It was an unexpected visit, but since Dekain himself had come to the laboratory, I couldn’t very well refuse to see him.

I hurriedly opened the door and spoke to Jelin.

“Please show him in. Oh, and could you fetch some of my old belongings from the Brellof mansion?”

“Yes, is there anything specific you need?”

I glanced sideways at Ascan, who was standing stiffly in place, then tilted my head toward Jelin.

Even though they were just old records, I had obtained them by whipping Ascan. It pricked my conscience a little to say it outright, so I whispered in a small voice.

“You remember where I used to keep the whip, right?”

At my question, Jelin’s eyes widened slightly and flickered with unease. Before she could misinterpret anything, I quickly added,

“You’ll find my old notebooks and various items there. Just gather everything and bring it to the laboratory.”

“Oh, I understand, Miss.”

Instantly, relief washed across Jelin’s previously tense face.

Though I’d never lifted a whip since possessing this body, that didn’t erase the atrocities Tanashia Brellof had committed in the past.

It felt bitter knowing I was still seen as a figure of terror among the servants, but lengthy explanations wouldn’t change anything, so I kept it brief.

“I’m counting on you.”

Jelin nodded firmly in response.

As I turned to head toward the reception room to meet Dekain, I heard footsteps following me and instinctively glanced back.

To my surprise, it was Ascan.

“Where are you going?”

“A guest has arrived. I can’t just ignore them.”

“No. If it’s uncomfortable, you don’t have to go out.”

I hadn’t managed to ask what exactly Dekain and Ascan had discussed earlier, but I’d already sensed that their relationship wasn’t particularly amicable.

I had no intention of forcing Ascan to meet someone he disliked. But apparently, he thought differently.

“So you plan to meet him alone, without me?”

“What’s wrong with that?”

“I don’t like it.”

Ascan was resolute. His lowered eyes gleamed coldly as he continued in a quieter voice than before.

“Didn’t you say before, Miss—have you ever seen thread go somewhere without the needle following?”

I had indeed said that a few times before—casual remarks made to ensure Ascan accompanied me wherever I went.

“It’s the same now. I can’t let you go anywhere without me following.”

Ascan was justifying it in his own way, but ultimately, it seemed he simply disliked the idea of me meeting Dekain alone.

I couldn’t understand why two people who’d barely met harbored such animosity toward each other.

But I had no intention of rejecting Ascan’s request. Whether they met alone or all three together, I truly didn’t care.

“Fine. If you want to come, let’s go together.”

At my words, for the first time, a satisfied expression flickered across Ascan’s previously rigid face.

Thus, escorted by Ascan, I arrived at the reception room. Moments later, Dekain—wearing his familiar mask—burst through the door.

“Tanashia!”

With a bright voice and arms spread wide, he strode toward me as if ready to embrace me at any moment.

I had no intention of encouraging his behavior, but Ascan swiftly stepped forward, blocking Dekain’s path.

In that instant, a cold glint flickered in Dekain’s crimson eyes—but it vanished so quickly I thought I must have imagined it.

Dekain halted his approach toward me, still smiling. Beneath his mask, the corners of his mouth were visibly upturned.

“Have you been well?”

I nodded in response to his question.

“Of course. And you?”

“Oh dear, I’ve been miserable without you.”

At Dekain’s shamelessly bold remark, I couldn’t help but chuckle.

He was the kind of man who made people feel good—even if his words weren’t sincere, I didn’t mind hearing such playful banter.

Still, though I couldn’t see Ascan’s face from my angle, I sensed the atmosphere had grown even more tense, which puzzled me.

“But what brings you all the way here?”

“I had some business to handle in the Arwen Empire while attending the academic conference. Just as I was about to return to the Lazent Empire, I received your letter.”

Dekain pulled from his coat the letter I’d written, requesting we proceed according to the provisional contract, and waved it lightly.

“What? So all that fancy talk just means you came to finalize the contract?”

“What are you saying? I came because I missed you.”

Looking at Dekain correcting me, I chuckled again.

“Either way, you brought the actual contract, right?”

“I came because I missed you—but since I’m here, I might as well get things done.”

“You really know how to talk.”

Dekain sat across from me and handed over the real contract he’d brought.

“Take a look.”

I nodded and read through the contract Dekain had passed me. The contents were identical to the provisional one I’d received earlier.

