Thus, I returned to Ascan with the non-alcoholic beverage, having accomplished my purpose.

The place where Ascan stood was closer than I had thought—he likely witnessed the scene moments ago when I delivered a sharp rebuke to the nobles.

Since I had no reason to conceal what I had done, I silently handed him one of the two drinks I had brought.

Ascan seemed surprised, as though he hadn’t expected I’d bring him one, but quickly bowed his head politely and accepted the glass.

After taking a sip, I found the beautifully colored drink refreshingly sweet. It somewhat eased the lingering unpleasantness from moments before.

“Are you truly going to tear their mouths apart?”

It was an unexpected question. I assumed Ascan, even if he had seen what happened, would pretend he hadn’t.

I didn’t understand why he was curious, but I saw no reason to avoid answering.

“That’s impossible.”

“So it was a lie?”

“Not so much a lie as a kind of warning.”

I glanced around at the surrounding nobles.

At a glance, the earlier murmuring had noticeably quieted. Everyone was watching me warily, hesitant to speak freely.

“It was just an exaggerated way of saying I won’t tolerate it anymore. Some people simply don’t understand unless you speak harshly.”

“…I see.”

Ascan finally nodded as if he understood.

I was puzzled—why would someone who usually seemed indifferent care about this?

“Why? Were you worried I might actually tear their mouths off?”

“If it’s you, Miss, I suppose it’s possible.”

His calm reply left me speechless.

I wanted to argue that I didn’t look like that kind of person, but memories of my past misdeeds surfaced, forcing me to hold my tongue.

‘Tch. He really knows how to leave me without a comeback.’

I turned my gaze and noticed noble young ladies watching this direction. Their flushed faces didn’t seem directed at me.

Following their gazes, I found Ascan standing there.

Thinking about it, it was only natural. Even when he looked disheveled, his good looks couldn’t be hidden. Now, fully dressed up, he naturally drew everyone’s attention.

Somehow, watching over him made me feel proud.

“Ascan.”

At my call, Ascan’s deep golden eyes turned toward me.

“Look over there. Those young ladies standing there seem interested in you.”

He glanced briefly in the direction I indicated, then immediately stepped sideways to place himself out of their line of sight.

His unexpected action startled me.

“What? Are you shy?”

“No. It’s uncomfortable.”

Isn’t this the age when people are most curious about the opposite sex?

I felt puzzled, so I asked without hiding my curiosity.

“What’s uncomfortable? Is it because of their status?”

This was the Imperial Ball. All the young ladies present were nobles, so it might be burdensome for Ascan, a slave.

But I wasn’t suggesting he form deep relationships—he could simply enjoy being popular without any issue.

Throughout history and across cultures, humans are naturally drawn to beauty.

Ascan possessed exceptionally handsome looks—he could fully enjoy the admiring gazes directed at him.

“I just dislike it. Their eyes seem to expect something from me. I can’t give them anything—and I don’t want to.”

Having observed Ascan for a while, I understood.

He genuinely disliked it.

I summed him up in one phrase.

“You’re the type who’d find romance difficult.”

“I’m not interested in that sort of thing.”

“Oh, you know, people who say that are usually the first to fall in love.”

Ascan looked at me with an expression full of unspoken words, but he remained silent.

Whenever this happened, I wished he’d treat me a bit more casually—but maybe that was just my own selfish desire.

“Well, if you dislike it here, let’s go outside.”

As I strode ahead, Ascan followed and asked,

“I might be fine with that, but shouldn’t you, Miss, remain here?”

“Me?”

The Imperial Ball wasn’t populated only by gossip-loving nobles or beautiful young ladies. I saw elegantly dressed young men gathered in small groups, chatting among themselves.

In short, this was a social venue to meet nobles from across the Arwen Empire.

Lower nobles desperately sought invitations precisely to build favorable relationships with many attendees.

If I wandered off alone like this, ignoring everyone, it would be like kicking away that opportunity.

But I knew many men were staring fixedly at one spot—as if by silent agreement.

That spot was precisely where Noxia stood, smiling as she conversed.

“I’m fine. I have no intention of stealing my sister’s suitors.”

If I were the original Tanashia, perhaps—but I had no desire to wedge myself into that crowd.

Ascan asked no further questions. He likely understood my meaning.

Thus, stepping outside with Ascan, we beheld a beautifully decorated garden.

The scenery under bright daylight was lovely, but the natural view at night like this carried a certain indescribable charm.

I strolled slowly through the garden adorned with soft lights. Pausing at a scenic spot to sip my drink with Ascan, gentle music drifted out from the bustling banquet hall.

