Snow fluttered in the night streets of Marseille. Pedestrians on the gas-lit streets moved with hurried steps, their bodies hunched tightly.

In the black carriage running beside them sat Ernest Holden and Logan Redford side by side, lost in their own thoughts.

Ernest Holden glanced sideways at Logan next to him.

Logan Redford.

Ernest had been with him since they started toddling.

Not only had their families been close for a long time, but the two children’s personalities had matched quite well.

More precisely, it was sociable Ernest who had adjusted to Logan.

Except for being indifferent to everything and clumsy at expressing emotions, Logan was perfect in every way.

He had the best learning ability and achieved top grades.

That wasn’t all. His tenacity and persistence in doggedly pursuing things until successful, day and night, was enough to make onlookers weary.

In short, he was a born genius who also worked hard.

For the first time, this Logan Redford showed interest in a human, specifically ‘Sidney Warden’.

As Logan’s friend, Ernest Holden considered this fortunate. However, after learning the reality, he was shocked.

Logan tormented Sidney so persistently that it was said there was no more vicious superior.

Still, he thought it would get better with time.

Ernest Holden patted Logan’s shoulder and opened his mouth.

“I really have to talk about this today. Why are you so desperate to torment Warden?”

“…”

“Are you perhaps jealous?”

Logan glared at his friend as if to devour him. Ernest grinned, seeming to enjoy his friend’s reaction, and sneered.

“If not that… then it’s like getting angry because the person you like doesn’t feel the same way… but that’s not it, right?”

“You’re crazy.”

“That’s what I’m saying! That’s the crazy talk.”

Ernest snorted, waving his hand. Then, resting his chin on the armrest, he spoke in a sing-song voice.

“So what I’m saying is… You’re jealous of Warden because you think he and this woman Marien you’re looking for might be involved…”

“Useless talk.”

Logan firmly denied it.

As someone who knew that Marien had been with a man for the first time, Ernest’s hypothesis was absurd to Logan.

Ernest, unable to read Logan’s inner thoughts, insisted on spelling it out.

“Listen, my friend. You went to ask about this woman Marien, right?”

“…”

“But Warden probably didn’t want to tell you. Why? Because you looked like a madman to anyone watching earlier.”

“Ernest Holden.”

Ernest smoothly deflected Logan’s weighty warning and continued speaking.

“Well, that’s what I mean. So from your perspective… you might think, ‘Hey, who are you to protect my woman?'”

“…”

“When Warden avoided answering… you got annoyed, right? But… given Warden’s personality… he’s not the type to talk about such things. You know that too. He’s unexpectedly straight-laced.”

“That’s the kind of person he is.”

Logan finally responded to Ernest’s words. Ernest, as if he had been waiting for this, patted Logan’s shoulder and added:

“And I heard what Warden said earlier too, it didn’t seem like he and Miss Marien were particularly close. You were being too sensitive.”

“It’s not like that… just shut up.”

Logan brushed off Ernest’s hand and looked out the window.

The streetlight glowed across his face as it passed.

The shadows cast on his already strong features accentuated his rugged, wild charm.

His blue eyes were dark within his displeased, frowning gaze.

As they left the city and headed towards the outskirts, the scenery outside the window changed to a forest blooming with white snow flowers.

As only moonlight faintly illuminated the snow-covered forest, Ernest Holden opened his mouth again.

“You should move into the city too. Stop commuting such a long distance every day.”

“…”

The carriage seemed to stop, and the sound of a large iron gate opening was heard.

As the carriage started moving again, Logan turned his body towards Ernest.

“What? Why suddenly?”

“Did you see the mark on Sidney Warden’s nape?”

“Ah, that… You saw it too?”

Ernest grabbed the back of his neck and lowered his head.

It was his habit when he was very flustered. After moving his lips several times, Ernest spoke with an awkward expression.

“Actually, on the morning of the 1st, I went to Victoria’s house. And… Warden came out after washing.”

Logan, who had already been discouraged after hearing Sidney Warden’s story, asked with a mind to grasp at straws, just in case.

If what Ernest said was true… it confirmed that while he was with Marien, Sidney Warden was indeed in Mayfield.

Yet Logan’s suspicion remained.

“You must have seen wrong.”

“What are you saying? I even got into an argument with Victoria about whether we had that kind of relationship… talks of a duel even came up. We even ate breakfast together.”

“Lady Owello left that kiss mark?”

That couldn’t be. It was clearly the mark Logan had left on Marien.

Victoria Owello must have removed Sidney’s shirt despite the interference.

So she should have confirmed with her own eyes whether Sidney Warden was a woman or not…

Logan cursed quietly, regretting that he hadn’t done so himself.

Misunderstanding this, Ernest went on defending Victoria Owello.

