Lorin returned to his manor as dusk settled.

Though he hadn’t set foot in the academy all day, exhaustion clung to him heavier than any lecture.

"Am I being watched too?" he muttered while changing clothes.

If he were still the powerless Second Prince everyone dismissed—if he hadn’t unleashed that Advanced Magic—none of today’s chaos would’ve happened.

Yet one truth surfaced: Oulei feared Lilith.

But why? Was she terrified of losing Romon to her? Or did she dread Lilith threatening her position as future queen? Only Oulei knew.

Lorin yawned, gulping water from the bedside table. "Tomorrow’s problems can wait for tomorrow."

He collapsed onto the bed. Sleep dragged him under swiftly—today had drained him utterly.

Hours later, weight pressed down on his chest. Groggily, he opened his eyes.

A shadow crawled toward him from the foot of the bed.

"Lorin... Lorin, Lorin..."

"Hmm?"

Moonlight spilled over bare skin. Silky hair cascaded down a naked back. A faint blush stained pale cheeks; hazy eyes gleamed with seductive glint.

"Xueyi?... Xueyi?!"

Recognition struck as she neared.

*Why is she here? Why is she naked?!*

Lorin instinctively raised a hand to block his view—but Xueyi pinned his wrist down, her body pressing flush against his. Hot breath brushed his neck. Trapped beneath her, his mind went blank.

If her last move was a declaration of war, this was the final assault.

"Lorin..." Her whisper curled around his name.

"W-What are you doing?" The question slipped out stupidly. Anyone would know what came next.

"I want you."

"...Huh?"

Lorin swallowed hard, inching backward.

But Xueyi’s arms coiled around him, caging his head. "I want you... so badly..."

Her face dipped closer.

*No. This can’t happen!*

Lorin’s eyes snapped open. He bolted upright like a spring-loaded toy.

The empty room echoed his ragged breaths. Sweat slicked his skin. He drained the bedside water in one gulp, forcing his pulse to slow.

Then cold dread seeped in.

Clutching his hair, he groaned. "Damn it—why did I dream *that*?!"

Nightmare? Wet dream? He hadn’t even replied to Xueyi’s confession, yet the dream felt terrifyingly real.

The moment he replayed it, heat flooded his veins again. He leapt off the bed, pacing until his legs gave out.

*Stop thinking about it!*

The more he resisted, the louder the craving roared.

Utterly spent, he collapsed onto the carpet, staring at the ceiling until sleep reclaimed him.

Noon sunlight stabbed his eyes when the maid found him sprawled on the floor.

"Your Highness! Why are you sleeping here?"

Lorin blinked slowly, exhaustion still etched in his gaze. "What time is it?"

"Just past noon, Your Highness."

He squinted at the blinding window. *This night was hell.* How long had it been since he’d seen Xueyi? Since her confession, something in him had unraveled.

After a light meal, he rode to Lilith’s estate. With his departure from the Royal Capital moved up, certain matters couldn’t wait.

Lilith greeted him in the familiar courtyard, pouring flower tea herself.

"Father’s been eager to meet you," she said, regret softening her voice. "He’s out today, unfortunately."

"Another time," Lorin replied. He didn’t touch the tea. "I came to discuss something urgent."

Lilith nodded calmly—last time, he’d brought her critical intelligence.

When he revealed his imminent departure, her eyebrows lifted. But at the mention of Oulei, her expression tightened.

"I never imagined she’d see me as a threat," Lilith murmured. "We’ve barely met. I thought she’d back off after last time..."

She hadn’t even sought Romon’s attention. Distance from the crown prince would’ve been a relief.

"I don’t know her reasons," Lorin admitted awkwardly. *If she knew I told you everything...*

"Thank you, Lorin." Her voice turned tender—a tone she reserved for no one else. "How can I ever repay you?"

"No repayment needed. Just one request."

"Anything within my power."

He exhaled. This was the moment he’d waited for.

"Promise me this: no matter what happens... never stand against Xueyi."