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Th-this… What could Lin Ge possibly say to that?

The situation was mutual, sure, but if Lin Ge really got impatient and couldn’t hold back, then given Rosetti’s tendency to put Alice above all else, she’d definitely pile a ton of work on him once she found out what happened.

After all, Alice mattered far more to her than he did.

She’d never let herself slack off and hide the truth from Alice!

“Um… could you not look so down? You’re making it seem like I did something wrong…”

Beneath him, Rosetti’s gaze darted about uneasily as she twirled a lock of golden hair that shimmered in the light. She pouted and spoke softly:

“Move a little closer…”

“What for?!”

“Just move closer when I tell you to. Why do you have to ask so many questions?”

Rosetti gave an exasperated huff. Lin Ge shrugged and did as he was told—for now.

He shifted down and moved closer.

And then…

She kissed him…

It caught him completely off guard—a fleeting, light kiss, but a very wet one…

He touched his lips, still soft against his fingertips, then looked at the beauty beneath him. She’d curled up like an ostrich, hiding her bashful face.

Lin Ge had only one thought at that moment.

How could she be this cute?! The gap between her usual self and this side of her was just too amazing!

“Why are you still lying there? Get up already! You’re heavy!”

Rosetti gave Lin Ge a coquettish shove, then tried to make her voice sound as commanding as ever.

But the result… well, it didn’t work at all!

After that, Rosetti told Lin Ge to avert his eyes while she got dressed, but Lin Ge still found a way to show off his gentlemanly side.

He covered his eyes while spreading his fingers wide, savoring the sight of her graceful waist.

Mm, those breasts really are big and white.

I really want to touch them…

“What are you doing with your hands?! Do you want to lose them?!”

Crash—

Ow! Why?!

Didn’t she just admit they were husband and wife? How come he couldn’t even touch her?

Lin Ge looked at Rosetti with a miserable expression, like a child who’d been abandoned.

Seeing him like that, Rosetti’s expression softened. But she quickly hid it and spoke with authority:

“Let’s get one thing straight: we can’t tell Lady Alice about our relationship yet. And you can only call me ‘wife’ when we’re alone.”

“Ehhh~~~ Why do we have to—cough, cough. I understand.”

A staff wreathed in cold air rose into view. Whether he liked it or not, Lin Ge had to change what he was about to say.

It definitely wasn’t because he was scared. He just wanted to indulge her a little. She was his wife, after all, wasn’t she?!

“And starting today, I’ll make sure you train every morning and evening. Be ready early.”

“I know… Wait?! Training? Why?”

Lin Ge froze. This was the last turn of events he’d expected.

“You’re really asking why…?”

At Lin Ge’s words, Rosetti narrowed her icy eyes.

She stared straight at him, as sharp as a blade, cutting him to the heart…

Lin Ge wanted to cry.

Could he cry? Please, someone tell him—was he allowed to cry?

“I told you not to make that face. When you look like that… it makes me feel a little embarrassed too…”

Suddenly, Rosetti’s voice softened again. She turned her face slightly to the side, her voice growing sweet and tender as she murmured:

“It’s all because you haven’t reached the seventh warrior rank, so you can’t touch me… You useless idiot who never studies…”

“…”

“Ah…”

So that was what this was about.

Lin Ge understood in an instant. His grin turned smug—and downright devious.

Rosetti puffed out her cheeks in a huff, rolled her eyes at him, then left, embarrassed.

Watching her walk away, Lin Ge felt conflicted too…

In theory, all he had to do was show a little of his true strength, and every problem would be solved. He’d even win the beauty’s heart.

But then he thought about all the duties he’d be assigned afterward…

Maybe he’d better not.

He already had to train morning and evening. If he came clean about everything, the hardship and exhaustion he’d face would definitely be even worse.

After straightening his clothes, Lin Ge hurried after Rosetti and arrived a step behind her at the office of Alice, the city lord.

Then the morning’s most piercing scream rang out from inside.

…

…

A little earlier.

Inside the city lord’s office, Alice stared worriedly at the reports Rosetti had prepared while she was away.

Her deeply furrowed brows perfectly reflected Rosetti’s frustration at that moment.

“Who did this…? They managed to kill them without leaving a trace…”

Her gaze lingered on the autopsy report for Carnegie and the others.

The cuts were clean, and almost all of them had struck vital points, killing their targets instantly.

The killer had moved without being spotted and left not a single clue behind…

How could an expert like this be hiding near the territory without her ever noticing?

Was this mysterious person friend or foe?

And why had she killed Carnegie and the others?

Could she… be recruited into Alice’s service?

Thoughts like these kept circling through Alice’s mind.

She’d planned to deal with those parasites like Carnegie herself after the fighting with the beastfolk was over, finally getting them out of her hair. Who could’ve expected things to turn out like this…?

If the mysterious expert was an ally, that was one thing. But if she was an enemy… Alice had been ready to ease up a little on defending against the other races. Now she’d have to strengthen their defenses again.

After all, just from reading the autopsy report, Alice knew she couldn’t pull off work that clean and precise herself.

She’d thought she could finally focus all her attention on governing the territory, but instead…

Ugh… What a headache.

“Lady Alice, why don’t you take a break and have some tea?”

“Oh, thank you, Rose. Just set it there.”

She’d been thinking so hard that she hadn’t even noticed her friend and best friend come in. She really wasn’t doing a very good job as the city lord.

“Um… Lady Alice, have you figured anything out?”

Rosetti asked as she naturally began massaging Alice’s shoulders, easing their soreness.

“I still don’t have much to go on. I only know that her warrior rank is definitely above mine… No, actually, she’s far beyond what I can reach right now. If my guess is right, anyone capable of killing like this must be at least seventh rank.”

Alice rubbed her temples and spoke with a troubled expression.

“Seventh rank…?” Rosetti bit her lip in alarm. “Someone like that, in a remote place like ours… Should we strengthen the defenses outside the city?”

“Not for now. For one thing, we’re seriously short on manpower. And for another… if she really means to make an enemy of us, then with her strength, there’s no point in us taking extra precautions.”

“I’m sorry… If only I were stronger…”

Rosetti lowered her eyes, her expression dimming.

“Don’t say that.” Alice gently placed a hand on Rosetti’s. “If it weren’t for you, our home… might have been gone long ago. Thank you for protecting this place while I was away, Rose.”

“Please don’t say that, Lady Alice. I didn’t do much, and besides…” Rosetti’s cheeks flushed as she lowered her eyes slightly. “I wasn’t the only one who helped.”

“You weren’t the only one?” Alice frowned, utterly confused. “What do you mean?”

“Ah, it’s nothing.” Rosetti replied in a panic, then increased the pressure of her shoulder massage.

It felt so good that Alice couldn’t help letting out a soft moan.

Hiding her flushed cheeks, Alice said admiringly:

“Your massages are as wonderful as ever.”

“You’re too kind.” Rosetti gave an embarrassed little smile.

“I mean it. I doubt anyone in the whole city has hands as skilled as yours, Rose. I wanted you to massage my shoulders last night, but I couldn’t find you anywhere…” Alice sighed sadly. “Oh, right—where were you last night? I couldn’t find you anywhere.”

“Eh?! Um…”

One question was all it took. Rosetti froze as she remembered where she’d fallen asleep last night… Then she blushed, and before she knew it, her hands pressed harder.

“Aaaaaah!!!!!!”