Nighttime, inside a private room.
Leica was preparing clean clothes for him while he relaxed in the bath, communing with the System.
Rover sighed inwardly. 'To use the Eden Night Absorption Art, I need a partner.'
'The catch is, my partner's energy flow must resonate with mine. I can't just choose anyone randomly.'
He closed his eyes, feeling a bit tired. Although the Absorption Art suited both his personality and desires perfectly, there was still one huge obstacle---his father and Alex.
Stanley had forbidden anyone in the family from marrying before Alex, as a gesture of goodwill toward the princess Alex was engaged to.
"That damn old man!" Rover thought bitterly. "What does my marriage have to do with him? If Alex never gets married, does that mean I have to stay single for life?!"
While he grumbled, a soft, feminine voice called from outside the door.
"Master, I've brought your clean clothes." Leica's gentle tone carried through the steam. "I'll leave them in the basket by the door."
Rover's eyes suddenly gleamed with mischief. "Hehehe… Leica, why don't you bring them in yourself?"
"Eh!?" Leica gasped, hesitating for a long moment without replying.
Rover sighed. Though he liked her, he didn't want to force her to do anything she wasn't comfortable with.
Crack!
Suddenly, the bathroom door creaked open, and Rover turned sharply in surprise. He saw Leica step in, carrying a small basket.
The steamy air fogged up her glasses, and as she walked, her foot slipped on a puddle—
"Kya!"
Leica cried out as she lost her balance, falling straight into the large pool-like bath, right into Rover's arms.
"Ah! Master…" Her glasses had fallen away, and her beautiful face flushed red. Her wet hair clung to her cheeks, glistening under the soft light.
Her eyes were hazy and glistening, brimming with an enchanting allure that held his gaze captive.
"Ha… ha… Master… you…" Leica stammered, her face growing even redder—so red that even her ears burned bright.
Rover's hands were still around her slim waist. Her soft body pressed against his bare chest, the rising steam making the air thick and intimate.
He could feel her breath brushing against his face—sweet, feminine, and scented faintly of some unknown flower.
Leica, too, could feel his warm, masculine breath on her wet skin.
Her body trembled slightly... but then, to his surprise, she grew bold---her arms wrapping slowly around him.
"Leica…" Rover was genuinely taken aback. He'd thought she would push him away—but instead…
Leica bit her lip and whispered, "Master… do you really want me? My status is low… I'm not worthy…"
"Do you like me?" Rover asked with a grin. "Look at me. Answer me."
Leica was completely entranced by his confident, masculine tone. She nodded slightly. "Ever since you saved me from that place, I swore I'd be loyal to you for life."
Her words brought back memories from years ago… when he'd just turned eighteen
Back then, he had taken all the gold coins he'd saved and gone to the slave market to buy a girl.
After all, in his past life he had only run a "fake dating" business—this time, he wanted to experience real love. He wanted to know what it truly felt like to be intimate with someone.
He didn't have much money, and originally planned to buy two Beastkin girls, but then his eyes met Leica's.
She was wearing a torn, dirty white dress and was locked inside a wooden cage.
Even in that filthy state, her sorrowful eyes had captured his attention.
To be perfectly clear, it was her eyes that captivated him. Not her enormous chest.
Rover wanted to buy her, but her price was high since she had once been a princess of a fallen kingdom.
After some hesitation, he still decided to buy her and make her his maid. That was why she called him "Master" instead of "Young Lord."
Rover had initially thought that Leica wouldn't be capable of doing the work of a servant—but he had been wrong. She not only managed everything perfectly but performed her duties like a seasoned professional.
Now, in the present moment, Rover looked at her and sighed softly. "It seems you've mistaken admiration for love. I—"
"No!" Leica suddenly shouted, her arms tightening around him as if she feared he would disappear. "I love you, Master. I swear… this is love, not just… not just…"
Her voice broke, words failing as tears streamed down her cheeks.
"Ack!" Rover was startled. "Don't cry. I just wanted you to confirm your feelings once more."
"Even though you're a slave I purchased, I still respect your choice. Leica, you can—"
"You are my choice, Master." Leica smiled through her tears, her expression bright with determination and joy. "From that day on, you became my light—my reason to keep living."
"Master, will you accept me?"
Hearing her words, Rover gently caressed her face and lifted her chin. She closed her eyes slightly, tilting her head as if waiting for something.
Rover knew exactly what she wanted. He leaned down and pressed his lips against hers.
The moment their lips touched, Leica's body trembled as if struck by lightning, a strange warmth coursing through her entire being.
An indescribable feeling surged inside her, one that made her long to merge completely with Rover.
At the same time, Rover felt his energy circuits surge violently... a clear sign that the woman in his arms was his perfect match.
Energy within him began to flow on its own, activating the Eden Night Absorption Art.
His mind blurred, overtaken by the flames of raw desire that ignited within him.
Rover lost himself in the sweetness of the kiss, while Leica responded awkwardly yet passionately.
Neither of them had any real experience, but instinct guided them—soon, their clumsy touches became natural.
With each passing second, they grew bolder.
Rover pried her lips open with his tongue, and Leica shyly welcomed it with hers, soft and wet.
Their tongues intertwined like serpents, exploring and sharing warmth.
While they were lost in their kiss, a dark figure slipped through the bedroom window.
Yes—it was Alex.
Holding a small box, he stepped into the dim room and smirked with disdain.
He crept toward Rover's bed, took out the box Runa had given him, wiped it clean of prints, and carefully placed it under Rover's pillow.
He was about to leave, but then he noticed that the bathroom door was slightly ajar.
From where he stood, he could see the reflection—Rover and Leica locked in a passionate embrace.
Alex's jaw clenched, his fists tightening until his knuckles turned white. His voice quivered with suppressed fury. "You bastard… Leica… my Leica…"
Jealousy and rage churned within him, his face flushing crimson.
He wanted to scream—but barely managed to restrain himself.
Taking a deep breath, Alex darted out the window, ran along the corridor, and stopped right in front of Rover's door.
"Leica is mine! You won't defile her!" Alex growled through gritted teeth, then slammed his fist against the door.
Inside the bath, Rover was still lost in the kiss, his hands beginning to slide beneath her clothes—
Then suddenly—
BAM! BAM! BAM!
"Rover! Open up! What the hell are you doing in there?!"
Rover: "…"