Though unintentional, the fresh night air, the scent of grass, and the pleasant melody combined to soothe my mind.

I had imagined being surrounded by people at the ball, but stepping away from the dazzling hall to quietly observe others from a distance wasn’t bad at all.

“Ascan, you prefer this over noisy places, right?”

“If forced to choose between earlier and now… yes, correct.”

“Good. I’ll keep that in mind.”

At my words, Ascan looked puzzled and asked,

“I don’t understand what you mean.”

“I’ll remember what you like and dislike.”

Ascan looked even more confused. Seeing his wary gaze, I couldn’t help but let out a soft chuckle.

“We promised to become happy together. I need to know what you like to make you happy.”

Ascan, who had spent his life locked in a laboratory, likely didn’t even know himself what he preferred.

So, while we were together, I intended to teach him, one by one.

If I removed what he disliked and added what he liked, surely the day would come when he’d understand what happiness meant.

Ascan stared at me silently for a moment, as if trying to discern my true intentions. I smiled gently at him again.

“You should start remembering too—what you like and what you dislike.”

Ascan couldn’t understand Tanashia before him. No—the more he saw her, the more incomprehensible she became.

Cute. Handsome. Elegant.

Recently, she had casually uttered words he’d never heard in his entire life.

And that wasn’t all. She bought him quality clothes and served him hearty meals at every meal.

‘She must be hiding some ulterior motive, pretending otherwise.’

He thought she’d soon reveal her true colors. Thus, he endlessly suspected, guarded against, and remained cautious of her.

Even now, he hadn’t relaxed his vigilance—but whenever Tanashia spoke like this, he genuinely wondered what thoughts filled her head.

─You should start remembering too. What you like and what you dislike.

No one had ever asked for his opinion.

His current feelings, his emotions—none of that had ever mattered.

Everyone’s interest had solely focused on experimental results concerning the human weapon.

Tanashia’s assumption was accurate. Ascan had lived his entire life without even knowing what he liked or disliked.

Perhaps that was why?

Listening to Tanashia’s words stirred a small whirlpool in his chest. Somehow, his head felt warm.

‘I was curious about the Imperial Ball, but there’s nothing particularly special here.’

Everyone gathered here appeared splendid on the surface, yet each seemed to wear a mask.

They flattered those stronger than themselves with sweet words, while subtly trampling, ignoring, and mocking those weaker.

The most unexpected revelation was that one of the nobles’ targets of ridicule was Tanashia.

Nobility was a class-based society.

It dawned on him—perhaps even Tanashia, who had wreaked havoc in the Brellof mansion, was a vulnerable figure to someone else.

─Listen carefully to me from now on. If anyone dares gossip behind my back one more time… whoever it is, I’ll tear their mouth apart. If you’re curious how I’ll do it, go ahead and try talking again.

Hearing those words felt strangely satisfying—as if someone had struck back against those who tormented him.

‘True. I dislike places like this, but this current situation… isn’t entirely unpleasant.’

Yet he couldn’t pinpoint why.

Was it the sweet drink he tasted for the first time?

The beautifully decorated garden?

Or perhaps simply the cool night air?

Ascan gazed blankly at Tanashia, thinking. She told him to remember what she liked and disliked, but discerning that wasn’t easy.

The Imperial Ball turned out to be less impressive than expected—but this moment, at least, wasn’t unpleasant.

Thus, Ascan followed Tanashia, strolling around the banquet hall and observing the surroundings.

Unexpectedly, the grandeur of the Imperial Palace and the luxurious decorations adorning the hall were worth seeing. The lavish interior—something he’d never witness otherwise in his lifetime—was visually satisfying enough.

At that moment.

Rustle—

Ascan’s ears caught footsteps approaching this direction.

Thanks to his enhanced hearing—developed through training as an experimental subject—he could detect faint sounds others missed.

Currently, the spot where Tanashia and he stood was deep within the garden, with no other people visible nearby.

Ascan glanced sideways at Tanashia. She hadn’t noticed the approaching figures.

‘Should I tell her?’

The thought arose—and vanished just as quickly.

He had no reason to involve himself in such matters. His role was simply to lie low as Tanashia instructed, then disappear.

Ascan turned his gaze away from the direction of the sound, pretending ignorance.

“…from the Brellof family…”

“I don’t want to deal with that… how bothersome.”

Voices of people became audible at some point.

Judging by tone, one sounded like a boy, the other like an adult male.

Most notably, their conversation included the phrase “Brellof family,” which instinctively made me prick up my ears.

Gradually, their previously indistinct voices grew clearer and closer.

“Please don’t say that, Your Highness. Building a relationship with Miss Brellof will prove beneficial in the future.”

