Therefore, Ibi was worried about Dias.

Having prepared to join, Ibi continued to wait for the time to join Dias while pretending to be a maid.

But Cassel Montra’s side was a rather annoying place despite being safe.

“All right, I’m done. Clear it away.”

“Just a bit more, please. If you don’t eat, your body will suffer.”

The reason was the endless complaints of a Marquess in his thirties about the food on the table.

Too salty, too sweet, spoiled, and it smells like dirt. The guy criticized every detail of the dining table.

While watching that scene, Ibi had to constantly make an effort not to make a sound of disgust.

“People eat it, you know.”

‘Speaking ill of a house pig master…’

“Clean it up since nothing suits my taste. I’ve lost my appetite.”

‘Yeah, just don’t eat and starve to death.’

Ibi inwardly cursed the bloated pig while waiting for this tedious dinner to end quickly.

When Cassel, who rudely poked around the food, finally stopped, he ordered everyone to clear it away.
Ibi, along with other servants, approached the grand dining table to clear it away. However, Cassel, who was wiping his mouth with a napkin, suddenly poked Ibi and held her.

“You stay for a moment.”

It was an unexpected summons.

‘What’s this? Is he asking where the stone came from?’

If she asks, she can only answer that it’s from a flowerpot.

Ibi briefly tensed, fearing she might give a clumsy response. However, she soon changed her mind.

‘If I get caught, he’ll probably put me to sleep. Well, whatever.’

Anyway, one of them will meet a fate of doom. So, what’s the use of thinking about the consequences?

Lightened in heart, Ibi approached Cassel.

Soon, only Ibi and Cassel were left in the room. Then Cassel suddenly asked,

“Do such things happen often?”

Ibi almost burst into laughter.

It was so similar to the question the Marquess asked from above, and moreover, the reason for that question was this Cassel Montra.

So, Ibi became very cunning and cheeky. The attitude that seemed to say, “Tell me about it,” was irritating even for the second time.

“It happens frequently. Similar things happened in the evening too.”

Regardless of her mood, Ibi answered diligently. Then Cassel asked,

“How long have you been working here?”

“I haven’t worked here. …I’m just passing as a slave.”

“Hmm…”

Feeling the atmosphere somewhat strained by Ibi’s hasty addition,

“Family?”

“I don’t have one.”

“When did you part ways?”

“When I was very young, so I don’t remember.”

Cassel asked consecutive questions, and Ibi answered casually, wondering what this guy was up to.

Although half of her face was covered by a mask, Cassel’s interest was clearly felt.

He seemed to be in the mood to ask various questions until her identity is revealed. So, to stop the questions, Ibi played her card.

“Do you find me pitiful?”

“Uh.”

Cassel nodded without hesitation. Then, he soon raised his head again.

“No, no. It’s not about pitying…”

Choosing his words for a moment, Cassel mumbled very seriously.

“I just don’t understand why you’re living like that.”

‘…Really, what’s up with this guy?’

After thinking hard, the words he came up with were like that.

Ibi looked at Cassel with disbelief. She made a very explicit disrespectful expression, but thanks to the mask, she wasn’t caught.

“Humanly, isn’t it a bit miserable? Living like that, unable to even receive human treatment. Even if you endure it so hard, there’s no sign of your situation getting better, and you don’t even think about changing it, nor do you have the ability.”

Cassel’s reproach was serious. Even without malicious intent, it was a statement made sincerely, as if he was genuinely curious.

“In the end, it’s no different from being livestock. Do you think there’s any meaning or value in enduring such a life?”

Ibi felt very disgusted by his rude and indifferent words. If she were the real victim receiving this question, it seemed like she couldn’t stand it and would be furious.

He must be a really unbearable guy, but even so, due to the curse, Ibi honestly answered.
“…I don’t know well, but there might be some meaning and value. Good things happen as you live.”

“What good things?”

“Like missing someone.”

“A lover?”

“No, I hoped for that, but it was a completely unfamiliar person I never had a chance with.”

“In the meantime, unrequited love.”

Cassel muttered as if it were troublesome, and Ibi was so angry that she almost threw her mask.

Ibi was doing her best not to kill Cassel, but Cassel sighed and muttered.

“I really can’t understand. What on earth is it?”

Cassel’s ignorance was unmatched in arrogance.

He found his noble life so natural that he was marveling at the lives of others far below him. He casually evaluated their worth and debated the meaning.

Ibi found all aspects of Cassel Montra’s thinking, which allowed such ideas, utterly contemptible. However, due to the curse, she had no choice but to answer once again.

“It’s something you can’t understand because you’re looking from too far away. If you come closer, you’ll know. Whether you’re above or below, in the end, we are all the same people.”

Ibi pondered the unexpected answer that came out.

Then, she reluctantly admitted with a very humiliating feeling.

Despite being a bit rough, Cassel’s question was similar to Ibi’s long-standing concerns.

Why do I, who lives a life clearly worth living, seem so miserable to others?

Why am I so noble, and why are you so miserable?

I am me, and why are you you?

In the end, facing the same question, Ibi added a little kindness.

“And once you understand, it will be frightening.”

“What’s there to be afraid of?”

“Even though we are clearly the same people, we live such different lives.”

This was the answer Ibi had found over a long period.

At that moment, an unwelcome guest arrived in the dark corridor filled only with the sound of rain.

A man cheerfully crossing the quiet corridor.

He was a snake with a black cloak turned inside out.

Returning to the arena, the snake naturally strolled through the corridor, looked at the large jars displayed in the corridor, and smiled slightly.

He casually lifted the bottom of one of the jars and found the note underneath.

Every hour on the hour from 9 PM to midnight. External 4th floor, west corridor, innermost storage room.

The snake happily read the beautiful handwriting on the note and smiled with joy, looking forward to the upcoming meeting, then sealed it with a kiss.