ITPMHFN 22

Chapter 22

“Denok? Denok…!”

I shot up and rushed over to him.

His forehead was drenched with sweat. His breath came in harsh gasps, and his twisted expression was filled with terror, as if something were chasing him.

“Denok!”

I shook him by the shoulders. A chill seeped into my palm—his skin was ice-cold.

What is this…?

And then, I felt it. A strange current in the air.

Magic…

It wasn’t visible—he wasn’t actively using it—but that telltale sensation, like static brushing across my skin, was unmistakable. His magical energy was writhing, ready to erupt.

“Denok!”

“Ugh…”

I tried to rouse him again, but it was useless. All I got in response were faint, feverish groans.

Could it be…?

My eyes narrowed in thought.

That near-accident with the carriage today… Perhaps the shock of almost seeing someone hurt had triggered some buried trauma.

“Kh…”

His chest trembled with a shallow sob. Sweat-soaked, he pressed his forehead into the pillow and curled into himself like a child lost in a nightmare.

What do I do…?

With my hands trembling in panic, I came to a single conclusion.

Right now, the most urgent thing was to subdue the surge of magic building inside him.

And there was only one way to do that.

Without hesitation, I pressed my lips to his.

I parted his tightly shut mouth, slipping my tongue in to provoke him.

His body, stiff as stone, slowly relaxed—as if by instinct—and began responding, just like the nights before.

Good. Just a bit more, and he’ll calm down.

As his turbulent inner force gradually began to yield to mine—

Thud.

A sudden force yanked me forward.

I toppled over with a gasp, and Denok came down on top of me.

“Denok, you’re awake—mmph!”

His eyes opened slowly, and for a brief second, I thought he had regained consciousness. But I was wrong.

His tongue plunged into my mouth, relentless and insistent.

There was no space to breathe. Heat spilled in, thick and overwhelming.

I struggled to swallow the saliva flooding my mouth, but what I couldn’t manage dripped down the corners of my lips.

“Mmph…!”

His tongue ravaged every corner, scraping over each sensitive bump as if determined to memorize them.

When my hips twitched from the sharp jolt of sensation, his body pinned me down even harder.

A shiver ran up my spine. My eyelids trembled.

He’s not awake.

Though his eyes were half-lidded, they lacked focus.

There was no consciousness there—only instinct.

He was devouring me not as himself, but purely as a vessel trying to stabilize the wild current inside him.

I get that, but still—!

His tongue licked across the softest parts of my mouth. That faint pulse of pleasure shot straight to the inside of my thighs.

There was nothing sweet about this, and yet he was insatiable.

The heat scrambled my thoughts, my breath caught at the base of my throat, and my vision began to blur.

Enough.

At last, I gathered enough strength to push hard against his chest.

“Puh… haa, haa…”

“…”

I managed to gather my composure just enough to activate my ability.

Denok, however, still hadn’t fully come to. He blinked slowly, dazed and unfocused.

That had been… a bit much.

I frowned, reaching to help him sit up.

“Denok…”

But the moment I saw his face, my mind went blank.

He was crying.

Tears streamed down his cheeks, catching on his lashes as he blinked.

Still trapped in his nightmare, perhaps.

I gently drew him into my arms.

His trembling hands clutched at my collar, and I smoothed his hair, whispering softly.

“Denok, it’s okay. You’re okay… you’re safe now.”

I kept repeating those words, again and again.

And slowly, his ragged breathing began to even out.

I wrapped my arms tighter around him, holding him close until his sobs finally began to settle.

“Everything’s okay now…”

—

…So stifling.

I frowned in discomfort.

It felt like my body was being squeezed tight, as if I were buried in something firm and warm.

Warm…?

I opened my eyes to find myself nestled against a broad, muscular chest.

Apparently, I’d fallen asleep in Denok’s arms.

I blinked, frozen in place.

Then—

“…You’re awake.”

A deep, unusually low voice rumbled from beside me.

I flinched. Slowly, I looked up.

All I could see from this angle was Denok’s sharp jawline and tightly sealed lips, but it was clear—he was tense.

“…I didn’t want to move. I was afraid it would wake you.”

He could’ve pushed me away if he wanted to.

Embarrassed, I quickly pulled back. Denok also straightened up at once.

“I… apologize for last night.”

His voice was quiet and stiff.

So he remembered.

“No, it’s fine. It couldn’t be helped.”

It had been a primal reaction.

His body had clearly begun to recognize me—as someone capable of calming his magical core. More specifically, through the exchange of fluids or physical contact that drew out my ability.

Still… I need to be careful.

Even if it was highly unlikely, if Denok were to lose control and succumb to a true magical breakdown—

I brushed my fingers over my swollen lips and swallowed hard.

—

Time passed quickly, and at last, the day before the festival arrived.

From the early hours of the morning, workers bustled through the streets, placing the final touches on the preparations.

The roads were overflowing with blooming Luminel flowers, carefully nurtured for this moment.

From the raised platform that would open the festivities to the rows of trees lining the square—everything had been transformed.

A gust of wind swept through, making the flowers ripple like waves. Their fresh scent spread through the air, drawing smiles from the sweat-drenched workers.

At last, everything was nearly complete.

“Just the final touches now. Excellent work, my lady,” Vernon said brightly as he turned to me.

I nodded and glanced toward the sculpture standing beside the platform.

A grand carving of a fairy lay on its side, appearing to sleep peacefully.

It was so lifelike, so delicately carved, that it was hard to believe it had been shaped from wood.

Beneath it, an ocean of Luminel blossoms created a stunning backdrop.

I found myself smiling without realizing it.

“Tomorrow’s the big day.”

All the budgets, manpower shortages, and endless negotiations that had buried me these past few weeks—it had all led to this.

And now, seeing it complete, I finally felt the satisfaction set in.

“Whew. It’s been ages since we went all out like this,” Gerald said with a grin, wiping his forehead.

“As long as we make it through tomorrow without a mishap, it’ll be perfect!”

“Oh no, sir knight, don’t jinx us!” one of the laborers called, laughing. “That kind of talk is forbidden on-site!”

Gerald chuckled and threw up his hands in mock surrender, then declared he was starving and led the group toward the dining hall.

Caught up in the cheerful chatter, everyone followed along, swept up in the mood.

“My lady! Come join us!”

Unable to refuse, I followed them. But just before leaving the square, I turned back one last time to gaze at the sculpture.

Bathed in sunlight, the sleeping fairy sparkled—so peaceful, so beautiful, like something out of a dream.

—

At the same time…

While most of the workers were heading to the dining hall or resting briefly,

Two men in work clothes quietly slipped away from the crowd, making their way behind the platform.

They crept up to the sleeping fairy sculpture—careful not to draw any attention.