THJDM 01

CHAPTER 01

Prologue

“How on earth did I end up in this kind of relationship with the mastermind villain?”

Lubiana stared blankly at the handsome man in front of her.

A heavy lump of guilty conscience suddenly raised its head.

Even if it was due to an unavoidable contract, the fact remained—she was supposed to be the heroine, yet here she was, tangled up with the hidden mastermind. That lingering sense of debt never left her.

“It was the only choice I had to survive.”

It was, after all, nothing more than a contract to exchange mana, and a necessary step toward becoming a proper heroine.

No more, no less.

But Lubiana’s thoughts couldn’t continue.

The man’s massive body, wrapped around hers, was relentlessly pressing down, and the mana flowing into her through him was dizzying—almost intoxicating in its bliss.

“Ah… Your Highness, Duke… please, slower…!”

She tried to push against his solid chest, but his stone-like body didn’t budge—instead, it pressed in even deeper.

Her body rocked again and again with his movements.

Hadn’t it started slow and gentle at first?

But as body heat rose and breath grew ragged, his motions became fiercer—purely driven by animal instinct.

The man, without stopping his relentless thrusts, lowered his head and gazed intently at Lubiana.

His fiery eyes were strangely calm.

For a moment, it almost felt like the one piercing into her and the one staring down with such tranquil eyes were two different people.

“…Elion.”
“Yes?”

His voice was as deep and composed as his eyes.

Not knowing why he had called himself by name, Lubiana widened her eyes and looked up at him questioningly.

Instead of answering, he responded with an even wilder movement—his body digging deeper, scraping mercilessly against her insides.

A helpless, high-pitched sound escaped Lubiana’s lips.

Tears welled and slipped down her cheeks.

Only after tormenting her wordlessly for a while did the man speak again.

“I told you to call me by my name.”
“Ah…”

So it was just about that? Clicking her tongue, Lubiana pouted, then whispered with a voice thick with moisture:

“…Elion. Satisfied?”
“Good. That’s better.”

The calmness in Elion’s eyes softened, and a faint smile spread across his face.

He gently stroked her hair—like one would tenderly pet a beloved animal.

But the rough way he was digging into her body made that smile and that tender touch feel like nothing but pretense.

Elion tapped playfully at her pouting lips, his gaze like a child toying with a new toy.

“I’m not your toy, you know?” She was about to snap back at him.

But before her words could even form, his lips swallowed hers whole.

“Mmph…!”

The sudden kiss stole her breath, startling and tensing her—but only for a moment.

Soon, his skilled lips melted her tension away.

The unrelenting waves of Elion’s desire sent shivers coursing through her.

The stimulation he gave was sweet, the mana he poured into her was intoxicating—enough to fill her body and soul completely.

“…I don’t know anymore.”

Was this really okay? Was this truly what she wanted? Lubiana couldn’t tell anymore.

Now, it was hard to imagine life without the sweetness of his touch or the ecstasy of his mana.

A life without Elion seemed unimaginable.

“Drifting off again, aren’t you?”

He caught her distracted thoughts.

With a wet sound, Elion sucked at the side of her neck and began biting down.

“Mm… not there…!”

It was her most sensitive spot—and one that would leave an embarrassing mark she’d have to deal with all day if bruised.

She had to stop him.

Lubiana cupped his face gently with both hands, pulling him toward her, and kissed him softly.

It was her way of telling him: I’ll focus on you, so please stop tormenting me.

Their breaths mingled through parted lips, heat flooding into her body.

That heat traveled down her throat, through her stomach, spreading all the way to her toes.

“Mm… ahh.”

The sweet, breathless moan slipped out, vibrating in the air.

Yes. This was inevitable…

Through her hazy consciousness, a memory surfaced—

—of the day she had first opened her eyes in this world.