Chapter 72: Affectionate

Opening her eyes, the girl Emilia’s day began just like that.

She skillfully climbed out of bed, leaning against the headboard with movements so light, as if afraid to wake anyone.

Her beautiful crimson eyes gazed tenderly at Sieg, who was fast asleep beside her. This was the only time he let his guard down.

No, that wasn’t right.

A faint smile curved her lips, and happiness radiated from her delicate face.

He simply didn’t put up any defenses against me. At first, he was very cautious.

Instinctively, she bent down, closing the distance between them. Her slender hand smoothed the silver hair cascading down, careful not to disturb this perfect moment.

She quietly pressed a kiss to his lips, their warmth mingling in a subtle, tender way.

She feared waking him—if he noticed, it would be bad.

Satisfied, as if she had gained strength for the day, she was about to get up and prepare breakfast, forgetting there was still someone else in the tent.

Yev, bound and wide awake, was staring fixedly at the scene.

Like discovering a new world, she teased with a smirk.

“So this is how it is, Lady Emilia. You two are supposedly close, sleeping together and all, yet you still have to sneak around like some cheating cat.”

“No need for your nosiness. This is my personal business. You’re Rieve, right? Nice to meet you.”

Clearly, ever since Emilia learned that this woman could harm Sieg, her attitude toward her had grown cold and distant. Naturally, she had no desire to engage further.

But basic manners still mattered.

She dressed herself, brushing her waist-length silver hair before the mirror. Even without makeup, her beauty outshone all others—truly worthy of the words “beauty capable of toppling a kingdom.”

While fixing her clothes, the green-haired woman beside her chattered on, seemingly trying to cozy up.

“Lady Emilia, I’ve always wanted to meet you. You’re my idol, really.”

“Lady Emilia, you know, I’ve been resisting this mission all along. I have old and young to care for at home. Why don’t you secretly let me go?”

“Otherwise, I might be tortured to death by that guy named Sieg. I’m actually pretty easygoing, but I guess you’ve been ‘used up,’ right? After being with the Emperor for so long, haven’t you secretly had his child? If that’s true, I really despise you. Shameless. If you get pregnant now, you won’t even know whose child it is. Can Sieg even accept that? Doesn’t it make you uncomfortable…?”

Her words grew increasingly heated, her expression twisting into a wild smile.

Yet Emilia remained calm and indifferent, her gaze cold. Innocent people have nothing to explain. She had no intention of defending herself because whoever this woman was, she wasn’t Sieg and therefore not important.

But when she heard Sieg insulted, fury flared. Her sleeves rolled up as she exhaled sharply, ready to teach the woman a lesson.

Unexpectedly, her words stopped abruptly.

Woken from sleep, Sieg yawned quietly and squatted beside Yev, watching silently.

He reached out, gently patting the girl’s back with a faint smile.

“Why’d you stop talking? I can accept criticism, but not disrespect. So, come on, speak up. Are you upset? Li! Ye! Ve!”

He deliberately dragged out the last name, and Yev froze like a mouse caught by a cat—no sound, no movement, let alone a fight.

After a long pause, she cautiously spoke.

“Shh, can we make peace? I can apologize…”

“Good, good. Oh, and one more thing—only I get to mock Emilia. No one else, got it? That’s just my rule.”

As he spoke, Sieg scooped her up like a kitten, lifting her into the air.

Sensing something was wrong—knowing Yev’s personality made it unlikely she’d act so recklessly without reason—he lightly shook his hand a few times.

Sure enough, something dangerous fell from her person with a clatter.

His gaze fixed on it as he used magic to immobilize the desperate girl in midair.

Bending down, he picked up the object and showed it, speaking slowly.

“You hid this pretty well. Didn’t find it before. Planning to lure Emilia here and take her hostage, huh? Not a bad plan, but you still had time to scheme… Seems I was too soft on you.”

“Spare my life, Lord Sieg. I’ll be your servant for life. Empire folk don’t betray Empire folk.”

Unexpectedly, Sieg laughed instead of getting angry.

“Since you say that, I’ll reluctantly accept. But I don’t like that dramatic attitude. I suggest you drop the act, or I’ll have to control you properly. You’ll be joining militia training next. After that, no more time to mess around.”

After all, this woman had talent and skill, and the Demon Lord City desperately needed magic users like her to improve construction speed and quality of life.

If only she could sincerely assist me… such a pity to just kill her off.

Hopefully, she won’t push my limits again.

Soon, the turmoil ended.

Yev was taken away to train her body, her magic sealed so she was no different from a normal person. Whether she survived the militia training depended on her own ability.

Inside the tent, Emilia, who had been watching quietly for a long time, slowly approached.

A fragile vulnerability appeared on her delicate face, making it hard for her to speak, but she finally did.

Her slender hand tugged at Sieg’s sleeve.

“I never had a child, and I was never touched… it’s just a rumor, Sieg.”

“Ah, you don’t really think I’d believe that, do you, Emilia? Don’t worry, I’m not one to be swayed by rumors. I have my own judgment.”

Sieg shrugged carelessly, then comforted her.

Somehow, he didn’t want to see her wear that expression.

Facing the same question as before, his attitude had changed completely.

Perhaps he once feared confronting his own true feelings. Maybe he was afraid of something after all.