Ascan’s face, which had maintained a poker face until now, suddenly crumpled.

This time, the shift in emotion was visibly significant. Anyone could tell he was clearly displeased with my goodwill.

He clicked his tongue slightly, then let out a small sigh.

“…Haa.”

It was a breath so quiet one wouldn’t notice unless paying close attention.

Yet he didn’t utter a single word of refusal.

In a way, it was only natural. Regardless of his true feelings, I was now a noble young lady, and his status was that of a lowly slave.

“Hmm-hmm.”

I coughed awkwardly out of sheer discomfort.

Though I felt slightly guilty about manipulating him so blatantly when his emotions were so obvious, this was the only way if I wanted to keep him close.

‘I said I’d treat you well, didn’t I?’

Ascan stared at me as if wondering what scheme I was plotting this time, but I confidently straightened my shoulders and pointed toward the room he’d been staying in.

“Anyway, pack your things and come out. I’ve decided to move your quarters inside the mansion.”

“…Understood.”

Ascan instantly reverted to his blank expression. Without another word, he walked into the room he’d been staying in and began packing.

A short while later, he emerged holding an extremely small bundle.

It was so sparse I doubted even a single proper set of clothes could fit inside.

“That’s all you have?”

“Yes.”

For some reason, his appearance left a bitter taste in my mouth, as if I’d chewed sand.

I knew from the novel how painfully Ascan had survived.

To others, he was nothing more than a lab rat. Even as he writhed in agony that felt like death, no one ever asked if he was alright—let alone gave him a single painkiller.

Everyone’s interest lay solely in the results of the human weapon experiments. No one cared about Ascan, the subject of those brutal biological tests.

He’d grown up like this since childhood. Never receiving care from anyone, the only world he knew was the cold laboratory.

So when, later on, he said he wished the entire world would just collapse, I thought—if I’d grown up like Ascan, I probably would’ve felt the same.

Seeing Ascan’s childhood—previously known to me only through the novel—now firsthand made my heart ache.

The tiny bundle in his hand seemed to symbolize his detachment from everything.

“Are you kidding? What will you do when winter comes? That’s all your luggage?”

Perhaps that’s why—I just couldn’t leave him be.

“…Yes?”

“No, this won’t do. Let’s go buy you some proper clothes right now.”

Of course, I wasn’t entirely without selfish motives—I did want him to think better of me.

“I’m fine as I am.”

“I’ll decline your refusal. Like I said earlier, I fully intend to treat you extremely well.”

Ascan’s expression changed strangely. I couldn’t tell what he was thinking, but one thing was certain—he still distrusted me.

But I didn’t care. As far as I knew, no one disliked being showered with gifts.

“Follow me.”

I walked ahead first. Then, a sudden thought made me turn around.

I saw the steward I’d summoned to discuss room assignments trailing far behind me, keeping a wide distance from Ascan.

“Let the steward carry Ascan’s luggage.”

“Yes? Me?”

“Do I need to say it twice?”

“Oh—no, Miss.”

The steward, looking bewildered, took Ascan’s light bundle.

Ascan stared at me with a peculiar gaze, but I swiftly turned my head forward and urged him to walk faster.

From now on, I intended to show him through actions rather than words.

Returning to my room with Ascan, I announced to the maids:

“Starting today, Ascan is my personal attendant. He will accompany me in every single thing I do—remember that.”

The maids’ expressions varied upon hearing my words, but one common emotion united them all:

Sympathy for Ascan.

They all looked at him with pitying eyes, seemingly wondering what new torment I had planned for him.

‘Just how bad is my reputation among people?’

As far as I knew, Tanashia had been a timid child. But judging by people’s reactions and the fact I’d apparently whipped Ascan before, she already seemed fully equipped with villainess traits.

Shaking my head, I addressed the maids again.

“Where’s the tailor I summoned?”

“Yes, Miss. He has just arrived.”

“Let him in.”

At my command, the tailor entered the room. I gestured to stop him as he headed straight toward me, then pointed to Ascan.

“Not me—take my attendant’s measurements.”

“Oh, yes. Understood.”

The tailor looked momentarily flustered but quickly recovered and began measuring Ascan without further hesitation.

Though this situation seemed awkward for Ascan too, his perpetually blank expression made it impossible to discern his thoughts.

Beside him, I selected fabric materials for his custom-made outfits and also purchased several pre-made sample men’s garments.

Shopping was always enjoyable, whether for myself or for someone else.

Time flowed like water, and finally, I instructed Ascan to try on one of the sample outfits I’d bought as a temporary solution.

