After a long while…
Priscilla lounged lazily in Hayashi Maki's arms, radiating an astonishing, seductive charm.
Her lovely face was faintly flushed, and a fine sheen of sweat clung to her snow-white skin.
Her eyes curved into crescents, her lips lifting slightly as she extended a pale finger and gently tapped his chest.
"Not bad. This commoner's service… has satisfied me. But remember this—I like being on top."
"And no matter when it is, you are not allowed to look down on me!"
Priscilla asserted her "sovereignty," her tone haughty and domineering, leaving no room for argument.
Hayashi Maki could only tighten his arm around her slim waist, then quickly kiss her cheek.
"Your Highness, you're making this hard for me. I'm taller than you to begin with, and you're saying I'm not allowed to look down at you? That's just bullying."
"Heh. Is it so difficult? When you face me, simply bend your back—or bury your head and upper body in the dirt."
That was… not even remotely a human sentence.
Hayashi Maki chose to ignore it—and instead lowered his head and kissed her again.
If the princess insisted on talking too arrogantly—and too unpleasantly—then the solution was simple: don't let her talk.
Priscilla tried to protest, but under Hayashi Maki's "service," she quickly—despite herself—melted back into obedient compliance.
Whether it was tsundere pride or arrogant elegance, direct action was always more effective.
A straight-line assault dealt the most honest, devastating "damage."
The so-called Sun Princess?
Hayashi Maki could pin her down with ease.
A little later…
Priscilla, now fully dressed, looked smugly at Hayashi Maki, who still seemed reluctant to let the moment end.
Suppressing the strange feeling in her chest, she asked slowly:
"So—are you still going to stop me from recruiting the Songstress?"
Hayashi Maki stared at her with a complicated expression.
"So I'm supposed to believe you just used a 'beauty trap' to trade for Liliana's ownership?"
"'Beauty trap?' What ridiculous nonsense are you spouting? I have no need for schemes."
"You commoner were already bewitched by my beauty. Even if I did nothing at all, you'd come crawling over by scent alone—wouldn't you?"
"So you're saying I'm a dog? Your Highness, do you know dogs bite?"
"Heh. I don't just know—I've already seen it… Shut up. Let me rest a moment… mmm—"
By the time Hayashi Maki finished "educating" Priscilla, a long time had passed.
He laid the limp Sun Princess down on the bed, tucked a blanket over her so she wouldn't catch a chill, then pinched her cheek and left the cabin.
Right—when she woke up, he'd just have Liliana sing for her.
He was always indulgent with his women.
With Priscilla temporarily dealt with, Hayashi Maki returned to Emilia.
Emilia was reading a letter. When she saw him, she hurriedly handed it over.
"Maki—it's a letter from Knight Felix. It's really urgent."
Hayashi Maki read it, and his brow immediately furrowed.
The letter said Crusch had fallen ill and was currently unconscious.
They'd been attacked on the way to Pristella. Crusch's symptoms resembled the infectious disease that had wiped out the royal family, and Felix couldn't cure her.
With no other options, Felix had turned to Hayashi Maki for help.
"Mu… should we go check on Lady Crusch?" Emilia asked worriedly.
"Of course. She's an ally—besides, it'd be boring if someone as upright as Crusch got taken out like this."
And… it was an opportunity.
An opportunity to get close to Crusch.
Decision made, Hayashi Maki immediately told the captain to turn back toward the relay station.
Crusch was currently staying at an inn near the station, and Felix was watching over her.
When they arrived, the thoroughly "bullied" Priscilla finally woke up.
Under her annoyed gaze, Hayashi Maki very thoughtfully helped her into her red dress.
While dressing her, he casually mentioned Crusch's condition.
Priscilla frowned. "So that happened… Crusch really is unlucky. Unlike me—luck always stands on my side."
"Yes," Hayashi Maki said with a self-satisfied grin. "Your Highness is the luckiest of all—having a man like me by your side."
He tossed out the line shamelessly, took her hand, and led her out.
Soon, the group arrived at the inn where Crusch was staying.
Hayashi Maki knocked. A moment later, Felix opened the door—eyes red, face drawn with exhaustion.
"Hayashi Maki-sama… please. Save Lady Crusch. If you can save her, I'll do anything!"
Felix's usual lively, cute demeanor was gone. He collapsed to his knees at Hayashi Maki's feet, as if clutching the last rope above a cliff.
It made sense.
To Felix, Crusch was his pillar—his reason for living. If she died, he'd lose his entire world.
"I'll save her," Hayashi Maki said calmly. "Felix—stand up first."
"T-thank you… please!"
Felix wiped his tears and stepped aside, letting them in.
When he saw Priscilla, his expression changed—but he glanced at Hayashi Maki and forced himself to stay quiet.
After all, Priscilla was Crusch's rival. Letting her see Crusch like this was… dangerous.
Hayashi Maki went to the bedside.
Crusch lay there in agony, her face, arm, and shoulder marred by spreading black stains—like dark blood had seeped into her flesh.
"This is… dragon blood. Or rather—cursed dragon blood."
Hayashi Maki recognized it at a glance, matching it to what he'd learned from the Corridor of Memories.
Felix asked urgently, "Can it be driven out? Lady Crusch is in so much pain—and I… I can't do anything."
Hayashi Maki put on a troubled look. "It can be done, but… you probably won't want it."
"I will," Felix said instantly, eyes brimming again. "As long as it saves Lady Crusch, I'll do anything. Please—just tell me!"
Hayashi Maki leaned in and whispered a few words into Felix's ear.
Felix's eyes flew wide. "We… have to do that?"
"Yes," Hayashi Maki said evenly. "Only that will save her."
Felix's heart shattered.
Hayashi Maki was saying he needed to do that to Crusch.
Of course Felix didn't want another man touching the person he cherished most.
But if it was the only way…
Tears slid down Felix's cheeks. He clenched his teeth and forced the words out.
"Save her… please."
Then Felix ushered everyone out of the room, leaving Hayashi Maki alone.
Hayashi Maki was lying.
Truthfully, if this were just the corrosion, Aqua could cleanse it in one go.
But Hayashi Maki was a greedy devil—he wasn't going to waste a perfect chance to make Crusch his.
He pulled the blanket back, looked at Crusch's graceful form, and didn't hesitate.
He lowered his head and kissed her.
Treatment… began.