cockroach?

Flora, who had been moving the vines as freely as her own arms?

‘Flora, could you stir this until it becomes jam?’

‘Porong? Porong.’

‘No, not by yourself. With those vines. Yes, just like that.’

‘Pororong.’

The guilt of having utilized a child, not even a year old, still thinking of her as a father, gnawed at her conscience.

At least until she tasted the Nutella.

The ache in her heart melted away like snow in mid-summer the moment she savored it.

It was definitely worth it.

“Hmm… an automatically moving whisk, huh…”

“Things similar to that existed in my previous life, but they’re nonexistent here. Plus, I can’t ask for Mary’s help…”

“Well, anyway, now that I know, I’ll just have to eat one more.”

Karem picked up another Rocher in accordance with his master’s will. He was about to feed it to Catherine but paused.

“Huh? What is it?”

“Nothing. It’s nothing.”

Something felt hazy in his mind, but with Catherine’s gaze fixed on him, asking what he was doing sitting around, he quickly shoved the Rocher into his mouth.

Crunch—

Karem placed the half-eaten Rocher back onto the plate.

“So, is this punishment and gift acceptable?”

“Huh?”

“No, why did I even make this?”

At Karem’s petulant tone, Catherine’s eyes repeatedly blinked.

“Oh. It’s acceptable. Acceptable.”

“Did you really forget?”

“Me? No way.”

“I find that suspicious.”

“Hah, how could that be!”

Yet, her reaction was not very convincing. Karem felt a bit inclined to probe further.

But before he could, Catherine’s hand slipped into the hem of her cloak.

“By the way, this works out perfectly.”

“Yes?”

As Catherine revealed her palm, there was a ring.

“What is this?”

“This is… ahem, your defensive magic tool I mentioned before.”

“A magic tool… but it looks different from what I saw before. That one seemed to have a large gemstone on a gold ring.”

“…That one exploded when I got a little greedy. Anyway, quit being noisy. Are you going to pick it up or what?”

As Catherine grumbled, Karem quickly bowed and took the ring politely with both hands, inspecting it closely.

This ring was completely different from the one he had seen before.

A ring shaped from silver, with gold adorning both sides and a ruby embedded.

Inside the ruby, a small magic circle glimmered, and the surface of the silver band was engraved with runes, reminding Karem of an ancient artifact.

“What are you staring at? Try it on.”

“Ah, just admiring it for a moment. Give me a second.”

Having admired it enough as per Catherine’s words, Karem didn’t hesitate to put the ring on.

“…Hey.”

“…”

On the ring finger of his left hand.

The meaning it carried was evident.

Catherine repeatedly mouthed something silently.

‘…Oh dear. Is this kid serious?’

Then she caught sight of the scene before her, snickering softly. Karem’s skin from his hand to his neck was turning crimson in an instant.

“I have so much to say, but for the brave little one, I’ll stay silent.”

“I’m not a little one; I’m Karem.”

“Right. Karem. Ahem.”

After a brief cough, Catherine fanned herself gently.

Karem, in turn, obediently put the half-eaten Rocher into her mouth.

Crunch—

“Like I said before, how long are you going to keep being embarrassed?”

“Well, what about Sir Atanitas…? Hmm?”

Wait a moment. What was it you said earlier? Karem once more fed Catherine a Rocher and quietly replayed their previous conversation in his mind.

“Are you finally going to call me by my name now?”

“Ahem. You’ve undertaken your coming-of-age ceremony. That must be a promise too.”

“Promises are important.”

It felt as though she’d almost forgotten and then hesitated to call him a little one again, but Karem decided to understand with a warm heart that was fluttering.

“Anyway, show me that gift you received from the gods.”

“Yes? A gift? Ah.”

“…Did you really forget that too?”

“It was quite a situation, so I may have overlooked it.”

Karem felt a twinge of guilt but also had an excuse.

He had been invited to the divine residence and met the two gods directly.

Before he could even check that gift, he got caught up in the commotion in the Great Hall.

“To think someone like you would have the favor of the Three Gods.”

“Isn’t it because they really liked my cooking?”

“Strictly speaking, it would be the cooking from your previous life they liked.”

“It’s my cooking since I’m the one preparing it.”

“Ha, how ridiculous. Just speak up properly. Come on. Show me that gift you received from the gods.”

Catherine’s eyes were filled with curiosity as she shook her head in refusal.

“Yes. Just a moment.”

As Karem pulled out all the Rocher, he felt the distinct sense of foreignness from a coin-like object. He reached into the insides of the coat he hadn’t taken off yet.

“…Hmm? Oh?”

A flat, round shape, the ring caught in his hand.

There were also some uneven and sharp parts.

