The Bedroom Intruder
Screeech... Was it just a prank of the wind? The door, which they were sure they'd closed, swung open with an eerie creak.
Selton Viscount and Line, who had been sharing intimate words in the bedroom, both turned their gazes toward the sound at the same time.
"Hmm...? I'm sure we closed the door... Ah, don't worry about it. I'll close it."
"Okay..."
Selton Viscount closed the door and returned to Line's side. She was still lying on the bed, propped up against the wall with just her upper body raised. He pulled up a chair beside her and sat down, gazing at her with affectionate eyes.
The sun had already set, but the magical lamp cast a soft glow over the bedroom. Its light wasn't too bright—in fact, it perfectly set the mood for the two of them, creating an intimate, twilight ambiance.
A secret bedroom. Dim lighting. A man and woman who had just confirmed their feelings for each other. At this moment, surely, only the two of them existed in that room.
Heh heh... Of course, that was what only those two believed.
An uninvited guest had slipped into their inviolable space.
Selton Viscount might have thought it was the wind, but in truth, Minwoo had simply opened the door and entered. Neither of them noticed his presence at all—thanks to the subtle suggestions already implanted in their minds.
Minwoo did nothing special, just watched them with intrigued eyes.
Their conversation resumed.
"Looking back now, it feels like my family has been too neglectful toward you all this time. If only I'd been born a little earlier... No, if only I'd paid more attention...! I could have taken better care of you much sooner than this..."
"...It's okay. I've... forgotten all about it now... In fact, I'm grateful these days. When I think about how other beastkin are treated... I'm just lucky to have caught the eye of someone as good as you."
"Then... you forgive me for everything from the past?"
"Yeah... If we're talking about that, I have my faults too... I should be the one apologizing."
"Apologize? Nonsense. If anything, I'm glad it happened—because that's how I got to know you."
"Then... stop calling me so formally. Just... call me Line from now on. And I'll... I'll serve you as your wife from here on out."
"Line..."
"Selton..."
Heh heh... Already dripping with honey? If I'd come even a little later, they'd have gone all the way.
Minwoo, openly watching their lovey-dovey display from the side, chuckled inwardly. Who would've thought their relationship would progress this far in just one day? Especially Line—despite not touching her memories at all, she'd changed this much. Honestly, it was surprising.
Was it the power of a mother's love? Or just the glow stick's brainwashing?
If I leave them like this, they'll probably go straight to the end... What should I do?
In truth, Minwoo hadn't planned out what came next in detail. This experiment's priority was fulfilling Selton Viscount's deepest desire—and had it truly been achieved at this point?
Without some visible mark confirming the desire's fulfillment, it was hard to judge.
Well, there's one way to check.
While he pondered, the mood was heading toward a kiss, so Minwoo pulled out the glow stick and froze their actions.
"Not hard at all. Just ask them directly."
Gazing at Selton Viscount, whose eyes had glazed over in hypnosis mode, Minwoo spoke.
"Selton Viscount. What is it that you desire most?"
"My desire... is to love Line, and be loved by her in return."
"I see. And has that... been fulfilled now?"
"...Yes. It has."
"Hoo..."
He hadn't expected such a straightforward answer. Selton Viscount turned out to be a pure romantic after all. What about the masochism?
Minwoo asked about that too.
"What happened to your wish to be sexually tormented by Line?"
"That hasn't been fulfilled yet... but I'm satisfied even so..."
"That's an ambiguous answer..."
Did he want it or not? Minwoo turned to Line this time.
"Line. What is most precious to you right now?"
"...My late mother, and..."
"And?"
"...Selton Viscount. He's precious to me."
"...Do you love him romantically?"
"...Yes. I love him."
To turn hatred into love in mere days... Even though he'd done it himself, Minwoo was struck anew by the terror of brainwashing. Of course, this was a special case— it wouldn't be this easy with the heroes.
"Good. Things have gone even better than expected. Now, I'll implant a new suggestion in you both. Listen carefully."
They loved each other now, and had confirmed it. Their greatest desires fulfilled—what would happen to the existing brainwashing rules?
That was the core of this experiment.
Minwoo grinned mischievously and opened his mouth.
...
"Mm...? Ah, sorry, Selton. I zoned out without realizing."
"No, it's fine. Me too... You were just so beautiful, I lost myself staring."
"Oh, come on... Don't say that. It's embarrassing..."
"I'm serious, Line. Your charm hasn't changed a bit since I saw you as a child, even after decades. A ugly middle-aged man like me wonders if I even deserve to love you."
"Don't say that even more, Selton. I... I can't think of anyone but you now..."
"Thank you, Line... Let's forget the past and just focus on being happy from here on."
"Yes..."
And so, in that space where no one could interrupt, the two gazed at each other and shared whispers sweet enough to make rice cakes drip.
"By the way..."
Suddenly, Line tilted her head as if only just noticing.
"Who is this gentleman...?"
She pointed naturally at Minwoo, who was now sitting on the bed with her as if it were the most normal thing.
Minwoo was now properly recognized by them. But neither showed surprise at his sudden presence in their sanctuary. It was just the casual attitude of greeting a guest in the parlor.
Selton Viscount answered her question.
"Ah, this is an official from the Empire, sent here on assignment at my request. Say hello—it's Minwoo."
"Ah, hello... Nice to meet you."
"Greetings."
Minwoo replied in a businesslike tone to Line, who greeted him awkwardly from the bed.
"But... you said he's an official—what kind of work...?"
"Ah, I'll explain in detail from now on."
Line clapped in admiration at Minwoo's calm explanation. Selton Viscount smiled warmly, moved, and Minwoo smiled back.
Of course, the meaning behind Minwoo's smile was different from theirs.
...
"Really... if we do this, I can have Selton's baby?"
"Of course, madam. Are you doubting an Imperial official like me?"
"No, not at all... It's just... embarrassing, so..."
"Everyone feels that way at first. Just leave it all to me, the expert, and relax."
Selton Viscount, watching from the side, chimed in.
"Line. I know it's tough, but hang in there a little. If we follow Minwoo's instructions, we'll surely have a child."
"Yes... I'll do my best."
Minwoo stifled a laugh inside as he watched them clasp hands and resolve themselves. Even though he did this all the time, tricking people with hypnosis never got old—it was endlessly fun.
Plain old sex no longer satisfied him. And this time, it was his first brainwashing of a couple, not an individual. It served as a warm-up for dealing with the hero party later, making it an important experiment in its own right.
Not that it mattered—Minwoo was filled with thoughts of enjoying himself regardless.
"Then... shall we begin? Viscount, please stay there and make sure your wife doesn't feel anxious."
"Yes..! Please take good care of Line..!"
Selton Viscount encouraged her one more time, then released her hand. He sat primly in his chair and quietly watched Minwoo and Line on the bed.
"Now, madam... Pull back the covers first... And though it's sudden, please remove all your clothes."
"M-my clothes...? All of them...?"
"Yes. Everything must come off. Only then can we perform the ritual without issues."
"...Okay, got it... Selton... Don't stare too much. It's embarrassing."
"Y-yeah..."
In the end, at Minwoo's words, Line steeled herself against the shame and stripped off her clothes one by one. She hesitated when only her underwear remained, but at Minwoo's urging glance, she pouted tearfully and removed the last piece.
Soon, Line's pristine white naked body was fully exposed without a single thing hidden.