Ascan woke up at dawn, as always.

Opening his eyes, he saw the room, dark and unlit, and heard no sound around him.

Wiping his forehead at the sensation of something trickling down, he found it soaked with sweat.

Only then did he realize—his entire body was drenched in cold sweat.

The reason he couldn’t sleep soundly was simple: since escaping the laboratory, he had been dreaming the same nightmare every night.

In the dream, no matter where Ascan hid, the laboratory personnel would ghost-like track him down and chase him.

Within the dream, he ran frantically, endlessly, fleeing from them.

He ran with all his might, desperate not to be caught—but they clung to him like shadows, impossible to shake off no matter what he did.

When his breath reached his throat and his heart clenched in pain, he’d think, “Surely this is enough”—only to turn around and find himself inevitably seized by their hands.

As if bound by an inescapable yoke.

It was a cruel, vicious nightmare.

Though he dreamed the same dream every night, once asleep, he never remembered it wasn’t real.

Ascan remained motionless after waking. Had anyone seen him, they might have mistaken him for a mannequin—he didn’t stir at all.

Only when faint sunlight began filtering through the window did he finally rise from his bed.

The new quarters assigned to Ascan after becoming Tanashia’s attendant were a room of the most basic structure.

It had a small window and minimal furniture necessary for daily life.

Perhaps because no personal belongings aside from essentials had been brought in, the room felt stark, as if uninhabited—but overall, it gave a clean impression.

Compared to before, the environment had changed drastically. The previous dormitory he’d stayed in had wallpaper crawling with mold, perpetually damp and reeking of inexplicable foul odors.

After rising from bed, he washed quickly and put on the clothes Tanashia had gifted him.

He didn’t agonize over what to wear—he simply took the first outfit he saw.

As Ascan finished preparing, his eyes fell upon the shabby clothes tucked away in a corner of the wardrobe—the ones he’d worn before Tanashia gave him new ones.

An ordinary person might have thrown away such ragged old garments upon receiving new clothes. But Ascan had never once considered discarding them.

‘Whenever Miss’s whim ends… I must return to my original place.’

People were fickle. They’d reach out first, then, growing bored, cast you aside as if they’d never cared.

He expected nothing from anyone.

─I heard our family owns many villas. Why don’t we take some time off and visit one? Sea or mountains—tell me where you’d like to go. Actually, no need to choose—let’s just go to both.

He was merely surprised she spoke of a future he’d never even imagined.

─Do you know how to swim? Ah, if not, I’ll teach you. It’s not that hard. Why are you so shocked? Life’s meant to be enjoyed. What’s the big deal?

Her words were all options he’d never even dreamed of.

─I’m starting a project to live happily and long by enjoying life from now on. If you want, I’ll include you too.

Most bewildering of all was that she genuinely wished for his happiness.

He never imagined someone else would utter the word “happiness”—a concept he himself had never dared to hold.

Why, exactly?

Just in case, he asked whether he’d need to pay some price—but she replied she expected no compensation whatsoever.

Hearing that, Ascan steeled his resolve even more.

Kindness without cost couldn’t possibly last.

‘Enough. No need to wonder what Miss is scheming.’

Tanashia had discovered his true identity.

From that moment, Ascan had been plotting his escape from the Brellof household.

It was nearly impossible for pursuers dispatched by the Kalua Empire to search through the Brellof estate—a noble household of high rank in the Arwen Empire.

He was merely hiding here because, for now, it was the safest place.

The moment he secured funds for travel and a safe destination, he planned to seize an opportunity and leave.

‘Just hold on until then.’

From the moment he entered this room, he’d brought in no personal belongings—and hadn’t discarded his old clothes.

It meant he was always prepared to return to how things were.

Thud. Ascan stared briefly at the shabby garments, then shut the wardrobe door.

Ascan was heading toward Tanashia’s room.

“Hey, look who it is. Life’s treating you well now, huh?”

Ascan knew the remark was directed at him. It was something he’d heard incessantly ever since becoming Tanashia’s attendant.

Naturally halting his steps, he turned toward the voice and saw familiar faces.

Two men he’d once shared a room with. Like Ascan, they’d been slaves, and had labored alongside him under harsh conditions.

“So you can’t even be bothered to greet us now?”

It was natural he hadn’t noticed them hiding in a blind spot. But he had no intention of correcting them or arguing.

Ascan bowed his head in greeting, as they wished—and had taken only a few steps away when—

Thwack─!

Something blunt struck the back of his head.

Turning, he saw a tool, dropped by one of the slaves, lying right behind him.

Clearly, the slave had thrown the tool he’d been holding—at him.

Wiping the back of his head at the sensation of something trickling, he found blood on his fingers.