Karem, half-expecting something, held onto the loop and pulled it out.

“What in the world is this for…?”

Just as Catherine was about to frown and lose her words.

Her expression turned visibly surprised as Karem unveiled what was in his palm.

She displayed a slight hint of excitement mixed in with the surprise.

A clear crystal twisted and braided into three loops.

On the surface of the icy ring, the engraved clear snowflake pattern shimmered brilliantly as it caught the light, resembling diamonds.

Karem subtly glanced at the ring on his left hand, then at Scadi’s gift, and finally looked at Catherine’s empty hand.

“Sir Atanitas.”

“Yes?”

“Could I borrow your left hand, please?”

“Do you think I lack hands just because I’m me?”

Yet, even as she said this, it was evident what she truly felt when she reached out.

Karem carefully held Catherine’s left hand, avoiding her gaze, and gently slipped the ring from his hand onto her ring finger.

Whether by design or coincidence, the ring fit her hand perfectly.

‘I mentioned before that lacking an offering would be crossing the line.’

But I never stated such when offering a meal or in prayer; had someone been secretly watching?

‘I must be enjoying this more than I thought.’

Thinking back to when she collapsed due to the Curse of Aging, it seemed familiar.

Even at their first meeting, Scadi had acted like a drama-obsessed aunt venting her frustrations about the morning soap opera.

Tutatis had intervened at that point.

‘Were they truly watching?’

Such thoughts made Karem feel slightly embarrassed.

His blushing face further flushed, and he felt a surge of heat.

However, seeing Catherine acting nonchalantly as she clasped her left hand, though her ears were crimson, made him feel oddly at ease.

‘She seems to enjoy it so much; that’s worth it.’

He decided he should tell her not to watch too often but suddenly thought how awkward and embarrassing this situation was.

“…”

“…”

The moment their eyes unintentionally met, it was clear Catherine had the same thoughts as well.

“…What are you doing just sitting around?”

“Ah. Yes.”

Fortunately, it seemed Catherine had somewhat adjusted and, albeit awkwardly, urged him to wait on her. Karem complied with her request, feeling the heat in his cheeks.

Crunch—

The sweet, crunchy then dense, crisp texture.

The flavor that no woman could possibly ignore surged through her tongue.

Instinctively, she continued to chew and swallow the Rocher.

‘The ring.’

Catherine subtly wrapped her other hand around the ring.

Crunch—

“How is it? Are you pleased with it?”

“Hmm, hmm. So noisy.”

“Yes, yes. Here’s a Rocher. Please take it.”

Catherine didn’t deny it but cleared her throat softly and shot a glance at Karem.

Regardless, Karem quickly pushed the Rocher into her mouth whenever she paused to speak.

“But if I keep eating like this, my mouth’s going to heat up.”

“Should I bring some warmed milk?”

“That would be quite nice.”

As Catherine closed her eyes and briefly imagined it, Karem nodded.

“Hot chocolate. Should I call it Hot Amadeus here? It would be perfect to warm up on a chilly winter day.”

“Hot chocolate?”

“Not much to it. Just a drink melted thickly in milk or cream with the sweet Amadeus part of the Rocher you just had.”

“Oh.”

She recalled that the ancient empire had indeed consumed it as a beverage.

Catherine imagined the taste following Karem’s description.

A rich liquid that clung to her tongue with a bittersweet yet sweet flavor.

A smooth feeling swirling in her mouth that slid down her throat.

The hot temperature of a liquid nourishing a cold body on a winter’s day.

Catherine conquered her Ice Magic.

To her, the cold of winter felt no different than a warm spring day.

However, she wasn’t ignorant of the unique comfort found in partaking of a thick liquid, whether it be a warm drink, soup, or anything on a chilly day.

“Just imagining that makes my mouth water.”

“Oh, it’s likely to taste even better than you’re expecting.”

The drink made from the sweet Amadeus part, thickly melted in milk or cream, made her feel excited every time she envisioned it, almost like heat radiating from her body.

‘Wait a moment. Is it really getting warm?’

She had indeed felt similar sensations before.

Eating hot food or ingredients would warm her body.

She had also felt feverish when the balance of her magical power had been disrupted, leading to a cold.

Unlike then, this time, it felt as though her entire body was inexplicably energized, as though her senses were heightened.

Observing Catherine’s condition, Karem lightly slapped his palm. He finally realized the nature of the sensation that had been bothering him since earlier.

“Oh, oh my.”

“…Do you have any idea?”

“That. It was also used as a tonic and an aphrodisiac.”

At those words, Karem looked down at the plate of Rocher.

Catherine followed his gaze down to the plate as well.

“…Some need to be careful not to overdo it…”

“You should’ve mentioned the most crucial part!”