When the fitting room door slid open, everyone’s eyes widened.

“Wow—”

An indistinct gasp escaped someone’s lips.

Dressed in elegant attire, Ascan looked utterly transformed—he radiated such nobility one could easily mistake him for actual aristocracy.

I’d already thought he was a pretty boy even in his ragged clothes, but properly dressed like this, “handsome” didn’t even begin to describe him.

All eyes—including mine and the maids’—were fixed on Ascan. Even the tailor who’d recommended the outfit seemed astonished by his transformation.

“It’s as if the clothes have finally found their rightful owner.”

“Indeed. Worth every penny invested.”

Smiling contentedly, I signed off on purchasing all the outfits I’d selected.

Ascan stood expressionlessly, like a doll being dressed up against his will—but unlike before, he now shone brilliantly.

“Move all the remaining clothes to Ascan’s room.”

“Yes, Miss.”

The maids responded energetically and carried out the clothes I’d bought for Ascan.

Though I’d instructed the steward to arrange Ascan’s room as close to mine as possible, it was inevitably still far from where I stayed.

Watching the busy maids, I turned my gaze toward Ascan. He stood like a mannequin in the fitting room, silently watching me.

“Aren’t you getting hungry yet?”

It was only natural to feel hungry after shopping.

This time, I headed to the dining hall together with Ascan.

Some people stared at us curiously, but since rumors had apparently already spread that I’d appointed him as my attendant, the general atmosphere seemed accepting.

As usual, the meal was served as a full-course dinner.

From appetizers onward, countless plates appeared and disappeared from the table.

Though Ascan gave no outward sign, his awkward grip on the fork and knife revealed he was unfamiliar with this setting.

Thinking about it, that was only natural.

He’d been subjected to experiments in the Karua Empire since childhood, and here, he’d only suffered as a slave. He’d likely never had the chance to experience such meals.

I cut my steak into bite-sized pieces and offered the plate to Ascan.

“Eat this for today. Later, when you have time, practice using utensils. From now on, since you’ll be dining with me, you’ll need to get used to it.”

“Yes.”

Without protest, Ascan accepted the plate I offered.

I’d thought he might refuse, but that turned out to be needless worry.

Instead, he didn’t thank me. He simply carried out my instructions faithfully, like a dutiful slave.

‘If he’s this emotionally barren now, what kind of person will he become after being dragged back into the lab again?’

He already seemed accustomed to hiding his emotions. The thought of him becoming even more detached was almost unimaginable.

I stared silently at Ascan for a moment, then refocused on my meal.

I never expected him to open up to me easily. I planned to steadily show him kindness without rushing.

Fortunately, that wasn’t particularly difficult for me.

Being kind to someone meant sharing things I enjoyed with them.

In short, I just needed to include Ascan in whatever I felt like doing.

Suddenly remembering something, I spoke to him.

“Our family owns many villas—how about we take some time off and visit one?”

“You mean… I come too?”

“Yes. Whether you prefer the sea or the mountains, just tell me which you’d like.”

“I don’t really have…”

“Actually, no need to choose—we can visit both.”

“…”

“Do you know how to swim? If not, I’ll teach you. It’s not that hard.”

Tiny cracks seemed to be forming in Ascan’s blank expression. My words appeared completely unexpected to him.

I smiled brightly, looking straight at him as he seemed flustered.

“Why so surprised? Life’s meant to be enjoyed moderately. What’s the big deal?”

I’d felt this even more keenly after experiencing death once.

My goal in this life was to survive until my natural lifespan ended—but I had no intention of wasting that time in misery.

Since I’d reincarnated into a golden-spoon character, it’d be a loss not to enjoy it.

“Oh, you might not even know what ‘enjoying life’ means. Don’t worry—I’ll teach you from now on.”

It wasn’t hard at all. Just spend the inexhaustible fortune eating whatever I wanted and playing however I pleased.

Doing exactly as I wished while also earning points with Ascan? Two birds with one stone.

“Well, tastes differ—just because I like something doesn’t mean you will. But if you don’t speak up, I won’t know. So from now on, if you dislike something I do, just say so.”

At my words, Ascan’s golden eyes darkened slightly.

“How could I possibly dare to say such a thing?”

For some reason, it sounded sarcastic. Understandable—after all, I’d previously whipped him without hesitation, so my sudden change in attitude must seem unbelievable.

But I was sincere.

“Whether you believe me or not is your freedom. Judge me by my actions from now on. Either way, you won’t lose anything.”

Ascan gave no reply. But his silence didn’t bother me—perhaps I was getting used to his taciturn nature.

