Witt planned to take Kaelxi home to tend to her wounds. He was carrying her on his back toward her house.

He’d originally wanted to find a doctor right away. But Kaelxi refused, insisting she had healing medicine at home.

This time, at Kaelxi’s request, he walked steadily and slowly.

Kaelxi wrapped her arms around Witt’s neck. She leaned close to his ear and whispered softly, “Witt, can I ask you for a favor?”

Witt felt Kaelxi’s breath on his skin. It carried a faint tomato scent—just like when he’d kissed her earlier.

But that didn’t matter. He felt closer to Kaelxi now than ever before. Not physically. Emotionally.

“Just say it,” he replied.

“I’ll agree to anything, as long as it’s not something bad.” Witt didn’t want Kaelxi pulling shady tricks anymore.

Especially not lying to him.

“Don’t tell Grandma Elisa about the bad things I’ve done… okay?”

“She’s old. I’m afraid she couldn’t handle it.”

“I can agree… but with a condition.” Witt gave in, yet held back.

“A condition? What is it?” Kaelxi sounded puzzled.

“You have to kiss me.” Witt blurted it out suddenly.

“Wh-what? Didn’t we just…?” Kaelxi’s face flushed red. She hadn’t expected Witt to be so bold now.

The old Witt had been obedient like a puppy. He’d followed her every order without question.

Now he not only acted first but demanded another kiss?

Truthfully, Kaelxi never thought Witt would dare kiss her. Her plan assumed a guy like him—ultra-honest—would only hug her at most.

But now she’d lost her first kiss. And she’d probably keep losing more to Witt in the days ahead.

If she’d known he’d do that, she’d have rinsed the ketchup from her mouth earlier.

To hide the ketchup from Witt, she’d swallowed hard while crying. She’d even gulped down some of his saliva.

Otherwise, her fake “beating” would’ve been exposed. And she’d have gotten a real one.

Witt thought her tears were from emotion. Her strong reaction made him try even harder.

Her lips still tingled. Now he asked for more? He was treating her like she didn’t matter.

She’d thought Witt was honest. Now he’d turned perverted!

People really do change!

If this kept up, her future with Witt looked bleak. She might even lose everything. No!

She needed to rebuild her authority. Set clear boundaries with Witt!

“So Kaelxi won’t kiss me?”

“…Must it be now? On the street?”

“Then I’ll sadly tell Grandma Elisa she has a granddaughter who loves lying.” Witt felt changed too. Before, he’d have agreed without hesitation.

But now, seeing Kaelxi flustered and angry was fun.

A faint pleasure bubbled up—revenge for her lies.

Kaelxi’s cheeks burned red. She lightly pecked Witt’s cheek. She glanced around; no one on the street noticed.

“Happy now?” she huffed.

“Jerk! Don’t push it!”

“One day, I’ll kick you out!”

Witt didn’t hear Kaelxi’s inner screaming. He just turned to her cute face. A mischievous thought struck him. “Nope,” he grinned.

“I meant a kiss like in the woods.”

Witt shifted Kaelxi to his arms—princess-style. He leaned down as if to kiss her.

“No, no, no! Please! Too many people! It’s embarrassing!”

Kaelxi covered her mouth. She truly feared Witt would kiss her now!

He’d completely changed!

Witt didn’t stop. His nose almost touched hers.

Kaelxi squeezed her eyes shut, hands clamped over her lips.

“Kaelxi,” Witt murmured like a demon’s whisper, “you don’t want Grandma Elisa knowing your secrets, right?”

“Fine…” Kaelxi dropped her hands from her mouth. She covered her eyes instead.

If she couldn’t see, it wouldn’t be embarrassing.

“Hurry up. Don’t make it like last time…” She surrendered, no longer resisting.

Seconds passed. No lips touched hers. She peeked through her fingers.

Witt stood straight now, still smirking.

As if sensing her gaze, his voice dripped with amusement. “Kaelxi, were you looking forward to it?”

“Being kissed in public for everyone to see?”

“You jerk! Is this fun for you?” Kaelxi snapped. Like a cat whose tail was stepped on, she squirmed in his arms, ready to slap him.

Witt didn’t know why. Teasing Kaelxi just felt… fun.

Maybe he’d awakened something weird again.

......................

Kaelxi stepped out of the bathtub. All her bruises had vanished.

Or rather, there never were any. Just paint.

Before finding Witt, she’d prepared for his rejection.

She’d painted fake bruises on her skin. She’d faked a wound on her temple, hidden by hair.

She’d also kept ketchup in her mouth. Ready to “cough up blood” for Witt.

Her plan was to grab a random monster, knock it out, and release it later for a fake beating scene.

But Witt was slaughtering goblins in the forest. One escaped—only to be caught by Kaelxi.

That’s why it attacked her so fiercely. It hated her. Even forgot its instinct to reproduce.

The best part? Goblins were too weak to hurt a pro.

She’d just tear her clothes during the “beating,” revealing the fake injuries.

An Elven beauty apologizes to you. You reject her. She nearly dies because you ignored her. Even her special gift clothes get ruined.

She sobs over dirty bread meant for you. She waits endlessly. Her humble wish? Just not to be forgotten.

Who could resist that?

Kaelxi knew her past self couldn’t. Sure enough, Witt hadn’t.

She’d need to act pitiful more often. That way…

No. Wait.

When did she become so girly?