The Runaway Maid is Loved by the Archmage - Chapter 52
Bang-!
Lutan, who had left Roina in the room, struck the wall hard, unable to contain his anger.
“Damn it.”
He bowed his head, feeling revulsion at himself, who was worried about leaving her like that, yet at this very moment, still wanted to go back, lay her down, and thrust into her until she collapsed from exhaustion, making her unable to even think of doing such a coquettish thing again.
Until just now, and even at this very moment, his instincts were telling him to drive that woman to the end and make her his, to throw away morality and devour her like a beast. Look, doesn’t she want to serve him?
But he couldn’t do that.
‘At least until she is free from the influence of the evil energy and can think clearly on her own, I must be sensible.’
Lutan roughly washed his face with his hands and swept his hair back. It was all his fault. He couldn’t find his noble star sooner, making her suffer all these hardships.
Lutan covered his head in deep regret and self-loathing.
She was more precious and valuable than anything else. Even in that quagmire, she didn’t lose her will and shone brightly, taking his hand. He could never hurt such a grateful person again. It was his fault. He had to go and reassure her immediately.
After calming down a little, he changed his clothes neatly and left the room again.
For a long while, she sat in dejection, but in the end, she accepted the warm milk mixed with honey that the spirit had offered her and regained a bit of her strength.
In its attempts to console her, the spirit had brought flowers and scattered them around, drawn clumsy, wobbly pictures, and sprinkled tiny, glittering ice crystals as it flitted about. After expending so much effort, it now appeared somewhat drained, settling into a corner with a weary posture.
Seeing the spirit like that, Roina let out a soft chuckle and whispered, “I’m sorry. I’m all right now.” At her words, the spirit instantly regained its energy, rising into the air with renewed vigor, its glow brimming with triumph. It was as if it were saying, See? I’m better than the Great Archmage, aren’t I?
Roina watched the spirit with a gentle smile.
Her heavy heart felt a little lighter. She realized now that she had acted foolishly, as if under some spell. No matter how passionate the night before had been, she had failed to conduct herself with proper decorum. Not everyone was a beast consumed by lust like the Imperial Crown Prince. She had momentarily forgotten that he might not have desired her advances.
Tucking away the lingering ache in her heart, she made a quiet resolution to be more careful, never to make the same mistake again.
“The spirit follows you well.”
“Oh—Sir Lutan.”
Startled by the sudden voice, Roina turned around.
Unlike before, Lutan was now fully dressed. As she glanced at the meticulously fastened buttons, as though he had gone out of his way to secure them all, she felt a faint, bittersweet smile cross her lips.
…So he truly disliked it.
She wanted to apologize. She wanted to say she was sorry. But the words wouldn’t come. He had already moved on to another subject—if she brought it up again, she might only remind him of something unpleasant.
In the end, she chose to follow along with his change of topic.
“This spirit… does it have a name?”
Lutan smiled softly.
“I don’t know its name either.”
“What? Isn’t this spirit yours, Great Archmage?”
“Hmm. It is mine, technically speaking, but to be precise, it has a true master of its own.”
He gazed at her warmly and added another remark.
“Why don’t you give it a name, Lady Roina?”
“Me? You want me to name it?”
“Yes. I believe the spirit would be delighted.”