I’d already consulted with Barnen and Orland and decided to proceed with this contract, so I had no reason to hesitate.

The section labeled “Igteon Trading Company” already bore their seal—once I confirmed it, the contract would be finalized.

Since this was an important agreement, I thought a seal would be better than a signature and instinctively called for Jelin—then remembered I’d just sent her on an errand to the Brellof mansion.

‘Ah, Jelin isn’t in the lab.’

This was not the Brellof mansion. I hadn’t brought many maids to attend me here, and none of them knew where my seal was kept.

I stood up and addressed Dekain.

“Wait just a moment. I’ll go fetch the seal.”

“Sure, take your time. Since I’ve come this far, I’d like to tour your laboratory and stay a few days before leaving.”

“Really?”

“Could I ask you to give me a tour later?”

“Of course. You’ll be distributing my magical engineering weapons from now on—I can at least manage that.”

Dekain smiled meaningfully.

“It’s not just because of our business relationship.”

If not business, I wasn’t sure how to define the relationship between Dekain and me.

After a brief moment of hesitation, I quietly asked,

“Then… are you asking as a friend?”

“Starting there wouldn’t be bad.”

“What? You flirt.”

At my honest remark, Dekain chuckled lowly, clearly amused.

“To call a pure-hearted man like me a flirt? That doesn’t suit me at all.”

That was an obvious lie.

Having read , I knew better than anyone how skillfully Dekain toyed with women’s hearts.

I half-listened to his words and replied dismissively,

“Yeah, yeah. I’ll be right back with the seal—just wait a moment.”

“Alright.”

I closed the reception room door behind me and started toward my room—then suddenly realized I’d left Ascan and Dekain alone together.

Unconsciously, I stared at the closed door, deep in thought.

‘What should I do?’

Their strained relationship made me uneasy, but going back in to retrieve Ascan now would look strange.

‘It’s just for a moment—it’ll be fine, right?’

My feet hesitated out of worry, but I decided it was better to hurry and fetch the seal than waste time fretting. I turned and walked away.

Tanashia’s prediction was correct.

The reception room, now empty of her presence, was oppressively silent.

No—not merely quiet. The atmosphere was so tense it felt as though violence could erupt at any moment.

Creeeak—Dekain was the first to move, swiveling his chair toward Ascan. He stared directly at him and smiled coldly.

“I gave you a gentlemanly warning, but I see it didn’t take.”

“Why should I listen to anything you say?”

Ascan didn’t use honorifics despite Dekain’s higher status.

At that insolent attitude, Dekain’s smiling face hardened. His lips trembled faintly as he murmured,

“How audacious. For a mere slave.”

Dekain stood abruptly.

Even setting aside his status as the Lazent Emperor’s illegitimate son, as the adopted son of the Igteon Trading Company’s head, he had no reason to tolerate such disrespect.

He could punish Ascan appropriately—or even kill him—and no one would dare question Dekain.

He was just a slave. Dekain had more than enough power to bury such an incident.

Swish—

The moment Dekain raised his hand to strike Ascan’s face—

In that fleeting instant, a faint smile appeared on Ascan’s face.

Dekain immediately froze his motion.

He couldn’t pinpoint it exactly, but he felt Ascan had deliberately provoked this reaction.

‘Could it be…?’

A strange gleam flickered in Dekain’s crimson eyes.

No one would blame him for striking Ascan here—but Tanashia’s opinion of him might change.

‘Is that what he’s aiming for?’

Instinctively, Dekain sensed Ascan belonged to the same breed as himself—someone who would stop at nothing to get what they wanted.

“Haha.”

Dekain let out a low laugh.

He genuinely found the situation amusing.

“You’re no ordinary fellow.”

“Planning to lower that hand?”

“I can’t just do whatever you want.”

Dekain lowered the hand he’d raised to strike Ascan.

Disappointment darkened Ascan’s eyes at the sight.

If Dekain had laid a hand on him here, Tanashia would never deal with Dekain again.

Ascan made no effort to hide his emotions. Ironically, since his feelings for Tanashia had already been exposed, there was no need for pretense.

“Pity. I’d hoped I’d never have to see that face again.”

“That’s impossible. Now that I know there’s a scheming bastard like you beside Tanashia, I have to watch over her.”

Dekain deliberately provoked Ascan—and Ascan knew it.

