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“Ta-da! It’s done.”

Helga nodded with satisfaction as she looked at her handiwork. Tristan, now wearing a tie, looked absolutely perfect in her eyes.

The sharp jawline leading down to his neck, the Adam’s apple that stood out more prominently than in most women, and the blue tie adding a masculine touch—there was nothing to fault.

Tristan was carefully examining his reflection in the mirror. His expression exuded an arrogance that seemed to look down on the entire world, coupled with a confidence that seemed to dismiss any possibility of failure. Helga felt a swell of pride as she watched him.

‘Ah… my master… my very own villain…’

Being able to serve such a magnificent person up close felt like a dream. No, perhaps the real dream was that night.

Overwhelmed by Tristan’s demonic, beast-like demeanor, Helga had called him “master” and made a request. She wanted him to leave a mark on her body—a clear proof that she belonged to him.

It wasn’t a kiss she was asking for.

At that moment, Helga’s body was already ready to accept him. As their skin touched, her heated body desired Tristan not just as a master, but as a man.

Even if it was a relationship fueled by alcohol, it was fine. Her feelings were closer to infatuation than genuine love. She had been prepared to embrace the man she loved.

Tristan didn’t respond to her request. Instead, he simply held her and lay down on the bed. Helga, held in his arms like a fragile girl, received his kisses on her neck. It was likely a gentle act to ease her into the moment.

But there was a big problem.

“W-wait! If you do it too intensely…! Ah…!”

Tristan’s kisses were too skilled. Teasing her, he gently bit her neck and continued to kiss her.

“Ah! Not there…! No! Stop! Ah!”

“Are you daring to command me, Helga?”

“N-no, it’s not that! Ah…!”

“The more you say no, the more I want to do it.”

“Don’t…! Ah…!”

Tristan buried his face in her neck, seemingly mocking her pleas. It was an overwhelming sensation. Her neck, which wasn’t usually ticklish, had become an erogenous zone.

She tried to resist, but her body wouldn’t obey. All she could do was beg, though Tristan easily ignored her.

Helga was only freed after Tristan fell asleep. How many times had her mind gone blank? She realized for the first time that a pleasurable sensation could also be terrifying. He was truly a demonic man. No one else could make her submit like this.

Though it wasn’t exactly what Helga had hoped for, the two spent a passionate night together. However, it seemed Tristan, being drunk, remembered nothing. Perhaps it was for the best, as she had shown a side of herself that was too embarrassing.

Even now, just thinking about that night made her neck tingle…

“Helga.”

“Ah?! Yes?! What is it?”

Helga snapped back to reality at the sudden sound of Tristan’s voice.

“Your tie is crooked.”

“Huh? Oh, is it…?”

“…Not mine, yours.”

“Oh.”

Looking in the mirror, Helga saw that her tie was indeed crooked. How could she have been so careless?

“Sorry. I’ll fix it right away—”

“Stay still.”

“?!”

As Helga fumbled to adjust her tie, Tristan began to fix it for her.

“I-I can do it myself…”

“It’s fine. I’ll do it faster.”

Tristan calmly adjusted Helga’s tie. The situation felt awkward, and Helga didn’t know where to look.

“Supporting me is good, but you should also take care of yourself. If you’re my bodyguard knight, you need to have dignity from head to toe.”

“Yes…”

Though his tone was stern, Helga didn’t feel scolded. There was a gentleness in his touch.

“…It’s going to be a tough day for you.”

“It’s fine, Count. I’m already prepared.”

Helga puffed out her chest, exuding confidence.

“Thank you for giving me this opportunity, Count. I’ll definitely bring you good results, so don’t worry.”

“No. I don’t need good results.”

Tristan shook his head.

“I don’t care what results you bring. The choice is yours. So choose what’s good for you, not for me.”

“But you don’t like it when I act on my own, do you?”

“That’s true. But just for today, you can do as you please. This isn’t about the Ruelberta family or the Wolfbert family—it’s between you and the Wolfbert family.”

Tristan removed his hand from Helga’s tie and spoke.

“Do as you wish. I’ll take responsibility.”

His tone was blunt, but there was genuine concern for Helga in his words. Knowing this, Helga smiled.

“…Thank you, Count. I’m truly happy to serve someone like you.”

“…No need for flattery.”

“But I mean it…”

“So do I.”

The two, now ready, headed out to the carriage. But at the front gate, they encountered a small figure.

“Eek…?!”

Wendy, in her school uniform, stood there with a startled expression.

“Ah, are you heading to school, Wendy?”

“Y-yes! Are you two going out? *cough cough*… Please be careful…”

Seeing Wendy coughing, Helga asked with concern.

“You don’t look well. Are you okay, Wendy?”

“I-I’m fine…! I-I need to get to school…!”

With that, Wendy bowed her head and quickly ran off in the opposite direction.

Helga muttered, puzzled.

“Count… I don’t know if it’s just me, but it feels like Wendy is avoiding me…”

“…Hmm.”

Tristan also looked in the direction Wendy had disappeared, equally confused.

*

We arrived at the meeting place in the late afternoon. The location Hildegard had mentioned was a secluded beach quite far from the city.

As we stepped out of the carriage, two tall young men greeted us.

“Welcome, Count.”

“…Indeed.”

“We are Kenneth and Greg, the second and third sons of Hildegard.”

Ah, of course. They were Patrick’s younger brothers. Like their eldest brother, Patrick, who was a naval officer, they were quite tall. They must have inherited their height from their father, Gale. Helga, too, was quite tall for a woman, confirming her Wolfbert lineage.

“Long time no see, brothers.”

“Indeed. It’s been a while.”

“Hmph…”

Like Patrick, Helga didn’t seem to get along well with Kenneth and Greg. Well, in this family, no one really got along with Helga. She was, after all, the illegitimate child of the Wolfbert family.

If I hadn’t been there, harsh words would have likely been exchanged between the three.

“Then lead the way.”

“Yes. Please follow us.”

Guided by Kenneth and Greg, we headed toward the beach, where a group of people had gathered on the sand. I could easily tell they were from the Wolfbert family. Moreover, I could guess who Gale was. Anyone could have, really.

From a distance, his presence was overwhelming.

As we stepped onto the sand, a large figure began striding toward us. It was Gale Wolfbert, a middle-aged man with a wild, beastly aura that matched his massive frame.

Kenneth introduced me.

“Father, this is Count Ruelberta…”

“I’ve heard a lot about you.”

But Gale’s words weren’t a greeting.

“I’ve heard there’s a man with the audacity to disrespect His Majesty the Emperor, despite being a mere Count.”

Gale’s massive frame made Patrick look small. But this wasn’t his actual size—it was his battle form, amplified by magic.

“Moreover, I’ve heard he’s an arrogant man who thinks money can solve everything, just like my late father… I didn’t expect him to be so small.”

Maybe you’re just too big…

Gale had been openly hostile from the moment he saw me.

“Answer me, brat. Are you the so-called Count Ruelberta?”

“Yes. You’re well-informed.”

I answered with a smile, exuding ‘pride.’

“That’s me.”

 

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