CrimsonLotus was amused by Alan’s reaction. It had been ages since she’d met such an interesting human—one who didn’t lust after her beauty, knew when to advance and retreat, and despite his youth, was far from ordinary. Even more intriguing, he seemed to harbor no disgust toward the Beastmen.

Stopping a step away from Alan, CrimsonLotus decided this human deserved a slow, careful approach. "Alan," she purred, "who do you think is more charming—me or Emma? Whose figure is better?"

Without hesitation, Alan replied, "You’re more charming. Your figure’s better. And your audacity outshines Emma’s too."

CrimsonLotus chuckled, unfazed. She settled onto the sofa, her gaze smoldering as she watched him.

Alan frowned. "CrimsonLotus, show some respect. I’m not one of those ‘escorts’ from Nevernight City."

"This Monarch thinks you’d be happier as an escort," she mused, glancing at him. Her fiery eyes danced with mirth. *This little guy protests too much.*

Alan sighed inwardly. As a man of blood and spirit, being teased by such a stunning beauty left him utterly helpless.

"Why did you hunt Medi down?" he deflected, edging away from her. *A man taking liberties is one thing; a woman doing it is just teasing.* "The Dark Mage you mentioned—wasn’t she your target in Nevernight City last time?"

"Oh? Now that you mention it," CrimsonLotus tilted her head, "why was that Dark Mage at your home? What’s your relationship? Last time, I assumed you’d hand her to the Church for the gallows. Yet here you are, hiding her instead. Little man, what are your plans? Keeping her as a pet?"

Alan fell silent. *This woman’s personality is truly vicious.* He didn’t look like someone who enjoyed tormenting girls—he wasn’t a freak. And she’d neatly sidestepped his question.

"Your imagination runs wild. For certain reasons, she’s my fiancée. That’s all I’ll say. Now, will you answer my question?"

A flicker of surprise crossed CrimsonLotus’s crimson eyes. "Your tastes are... unique. A wolf girl, a Dark Mage—next, will you take a dragon maiden as your fiancée?"

"Get to the point." Alan slapped away her roving hand, expression flat.

CrimsonLotus smiled. "She killed this Monarch once. Don’t you think a life debt deserves repayment?"

Alan: "... ..."

Her words left him speechless. He couldn’t fathom how Medi had killed CrimsonLotus. Standing this close, he could feel the terrifying magic coiled within her. Medi, though a Dark Mage, paled in comparison. Killing a stronger opponent? Possible, perhaps—but the odds were pitifully slim.

Two possibilities existed: Medi had hidden her true strength, or CrimsonLotus was lying.

"Can you tell me more?"

"Hmm? Little man, are you trying to mediate between this Monarch and that Dark Mage?" CrimsonLotus watched him, her smile serene, no aggression in her posture.

Alan sighed. "If possible, yes. Though I doubt a life debt is easily settled."

"You’re reasonable. Indeed, such debts are hard to erase. But that was then." She leaned closer, her fiery eyes locking onto his. "Now that the Dark Mage is your fiancée, and the Little Wolf Girl shares a symbiotic bond with this Monarch... given our tangled ties, I’ll offer you a chance to resolve this feud."

"You’re grasping at straws," Alan muttered, brushing her hand off his chin. *This woman’s a bewitching demon—her aura shifts like smoke. Scary!*

"What’s the condition? Be clear."

"Simple. Break your engagement with the Dark Mage. Swear you’ll love only the Little Wolf Girl for life. Then, this Monarch will wipe the slate clean with her. What do you say?"

"Uh... you should just keep fighting Medi," Alan buried his face in his hands, shame burning his cheeks. *Why did I open my big mouth? Let them settle this life debt themselves.* "Marriage isn’t a toy. As the youngest Guildmaster of Leo Kingdom, I can’t meddle in personal vendettas. It’s... highly inappropriate."

CrimsonLotus: "... ..."

She’d never met such a shameless man. He’d rejected her offer without a second thought—truly heartless. Yet, a smile curled her lips. This little man was endlessly entertaining. The future promised no boredom. Besides, her feud with the Dark Mage could wait. After all, that mage had only destroyed one of her favored beast forms.

"Your shameless face is rather handsome," she teased. "Next time, be even more shameless. This Monarch doesn’t mind."

"I mind!" Alan shot back from the sofa, glaring. Being teased by a woman? That was a blow to his manly dignity.