When I was surprised, she smiled brightly and pulled out a white stone from the water.

“This is an artifact invented by the Great Sorcerer. It creates steam to give the feeling of bathing and keeps the water at a pleasantly cool temperature.”

“That’s an incredible item. I’ve never seen anything so fascinating.”

“Hehe. Long ago, the Great Sorcerer made this specially when he visited the South. The previous Duke succeeded in distributing it, so we use it conveniently, but it might be rare in other territories.”

At those words, I stared intently at the white stone. It looked like an ordinary stone, yet it had such amazing functions. The Great Sorcerer must be an extraordinary person. That’s probably why he became the Great Sorcerer. I felt a bit uneasy. Could I really find the secret space hidden by such a remarkable sorcerer?

As I fully submerged my body, they poured liquid from a water bottle into the tub, and soon the bathroom was filled with a fruity fragrance.

It smells similar to the scent from Dante. Is it some kind of perfume used in the South?

Though I smelled it for the first time last night, the fruity scent made it feel especially refreshing. As I stared at the water bottle, a woman with black hair spoke.

“This is the aroma fragrance used by the Duke. It’s extracted from cherries and fragrant cacti. The desert sun is harsh, so it helps eliminate sweat odor and protects the skin barrier.”

“Is it okay to use something the Duke uses on me?”

“Of course. He said to use it generously since you’re an honored guest.”

An honored guest?

I had thought Dante was just being kind and treating me politely…

“Um, do you happen to know why I’m here?”

“Of course. Aren’t you a friend of the Duke, visiting for a while?”

Her innocent gaze, as if wondering why I’d ask such a thing, made me fumble with a vague response.

“Y-Yes, that’s right. Yes.”

It seems Dante kept the fact that he kidnapped me a secret.

To the people of the Southern territory, he was a good, upright, and just Duke. There was no need to ruin his image by letting it be known that he kidnapped me.

But… there’s something strange.

Why would someone like Dante kidnap me at this particular time? Just because Ivy told him to?

In the original story, Ivy began fully captivating the male leads after I became a corpse.

In other words, the real story only started after she took all my power.

After my death, the male leads who spent the night with Ivy said sweet things to her and went to great lengths to comfort her.

“Just me is enough, isn’t it?”

That line from Dante was also something he said after spending a night with Ivy.

So, it’s not time yet.

Ivy hasn’t taken my power yet, and Dante shouldn’t be that infatuated with her yet…

Lost in these thoughts, I finished bathing and was once again overwhelmed by hands fussing over me.

“Wow! You’re so beautiful!”

“How about trying this?”

“And this too!”

At first, it was just a loose, translucent dress, but for some reason, their eyes sparkled with admiration, and they lavishly adorned me with gold necklaces, rings, bracelets, and anklets.

I ended up wearing a sky-blue top and pants that barely covered my chest with a small piece of fabric, topped with a flowing, translucent lace skirt.

In this embarrassing outfit, I was led toward Dante.

Following the maids to the top floor, I saw a spacious hall filled with palm trees.

A large table was placed by the window, and there stood Dante.

“Your Grace, Lady Latieana has arrived.”

He looked completely different from yesterday.

‘Where am I supposed to look?’

Even his back made it hard to know where to place my eyes.

Dante was practically shirtless, dressed so lightly it was almost scandalous.

Thankfully, he was properly wearing white pants below.

As Dante turned toward me, my eyes instinctively darted to his muscular chest and chiseled arms.

I didn’t mean to look, but my gaze kept shifting. Trying my best not to focus on him, I rolled my eyes around and only then noticed that the other attendants were also shirtless.

I thought the maids’ outfits were revealing, but the men were on another level.

Now that I think about it, most people I’ve seen here were dressed quite scantily.

I was too nervous on the way to the dining hall to notice, but still.

Right. It’s the desert.

There’s no need for me to feel embarrassed alone, right?

Of course, unlike the other attendants, Dante exuded raw masculinity, making my face flush, but I’m not one to give in to that. Thanks to Edan, I’ve built up quite a resistance.

‘Bring it on, you pheromone machine!’

With firm resolve, I furrowed my brow and stared at Dante.

