When Caro opened her eyes, she found herself wrapped tightly around Arnold.

"…" Her cheeks flushed—a rare sight. No wonder last night felt like hugging something slightly firm yet wonderfully warm: the perfect makeshift pillow.

Turns out it was Arnold!

So embarrassing. She shyly pulled away and studied him. Honestly… he was genuinely handsome. Not the flashy type, but the kind whose appeal grew the longer you looked.

A slow-burn handsome guy!

Wait—

"Arnold?" she whispered. He showed no sign of waking. So even someone this powerful could sink into deep sleep…

Her hand drifted toward his abdomen. She remembered his sculpted torso from last night’s banquet—rumor said bathing in dragon’s blood layered muscles like dragon scales. Undeniably cool. Beyond words.

As a guy, missing this chance would be a crime. Though if caught… he’d definitely smirk: "What? Into my muscles?"

Ugh. That’d sting her pride.

Just one touch. Just one…

…

Phew! Thought she was untying my pants! Fight back or play along? Arnold, still feigning sleep, felt a mix of disappointment and amusement once he confirmed she was just feeling his abs.

Better keep pretending. He knew she’d been curious about his muscles—proof his charm was working.

"…Man, I’m jealous. If I bathed in dragon’s blood too, would I get muscles like this?"

Legend said girls could gain strength from it too. A female Chosen Hero supposedly did it once… but history had buried the truth.

Arnold opened his eyes, fixing a faint, teasing smirk on Caro, still tracing his abs: "If you want, I can take you to find a dragon someday. Try it yourself."

"…" Caro froze instantly—like a statue frozen by ice magic, hand glued to his muscles.

"Uh… this is…" She blinked rapidly, glancing left and right, scrambling for an excuse. "I was just… checking your health! Yeah, a wellness check!"

"Oh? Bards have that skill?"

Caro punched him in frustration. HP -0.

"Don’t push your luck, you jerk!" Flustered, she leaped off the bed, stretching with a groan. "Mmm~ Sleeping in a noble’s house really is nice!"

Then she froze. Rushing to the window, she gasped at the sun. "I’m gonna be late! I have work today! Disaster!" She bolted for the door.

"Aren’t you going to change out of that maid outfit?"

"…Right."

She started undressing—Arnold spun around instantly.

Caro paused, glanced down at herself, let out a wry sigh, and quickly changed. Under Arnold’s escort, she hurried out of Fanlin House.

Guards who’d seen them arrive together yesterday shot Arnold knowing smiles.

Arnold’s ears burned with shame.

Caro headed to work.

Truth was, she’d rather stay—today promised drama. The Fanlin sisters wouldn’t stay silent overnight; they’d inevitably turn to Arnold. If Hua Fanlin and her sister could handle it alone, they wouldn’t have hatched that messy plan.

But skipping work wasn’t an option—she’d taken yesterday’s bonus.

At the cake shop:

"Boss! Big news from Fanlin House last night!" Caro launched into storytelling mid-shift—Bard duty and gossip instinct combined.

The boss, clueless, leaned in. Caro lowered her voice: "That False Hero, Arnold? He crashed House Valentin’s wedding!"

"You didn’t leave last night?"

"Eh? W-well… yeah—"

The boss gave a knowing smile. "Bold move. Fanlin House’s guard captain? Strong, well-paid. Climbing the ladder, huh? Clever girl. Wait—why’s he letting you work today?"

Caro sputtered, "Boss! It’s not like that! We’re… friends! Just friends!"

The boss frowned. "Caro, listen. If he’s not serious… sigh. Maybe it’s too late—you spent the night. But girls should value themselves. Don’t lose yourself over love, okay?"

Flustered, Caro waved her hands. "Not that kind of relationship! He got me a side gig—maid work at night. Extra cash!"

"…That desperate?"

"Of course! I’m a Bard~ But my instrument skills suck. Gotta save for a music teacher!" She winked. "Boss… raise my pay?"

"Dream on," the boss snapped. "Work hard. Rewards come later."

Ugh. Are bosses the same in every world? (She’d never worked back home anyway.) Back to being the cake shop girl.

Regulars—mostly housewives—chatted while buying pastries. Caro shared last night’s tale. Everyone loved wedding-crash drama.

During a lull, she hummed a tune and summoned Lucy.

"So… why’d you call me?" Lucy peered at Caro kneading dough.

"How far can you go from me? I need to know what’s happening at Fanlin House—what Arnold’s planning. Can you check?" After explaining yesterday, Caro pleaded.

Lucy spread her tiny hands. "You expect this from a ghost this small? Yeah, I’m bigger than last time… but still Lv.1. I gotta question your Bard skills. Are you even telling my story?"

Wait—since when did she get sassy?! She used to be so sweet and obedient!

Caro’s smile tightened. "W-well… I’m working! How can I tell stories mid-shift—"

Lucy shot her a "you’re hopeless" look, sighed. "I can’t help. You’re slacking. Real Bards? Travel free. People pay them just to listen."

"…" Caro took critical damage.

"Ahhh! I need to know! Those two sisters, eyes pleading, lips trembling… Arnold smirking: ‘Want my help? Pay the price…’ Then they shyly slip off their gowns, coat themselves in honey and cream… ‘Please enjoy us, Lord Arnold~~~’"

Caro’s eyes gleamed, face flushed.

Disgusting.

What kind of Bard is this?! Lucy doubted Caro’s character—and pitied Arnold. He had no idea this woman was fantasizing about him with other girls… and getting excited.

"Ugh! I need the sequel! Lucy, cover my shift! I’ll sneak in as a maid—"

"Just say you don’t want your wages."

Caro slammed her forehead on the counter. "Ughhh!! So unfair! WORK!!!"

***

Meanwhile, at Fanlin House—

The Fanlin sisters stood in Arnold’s bedroom. Hua Fanlin scanned the room. Only Arnold.

"Heard our Lord Arnold brought a girl to his room last night. Where is she?"

Arnold raised a brow. "Who I bring here is none of your business." He sat up, shaking off the memory of Caro hugging him.

"I fulfilled your request. Nothing more to do. Bad outcome? Not my problem. Though… there’s a simple fix."

A light chuckle. "I could wipe out House Valentin. Want me to?"

"Of course, it costs. I doubt you’ll like the price."

The sisters fell silent. Disbelief etched on their faces.

This… wasn’t the Arnold they knew.