Chapter 40

"Hah— hah!"

With every ragged breath Christine let out, his shoulders rose and fell visibly.

His finely built torso, like a bronze sculpture, gleamed all over with sweat.

In the cold winter air, steam rose visibly off the heat of his body, but he still didn't look satisfied.

"One more round!"

Groans rose up from all around him.

"Ugh, please, have mercy, Captain!"

"My legs are about to give out! I'm going to collapse on duty at this rate!"

The Imperial Guards flopped onto the ground as if they might die any second, grumbling.

But he only ran a dissatisfied gaze over the keen edge of his blade — until, for an instant, his eyes flickered.

A familiar scent...!

"Are you finished now?"

Adele was walking toward them, Tanya and the other maids following behind her, each carrying a large rattan basket.

But Christine had no eyes for anyone else.…