Ivy was a kind-hearted character, willing to sacrifice herself for the empire—or for the suffering male leads. And true to the novel’s 19+ nature, as the story progressed, Ivy thoroughly enjoyed and was satisfied by those very moments. She experienced pleasure just as much as the male leads did. That’s why it could’ve ended as a happy polyamorous ending.

Except for Edan.

I didn’t realize it back then, but now, looking back, perhaps the reason he never allowed any woman near him—with that handsome face of his—was due to the trauma he mentioned before.

But with me, it was clearly different……

Recalling Edan’s contradictory behavior, my face flushed hot. The more I thought about it, the stranger it became.

Even if it’s because of my healing ability—I’m not Ivy, and my healing power is negligible—how could he possibly be tempted to that extent by me? It remained a complete mystery.

“Ah!”

I suddenly remembered Edan’s lecherous gaze and greedy hands.

No, not me. Absolutely not. Nope. Can’t do it. No matter how many times I think about it, it’s impossible.

Watching and doing it yourself are entirely different matters, right? Because there’s no love involved! It’s unfair to have to give up my body just because of some healing ability!

Love is missing! Love! Well, at this point, love is utterly useless anyway. And I swear, unconditional kindness is equally useless.

Didn’t I get scammed by trusting a sweet, gentle man? Damn it, Jenald popped into my head.

“Damn.”

Never again will there be a sweet guy in my life. I’ll be on guard, always.

I didn’t have this kind of dark history in my past life, but that bastard turned me into a stalker and a fool. I scrunched my face up with all my might.

“Princess Latie.”

I hadn’t sensed anyone approaching, but Edan called out to me from behind. When I turned around, he was staring at me—not beside me, but right by the front door. Evening had already fallen.

“Call me either Latie or Princess. Pick one.”

Combining both is cheating. It’s cringey and gives me chills—just call me by my name. Grumbling, I watched as Edan gave a small, understanding nod.

“Then, Princess.”

Ugh! I really hate that.

“Come here.”

To think I’m in a position where I have to move at his single word.

I wanted to snap back, “You come here!” but in this rigidly hierarchical society, Edan is, after all, my master.

And anyway, I can’t defy Edan.

“Normally… don’t people pick the name? Why deliberately choose the other one?”

“Because it’s fun watching you get embarrassed.”

Suddenly, Edan grabbed my hand. I’d grown somewhat used to him gripping my wrist, but this time he went further—he took my actual hand. I flinched involuntarily.

The wrist Hillstain had grabbed was already fully healed.

“I thought this before too—why are your hands so small?”

“…….”

Humanly speaking, don’t you ever think your own hands are huge? You grab people’s heads like they’re balls.

And then mutter weird nonsense like “it might break.”

Are you picking a fight because I missed dinner time, even though you said you weren’t hungry?

I shot Edan a sharp glare.

But why is this man dressed so impeccably? I peeked sideways through the open front door at the clock hanging inside the house.

It was just past 7 p.m. In a couple of hours, it’d be time to head to the Indestructible Wall.

Normally, he’d be dressed in his knight’s uniform at this hour…

But Edan wore a formal jacket adorned with gold trim, a crisp black shirt, and a white cravat—as if attending some important event. Glancing at our reflections faintly mirrored in the window, we looked exactly like a prince and his maid.

Seriously, we don’t match at all. Judging by my shabby outfit alone, I looked like a criminal being dragged off by the prince.

Following Edan into the library, I saw the portal glowing brightly, already open. I looked up at him and asked,

“Where are we going?”

“Mm.”

Passing through the dazzling light, we emerged before a magnificent building—but the situation was completely different from the last time I came here with Ruben. For one, it was evening now.

“Welcome!”

What? What is this? A sudden, booming welcome rang out.

Startled by the crowd before me, I instinctively stepped back.

I nearly slipped out of Edan’s grasp, but he tightened his grip and yanked me back toward him.

“Don’t let go.”

Edan’s voice was calm.

Dozens of people lined both sides of the red carpet, bowing deeply—none dared to lift their heads.

As if looking at me were forbidden.

I wanted to ask what was going on, but Edan walked forward steadily, pulling me straight down the center of the red carpet.

Glancing around, I observed the people on either side—even while bowing, they were all clearly dressed in neat uniforms or maid outfits.

Suddenly, when I noticed their shoes, I felt deeply embarrassed.

Because I, walking on the soft center of the carpet, was the one who least belonged here.

Tell me what’s going on! I stared desperately at Edan, my eyes pleading.

“It’s nothing. Just come along.”

Perceptive as always, Edan didn’t even look at me—he replied as if he knew exactly what I was thinking.

The people lining the carpet didn’t raise their heads even as we passed and climbed the grand staircase into the building.

