When Mareena went to the promised location, Lewis was already waiting for her.

“Am I late?”

“No, I was just early.”

While Lewis always made it a point to be on site earlier than promised, he was much earlier that day.

“Well, this room is…?”

“Actually, this is my secret place.”

“I see.”

“No one will come, and no secrets will be divulged, so rest easy.”

Mareena didn’t understand half of what Lewis was saying. Indeed, she was THAT nervous. After all, she seldom interacted with men other than Mason, therefore it was quite nerve-wracking for her.

“T, then let’s get started!”

W, what am I talking about!?

R, right, this is merely part of the job, a commission!

“Hahaha, while it’s good to take the initiative, you’re too nervous.”

“Is that so?”

“Would you like some alcohol?”

“Y, yes, gladly…”

As she downed the wine, Lewis looked at her in surprise and laughed.

“What’s so funny?”

“No, I’m sorry, it’s just…”

“…Just?”

“You’re too naïve and pure.”

“…”

“Leave everything to me. For now, just relax.”

Lewis stretched his hand forward, reaching for her cheek. Her heart leaped at his touch, while her face blushed profusely. Although she had been feeling anxious the whole time, the warmth emanating from Lewis’ gentleness and his large palm occupied her heart, providing her with a sense of security.

As they moved to the bed, Lewis eased Mareena’s nervous body. Under his tender and gentle caress, her tense body gradually lost strength…

Before she knew it, she could feel a tinge of pleasure.

Unlike Mason, who’d force himself on her to satisfy his own needs, Lewis made sure that Mareena enjoyed the encounter.

Before she knew it, she was basking in his warmth.

Until now, when it came to sexual intercourse, she had experienced nothing but pain.

However, at that moment, her body craved nothing other than his touches.

Mareena didn’t notice it.

But she did remember moaning his name over and over again, and each time, their bond grew closer.

While the two did it many times, they didn’t share a kiss.

Mareena returned to her mansion at dawn. That said, her mind was too occupied to fall asleep. Of course, the reason was different than the day before.

The joy of discovering pleasure as a woman for the first time enveloped her. Indescribable happiness permeated her entire body. As the events of the previous night flashed repeatedly in her mind, Mareena twisted around in her bed, hugging her pillow.

But soon, she regained her senses.

Her true purpose was to conceive an heir.

…Even so, what’s this feeling of joy?

For the first time, she couldn’t make sense of her own emotions. It wasn’t like she feared Lewis, a man she had only met a few times. The man was beautiful and charming—and at the same time, kind. When Mareena trembled with pleasure, he gently caressed her hair.

Without realizing, she fell into a deep slumber.

***

Lewis kept yawning in the chair next to the reception desk. His superior, Anton, spoke to him.

“Well, don’t you look sleepy. Lewis, did you enjoy yourself?”

“Hahaha, it isn’t like that. It was just part of the job.”

“But you don’t usually accept such requests.”

“Well, usually.”

“Hmm…”

As the job itself was confidential in nature, Lewis didn’t speak much. Nevertheless, Anton could feel that Lewis was in a particularly good mood that day.

While Lewis would appear cold and distant to those he met for the first time, he was actually a cheerful, compassionate, and loving soul inside.

Rumors had it that Lewis’ old man was a big shot, but Anton didn’t care about that. Lewis had worked hard to develop the guild to its current state, while Anton had benefited from it and was earning money.

Regardless, when he looked at Lewis, he couldn’t help but feel curious.

About two years ago, there was an excessive request for Lewis, especially from women. Lewis himself had stopped accepting requests in general. That was the first time in a long while that Lewis had.

“Well, just don’t do anything unnecessary.”

“Hmm? Did you say something?”

“Never mind, I’m off.”

“Okay, take care.”

After sending off a few members, Lewis returned to his room, sat down, and exhaled loudly.

Am I some kind of virgin?

He was getting ahead of himself.

However, Mareena’s slender body, her moist eyes, and her voice as she beckoned for him looped in his head.

He had never felt anything like that before, to the point that he forgot he was work.

But it was.

It was part of the job.

Despite countlessly reciting those lines, the events of last night still pervaded his thoughts.

Twice a month for six months until she got pregnant.

“Haa…”

This is just not good.

How tasteless…

Up until then, he hadn’t realized his underlying feelings.

Apparently, he didn’t do it solely to fulfil the request.

“…Well, I’m a man, too. It’s only natural that I’d have an ulterior motive. I’m only remembering it because of my conscience… Haa…”

But what kind of ulterior motive?

…I’m an idiot.

As he battled his worldly desires, Lewis sighed all day long.

***

That night, Mareena left the mansion earlier than yesterday.

Restless, she made more mistakes than the day before, and had to conclude her work early, partly because she wasn’t feeling well. She was grateful when Mason told her to proper get some rest. Realizing that she had genuinely thanked that man, she could only laugh.

After Cameron had excused herself, Johan came to pick her up some time later. For Johan, whom she thought of as her father, to be aware of what she was going to do… Mareena could only stifle her embarrassment under a calm façade.

Indeed, Johan knew.

Because of that, he told Mareena that he’d like to meet the man as soon as possible. He had watched Mareena grow up. Therefore, when he saw Mareena blushing like a maiden in love, he could only suppress his pain and see off.

If the person was capable of making Mareena make such expression, then he’d make for a good husband.

Previously, Johan had investigated the identity of her partner. The man himself didn’t seem to be a bad person. He didn’t even take advantage of his work arrangements.

Therefore, at the very least, he’d like for the encounter to remain as a good memory for Mareena. Then, if a seed was truly conceived, let it be the reward for her sacrifice.

By thinking along those lines, Johan was able to alleviate some of his guilt.

Until recently, he had been blaming himself—

—Why am I incapable of doing anything?

“Be careful.”

“Thank you. See you later.”

“Leave the rest to me.”

After seeing Mareena off the carriage, Johan returned to the mansion.

When Mareena opened the room, Lewis was there, just like yesterday.

Upon confirming her appearance, Mareena drew closer to Lewis, like a couple in love. Then, after the two of them collapsed on the bed, they exchanged warmth without speaking a word.

Even though they had only gotten to know each other for a day, they were so accustomed with each other’s body, as if they had mingled countless times.

As their warmth and spilled breathes bled into each other, they forgot themselves.

No matter how many times they dallied, the two were neither husband and wife, nor lovers.

When Mareena came to her senses, emptiness had already substituted her satisfaction. It was on the verge of transforming into regret.

She had to put an end to the feeling that couldn’t possibly be attached to the word commission.

However, when Lewis gently brushed away the tears that had unknowingly stained her face, words that should’ve been left unsaid spilled out.

“…Kiss me.”

Words that should’ve never been spoken.

Lewis paused briefly, before smiling gently as he leaned closer.

Once it was started, it couldn’t be stopped.

Their kisses gradually deepened.

Mareena wished that the moment would last forever.

Then, Mareena’s periods stopped.

She was pregnant.

She no longer had any reason to meet Lewis.

“I’m, pregnant…”

Alone in her room, Mareena muttered.

Afterwards, she sent Johan to convey news of the pregnancy to the guild. After completing the request, everything was over.

Mareena opted to not go to the guild.

She was afraid that if she saw him, she’d be overwhelmed by doubt and say something unnecessary.

“I should be grateful for the wonderful memories I have.”

As she rubbed her belly, which still hadn’t bulged, she muttered to herself.

Inside her womb, was the child conceived between him and her.

She couldn’t see him anymore—but it’s okay.

She could live with just the memories.

She had to protect that child no matter what.

---

***T/N: W-WHY!?!!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

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