“I woke up thanks to the water.”

I glanced at the clock.

1 o’clock… Given the bright sunlight, it couldn’t be 1 AM, so it must be 1 PM.

Is he setting me up to scold me for sleeping in? I shifted my gaze from the clock and quietly observed Edan.

‘Come to think of it, he’s in uniform.’

Edan’s appearance in his well-fitted, formal attire was impeccable.

Instead of the all-black combat uniform, he wore an elegant formal uniform adorned with brilliant gold ornaments.

As a result, Edan’s blonde hair and superior face seemed to shine even brighter than usual.

‘That’s right. Edan was originally a prince.’

Even his complexion, which had been a mess last night, looked better than usual.

Like someone who had a few days of good rest, or returned from a pleasant trip, as if yesterday’s events never happened.

There was no trace of the anguish from the night before.

Thank goodness. I’m alive and not a mummy, and Edan has returned to normal.

In this state, even if Edan goes to the ball today, he won’t immediately go crazy upon seeing Ivy.

Inwardly, I rejoiced.

Yes, damn it. There’s no law saying people have to die. If you struggle somehow, you’ll find a way to survive.

My life that overcame hardships and adversities… please let the end be peaceful.

No mummies! No burning to death!

A forest… a small cabin… colorful flowers planted around. And together with the affectionate Jenald. In my dream, Jenald was a bit off due to my guilt, but it’s okay. If I try a little harder like this, I might be able to escape from Edan.

I inflated my hope like a balloon again. However, Edan stared at me intently without saying a word, his thoughts unclear. Well. It wasn’t surprising anymore, as it had happened many times before.

“What’s with that outfit? Are you wearing it to go to the ball?”

“Yeah.”

Although I already knew where he was going, I pretended not to know and asked about his clothes. Edan gave a simple answer and then fell silent again.

“It looks great.”

“Does it?”

“Yes.”

“I see.”

Silence followed again. What’s going on? Why is he like this today?

“Um… so, are you feeling alright, Master?”

“Yeah.”

“Your condition is good?”

“Yeah.”

…Right. That’s good. It’s good, but why does he keep giving one-word answers?

I still can’t get used to this. It’s really troublesome to be on edge as soon as I open my eyes.

“Do you have something to say to me? If not…”

I couldn’t stay in this awkward situation just making eye contact forever, so I slowly began to pull back the covers and get up.

Then I paused, stopping my movement.

My clothes were the same as yesterday. They were a bit dirty and messy, but fortunately, even the unpredictable Edan seemed to have some empathy. It looks like what I said last time had an effect, as he didn’t touch my clothes today.

I turned my head slightly, and Edan spoke, slowly closing and opening his eyelids.

“I didn’t touch them.”

This man sometimes speaks as if he can read all my thoughts.

“I didn’t say anything.”

“Even if you don’t say anything, I can clearly see what you’re thinking. You’re simple, and I’m more perceptive than you think.”

Really amazing. He can insult someone right to their face.

“Is that so?”

“Yes. I was considerate. Didn’t want you throwing another tantrum.”

When did I ever throw such a tantrum?

I may have raised my voice a bit and hit him with my fist, but it had no effect at all.

Still, I’m grateful that he said he was considerate. Actually, it’s not something to be grateful for, but considering his usual self-centered behavior, he must have really thought about it this time.

“Th-”

“Or should I change your clothes for you now?”

…Okay. I take back my thanks. He was just trying to tease me.

“I decline!”

I quickly got up from my seat.

Then Edan hastily grabbed my arm, and I could feel his body temperature, which was certainly hotter than that of an ordinary person, transmitted through my wrist.

I turned my head again to look at Edan.

Are you really okay? Why are you so hot? Is it an aftereffect? No, really. I just dreamed of a hopeful future, please don’t do this.

“Master, are you sure you’re alright?”

“Why?”

That’s what I want to ask.

“Your body is hot, are you running a fever? Maybe…”

“You’re asking if it’s a side effect of the ability again?”

“…Yes.”

I nodded.

Because I’m not Ivy. The effects of the healing power might be short-lived.

Yesterday, it might have been a synergistic effect combined with the potion.

However, the words that came out of Edan’s mouth were completely different from my prediction.

“When I woke up this morning, there was a lump on the back of my head.”

I flinched.

“A-a lump?”

“Yes. Ruben said that if the lump gets really big, it can cause a fever. I think that’s why.”

“Ah… What did Sir Ruben say? Did he say why the lump appeared?”

“He said he didn’t know. Do you know?”

“M-me? Of course I don’t know.”

“Then I must have hit something while I was out of it. It’s quite possible given the situation.”

“T-then that’s a relief. I was worried you might still be in pain since you were struggling so much last night.”

The creased corner of the book flashed dizzyingly through my mind.