Should he be thankful his body hadn’t reflexively turned to steel?

“Arrogant brat!”

“Hey hey, what if you report this to Miss Tanashia?”

“Go ahead and report it. I’ll split your skull in two for real next time!”

“…….”

Ascan said nothing.

All that bothered him was that Tanashia’s gifted clothes were now stained with blood.

Since he might someday have to return them, he intended to treat them with utmost care. If later she demanded repayment, he had nothing to give.

With a blank expression, Ascan rubbed the bloodstained shirt and spoke.

“Next time you plan something like this, warn me first. Look—you’ve ruined my clothes.”

“What the hell! Just because you’re wearing fancy clothes, do you think you’re some noble now?!”

Ascan couldn’t pinpoint exactly what had angered him more.

As the man’s eyes burned red, ready to lunge at Ascan, his companion quickly pulled him back.

“Enough. He’s always been a weirdo.”

“You pretty-faced bastard! Do you think this cushy life will last? Miss’ll ditch you soon enough!”

He knew that truth well enough—even without their “confirmation.”

Suddenly, he recalled white-coated researchers warning him in mechanical voices.

─You’re a walking time bomb. When emotions flare, you could annihilate everything around you in an instant.

Truthfully, if he began releasing the power he suppressed, human lives would be snuffed out as easily as crushing tofu.

The problem? He couldn’t control that power at will.

Once unleashed, like someone high on drugs, he couldn’t stop until he’d shattered everything in sight.

Thus, letting emotions flare was forbidden. He had to avoid unnecessary incidents that might reach the pursuers’ ears.

He wasn’t even angry over something this trivial—but if he unleashed his power, their actions wouldn’t end with just this.

Not wanting to waste more time, Ascan turned to leave. Lingering longer might make him late for Tanashia’s appointed time.

Then, an unexpected voice rang out from behind.

“When did I ever say I’d abandon Ascan?”

At the familiar voice, Ascan halted without realizing.

Turning, he saw a girl with long black hair cascading down.

Pale face contrasting with crimson lips—it was Tanashia.

Ascan, bewildered, looked at Tanashia and asked.

“Why are you here, Miss?”

“My schedule changed suddenly, so I came to find you. Didn’t expect to witness such entertaining spectacle.”

Outwardly, Tanashia’s expression seemed unchanged—but to Ascan’s eyes, she appeared oddly irritated.

At Tanashia’s unexpected arrival, the men’s faces turned ashen.

Understandable. Their lives hung by a thread at her slightest word.

“A-Ah, Miss, you see….”

The man who’d nearly lunged at Ascan now floundered in panic, while his companion quickly spoke up.

“We’re sorry, so sorry, Miss! Why aren’t you apologizing properly?!”

“I-I’m sorry. Truly sorry.”

Tanashia watched them bow repeatedly in apology, her gaze icy, and asked.

“Do you know what you did wrong?”

“Y-Yes. We acted out of jealousy because Ascan became your attendant. We’re truly sorry.”

The angry man stammered his admission. Sincere or not, it was the only thing he could say in this situation.

Tanashia stared at him wordlessly, then pointed to the earring she wore—a luxurious piece crafted from blue sapphire.

“How much do you think this is worth?”

Caught off guard, the man hesitated, then answered in a trembling voice.

“V-Very expensive, of course. Since you’re wearing it….”

“Right. Naturally, since it’s mine. If you damaged it, how would you compensate me?”

“Oh, Miss! How could I possibly repay you for your earring? Even a lifetime of hard labor wouldn’t cover it.”

Hearing that, Tanashia pointed at Ascan with her finger.

“What about Ascan?”

“Huh?”

“He’s my attendant too.”

“W-Well….”

The man’s face instantly registered shock—he understood what Tanashia meant.

“To me, my attendant is far more precious than a pair of earrings like this. Yet you’ve harmed what’s mine. How do you plan to take responsibility?”

“I-I’ve committed an unforgivable crime!”

Realizing the situation too late, the man threw himself flat on the floor.

An attendant’s power stemmed from closeness to their master. If Tanashia valued Ascan this much, the man was as good as dead.

“Apologize to Ascan first—before me.”

At Tanashia’s command, the man turned and bowed deeply toward Ascan.

“I’m sorry. I acted in anger. I never meant to seriously hurt you.”

Terrified, he burst into tears and snot instantly.

Watching him, Tanashia spoke in an even lower, colder voice.

“Let me warn you clearly—I’m not known for my good temper. Lay another finger on what’s mine, and you’ll regret it.”

“Y-Yes, gah, yes, Miss.”

“Disappear from my sight before I change my mind.”