Your Highness?

In the Arwen Empire, this title referred to Roel, the true male protagonist of .

I was startled at the thought of unexpectedly encountering Roel here—but my thoughts abruptly halted at the next voice I heard.

“I don’t want to play childish games. When I become Emperor, I want to make the Arwen Empire even stronger.”

“I understand. That’s precisely why a relationship with the Brellof family is necessary.”

“Ha. It’s my birthday ball, yet I’m forced to mingle with Miss Brellof, someone I don’t even care for.”

Ah, this…

I probably shouldn’t be hearing this?

“Getting along harmoniously with nobles is also a virtue of rulership.”

“Grand words—but isn’t it just flirting with a woman I don’t even like?”

The more I heard, the more the hairs on my neck stood up.

‘This is bad.’

Though I still couldn’t see their faces, I could guess the approaching figure was Roel.

Likely, the man speaking with Roel was Rayguard, his loyal subordinate, judging from the original novel.

Come to think of it, before meeting Noxia, Roel’s impression of her hadn’t been favorable.

As befitting his status as Crown Prince, Roel aspired to strengthen the empire and resented the traditional privileges of high nobles.

Since their feelings would naturally resolve after Roel and Noxia met, I hadn’t considered it serious—but overhearing this here was problematic.

I was Noxia’s older sister and the eldest daughter of the Brellof family.

If Roel learned I’d overheard this conversation, it was inevitable our future relationship would become awkward.

Quietly, quietly.

I moved while muffling my footsteps.

Urgently, I gestured to Ascan by pointing to a distant spot, signaling we should relocate—hoping to slip away unnoticed.

At that moment, an unexpected voice rang out.

“Sister, what are you doing here?”

Reflexively turning my head, I saw Noxia, looking like a forest fairy.

It wasn’t an illusion. Though her blue eyes matched mine, unlike my cold gaze, hers radiated warmth—and now our eyes met directly.

“How did you—”

Before I could finish, a loud voice erupted from the direction of the earlier conversation.

“Who’s there!”

In an instant, two figures abruptly appeared before us. As suspected, one was a boy, the other an adult male.

Precisely: Roel, with fiery red hair and striking features, and his subordinate Rayguard.

Though still a boy, Roel’s appearance was outstanding, befitting a protagonist of this world. But right now, none of that registered to me.

My mind went blank.

‘Please tell me Noxia didn’t… overhear that conversation just now?’

If only Noxia hadn’t heard it, I could have somehow smoothed things over.

“I didn’t expect anyone to come this far from the ballroom… Who are you?”

Roel also seemed concerned we might have overheard their conversation. He scrutinized me, Ascan, and Noxia.

I swallowed hard, watching Noxia closely—to gauge her reaction.

Seeing I took no action, Noxia naturally stepped forward first, slightly bending her knee in a respectful bow toward Roel.

“I greet Your Highness. I am Noxia of the Brellof family, and this is my elder sister, Tanashia. I came outside searching for her, as she was nowhere to be found inside the ballroom.”

Hearing that, I couldn’t help but inhale sharply.

‘Noxia, how… did you know that boy is the Crown Prince?’

Did she overhear the conversation just now?

I wasn’t the only one stunned. Roel and Rayguard, who had just been discussing the Brellof family, were equally taken aback.

A flicker of panic crossed Roel’s eyes.

“…I said something earlier that might be misunderstood. If you heard it, I’d like the chance to explain.”

“No need. Today’s protagonist is Your Highness on your birthday—I wouldn’t dream of troubling you. I’m also past the age for childish games.”

Roel spoke cautiously, looking uncomfortable.

“…So you heard.”

“If Your Highness is asking whether I clearly heard you say you don’t wish to play childish games—yes, I heard it perfectly.”

I had to clutch my throbbing head.

Everything went dark. My carefully planned “Successful First Meeting Between Noxia and Roel” project was hurtling toward failure.

Noxia didn’t stop there.

“If it’s not impolite, we’ll take our leave first. Happy birthday, Your Highness.”

Roel and Rayguard offered no rebuttal.

As an awkward silence settled, Noxia took my hand and led me away.

Following Noxia out of the Imperial Garden, I sank into despair.

‘Ah, it’s ruined. Totally ruined.’

Unaware of my inner turmoil, Noxia noticed my rapidly darkening expression and asked worriedly,

“You didn’t get hurt hearing those words, did you? I never thought His Highness had such impure intentions toward you or me—his character is really terrible, isn’t it?”

Right now, I wasn’t feeling hurt—I was sensing a threat to my life.

At this rate… am I really not going to escape the death route?