Catherine’s right hand directed at Karem as she covered her left eye with her hand.

A batch of ice spikes, thicker than usual, began raining down.

It was obvious whom it was aimed at.

Bang—! Bang bang!

“Ah! Wait! Sir Atanitas! This is way more powerful than before!”

“Quit saying nonsense!”

“No, I’m serious! It’s far more enhanced than before!”

Unlike the usual lightly shot icicles, each was fast and carried significant weight. Karem could see each one piercing the wall as he dodged away.

Of course, even if he got hit, it wouldn’t matter.

With Scadi’s holy relic coupled with the defensive magic ring, he was fine.

Nevertheless, he couldn’t ignore the pressure that came from the situation and sight.

Moreover, the excitement from the boosting effects of Amadeus clearly blurred their steady reasoning.

Catherine’s eyes were slightly unfocused, her ears flushed, and her skin was gradually heating up.

“Wait, Lady Catherine! Your reasoning is slightly—”

“You insufferable brat! You think you can just call me by my name sneakily?”

“I genuinely think it’s starting to snap now!”

As Karem took a step back, Catherine, despite wobbling, began casting magic. Just when he thought she would fall—

Thud—

“Don’t dodge…!?”

Catherine tripped over her chair, threatening to tumble onto the ground along with it. Without thinking, Karem acted instinctively.

He enveloped Catherine’s body as they fell.

Thud—

“Ugh. So, uh…”

“…”

“Calm down. Ouch, my head…”

As he toppled, knocking his head against the fallen chair created a sharp ache, yet Karem swiftly forgot the pain due to the sensory overload coming from his body.

Catherine was far too close for comfort.

‘Damn, did I get too acclimated to this already?’

His efforts thus far felt wasted.

The golden silk-like hair enveloping the two of them.

A light weight upon him, the warm body heat that transcended his clothes, the soft figure smaller than expected.

The first floral scent he’d ever experienced enveloped him from head to toe.

The glimmering white skin, her features remarkably sharp yet reflecting every emotion distinctly, accompanied by pupils that alternated between crisp and blurry.

Sight, smell, hearing, touch.

Every sense but taste was being violently stimulated, leaving him feeling unreal.

“…”

“…”

Catherine’s face openly showed her bashful feelings. Karem could bet his own face mirrored her expression.

“That’s why. Sir Atanitas.”

“…Right.”

“Now that I’ve shed the little one label—”

“Quit dragging this out and just say it all at once.”

“Um. May I call you by name?”

“…Cough. Uh, yeah.”

Swoosh—

At that moment, Catherine flinched at the feeling on her head.

Even the owner of that gesture seemed surprised, flinching visibly from close range.

“…I accidentally touched it with my fingers due to the wind.”

“How dare you touch your master’s hair without permission.”

“I apologize.”

“Who told you to take your hands off.”

…Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh.

With every continuation, the hand that had halted earlier resumed its gentle motions.

The sensation was markedly different from when either she or Mary touched it.

It was soft and rhythmically caressing.

A pleasant weight brushed her hair down from her head to her waist.

Warm hands gradually heated the previously cold hair.

The careful and delicate movement sent a peculiar ticklish feeling spreading throughout her heart.

Unknowingly, the heartbeat quickened, growing louder.

Pyoong.

Just then, Mary appeared.

As she opened her mouth at the tightly shut dining room door, her startled eyes quickly scanned the scene and shut her mouth.

The sharp gaze of the house fairy swiftly roamed the dining room.

The snack gift presumed to be leftovers on the plate.

An overturned chair.

Catherine sprawled out with Karem beneath her.

Oh.

Ohhh.

Ohhhhhhhhh.

“I must be interrupting your cozy time! Please feel free to continue whatever you were doing!”

“Couldn’t you just stay silent for a moment?!!!”

Mary desperately attempted to escape the present situation.

However, Catherine and Karem acted faster.

Bang—!

From Karem’s punch that struck the floor, divine power erupted like mist, freezing Mary’s feet solid.

In the meantime, Catherine conjured a soundproof barrier to desperately thwart Mary’s magical efforts.

Mary moved just her waist, trying to open the door and exit.

It was futile.

The door had been locked from the outside with Catherine’s magic for quite a while now.

“No! You both can’t be like this! I still have unfinished work! Treat this as if I’m not here and continue with what you were doing!”

“Whatever it is you think, it’s definitely not that!”

“Yes! Before anything else, let’s clear up any misunderstandings!”

Wack wack wack wack wack—

Fortunately, the uproar was contained within the sound barrier and only reverberated in the dining room.

However, the expression on Olivier’s face, watching the entire scene from his room through the crystal ball, was visibly distorted even behind his beard.

 

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