Whether I did that or not, Dante gestured with his hand for me to sit.

To others, he must have seemed like the perfect gentleman.

Kidnapping someone, and then acting like this! The ones who pretend to be kind are always the scariest.

“Good morning.”

Some good morning! And with the sun blazing like this, isn’t it already noon?

Despite his gentle greeting, I kept my lips tightly shut and stared at him.

“Please, have a seat.”

Of course, Dante pointed to the chair again, as if my reaction didn’t matter. I slowly sat down. Thanks to the attendants quickly preparing the food, the meal began without delay.

“Enjoy.”

As Dante started cutting a large steak, I held my knife and fork and asked,

“Are you planning to take me to Saintess Ivy?”

Dante’s knife paused.

“You knew?”

“Yes. Someone already tried.”

His expression hardened, and he let out a scoff.

“It must have been Sir Hillstain. He was more greedy for the Saintess’s privilege than anyone.”

“…?”

I tilted my head, trying to gather information from this conversation with Dante.

Privilege? What does that mean? Come to think of it, Hillstain mentioned something like that at the temple when I went to meet Ivy.

As I fell silent, Dante continued, as if reading my thoughts.

“You didn’t know?”

“Can I ask what you mean in detail?”

“If you promise to stay quiet without causing a fuss like trying to escape, I’ll tell you.”

I already know I can’t escape. Even if I got out of this maze-like building, it’s all desert outside. Especially at night, it’s impossible to leave.

“I will.”

When I nodded, Dante continued the conversation while cutting his meat.

“If I bring you to Saintess Ivy, she promised to grant a privilege.”

“What’s this privilege?”

“I heard you’re a candidate for Saintess, but you don’t know anything?”

“…”

Instead of answering, I blinked, and Dante spoke again.

“The greatest privilege of becoming the Great Saintess is the ability to grant priority healing to someone of your choice.”

It felt like I’d been hit in the back of the head.

“And you’re betting that on bringing me?”

“Yes. As you can see.”

Dante gestured outside with the knife in his hand, as if my presence in the middle of the desert was proof.

The knife’s tip glinted sharply in the sunlight.

Then it hit me.

It was briefly mentioned in the original story. But it wasn’t significant. Killian, Hillstain, Dante.

All three male leads, except Edan, used that privilege.

At first glance, it seems like it benefits Ivy little, but unless she designates someone specific, it’s a power she can use to her advantage however she wants.

For those with abilities, they’d want her healing power above all else, whether to relieve pain or for pleasure, in any situation.

My eyes widened.

So that’s why Hillstain was so desperate to take me, even by force.

It wasn’t just a simple request from Ivy.

First Hillstain. Now Dante. Next…

‘It might be Crown Prince Killian!’

I managed to get Hillstain on my side, but what about Dante?

Should I honestly tell him I think I have real power?

No. It doesn’t make sense, but the world’s injustices demand that the victim, not the perpetrator, provide proof.

The perpetrators can just deny it.

I still don’t have a solution for Ivy. If I speak carelessly, it could lead to worse consequences.

And as long as I haven’t found a way to avoid going to the temple, I can’t tell Dante the truth.

“But why didn’t you take me straight to the temple and brought me here instead?”

Dante set down the knife he was using to cut the steak.

At the clink, I glanced there briefly before meeting his eyes again.

“Because Prince Edan is heading there.”

To think he even anticipated that Edan would be looking for me.

“Since Sir Hillstain failed once, Prince Edan must know my purpose for kidnapping you, so he’ll obviously go to the temple. I don’t know your relationship, but he seems to like you quite a bit.”

“And then?”

“And then?”

“Yes. He’ll come looking for me. What will you do then? Didn’t you consider that he might suspect you and come here?”

“It doesn’t matter. You’ll be at the temple tomorrow night. By then, Prince Edan will be searching this place.”

Dante curved his eyes gently.

“But you won’t be here.”

His meticulous plan sent chills down my spine, but I tried to sound as calm as possible.

“You’ll fail. Grand Duke Edan will find me.”

“That’s why I just told you about the plan.”

Are you saying I shouldn’t even dream of hope?