Rosenia unconsciously held her breath the moment they made eye contact.

Captivated by the clear, transparent emerald light, Rosenias mind blanked and she could not think properly.

As soon as Rosenia thought that she might become lost in the mans eyes, his fingertips touched her slightly protruded shoulder blade.

!

At that moment, an unknown sensation crawled up her spine. Startled, she tried to remove herself from his body in a hurry.

Then, as Rosenia was about to fall over the bed, the man grabbed her firmly by the waist with his big hand.

Pulling her closer and smiling slightly, his emerald eyes stared at her, glistening.

The man opened his mouth and spoke.

You saved my life.

What? AhyeahYou were lying in the garden of our villa. I couldnt just leave you

Rosenia muttered in a daze. This was driving her crazy and she wanted to get away from him, but somehow the hand that held her waist gripped even harder.

With the rainstorm outside, Im sure I would have died if left out there. Right nowmy condition is very bad.

When his words fell, Rosenia took a close look at his complexion.

Indeed, he regained consciousness, but hes still in bad shape.

The mans feverish cheeks were flushed, and there was cold sweat on his forehead. Rosenia didnt know if it was a cold or an illness, but he was definitely sick.

Nevertheless, in her eyes, it could not hide his dazzling beauty.

SeriouslyHow can he be so handsome? Whats more, hes the male lead!

Id like to know the name of the benefactor who saved my life. If its alright, could you tell me your name?

Ah

At the mans question, Rosenia couldnt answer right away and was troubled momentarily.

Should I tell him that Im Rosenia Hill or not?

In fact, it was clear that the man had already guessed her identity even without her having to tell him.

Because her scarlet hair and eyes resembling summer roses are the distinct characteristic of the famous Rosenia Hill.

Also, this was the Hills estate. There was no way that Llewellyn Rasiane wouldnt be able to piece it together unless he was a fool.

Itll be more convenient if I just tell the truth, right?

I saved your life even though Im Rosenia Hill. Shouldnt that account for something?

Surely this honest man will try to repay me, and perhaps even hate my family a little less.

Unlike the original plot, Adrian became mild, so maybe I can escape the death ending if things go well!

With such thoughts, Rosenia opened her mouth with an awkward smile like a salesperson.

ImRosenia. Rosenia Hill.

As expected.

The man suddenly rose to his feet and came closer. Rosenia held her breath without realizing it as their distance narrowed. Her hand was touching his chest, and over the thin tunic she could feel the touch of hard muscles vividly.

The mans big hand firmly held her back. He seemed to have no sign of letting go, having held her with his arm like this since a while ago.

As expected, it was you.

Uh, you know me?

It was a silly question, but Rosenia still asked in such a manner. He raised his beautiful lips and smiled. Somehow that playful smile made him look mischievous.

Theres no way I wouldnt know you, Rosenia Hill.

With them being extremely close, Rosenia could sense the sluggishness in his soft voice. It was a sweet voice one would find themselves lost in. A man of such beauty was smiling softly at her.

You are Adrian Hills one and only sister, the Mage Towers princess.

Ah, that, yes

Beside the fact that the man knew her identity, her heart was pounding madly by his charm.

Rosenia didnt want to maintain eye contact with him, so she tried to avoid it by looking sideways.

Rosenia, do you know who I am?

The man asked casually, calling her name. Rosenia is normally addressed as Lady Rosenia, but now a man had called her name on their first meeting.

It was like someone who is used to saying another persons name. Strangely enough, she had that feeling.

Rosenia hesitated for a moment then answered.

I should be honest as well.

Youre Duke Llewellyn Rasiane.

At her answer, Llewellyn smiled as if he had received a big present. Nonetheless, a handsome man such as him smiling broadly gave the illusion of flowers blooming around him.

Rosenia blinked as she blankly stared at him.

I dont know why youre so happy, butyoure really pretty

Even the most beautiful flower in the world seems to wither and bow its head in front of him.

You know me.

Well, youre so famous

Im kind of famous, but Ive only met you once.

Ah, well, your exceptional beauty, its impossible to forget

Looking at him, Rosenia was so flustered that she just said whatever came to her mind, and like an angel, Llewellyn smiled.

Once again Llewellyn smiled at her lovingly. As if to tempt her.

Somehow Rosenia felt uncomfortable and tried to wiggle out of his arms. Then, Llewellyn sighed heavily and fell over her shoulder, lowering his head.

Flinching greatly, her body stiffened. Llewellyn was breathing raggedly with his cheek leaning against her shoulder.

What, what, whats going on?

Rosenia was so taken aback that she didnt know what to do and could only try to slightly push his shoulder away. Then Llewellyn let out a deep moan.

Ugh

Heuk, D-Duke?

Rose.

?!

Rosenia was startled when Llewellyn suddenly addressed her by her nickname.

