"I finished it already," Arabella sighed. Alcohol didn't last long, just like "rewards"—the pleasure vanished too quickly. She didn't want restraint. She wanted to keep drinking and keep feeling good.

Just as Arabella was plotting how to sneak another glass under Frederick's nose, Daisy approached. She gently set a pink-orange cocktail in front of Arabella, the rim of the glass beautifully frosted with salt.

"Aerona, we haven't had a drink together tonight. This one is quite good; it's called 'Sakura Lake.' I had the bartender add extra strawberry juice—it suits you." Daisy smiled brightly and raised her own glass.

"We haven't had a drink yet!" Arabella pretended to forget about the man beside her and reached for the glass.

"Birdie, what did you just promise me?" A gentle but stern voice shattered Arabella's fantasy. She turned to Frederick with a pleading look, holding up one finger. Just one last, last glass.

Frederick was truly helpless against her. Not wanting her to lose face in front of Daisy, he gave a silent nod of permission. Arabella downed it in one gulp, while Daisy took a graceful sip. Then, Daisy took another glass from a servant and placed it before Frederick.

This drink was a dream-like blue, looking like a witch's potion under the warm party lights.

Daisy took a deep, imperceptible breath and kept her voice steady. "Fritz, we've known each other since we were children. After all these years, you've finally found someone you like... I'm happy for you. This glass is a toast to your and Aerona's happiness."

Frederick finally looked up at Daisy. For the entire day, he hadn't greeted her, spoken to her, or even looked her in the eye, building an invisible wall of iron between them. His attitude was crystal clear and ruthlessly cold. His Birdie had forgiven her, but that was because she possessed a fairy-tale innocence.

"I appreciate the blessing," Frederick said with gentlemanly distance. "But I've had quite a bit today and cannot hold much more. I'll pass on this glass."

Daisy stood there awkwardly, her expression flickering. "Fritz, it's just one drink. Won't you even give...?"

Arabella nudged Frederick's arm, whispering, "Daisy is wishing us happiness."

Frederick turned his head to meet Arabella's expectant gaze. She tilted her chin, urging him to drink. You have to accept a blessing for happiness!

"Then I'll drink it," Arabella offered. She was fiercely loyal to her friends and didn't want Daisy to be embarrassed, especially since they had made up today.

Frederick immediately gripped her wrist. "Aerona, you had enough today." With that, he picked up the blue glass and calmly finished the drink.

Daisy's face turned to normal. She finished her own drink, chatted for a few more moments, and then wandered off elsewhere. 

The night deepened. The forest beyond the reach of the lights was pitch black, as thick as ink. Frederick didn't want to stay any longer, but Arabella was having too much fun to leave.

Another half hour passed. Frederick suddenly detected a strange heat rising within his body. It came on slowly, but it was impossible to ignore. He could even feel a certain part of him beginning to stir and rise.

It was likely the large amount of venison eaten that evening, combined with the heavy Indian spices the chef used to mask the gaminess.

He shed his knit cardigan, leaving only a slim-fitting black cashmere turtleneck. Even then, the heat from his body seemed to radiate outward, reaching Arabella.

"You're so hot," she remarked, surprised by his temperature, though her eyes remained glued to his chest. She was a bit dazed by his attire; it was a thin black turtleneck that hugged every contour of his muscles, perfectly outlining his broad shoulders and narrow waist. 

Arabella frowned slightly and took off her own overcoat, draping it over Frederick's shoulders.

Frederick gave her a helpless look—he was already burning up. "It's time to go to sleep, Birdie. We have to wake up early tomorrow."

"You don't want to play anymore?" Arabella hadn't quite had enough, mostly because she loved the atmosphere. She loved the bright lights and the endless music—the festive brilliance reminded her of the palace in her dreams.

"No more playing." Frederick kissed her on the cheek.

Arabella stood up with him. Behind the camp were the guest lodgings: standalone glass-structured forest cabins with cozy, pastoral interiors. Arabella's cabin was directly opposite Frederick's, only a few steps away.

Frederick had originally intended to stay with her tonight, but under the current "thorny" circumstances, he had to change his plans. Maintaining his gentlemanly composure, he escorted Arabella back to her room, ran her bathwater, laid out her fresh lingerie, and even squeezed the toothpaste onto her brush for her.

"I'm leaving now, Birdie. Call me if you need anything, alright?"

Arabella pouted, realizing there would be no "reward" tonight. She gave Frederick a sharp look. "Fine! I'll just shower and go to bed!"

Frederick smiled, using every ounce of his willpower to restrain the fire burning within him. "Goodnight. See you tomorrow."

As soon as the door closed, he let out a sigh of relief. He shed the overcoat and lit a cigarette to try and soothe the tension in his lower abdomen. Luckily, he had instructed Harold to pack a few pills in his suitcase beforehand.

Back in his room, Frederick quickly swallowed two and sat on the bed for fifteen minutes, but they had no effect—if anything, he felt even harder. Eventually, he resorted to an ice-cold shower. In the dead of winter, the freezing water hitting his scorching skin felt like an out-of-body experience.

"Frederick! Are you asleep?" A knock sounded at the door. The restless Arabella had come over.

Frederick took a deep breath, tied his robe tightly, and walked to the door. "What is it?"

Through the heavy wood, the girl's mischievous voice drifted in: "The covers are so cold, Frederick. I want to sleep with you!"

"No." His refusal was ruthless. "Go back to your room, Aerona. Wild wolves and bears come out in the forest at night. Be a good girl and don't wander around."

Arabella felt a bit aggrieved. He wouldn't even open the door for her, and he was trying to scare her with wild beasts. She gave a small "oh" and returned to her room in disappointment.

Two minutes later, the lights in Frederick's cabin went out, and the surrounding woods dimmed with them.

Arabella silently drew her curtains, removed her makeup, showered, and changed into her pajamas. She took her brain medicine and didn't forget to give Black and Peach two large scoops of freeze-dried treats. She sat on the bed watching them eat, her head still feeling a slight buzz from the alcohol.

Suddenly, her phone vibrated on the pillow. She lit up, thinking it was Frederick, since she only had a few people in her contacts. To her surprise, it was Daisy. The moment she answered, Daisy began to cry.

"Aerona, Minnie.... she ran into the forest and I can't find her! Everyone at the party is drunk, and I can't find anyone to help me!"

"Minnie is gone?" Arabella sat up straight instantly. "Don't panic, Daisy. I'm coming."

Daisy sobbed. "No, it's too dark and cold. I'm afraid Fritz will blame me for that. I just wanted to borrow Black and Peach; they might be able to pick up Minnie's scent."

Everyone knew that powerful guard dogs like Black and Peach only listened to their master's commands.

Arabella worried for a moment. "But you can't control them..." Then, she changed her mind. "It's fine, don't mind Fritz. I just won't let him know! Where are you? I'll bring Black and Peach to you."

"That... alright. Thank you so much, Aerona! You're my best friend! I'm at the north entrance of the forest; it's closer if you go around the back of the camp."

Arabella quickly changed her clothes and patted Black and Peach on their heads, telling them they had a difficult mission. As she prepared to leave, her gaze fell upon the golden pistol sitting on the table.

—Bella, protect yourself no matter what.

That sentence suddenly flashed through her lightheaded brain. She didn't have time to think; acting on impulse, she tucked the gun into her pocket and hurried out the door.

She was actually a bit scared of the dark. The forest was pitch black, the wind rustled through the leaves, and she might run into nocturnal animals—and that "big bad guy" Frederick had gone out of his way to scare her.

Arabella told herself to be brave; after all, she had a gun.