Dietrich Calypso’s expression remained indifferent as he uttered the shocking words, as if he were talking about someone else’s affair.

“You mean you intended to use me to warm your younger sister’s bed?”

“……Yes.”

A long silence settled between the two.

After a while, Celia Brillion finally parted her lips.

“So, did you accept the offer?”

Even as she asked, Celia believed Dietrich would never agree to such an absurd proposal from Ileon Gredrick.

Instead of answering her question, Dietrich crossed his arms and leaned back against the chair.

Unlike his usual meticulous self who fastidiously buttoned every button, his collar was left loosely open, revealing his well-toned upper body beneath the slightly parted shirt.

“Well, what do you think it was like?”

Despite his disheveled appearance, Dietrich’s face was utterly dry as he turned the question back to her.

“If I could guarantee my life in exchange for a brief humiliation, I don’t see it as such a bad deal.”

“…….”

“Since Ileon has become the new emperor, pretending to cooperate with him buys us time to prepare accordingly.”

At his calm tone, a sigh-like response slipped through Celia’s clenched teeth.

“……I see.”

To endure a brief humiliation in exchange for one’s life.

Celia tried to imagine the situation from Dietrich’s perspective, not her own.

Had Dietrich chosen to go to war instead of the previous option, Celia would have been left isolated in the palace alone. Even if he had chosen to abandon her, the outcome would have been the same.

Dietrich’s choice, which might seem somewhat foolish, was both a desperate effort to protect her and an unavoidable decision.

The resolve to sacrifice his own body for someone who was merely an ally.

Celia knew better than anyone that she could never have done the same.

Had Ileon demanded her body in exchange for sparing Dietrich’s life,

she would rather have died on the spot than comply.

Celia’s terminal condition had come about from recklessly using her powers to protect herself from men who lusted after her.

Therefore, Celia didn’t feel the slightest gratitude toward Dietrich.

She had never forced him to sacrifice himself.

She had never pushed him toward sleeping with Ileon’s sister.

And yet, she felt as though she had somehow become the villain.

Even while suspecting Dietrich, she didn’t know how to react when he acted this way.

Dietrich’s eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at Celia.

“What are you thinking about?”

Celia, lost in thought, turned her gaze toward Dietrich.

She, more than anyone, wanted to ask him:

What were you thinking, making such a decision?

Seeing him make such an important choice unilaterally, without consulting her at all, made her mouth go completely dry.

“I was……”

Celia began to speak, then firmly shut her mouth.

Because in her mind, the scene of Dietrich entwined with Ileon’s sister replayed itself involuntarily.

Thinking of those lips, which had kissed her, now kissing that woman.

Thinking of those hands, which had fed her, touching that woman instead.

Celia felt anger boiling up from the soles of her feet.

She desperately hoped Dietrich wouldn’t make such a pitiful sacrifice.

That he wouldn’t be deceived by that snake-like Ileon and throw himself away so carelessly.

But she also dreaded letting Dietrich see these emotions of hers.

It would seem as though she were jealous, wouldn’t it?

Celia’s eyes turned cold as she looked at Dietrich.

Seeing Celia’s troubled expression, Dietrich called out to her in a worried voice.

“……Celia?”

Dietrich stood up and placed his large hand on Celia’s forehead.

His downward gaze was gentle, his hand warm against her forehead, and the warmth made her feel as though she might completely surrender herself—so she closed her eyes, as if turning away.

“While I was gone, what did Ileon do to you?”

Even now, he was worrying about her.

The words “Worry about yourself!” rose up to Celia’s throat.

“I left you at the mansion because I didn’t want to wake you while you were sound asleep. If I’d known you’d come looking for me, I should’ve at least left a message.”

It was strange that Dietrich’s belated explanation didn’t sound unpleasant to her.

“I’m sorry. My conversation with Lady Reina took longer than expected, so I ended up returning so late.”

At Dietrich’s words, Celia felt a sharp pang in her chest.

Was that why he had come back in such a disheveled state?

While she slept unaware, had he perhaps been with that morally corrupt princess— Ileon’s sister?