Right. Edan is human too, so he can get lumps. I did hit him pretty hard.

Feeling guilty, I quickly changed the subject.

“I still have some of the painkillers I was taking before, should I bring them to you?”

“No need. More importantly.”

Edan, still holding my arm, suddenly pulled me towards him.

Caught off guard, I plopped down on the bed next to him, and Edan placed his hand on the side of my waist and brought his face close.

“W-what… w-why?”

“I.”

“Yes.”

“Last night.”

“…Yes?”

Could he possibly remember?

“I feel like I bit, sucked, and licked something very delicious.”

Crazy!

“A-and?”

“And I think it was you.”

I didn’t expect him to ask so directly.

“…Hiccup!”

I hiccupped in surprise.

I take back what I said about him being gentle and kind today.

Edan was now staring directly into my eyes, cynical and sharp, like someone interrogating a wanted criminal.

It was written in the original work that ability users don’t remember situations well when they experience extreme pain close to death. So he shouldn’t remember what happened yesterday…

Does he really remember, or is he trying to test me? After pondering what to do, I decided to just laugh it off.

“Ahaha. I’m so shocked I’m even hiccupping.”

“What?”

Edan’s handsome brow furrowed.

“Didn’t you dream that, Master? What kind of unfunny joke is this?”

“Are you saying nothing happened between us yesterday?”

“Of course! It’s true that I was beside you yesterday, but I’m not food, how could such an outrageous thing as biting, sucking, and licking… Anyway, such an incredible thing… absolutely, definitely did not happen.”

I waved my hands with all my might, denying the truth.

It’s true that I helped Edan, but I absolutely don’t want to be caught.

My goal is only one. To finish my contract period, resign, and then marry Jenald and go to another kingdom to live an ordinary life as promised. It’s a modest future, but I have no other life than that!

“Latieana.”

“Yes.”

Edan’s voice calling me became as cold as usual.

And then, a light sneer appeared on his face.

“If you’re lying, you’ll be punished.”

“…”

Scary. Don’t suddenly emit killing intent with a smiling face! It’s terribly frightening!

“I’ll ask again.”

“…”

“Did really nothing happen?”

“…”

I slowly shook my head from side to side.

Whether he instinctively knows despite not remembering, Edan pressed me with a voice that was half-threatening.

At any other time, I might have honestly told the truth out of necessity, but I don’t want to be caught about this.

I don’t want to get entangled any closer than we are now.

“You can ask Sir Ruben. I was beside you, but I was just watching over you while Sir Ruben went to get the potion, and when the medicine took effect, I just caught you when you were about to collapse.”

“And then you ended up underneath me?”

“…Yes.”

To instill confidence, I nodded my head firmly and vigorously.

But Edan moved closer and closer… bringing his face near.

He really came so close that we were almost touching, and I flinched and backed away.

“Don’t move.”

Edan reached his hand behind my neck.

As his hot, large hand gripped my neck at once, I found myself in a situation where I couldn’t move even if I wanted to.

Because if I make even a slight mistake, Edan might apply force and break my neck.

I pressed my lips tightly and met his eyes quietly.

Although there was no moisture in them, Edan’s eyes gleamed brightly.

After staring at each other for a moment, Edan once again slowly pushed his face towards me, just short of touching.

Unlike my quickening breath, I could feel his calm and stable breathing close by.

“But why do you keep smelling sweet?”

What? What’s he talking about? Is he crazy? Is his sense of smell broken?

There’s no way I could smell like that right now. I haven’t even changed my clothes, and I’m still in the same state from last night’s incident, a mess of sweat and blood.

So, although I was pretending to be quite normal, I looked terrible.

“Aren’t you mistaken? I’m not some kind of food.”

That’s when it happened.

Knock knock, there was a light knocking sound, and then Ruben’s voice was heard.

“Breakfast, sheep.”

…What timing.

Please call me by my name!

“Come in.”

This is my room… Ruben opened the door after receiving Edan’s permission.

He was holding a tray in his hand, with a steaming hot bowl of soup on it.

“Let’s have a meal.”

Ruben very naturally handed the soup to me.

“Is this for me?”

“Yes.”

“Here?”

“Yes. Please eat.”

Maybe he’s being considerate because I fainted yesterday.

“Thank you.”

As I reached out my hand, Edan intervened between my arms and snatched the soup bowl.

Wasn’t that for me to eat?

As I looked bewilderedly back and forth between Ruben, the bowl, and Edan, Ruben bowed his head and turned around as if it wasn’t his concern. And I stopped him.

“By the way, Sir Ruben.”

“Yes.”

“Um… do you have to call me ‘breakfast’ or ‘sheep’?”

“…”

Ruben’s eyes rolled towards Edan.

“As I mentioned before, please discuss that with the Duke.”

“But…”

Ruben left the room just like that.

No! Why!