At that, the slave lifted his tear-streaked face, relief washing over him as he repeatedly bowed to Tanashia in gratitude.

“Th-Thank you, Miss. Sniff. I’ll never come near Ascan again.”

Wiping his tears, he hurriedly fled the scene.

Ascan simply stood there expressionlessly. To an outsider, he might seem entirely unrelated to the incident.

Tanashia watched the man’s retreating back, then turned her head.

“How’s the wound? Are you okay?”

“There was no need for you to intervene on my account.”

“Aren’t you even angry?”

“No. It’s nothing serious.”

“Hmm, I don’t get it. If it were me, I’d need several times the payback to feel satisfied….”

Trailing off, Tanashia seemed lost in thought—then smiled self-deprecatingly and murmured softly.

“…Guess it’s funny coming from me, the one who experimented on you.”

Slowly, Tanashia walked toward Ascan. Spotting the wound on the back of his head, she furrowed her brows sharply.

“Let’s get you treated first.”

“I’m fine….”

“Didn’t you hear me earlier? You’re my attendant—mine. So don’t get hurt without permission. That’s an order.”

“…Understood.”

“Has this kind of thing happened before, behind my back?”

Ascan looked at Tanashia’s suspicious gaze, unable to comprehend her concern.

No one had ever cared so much about his injuries. Tanashia was the first to insist on taking him for treatment after he’d been hurt.

For a moment, he felt a strange sensation.

Then Tanashia strode ahead briskly and called back.

“I’ll interrogate you later—don’t dawdle, come quickly. Let’s get that wound treated.”

“A-Ah, yes. Understood.”

Ascan halted his thoughts and followed Tanashia. Though he didn’t need treatment, he couldn’t disobey her command.

As Tanashia and Ascan walked, Noxia spotted them and waved enthusiastically, calling out as if begging to be noticed.

“Sister!”

At the voice, Tanashia glanced sideways at Noxia.

“Already ready?”

“Yep. Shall we leave now?”

Tanashia shook her head at Noxia’s question, then looked at Ascan’s bleeding wound.

“Let’s go a bit later. My attendant is injured.”

“Oh! Now that you mention it, you’re bleeding. How did that happen? Badly hurt?”

Noxia’s blue eyes instantly filled with worry.

Ascan found such gazes burdensome. More than that, the pairing of Tanashia and Noxia—famously not on good terms—felt strangely incongruous.

“Where are you headed, Miss?”

At Ascan’s question, Tanashia nodded and replied.

“I planned to go with Noxia to pick out dresses—we just heard new arrivals came into the atelier.”

“Then please go without me. I can treat the wound myself….”

“Nonsense. If I’m going, of course you’re coming too.”

“I doubt my presence will be of any help.”

“I’m not talking about the atelier. You’re attending the Imperial Ball with me.”

For a moment, he didn’t understand. Seeing Ascan’s puzzled expression, Tanashia chuckled and continued.

“Ever seen a needle go somewhere while the thread refuses to follow?”

“You mean… I’m coming too?”

“Yes. Aren’t you curious? What the Imperial Ball is like?”

Now that she asked, he did feel a flicker of curiosity. But he’d never once imagined he could attend such a place.

“I’ll show you this time. We also need to pick your outfit for the ball—so of course you’re coming to the atelier.”

“I….”

He was at a loss for words.

Tanashia didn’t wait for his answer. Having stated her will, she merely offered Noxia a brief apology.

“Get in the carriage and wait. I’ll treat my attendant’s wound and come right after. Won’t take long.”

“Okay, got it, Sister.”

Noxia nodded obediently, smiling brightly. Somehow, she seemed exceptionally pleased at the moment.

Having settled the situation, Tanashia grabbed Ascan’s sleeve and strode off briskly.

Following behind, Ascan stared endlessly at Tanashia’s small, delicate hand clutching his sleeve.

He couldn’t precisely explain why, but she felt increasingly unlike the same Tanashia who’d once whipped him and acted cruelly.

Pushing aside the indistinct emotions, Ascan gazed at Tanashia’s back and quietly asked.

“Am I truly permitted to attend such an important place?”

Without even turning around, Tanashia replied.

“Of course. Didn’t I say I’d teach you what enjoying life means? Nothing difficult—just go to a nice place, eat delicious food, and have fun. You’ll probably feel better just from watching, right?”

At the end, she glanced back slightly and gave Ascan a faint smile. Her softly curved blue eyes lingered strangely in his mind.

People were fickle creatures. That’s why they couldn’t be trusted.

That belief hadn’t changed one bit.

But in this moment, he found no rebuttal possible.

It wasn’t the oppressive silence born of status difference—it was genuine curiosity about the world Tanashia was showing him.