T Y D O T S F

122

The door opened and Sage stepped inside. Karma took no action.

Hestia, who had been so focused on Irene's stability that she was unaware of the outside world, turned around sensitively at the unfamiliar and jarring noise.

Hestia's mouth trembled as she confirmed who her opponent was.

"I bet you asked me not to let anyone in."

"The Astropel family physician's request is too unreasonable for that to be true."

"......Young lady, you absolutely need to rest. I think I can at least ask you to step aside while you calm down."

"That's strange. You must be hoping Irene wakes up soon too."

"Of course."

"Then shouldn't we welcome the present?"

Hestia's mouth snapped shut. Sage was certain of this as he watched her shaking eyes.

Irene needs you.

The ecstasy that rose from the tips of his toes enveloped his entire body. The corners of his mouth turned upward in a deep curve.

"I need you."

"......."

"I guess it's true since you can't just say no."

But the emotions that were heightened by joy did not last long, as Irene's moans could be heard softly in the silence.

It was at the level of a weak breathing sound that disappeared into thin air, as if the voice was not even coming out properly due to the strength.

Sage's expression instantly hardened when he saw Irene's pale face, struggling to breathe.

Her lifeless face looked as if it would burst at any moment, and her heart felt like it was frozen.

"Since when."

Sage opened his mouth while keeping his eyes fixed on Irene. The moment he hurriedly walked towards the bed, Irene's heated breathing became faint.

Sage's breath stopped.

"...Since when has the situation become this precarious?"

"You suddenly got worse. Your mental state has been unstable lately...!"

"wherefore?"

Sage cut her off, asking menacingly. No emotion was reflected in his walls.

The pheromone that had subsided for a moment was so calm that it wouldn't have been strange if it exploded at any moment.

It was as if she knew something. Hestia answered calmly, pretending not to know the intention of the question.

"It's natural that you feel unstable since you left home."

"Is that all there is to it?"

"That's right."

"Then, if that's a lie, I have nothing to say even if you cut off my head."

Hestia's eyebrows were distorted and asymmetrical.

"I'm sure you know what Sage Kiraas just said."

"I'm not very free right now."

Sage swept Irene's forehead.

At that moment, Irene instinctively felt his energy and raised her arm, pitifully holding Sage's hand that was resting on her forehead.

The faint pheromone that had been huddled in a corner of his body rippled as if yearning for him.

Sage's hands stiffened.