Seeing Regulus whisper so seriously as if he were sharing a huge secret made me laugh. Even though he said things like that, I remembered how self-conscious he had been when Damian was around. Damian had left for a long mission even before Ares and still hadn’t returned. Honestly, I’d already given up hope that Damian would bring back good news, but even so, I too was waiting for his return.

After chatting for a while, Regulus suddenly looked around and threw himself into my arms. He hugged me tightly and buried his nose in my neck.

“Noona, you smell so nice again today. I want to sniff you every day.”

“But you’re always so busy. Just come to the library when you’re free.”

“If I shared a room with you, I’d cuddle you like this even while sleeping.”

Even though he was now an adult, Regulus remained sexually naive and innocent. He had no idea that the things he said could be interpreted very differently depending on the person.

Regulus always hugged me and took a whiff before parting. He said I smelled like flowers, which must have been the natural scent of a succubus. Still, since he only mentioned that it made him feel at ease and never said anything more, I didn’t worry about it too much. After a soft sigh, he stood up with a regretful expression. It must be time for him to go.

“See you later, Noona.”

“Yeah, see you later.”

He waved his hand as he walked away, turning back every few steps. The wistfulness in his repeated glances made me smile faintly as I watched until he completely disappeared from sight. Only then, after a long while, could I sit back on the bench.

The imperial palace grounds were beautifully landscaped, making it a perfect place to spend time on days off. I disliked crowded places and had never left the palace due to potential risks, but sitting quietly on a bench and enjoying the breeze felt far better than strolling the streets.

As I watched water pour from the intricately decorated fountain, I suddenly glanced at my fingers. That day, the ring had been under the collapsed fountain. Why hadn’t I snatched it back the moment that knight picked it up? Regret was pointless now, yet I couldn’t stop myself from thinking, “Why didn’t I do it then?” and blaming myself.

***

“Absolutely not! If you’re going, then we go together.”

“But Dad. If something happens, it’s easier for me to run away alone.”

“Yeah, maybe so. But no. Absolutely not. Who knows what might happen!”

My father, pale as a sheet, declared firmly. I understood he was worried. In this war, Spiruna would fall. Smoke was already rising endlessly from the streets, and the castle gates had been sealed. It was obvious what would happen to citizens of a fallen nation, especially women.

But I wasn’t just saying it. I truly believed I could escape alone. As I stubbornly refused to back down, my father’s eyes welled up with tears.

“No. No way. Absolutely not. If something happened to you…”

“But what if something happens to you or Mom while we’re together? I’ll be careful not to get noticed by anyone. If something does happen, I’ll run right away. So please, go first. If I don’t have that ring…”

“…Honey. Don’t worry and go ahead. You know how important that ring is to Lily, right?”

“Mom.”

Though her face was just as pale as my father’s, my mother forced a smile and spoke gently. Her cold hand caressed my cheek. Foolish Lily. Why couldn’t you take better care of something so important? I bit my lip in self-blame.

“Lily. Please, come back safe. Okay? We’ll head for Evan through Kelta, Argon, and Delphinium. Got it? Kelta, Argon, Delphinium, then Evan.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll catch up to you before you reach Kelta.”

“Lily… Sweetheart, if you don’t want to drive a stake through your father’s heart, you have to come back safe.”

I nodded and watched them leave with great reluctance. The carriage, hesitating for a long while, finally began to move once I turned my back. I waited until they were out of sight before heading into the castle.

Screams rang out from every direction. I covered my mouth with a sleeve to block the acrid smoke and slipped through the streets like a shadow.

“Do not harm the civilians!”

“Those who surrender, drop your weapons and kneel!”

I froze at the sound of knights from Ciel shouting. They said they wouldn’t harm civilians.

The books I’d read described the horrors of war as including the brutal slaughter of women and children who didn’t even try to resist. But in this war, it seemed that human decency still remained.

Still, revealing myself would bring nothing good, so I retraced the path I had taken with my parents. And beneath the half-destroyed fountain in the plaza, buried in dust and dirt, I found the glittering ring.

Thank goodness. I had pretended to be calm in front of my parents, but my heart had been pounding painfully. Now it slowly began to settle. Just as I let out a deep breath and took a step—

“What’s this? A ring?”

“Maybe someone dropped it while running away?”

“Doesn’t it look pretty valuable? It’s not like there’s a lost-and-found around here.”

A knight in blue armor picked up the ring. As he held it up to the dim moonlight, he clicked his tongue and slipped it into his pocket. My entire body went cold in an instant. What should I do?

Just then, the bell rang from the direction of the castle.

“Oh, that was fast.”

“Well, all the orders gathered, after all. Though, honestly, it didn’t seem necessary to deploy all four knight orders to such a small kingdom.”

“The quicker it ends, the better. Let’s go.”

It must have been the signal of the fall. As I watched the two men turn their backs and walk away, I hesitated.

I had never used magic on a person before. I’d tried creating wind or lighting a fire when alone in my room. I’d learned from books that succubi could manipulate minds and memories. But using magic on a living creature—like an animal or a person—was still beyond me.

While I was fidgeting and following the knights, they rejoined the main unit.

Everyone wore helmets, so I could easily lose track of the one who picked up the ring. Overpowering multiple trained knights was impossible, but if I could catch one alone, I might manage. I kept my eyes on the man who had picked up the ring and tailed him.

I waited for a moment when he might be alone. But as expected in group settings, even when taking a break, the knights weren’t by themselves. Dawn was approaching, and I was growing increasingly anxious. What should I do? My parents must be waiting.

The sky was starting to brighten. The knight who had taken the ring yawned broadly and entered a tent. Two others followed behind him; it was clear they were going to sleep.

I’ll sneak in and take it while they’re sleeping. As I bit my lip, a sudden cramp hit my lower belly.

“…Hngh.”

A stifled moan escaped my lips before I could stop it. Even though I was hiding in the shadows, someone might hear. My breath grew ragged, and my body began to heat up. I knew this feeling well.

Tears fell down my cheeks. My hips twitched on their own, and the flushed heat between my legs started craving something. Just the sensation of my underwear brushing against my thighs sent a thrill through me.

Hold it in. I have to hold it in. Just a bit longer. Once I put the ring on, this instinct would vanish. But the years of suppressed urges overwhelmed me, and my vision blurred. It was too hot and too tight in here. Before I realized it, I had stepped out from the shadows and collapsed to the dirt.

No, this can’t happen. If someone sees me, I’m done for. I tried to crawl back into the shadows, but my body wouldn’t respond.

“Ah, haah… haah…”

I was panting so heavily, it made me dizzy. Hugging my shoulders, I twisted my lower body. What should I do? Someone, anyone—please, help me.

“Hey, are you alright? What’s going on?”

Ah, a man. My vision flushed red. I was salivating uncontrollably. Just the sound of his voice sent a rush of pleasure through me, almost to climax. Tears streamed down my cheeks. I licked my lips and looked up. The man stopped in his tracks as our eyes met in the dim light.

His long hair fluttered alongside petals the color of blood. Without thinking, I pounced on him and pressed my lips to his. Sweet. So this is what someone else’s saliva tastes like. It was so delicious I couldn’t stop crying. My desperate body rubbed against his.

“Wait, you—what the—!”

His shining white hair was beautiful. And his eyes, how could they be so pretty? Everything about him was so lovely I wanted to swallow him whole. As I licked my lips, lost in the taste of a man’s essence for the first time, the knight who had picked up the ring stepped out of the tent.

“Lily. Please, come back safe. Okay? We’ll head for Evan through Kelta, Argon, and Delphinium. Got it? Kelta, Argon, Delphinium, then Evan.”