Swish—
The rain, once soft like a whisper, began to fall harder, filling the air with its heavy rhythm.
In the suffocating silence, Luna’s ragged breathing echoed loudest of all. Her grip on him remained firm, knuckles pale, but her eyes were ablaze with a venomous glare.
“It’s a misunderstanding. Let go,” she said, her voice trembling like shattered glass.
“Ha.”
Khalid narrowed his eyes at the sound—beautiful, yet broken. He sighed deeply, his gaze sharp, studying Luna as though she were a puzzle with too many missing pieces.
She wiped her trembling fingertips against her soaked dress, tugging at the inside of her cheek as if nothing had happened.
Her body leaned toward him against her will, pulled forward by the wrist he had seized, but she resisted, twisting into an awkward position to avoid touching him.
No matter how many times she had purified others—or herself—this wasn’t how it should be. Not like this. Should I even go through with this?
“……”
Luna bit her lip, staring back at Khalid with defiant eyes. The bathwater around them remained hot, but the tension between them was colder than ice.
The rain roared on, relentless, dragging her spirit down into the mud. Her body, already worn and wounded, was nearing its limit. Her temples throbbed, her vision blurred.
And then, Khalid—who had been watching her with the sharpness of a blade—relaxed. He swept a hand through his wet hair, exhaling slowly, and closed his furious eyes before opening them again with surprising calm.
As if granting her request, he released her wrist without warning.
“Ah—!”
The momentary support vanished, and Luna’s body collapsed forward. Her balance faltered, and she suddenly found herself dangerously close to his breath.
She instinctively caught herself—one hand braced against the wall, the other landing on his firm thigh. It was all she could do not to fall completely.
Khalid blinked, stunned, then let out a low, sarcastic laugh. Despite the confusion in his gaze, his eyes curved so beautifully it was as if they were made to lure someone in.
“You still expect me to believe that you’re not doing this on purpose?”
“……”
His sharp aura dimmed slightly—likely because he was now the one backed into a corner. I could have argued that he was the one who let it happen, but resentment welled up instead.
“I’ve been purified,” she whispered. “I’m not going to do anything. Just… please leave.”
His voice came in dry, low tones that grated on her nerves.
Khalid leaned his head against the wall, meeting her gaze with unnerving calm. His chiseled jawline and flushed cheek only made him appear more detached.
Straightening his broad shoulders, he loomed closer, adding with a low growl, “Don’t expect the same kindness as last time.”
What a cruel man, she thought. He looked like someone whose important day had been utterly ruined. And yet, despite everything, there was something oddly comforting in his presence.
Luna quickly removed her hand from his thigh, silently telling him not to get the wrong idea. She shifted her weight in the opposite direction, relying on her other arm to hold her up. Normally, this would’ve been easy, but her frail body felt unbearably heavy now.
“Ah!”
Her vision blacked out for a second. The world tilted—and then—
Splash!
Water surged around them as she lost her balance. Luna blinked in alarm as her hand instinctively latched onto the back of his neck.
By the time she regained her senses, her entire upper body had collapsed against a wall of solid muscle—his chest, wrapped in nothing but a damp towel.
Heat spread like wildfire through her veins, setting her skin ablaze. Her face flushed a deep red, putting his earlier blush to shame.
Her heart pounded like a criminal caught in the act. She needed to pull away—but her trembling body pressed into the crook of his shoulder instead.
“What the hell is this?”
“Ugh…”
His voice, sharp and dangerously close, sent a chill through her. His powerful chest rose and fell with suppressed tension.
Khalid’s expression was unmistakable—his brows furrowed, his lips pressed into a thin line.
She was oddly grateful he hadn’t shaken her off.
This is ridiculous. I really didn’t mean to collapse on him…
But she couldn’t say it. How could she admit that she’d overexerted herself since yesterday, that she hadn’t eaten, and was too drained to even stand?
Still, she had to find a way to ask him to help her up. This day was turning into a disaster.
“…Uh… um…”
“What?”
Luna lifted her flushed face and mumbled incoherently. Khalid, annoyed, leaned closer to catch her words.
She hesitated, then drew her trembling lips to his ear. He tensed, but she pushed forward.
“The towel… it fell… I can’t get up without it. Please, just cover me.”
“……”
“I’ll leave right away once I’m covered. It just slipped.”
Khalid exhaled again, long and hard. His gaze narrowed as he studied her, then dropped his eyes with a sigh.
God, if this towel comes off—! What would he think of me?
Luna, ears burning, nearly gasped at the thought of her naked body being exposed. She had to believe she’d handled it as best she could.
“Wizard,” he murmured suddenly, his voice low. “Do you even know what you’ve done, coming in here like this?”
“……”
His words struck a nerve. Luna flinched internally.
Of course I know. I know exactly how pathetic I must look right now. But I didn’t have a choice.
Her soft pink bunny ears drooped as she lowered her eyes, helpless. Even when his hand reached up, gently kneading her backside, she couldn’t protest. She just hoped he wouldn’t go further.
Please don’t…
The moment stretched, heavy with uncertainty. Then—
His hand moved.
Luna’s entire body jolted. Every nerve was on edge.
But instead of anything indecent, he reached for the towel, pulling it roughly over her back.
Relief flooded her.
Maybe… he’s not such a terrible person after all.
His fingers caught the other end of the towel and hoisted it across her shoulder. The brush of his hand against her bare lower back made her flinch.
“Ahh! Client, if you’re going to help, can’t you be more careful?!”
She yelped, a deep crimson blooming on her cheeks.
Khalid raised one eyebrow in annoyance.
“Who was it that slapped me, called me names, and now clings to me like a lifeline? Does she look like someone who deserves special care?”
“I—I’m sorry! I’ll handle it from here!”
Luna stammered, panicking. He was right about everything. And yet… couldn’t he be a little gentler?
She reached for the rest of the towel, trembling. It had absorbed so much water it felt like lifting a sandbag. Her arms shook violently with the effort, but she refused to give up.
Then, Khalid’s voice, deep and sharp, rang out again.
“Wizard.”
“W-What?”
“If you’re not planning to roll around with me all night… then stop moving. I’m already at my limit.”
“Wh… what?”
Her pupils froze like glass. And then—
She realized her position.
She was practically on top of him. Her entire body pressed down on his, breath mingling, skin touching.
Her heart stopped. Her mind blanked. A heat tightened in her belly, her body suddenly aware of every inch of him beneath her.
Khalid’s voice came low and menacing.
“This is driving me insane.”
With a long sigh, he ran his hand down his face, brushing his forehead to his chin, as if trying to scrape away his sanity.
Then—snap.
He flicked his fingers. The bath lamp went out with a soft pop.
“What…?”
Luna blinked. Darkness swallowed them whole. The rain clouds outside blocked even the faintest moonlight. Only the faint, glowing purple mark on his chest gave any indication of where he was.
Panic set in.
No. I need to get out. Now.
She shoved at his chest with what little strength she had left. If he held her again… if he didn’t let go…
Something irreversible might happen.