Celia wanted to ask Dietrich what kind of conversation they had, but she said nothing.

She had constantly tried not to depend on Dietrich.

Continually doubted him, tested him, refused to fully trust him—yet still couldn’t bring herself to let go.

Had she perhaps become too immersed in playing the role of a fake lover?

Celia found herself ridiculous, even in her own thoughts.

Whether Dietrich left the mansion or not, whether he met someone and did whatever—he did, there was absolutely no reason for her to feel hurt.

‘I’ve just gotten used to being with this man.’

Celia slowly opened her eyes, which had been closed.

Immediately, Dietrich’s hand on her forehead dropped away.

“No fever. Is something troubling you?”

In response to Dietrich’s concerned voice, Celia answered in a flat tone.

“I’m fine.”

In truth, she wasn’t fine.

“Troubling me? How could there be anything like that?”

Actually, I was thinking about you sleeping with another woman.

“Just tired from wandering around looking for you since morning.”

I hope you never find out about these feelings of mine.

Celia lied, unwilling to admit even to herself that she had unknowingly grown attached to Dietrich.

Rubbing her forehead, Celia stood up from her seat.

“If we’re done talking, I’ll go to my room now.”

Without even glancing at Dietrich’s expression, Celia left the room.

Thud.

Only a quiet stillness lingered in the room after Celia’s departure.

Dietrich gazed silently at the spot where Celia had just been.

—So, did you accept the offer?

He recalled how Celia’s eyes, looking up at him, had seemed like the moon reflected on water.

She had looked at him with concern, unlike her usual playful and cheerful self.

He liked that she worried about him.

It made him feel as though he might actually mean something precious to her.

That was why he deliberately acted indifferent, saying such words as:

If I could guarantee my life in exchange for brief humiliation, it wasn’t such a bad deal.

—……I see.

A sigh-like response had escaped Celia as she lowered her gaze.

She had seemed about to say something, but then tightly sealed her lips, lost in private thoughts.

Dietrich wondered what Celia was thinking.

Did she now find him laughable, as the captain of the Imperial Knights, unable to deal with Ileon immediately?

Did she think him foolish and pitiful?

Was she regretting teaming up with him only now?

As he watched Celia lost in thought, many ideas crossed his mind.

—I was…….

Later, as Celia tried to speak in a faint voice, she closed her mouth again.

Instead of speaking, she stared at him with a face tangled in complex emotions.

When he had been talking with Lady Reina Gredrick, Ileon’s sister, he had wished time would pass quickly.

—In the end, you were going to come to me anyway. Why drag it out so long?

At first, he had even considered threatening Reina to get leverage over Ileon.

But Dietrich knew well that Ileon wasn’t the kind of man who would blink even if his own sister were taken hostage.

He had remained still even as his shirt was unbuttoned, all because he feared Celia might be endangered.

—Break up with your lover now. Otherwise, I’ll ask my brother to have that woman killed.

Reina had grinned wickedly as she said that—her expression uncannily similar to her older brother Ileon.

—You should’ve listened when I was being nice. Why did you reject my confession and cause this mess?

Her hand caressing his cheek with lust-filled eyes had been deeply unpleasant.

—The ball will be held a few days after my brother’s coronation. Escort me then. And tonight…… you know?

Dietrich slowly blinked, tilting his head back.

—Fine.

Celia’s word “fine” kept circling in Dietrich’s mind.

‘Do you know you said it with a face that was clearly anything but fine?’

Celia’s sorrowful appearance pierced his heart painfully.

Dietrich looked down at his own hand that had touched Celia’s forehead.

Developing unwanted vulnerabilities was bothersome.

‘It would’ve been better if I’d never met you from the start.’

She was the woman who, covered in blood, had burst into laughter in the Emperor’s chambers.

One moment acting as if she had no attachment to life, the next sparkling with joy at the taste of sweet food.

Her eyelashes trembling as she swallowed his saliva, and……

—Run away.

Celia’s coy smile kept circling in Dietrich’s mind.

He forcefully pushed the memories away.

‘Hypotheticals are worse than useless.’

Dietrich had to admit it.

Without even realizing it, being with Celia had become familiar.