It was because Llewellyn said it so naturally. It was so natural to the point that it was very strange and Rosenia couldnt help but frown.

Was I close to Llewellyn Rasiane? No way. Ive only seen him from afar.

But why is this man so friendly? He keeps leaning on me

Rose, now Im

H-hey

It hurts so much that breathing is difficult.

Llewellyn, cradled in her arms, was like a big wounded beastHe must be out of his mind now because he is sick. Otherwise, he wouldnt be so intimate knowing that she is Rosenia Hill.

Calling my name so casually.Im afraid hes deranged.

Timidly touching his forehead, Rosenia asked.

Hey, what illness is this?

Anyway, what in the world, his forehead is like a fireball. Didnt he already take the fever medicine?

Far from going down, the fever had gone up even more. When Rosenia slid her hand in embarrassment, Llewellyn caressed her hand with his cheek as he raised his head.

His face, which looked up at her so precarious and vulnerable, made her heart flutter momentarily.

Flushed cheeks, slightly parted lips, and a somewhat dreamy look

It was a dangerously perfect image enough to paralyze ones reason.

Ive been running a fever

Llewellyn answered in a faint voice.

It hurts all over, like Im going to die

Llewellyn, who looked at her pleadingly, was like a man desperate for something. Perplexed, Rosenia blinked her eyes and pondered over his words.

Hes been running a fever, and feel like hes going to die?

Dont tell me.

It cant be? Its not what Im thinking, is it?

Rosenia muttered to herself, then carefully asked.

Your whole body hurts?

YesThats right.

Llewellyn nodded and answered weakly. His answer made her heart thump like it will collapse. If it is what she thinks it is, his symptom, she is afraid its

Mana poisoning!

The reason why the original novel is titled, The Dukes Lone Companion.

It was because the female lead was the only one who could suppress the male leads mana poisoning.

In fact, it could be done by anyone to suppress the mana poisoning. But the male lead chose the female lead. Why? Because he fell in love with her at first sight!

It doesnt seem real to fall in love at first sight, but its a novel, so thats just how it is. Above all, the male lead was very pure, which made it understandable.

On the surface hes kind, but it is all to hide his possessive disorder

Also, at the beginning of their relationshipit was just the mixing of bodies with no feelings for each other, the so-called casual hookup!

To be exact, the female lead, Sierra, was not interested in the male lead, Llewellyn.

In the authors original setting of eventually falls in love, Llewellyn fell in love at first sight when he saw Sierra, however, she didnt reciprocate.

Which then begins Llewellyns desperate romance plotline to win Sierras heart.

Thats exactly my favorite part of the original plot

Male lead, why are you suffering from mana poisoning in front of me and not the female lead?

No, reallyWhat can I do about this?

Rosenia had no choice but to be genuinely, extremely, flustered.

Because there was only one way to calm the enormous amount of mana in the male leads body.

From lightly holding hands and hugging, to some kissing, to kissing everywhere, and to having sex

Naturally, in the original novel, the male lead and Sierra go as far as they can. Even though the two were not emotionally connected, the tension between man and woman played a big role.

Moreover, Sierra needed the power of the Empires only Duke, Llewellyn, to avenge the villain (not Adrian) who had exterminated her family. Thats why she signed a contract with the male lead and spent many nights with him.

It was one of romance novels cliche.

But,

Why? Why did he collapse in front of our villa? Why was he suffering from mana poisoning in front of me!?

Rosenia didnt even know where and how it got twisted and how it got like this.

In fact, Rosenia didnt remember exactly when Sierra would meet Llewellyn in the original plot. Just vaguely, she thought perhaps they would meet each other one day.

But, what the hell is going on here

Male lead, you should go to the female lead for this, why would you come to me?

As Rosenia was perplexed on what to do, Llewellyn, who was writhing in her arms, slowly raised his head. His emerald pupils looked at her with a dull glow.

Rose

At that moment, Rosenia sensed a great foreboding.

The longer the mana overloaded, the more and more Llewellyn became irrational. He was instinctively looking for someone to save him.

Also, he and her were the only two in this villa.

C-crazy! Im in trouble!

As Rosenia hurried to get away from him, Llewellyn held her tightly in his arms.

Heuk!

Trapped in his sturdy arms, Rosenia couldnt move.

Llewellyn whispered in a mournful voice.

Dont go, Rose

A distance so close Rosenia could feel his breath.

Only

His eyes looking at her were so sad that Rosenia lost her sense of reasoning in trying to escape.

Hes looking at me like this, which woman can resist?

Im screwedcompletelycompletely screwed.

Llewellyn slowly swept across her cheek. At his gentle touch as if caressing something precious, her heart pounded rapidly and she even felt excited.

Even though she knows that the only reason hes doing this is because of the mana poisoning.

Rose, I have a favor to ask you

His lips came closer. Like a herbivore with its neck bitten by a beast, Rosenia couldnt move a muscle.

Kiss me.