Has the knight lady who married into the countryside fallen into depravity today?

The night was deep, and the stars outside the window were sparse. The alchemical lamp before Klein was still bright, but its light could no longer penetrate the heavy layer of weariness in his heart. Time passed silently, and only then did he withdraw from the complex alchemical matrix and torrent of data, an indescribable drowsiness instantly sweeping over him. He stretched his stiff neck, making a slight clicking sound.

His gaze swept casually across the room, and he saw another corner. There, on the bed that should have been empty, a slender figure sat quietly.

Ophelia.

She wore a light-colored loungewear dress, the hem of which gently draped over the edge of the bed, softening her appearance. Her golden hair, in the dim light, no longer seemed so striking, but rather blended into the night.

Klein's brow twitched almost imperceptibly. He hadn't noticed her arrival at all. This wasn't unusual; while knights weren't known for their stealth skills, a powerful woman like Ophelia could remain undetected even at close range if she didn't want to be discovered. But when had she arrived? And why had she remained silent?

He cleared his throat, his voice slightly hoarse: "Ophelia? You... when did you arrive?"

Ophelia's shoulders trembled almost imperceptibly. Her golden eyes gleamed in the light, showing no surprise, but rather a calm as if she had finally been discovered.

"It's been a long time." Her voice was soft, carrying a hint of the night's chill, and a subtle... hint of grievance?

"I was worried about bothering you," she added, her gaze falling on the scattered utensils and rune diagrams on his desk.

Klein walked to the bedside and sat down beside her.

"You should have called me sooner," he said softly, a hint of self-reproach in his voice. He knew her personality; she cared about him but was afraid of interfering with his business.

Ophelia turned her gaze from the table to him. Her lips were slightly pursed; she said nothing, but simply reached out and gently touched his slightly cool fingertips. Her fingertips, warm with her own touch, conveyed a silent comfort.

You look very tired.

Klein gave a wry smile and rubbed his temples. "Indeed, this research was somewhat...unexpected." He simply told her about the discovery of the "resistance power" in Karen's blood in the most concise language. He knew that although she was not skilled in alchemy, she had a unique understanding of the nature of power.

Ophelia listened intently, a thoughtful glint in her golden eyes. Having also been corrupted by the power of the deep sea, she perhaps understood this struggle related to "will" better than others.

"So, this isn't something that medicine can solve?" she asked.

"At least, not just a simple drug." Klein nodded. "I need to find a way to make this unconscious resistance more...conscious and powerful."

He looked at her, his eyes filled with the excitement typical of a researcher, and a hint of anticipation for the future.

Ophelia simply watched him quietly, without interrupting his thoughts. She knew that what he was thinking at that moment was far deeper than she could comprehend. But she also knew that wherever he explored, she would be by his side.

She shifted slightly, bringing them a few steps closer. She could feel the unique blend of herbal and magical energy emanating from him, a focused energy tinged with weariness. She gently rested her head on his shoulder.

"It's late." Her voice was soft, with a barely perceptible hint of intimacy.

"Get some rest."

Klein's body stiffened for a moment, then relaxed. He raised his hand and gently placed it on the top of her head. This sudden closeness made him slightly uncomfortable, yet it also gave rise to an indescribable warmth.

He knew that tonight, his research might have found a direction, but more importantly, there was his wife who had always been silently by his side.

Tomorrow may be another long experiment, but for now, he just wants to enjoy this rare tranquility.

"it is good."

……

Ophelia showed no sign of leaving. She simply rested her head on his shoulder, motionless, her breathing shallow. The chandelier in the room was dimmed to its lowest setting, leaving only a soft halo that barely outlined their silhouettes. Klein could feel the delicate touch of her hair against his neck, and the faint, chivalrous aura emanating from her, mingled with a touch of feminine softness. This, ironically, cleared his previously weary and confused thoughts.

He asked softly, "Aren't you going back to your room?"

Ophelia nuzzled her head against his shoulder, her voice hoarse with sleepiness: "Just think of it as keeping an eye on you."

The reason sounded somewhat forced, yet carried an undeniable air of authority. Klein's heart stirred slightly; he knew this wasn't simply about supervision. She just wanted to stay by his side. This direct yet subtle expression filled him with a sense of novelty, and also a touch of...sweetness.

He didn't say anything more, only adjusted his posture to make her more comfortable. The bed wasn't spacious, and the two sat side by side, almost pressed together. Ophelia quickly moved over and lay down, taking up half of the bed. She patted the empty space beside her, her golden eyes, in the dim light, carrying a silent invitation.

Klein hesitated for a moment, then finally lay down obediently. He turned to face her, their breaths almost touching. Ophelia's gaze lingered on his face for a moment, then she gently closed her eyes. Her eyelashes cast soft shadows in the dim light, making her appear exceptionally serene.

With such a beauty lying beside him, it was hard to fall asleep. Klein's thoughts were like a turbulent lake, unable to find peace. He could feel her even breathing, the gentle warmth emanating from her body. This was an unprecedented experience, making him feel both relaxed and somewhat... nervous. He could even hear his own heartbeat, a few beats faster than usual.

He closed his eyes, trying to draw his attention back to the intricate alchemical runes, attempting to analyze the energy fluctuations in Karen's blood. However, those cold theories were completely dispelled by the vibrant warmth beside him. He remembered the light-colored dress she had worn that day, and the fleeting expectation in her eyes. She was always like that, inadvertently revealing her care for him.

However, the incense that had been lit at some point began to work, and a light herbal scent quickly filled the air, carrying a faint sweetness.

Ophelia's breathing became deeper, clearly she had fallen asleep. Klein also felt a powerful wave of drowsiness wash over him, every cell in his body screaming for rest. He was simply too tired. Before his consciousness sank into sleep, the image of Ophelia in that light-colored dress and her expectant golden eyes flashed through his mind.

Ophelia's wedding dress... is it almost finished? He wondered. She must be so excited about it. With this vague thought in mind, he drifted off to sleep.