Truthfully, I didn’t need his permission for my affectionate campaign. Since I didn’t know what he liked, I could only push forward in my own way.

Noticing Ascan seemed to have finished eating, I spoke again.

“Then, shall we take a walk to aid digestion?”

Outside, night had already fallen, cloaking everything in darkness.

Though the mansion’s lights made the surroundings feel more glamorous than pitch-black, the night view wasn’t what I’d come to see.

“Hmm, maybe I should go a bit further inward.”

Muttering to myself, I walked toward the garden, farther from the mansion.

Ascan followed me silently. I had no intention of treating him as a slave, but he likely interpreted my invitation to walk as a command.

I wasn’t entirely satisfied with our current dynamic, but since I had no alternative, I let it be.

As I kept heading deeper into the unlit, dark garden, Ascan—who had followed quietly at first—asked in a puzzled tone:

“How far are you going?”

“We’re here. Ah, that spot over there will do.”

I pointed to a chair illuminated faintly in the garden. It resembled a sunbed, allowing one to recline backward—I liked it even more for that.

“Why here…?”

Ignoring Ascan’s wary gaze, I sat down first.

Looking up, I saw stars densely scattered across the night sky.

It seemed trivial, yet I could count on one hand the number of times I’d gazed at the night sky in my life.

I patted the seat beside me, looking at Ascan who stood stiffly.

“What are you waiting for? Come sit here.”

Ascan stared at me as if unable to comprehend, but eventually sat beside me without protest.

He sat rigidly upright, staring straight ahead—which struck me as so absurd I couldn’t help laughing.

“Who just sits stiffly when told to sit? Look up at the night sky—it’s beautiful.”

Only then did Ascan’s gaze turn toward the heavens.

His eyes, initially appearing indifferent, suddenly widened.

For the first time, Ascan looked like a boy his own age. I turned my gaze back to the endless night sky.

Sometimes, people are moved by the most trivial things.

For me, it was the night sky. I’d passed beneath it daily without thought, yet suddenly looking up made my chest ache inexplicably.

“Have you ever looked up at the night sky like this before?”

“…No.”

“So today is your first time?”

“Yes.”

I was startled by the unexpected answer. But reflecting on Ascan’s past, it made sense.

“I’m glad I brought you. Whenever you want to see it again, just look. By the way, stars aren’t visible in bright places—you need darkness like this to see them clearly.”

“Why?”

“Who knows? Stars are just like that. They only shine in darkness.”

Ascan didn’t reply. But even without turning to confirm, I knew he was gazing up at the night sky.

“Isn’t it beautiful?”

“…Yes.”

“I’ll teach you many more good things from now on. I did promise to show you what ‘enjoying life’ means.”

At my words, Ascan turned his gaze from the sky and looked at me. His deep golden eyes shimmered with complex emotion.

Without realizing it, I smiled back at him.

“Let’s have fun together from now on.”

And don’t forget—later, you’re supposed to save my life.

But contrary to my expectations, Ascan’s eyes gradually lowered as he looked at me. His expression, which had briefly softened into that of a boy his age, had already returned to its usual state.

Just as I felt puzzled by the sudden shift in atmosphere,

Ascan spoke in a lowered voice, staring straight at me.

“Have you changed your method?”

“Method?”

“Don’t pretend you don’t know. No matter how sweetly you speak, Miss, I truly know nothing.”

“No, that’s not what I—”

In the original story I’d seen in my dream, Tanashia had researched the ancient script and magical formula inscribed on Ascan, seeking to gain his water-manipulating ability.

But that had absolutely nothing to do with me now.

‘How do I explain this?’

While I paused to organize my thoughts, Ascan’s voice continued.

“You asked me to tell you how to steal the ability that Miss Noxia possesses.”

“Well, you see…”

“You also said that if that wasn’t possible, I should make Miss Noxia disappear.”

“What? What did you say?”

My words caught in my throat.

I said that?

Tanashia, you were truly out of your mind! At this point, you might as well have advertised to the entire world how much you hated Noxia enough to kill her.

My head throbbed—I couldn’t help but clutch it in exasperation.

“You might as well just beat and trample me like usual. This… only makes me uncomfortable.”

Ascan slowly rose from his seat. He bowed stiffly to me, who sat frozen in place.

“If permitted, I shall take my leave now.”

I didn’t know what to say. But even if I held him back here, nothing would change.

I forced my motionless head to nod, and Ascan walked toward the mansion without looking back.

I could only stare helplessly at his cold, retreating figure.

The path to avoiding my death route seemed long and arduous.