“Hmm! It was that kind of day, you know. Young lovers can get heated up like that. Warden didn’t seem to mind either.”

“… He didn’t mind?”

“Of course! He was taking such good care of Victoria. And he said he would naturally take responsibility if there was something he needed to be responsible for. Even as another man, I can see he’s really a good guy.”

“…”

Sidney Warden?

That guy who would frown if anyone just touched his body… didn’t mind?

Then those words from back then.

Was it just because it was Logan Redford that he disliked it? Or maybe he didn’t want his secret of being a woman to be discovered…

Ernest Holden glanced at the troubled-looking Logan and changed the subject.

“Ah, how did it go with that Miss Marien that day? This is the first time you’ve asked me to give you privacy with a woman, so this elder brother has high expectations. Come on, tell me.”

“…”

Ah, Marien.

Just hearing that name made Logan Redford’s body react first.

And the female body whimpering in pleasure beneath him vividly came to mind.

That soft skin and lewdly disheveled expression, those eyes greedily craving him… All those moments overlapped with Sidney Warden.

Even while thinking this level of delusion might be crazy, he found himself wishing this damned fantasy would become reality.

“What? Why are you reacting like this?”

“Ahem!”

Logan Redford covered his mouth with his fist and briefly avoided Ernest’s gaze.

“This reaction… it’s exactly like Warden’s. Logan, was it really possible?”

“…”

So maybe it was possible.

Because the woman called Marien resembled Sidney. Because Logan’s body thought of her as Sidney Warden without him realizing…

Either way, it would be resolved by finding Marien or confirming if Sidney was a woman.

Logan Redford pulled up one corner of his mouth and smirked. Watching his friend, Ernest’s mouth fell open.

“Wow, you really need to catch that woman.”

This was an opportunity.

It was like a lifeline to escape the nightmare of sexual identity that had been tormenting Logan Redford for the past 4 years.

Whether it was Marien or Sidney Warden… Logan wouldn’t let go.

“That’s the plan.”

Logan patted Ernest’s shoulder and got out of the carriage. Then he took a long breath as he looked at the lit-up townhouse.

His white breath brushed past his face and dispersed, along with the faces of the sleeping Marien and Sidney Warden…

That night, when he opened his eyes after collapsing like that, it was Victoria’s apartment.

He didn’t ask Victoria why she had brought him or what had happened.

Partly because he was too sick to bother with everything, and partly because Victoria didn’t bring it up separately.

Just judging from the commotion he heard while half-asleep… Logan Redford had come to this apartment a few times.

Perhaps thanks to the devoted care of Victoria and Sarah, Sidney regained his health just in time for the end of his vacation.

Sidney got up early in the morning and quickly put on his uniform. It would take more time to get to work than from Dustin Avenue near the office.

As he was buttoning up his shirt, Sidney walked to the mirror. He opened his shirt collar and examined his neck.

Fortunately, the red welts had faded to the point where they were barely noticeable unless looked at closely.

Come to think of it… he hadn’t answered about that. Sidney’s fingertips trembled as they brushed his collarbone.

Though the marks he had left were gone, the intense stimulation was still vivid.

Damn it. Sidney squeezed his eyes shut and hurriedly buttoned up his shirt. Then, clenching and unclenching his still-trembling hands, he muttered.

“…It never happened.”

Then he grabbed his jacket and coat and left the room. Victoria and Sarah were standing side by side in front of the door.

“It’s your first day back at work this year. Is it okay if I go with you…?”

Sidney chuckled at Victoria’s question, asked while wearing a white fur coat.

Sidney looked her up and down as if inspecting her outfit.

“Wear a scarf too. It’s cold in the morning.”

“Sarah! My scarf!”

At Victoria’s shout, Sarah, who was also wearing a coat, came running with a pink fur scarf.

While Sarah was wrapping the scarf around Victoria, Sidney put on his jacket and coat.

As they got on the elevator, Sarah skillfully closed the iron gate and pushed the lever.

With a clank and a slight shake, the elevator started moving down. Victoria took Sidney’s hand and spoke.

“Sidney, you really get dressed quickly.”

“It’s more surprising that you got up this early.”

“The young lady just woke up. She slept in her dress last night.”

As Sarah chimed in with my words, Victoria shrugged and put on airs.

“I know myself well.”

Laughter burst out at Victoria’s words. We got off the elevator in such a pleasant mood.

It wasn’t a bad start to the day.

Was it greedy to hope it would continue into a peaceful daily life? After just a few steps, Victoria’s muttering was heard.

“Oh, why is that guy…”

Looking up, Logan Redford was talking with the manager John Durfman.

Why was Logan here at such an early hour, before even going to work? Sidney’s eyes shook uneasily.