But that didn’t make the irritation any less real. Ascan fixed Dekain with a sharp, icy glare.

He hadn’t spoken a word, yet Dekain felt that if looks could kill, this was precisely what it would feel like.

“I’ll give you one last warning—how about dropping your feelings for Tanashia and leaving the Brellof mansion while you still can?”

Dekain had no desire to waste time.

Judging by Ascan’s behavior, he was smarter than expected. Crushing this type of person would require effort—and effort was tiresome.

“Drop my feelings?”

“Yes. If you do, I’ll keep your emotions a secret forever. I might even help you leave the Brellof mansion quietly.”

It was partly out of annoyance, but Dekain considered it a kindness on his part.

For a slave to harbor feelings for the young lady he served—how melodramatic. Yet, in a way, it was almost pitiful.

But Ascan’s reaction was unexpected.

Dekain had assumed he’d either lose his temper or reluctantly accept the offer—but instead, Ascan laughed.

“How exactly do you do that?”

“What?”

“Drop your feelings.”

Dekain realized instinctively—Ascan was genuinely asking. He truly didn’t know how.

“Well…”

Dekain found himself starting to explain—then abruptly closed his mouth.

Ascan sincerely didn’t know how to sort out his feelings for Tanashia. Which meant—it was impossible.

In short, no matter what anyone did, Ascan could never resolve his feelings for her.

After a moment, Dekain grasped the meaning and smiled coldly.

“You really are an entertaining fellow.”

“It won’t stay entertaining for long—laugh while you can. And this time, I’m warning you: better drop any thought of clinging to the young lady like a leech, trying to suck something out of her.”

The corners of Dekain’s smiling mouth trembled faintly.

He felt exposed. He’d approached Tanashia because she was a genius in magical engineering—and for the same reason, he wanted to maintain a good relationship with her.

Tanashia came from the prestigious Brellof family and possessed extraordinary intellect. Gaining her meant gaining many advantages by association.

The future held possibilities—and Dekain wouldn’t rule out a political marriage with Tanashia if necessary.

“…I tried to be nice if possible, but you’re overstepping.”

Gradually, the smile faded from Dekain’s face. Just like that, the gentle atmosphere vanished, replaced by the dangerous aura of a venomous serpent concealing lethal poison.

The real Dekain was no longer the eloquent, handsome charmer.

Ascan watched him with an impassive expression, as if he’d expected this all along.

“I won’t let someone like you stay beside the young lady either.”

At that moment—

Bang! The reception room door flew open, and Tanashia—completely unaware—walked in.

“I’m back. That was quick, right?”

Though Tanashia spoke lightly, she was carefully observing them, wondering if something had happened in her absence.

Ascan stared silently at Tanashia’s sudden appearance—then turned his head away. He subtly wiped his eyes with his sleeve.

Anyone could see he was hiding tears. Tanashia approached him, startled.

“What’s wrong? Did you… cry?”

“No. Something must’ve gotten into my eye.”

Somehow, in that brief moment, Ascan had managed to make his eyes bloodshot and red.

Tanashia looked suspiciously at Dekain, as if suspecting he was responsible.

Dekain could only stare at Ascan, dumbfounded. Clearly, all of this had been meticulously planned.

Ascan was using his powerless status as a slave to force Dekain into playing the villain.

‘Hah, you dare try to trap me?’

He instantly recognized the trap—but escaping it wouldn’t be easy.

Ascan hadn’t directly slandered him. He hadn’t said anything incriminating, so he could always deny it—while Dekain, no matter what he said, would be met with suspicion.

If Dekain claimed Ascan was putting on a show, he’d only arouse more suspicion. If he insisted nothing happened, it would sound like evasion.

Dekain’s mind raced.

Just then, Tanashia asked in a quiet, serious tone,

“While I was gone… did something happen between you two?”

Dekain had no choice. He lowered his head—and pinched his forearm with all his might, forcing out fake tears.

Sometimes, the only way out was to cry along.

“No, nothing happened at all! But… is the air in here bad? I keep tearing up too.”

When Dekain lifted his head, his eyes were just as red and swollen as Ascan’s.

Seeing this, Ascan’s gaze turned icy—he realized Dekain had skillfully escaped his trap.

Only Tanashia remained utterly confused, glancing back and forth between Ascan and Dekain with a baffled expression.

“What’s going on? Do you two have pollen allergies or something?”