Seeing Luke wasn’t just talking—he was shamelessly insisting on tagging along—Aelia could only sigh and lead him to the job site.

Her assignment: perform a blessing and purification at Count Lecherly’s estate.

Truth be told, she’d been deeply reluctant to accept it.

Count Lecherly was notoriously lecherous—a harem of lovers wasn’t enough. He’d leer at her, seize any chance to get close, and try to get handsy.

Though Elise usually blocked him and Aelia dodged with excuses, stepping into his stronghold now felt like a lamb walking straight into a tiger’s den.

So why not refuse?

She’d wanted to ignore it too. But the count held high rank in the Ministry of Finance, his eldest son and brothers entrenched across departments… To keep her hard-won privileges, she gritted her teeth and took the job.

Thinking this, Aelia actually felt a flicker of relief that the damn Hero had followed. With the Hero present, even Count Lecherly would think twice before making a move.

Not that she felt *grateful*. Serving as a temporary errand boy for an ultra-gorgeous, unparalleled beauty like her was already a privilege. Asking for more? Pure ingratitude.

*(Heh.)*

Luke watched the smug little figure dancing in her mind and smiled silently.

Count Lecherly’s estate sat in Dikden Royal City’s affluent quarter—a vast compound crowned by a gaudy mini-castle, screaming nouveau riche.

Spotting Aelia’s group from afar, the butler snapped servants into two neat lines to welcome them.

“Welcome, my dear Aelia!”

Inside the castle, a 165cm middle-aged man—sleazy, greasy, radiating creepiness—hurried over, arms wide for an embrace.

“Count Lecherly. A pleasure.”

Elise swiftly stepped between them to block the grope.

“My dear Elise! Long time no see!”

Shamelessly delighted by the interruption, the count pivoted to pull *her* in.

“Count Lecherly. Please maintain decorum.”

Elise grabbed his face, making him miss. When she released him, he blissfully inhaled the lingering scent on her hand, wearing pure ecstasy.

“Tch…” A trace of disgust flickered across Elise’s face.

But the count *craved* that look—his excitement flared… until his eyes locked onto the uninvited guest behind them.

“Who are you? Guards! How did an outsider slip in—wait.”

His face paled. Recognition dawned. “You’re… Lord Luke?”

“Yes. Long time no see, Count.”

They’d exchanged perfunctory greetings the day Luke arrived in the capital.

“Hero Lord graces us! Unforgivable—I failed to welcome you properly! Butler! Why wasn’t the Hero announced? Do you know how embarrassing this is?!” The count instantly switched tone, scolding the butler to mask his earlier rudeness.

Aelia’s heart soared. *Exactly what I needed—a chaperone to keep this creep in check!*

“This way… I sensed an unclean presence in the house…”

True to her guess, with Luke present, Count Lecherly stayed perfectly behaved, swiftly guiding them to the “incident sites.”

One glance told Aelia everything: no spirits, no curses—just a staged ruse to lure her here.

*(Ugh. This sleazy old man is seriously disgusting.)*

She knew her beauty turned heads. Knew men went wild for her.

But in her past life, she’d been male. Though she’d lost her manhood and felt zero interest in women now, that core male instinct remained: *No man touches me.*

So why not tone it down?

Please. Blessed with divine, unparalleled beauty—*gifted by the Goddess herself* to transform her from man to ultra-gorgeous girl—*not* showing it off would be a crime.

Men failing to control themselves? *Their* fault.

She was meant to stand above mortals, worshipped and revered.

Smirking inwardly, Aelia’s vanity swelled. Knowing the count schemed so desperately for her—disgusting as he was—thrilled her.

She forgot her safety relied entirely on the “unworthy tool” Hero holding the fort…

And overlooked the sleazy count’s next move.

“And Hero Lord—my son adores you! He’s been begging to meet you. Would you honor him? Of course, I won’t let you—”

“Absolutely!” Luke cut in cheerfully. *This is the reward.*

Moments later, a servant rushed in. “Miss Elise? Hero Lord needs your help!”

“That’s me, but…” Elise’s instincts prickled.

“Elise, I leave Lord Luke to you,” Aelia said, already imagining the Hero flustered by a child. She secretly cast a dashcam-like recording spell on the elf maid, face etched with faux concern.

“Understood, Princess Aelia. I’ll be right back.”

When Aelia snapped back to reality—only she and the count remained. He led her down a secluded hall, lecherous grin spreading.

*(No… I fell for it!)*

Her heart lurched, then steadied. *Broad daylight. Public figure. He wouldn’t dare…*

“Kukuku… Now… no one can stop us.”

He raised clawed hands like a cat toying with prey, miming kneading motions while his gaze raked her curves.

A strange fragrance filled the air. *Aphrodisiac incense. Weakness effect.* Her blood ran cold.

*(What doujinshi plot is this?! Damn Hero—SAVE ME! This ultra-gorgeous beauty’s about to be abducted!)*

In the empty corner of the room, Luke nearly choked back a laugh.