Inside, I saw several round tables covered with fine linens.

A restaurant? Out of nowhere?

Okay, fine, it was partly my fault for not preparing dinner. I get that you’re hungry! But if you were going to bring me to a place like this, at least give me a heads-up!

After briefly glancing at the dazzling crystal chandelier reflecting blinding light, I lowered my gaze—and saw our reflections clearly in a mirror mounted on the wall.

Damn it. I want to cry. I know this is my current situation, but still… I feel humiliated.

Edan’s handsome face, elegantly dressed in expensive clothes, his figure perfectly accentuated by the tailored uniform.

Beside him, me—short, thin, dressed in unfashionable, rustic clothes.

There were no proper maid uniforms in the mansion, so I usually wore a simple white top with light frills and lace, paired with a maroon skirt.

Of course, I was dressed the same now—no wonder I was so flustered. To come to such an elegant, luxurious place dressed like a ragged maid.

Regardless of my feelings, Edan walked straight through the empty first floor and headed upstairs to the second floor.

Only then, seeing no one else around, did I finally blurt out to Edan,

“If you were going to bring me to a place like this, you could’ve at least warned me. Nobody else dresses like me.”

Even the staff who greeted us so respectfully downstairs were dressed more stylishly than I was.

“Don’t worry about it. Nobody cares about clothes.”

I care! I’m the one wearing them!

Edan led me to the terrace.

My sulking expression lasted only a moment—I was startled by the table prepared right in the center of the terrace.

Strangely, once we reached the second floor, there wasn’t a single attendant around, yet the table stood alone, perfectly set.

From drinks and water to an excessive amount of high-end dishes—everything was ready.

Momentarily distracted by the sight, I didn’t resist as Edan gently guided me into a chair—then lightly tapped my head and laughed.

Since Edan immediately turned around and walked to his own seat, I scowled.

And in my extreme fluster, I accidentally blurted out something I’d never even considered before:

“If I’d known this would happen, I’d have bought at least one dress…”

I didn’t mean it. I never had any intention of buying a dress—and since I’d be running away anyway, less luggage was better.

I could feel Edan staring down at me, but I decided not to care what he was thinking.

He’d called me ugly before—maybe now he was finally bothered by how I looked.

Starting from the complicated array of forks, knives, spoons, and other utensils, this was my first proper formal meal, and it was quite difficult. But thanks to Edan—who neither corrected me nor looked at me strangely—I managed to finish the meal without major mishaps.

After dinner, Edan and I walked around the terrace to the lounge on the opposite side.

Stepping into the lounge, which opened outward from the building, an entirely new scenery unfolded before us.

I’d thought it was a two-story building, but the opposite side was a cliff—with a river flowing beneath it.

“Wow…”

I could only gasp in awe.

The cliff looked as if carved with surgical precision. Below, the river shimmered blue under the moonlight, dotted with tiny glowing boats.

It was like someone had taken a beautiful masterpiece from a museum, removed it from its frame, and placed it right here.

It was so breathtakingly beautiful that, for a brief moment, I forgot everything else and simply stared, mouth agape.

Fearlessly, Edan sat sideways on the railing, legs casually draped over.

“Princess.”

Again. Teasing me as he extended his hand, I hesitated—then reached out.

The instant my fingertips touched his hand, he yanked me sharply by the waist.

In that split second, before I could even brace myself, my body slid between his legs.

Startled by how tightly we were pressed together, I tried to push him away and retreat—but as expected, he didn’t budge. Damn, he’s strong.

With one hand firmly supporting my waist, Edan used his other hand to pull mine close to his face.

“Touch me.”

Huh?

Did I just hear that?

“You think I’m handsome, right?”

Wh—what kind of logic is that? I can’t deny it, but what does me thinking you’re handsome have to do with me needing to touch your face right now?

“……So what?”

“You said last time you wanted to touch my face. Go ahead. Touch it.”

Ah, he meant back when my hand was injured. But I still didn’t understand why he’d bring that up at this moment.

Then again, he’s always been incomprehensible.

It was Edan who said something terrifying, yet somehow, I was the one who ended up flustered.

Worse, Edan looked thoroughly amused—even his lips curled upward in delight.

“No…”

“You can touch me.”

“No! I have no intention of doing that.”

Rejection must be firm.

“Touch me when I tell you to.”

But Edan’s voice, even firmer than mine, rang out. His tone had dropped low—sounding downright menacing.

Is he angry? Still, I have zero intention of touching him.

“No, I mean, I really don’t want to…”

“Latie.”

Ugh. I froze. Edan had slipped his hand behind my neck.

His previously faint smile had vanished entirely as he whispered softly,

“I told you to touch me. Me.”