Without realizing it, bedtime had long passed, yet Ascan kept saying he’d sleep soon, showing no intention of returning to his own cabin.

I looked at Ascan with a puzzled expression and asked,

“Aren’t you sleepy?”

“Actually… I don’t want to sleep.”

“Why?”

“Because this moment with you feels like a dream.”

At first, I thought it was just sweet talk, but then I remembered—Ascan had only recently regained his memories.

For him, all those past recollections must have surged back at once. No wonder he’s emotionally overwhelmed and tangled in complicated feelings right now.

I draped a shawl over my shoulders and sat down at the table. Then I pointed to the seat across from me and said to Ascan,

“Then let’s not sleep tonight. How about we just talk?”

At my suggestion, Ascan chuckled as if he couldn’t hold back, and replied,

“Are you being considerate? It’s fine. I planned to leave after watching you fall asleep.”

“I’m not sleepy either. It’ll be nice to chat like old times.”

Truthfully, saying I wasn’t sleepy was a lie. I simply didn’t want to send him away—he clearly wanted to spend a little more time with me—so I decided we’d stay up together through the night.

Ascan, resigned, sat down in the seat I’d indicated.

Night had fallen, and my eyes were tired, so I dimmed the lights slightly. The soft glow created a tranquil atmosphere, faintly accompanied by the sound of waves.

Unexpectedly, it felt quite romantic. I found myself glancing out the window at the night sea, then turning back to look at Ascan.

Ascan was quietly staring at me, watching my every move.

“What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Because the longer I look, the more incredible it feels.”

“At me?”

“At this moment I’m sharing with you. Honestly… I never expected you’d search for me so desperately. Back then, I wasn’t even sure I had a place in your heart.”

Looking back, he wasn’t wrong.

Until Ascan was taken back to the Karlua Empire, I hadn’t fully realized my own feelings either.

“I don’t know how this’ll sound… but you were my first.”

“My first what?”

“The first person who was ever kind to me.”

Ascan looked at me, confused, unable to understand.

Of course—he only knew Tanashia’s persona. He couldn’t possibly grasp what I meant. But my memories stretched back to my past life.

Truthfully, when I first possessed this novel’s world, everyone felt like fictional characters—almost like I was playing a game.

It was just fascinating and fun.

I only ever planned to tweak the predetermined death route and live out my days here in luxury and happiness.

It was Ascan who shattered that complacent mindset of mine.

‘Well, even now, my desire to live quietly in wealth and comfort hasn’t changed.’

I won’t pretend I had no ulterior motives when I met Ascan. Knowing he’d become the future mastermind, I naturally wanted to impress him.

Plus, with my modern memories, I genuinely felt his status as a slave was deeply unjust.

Receiving even my small affection and attention, Ascan gradually changed.

Warmth began to seep into his once cold eyes. His detached, professional demeanor toward me slowly transformed into something sincere and heartfelt.

Yes, I was the first to treat him kindly—but honestly, he was also the first person to treat me so kindly in return.

In my past life, I was an orphan. I had no home, no parents, no siblings—nothing. I was utterly alone.

─Don’t play with that kind of kid.

That’s what the parents of any child who got close to me always said.

─Alright, someone’s wallet went missing in class today. I won’t point fingers—just step forward and confess.

Whenever something went missing at school, I was always the first one accused.

But the most bitter memory was when, during petty quarrels, the other child would always scream:

─Mommmmy!

That single word was enough. Their mother would come running and scold me without even checking who was right or wrong.

It was unfair. But even more painful than the injustice was the fact that I had no mother to call for.

Others were born with something I never had. Whenever I wanted help, there was no one to listen.

To escape reality, I turned to novels.

I started reading because life was so harsh.

And yet, despite struggling so hard to survive, I ended up dying pointlessly in a plane crash.

To someone like me, Ascan’s affection was astonishing—almost bewildering.

I never imagined someone would risk their life for me.

This was the first time I’d ever received such selfless love.

“Ah, but don’t misunderstand. I don’t mean I liked you just because you were nice to me. I mean your feelings toward me felt uniquely special.”

After Ascan disappeared, one recurring thought haunted my mind:

What if he had been here?

Whether I was crafting weapons in the lab, dancing at a ball, eating meals, or falling asleep…

That thought would suddenly surface, regardless of time or place.

How wonderful it would have been if Ascan were beside me now.

I found myself imagining a life—sharing beautiful scenery, savoring delicious food, receiving his affection, giving affection back.

It was longing—for Ascan.

Looking back, yes, I realized my feelings only after he vanished. Perhaps, without even noticing, I’d nurtured those feelings for him all alone.

When I finally met him again—the man I’d dreamed of—I knew I couldn’t let him slip away.

And that’s how we arrived at where we are now.

“Thinking about it, it’s hard to pinpoint exactly when I started liking you. It just… happened somehow. Well, I did think you were my type from the moment our eyes first met.”

Ascan, who had been silently listening to my rambling, unexpectedly touched his own face and said,

“Really? I knew you valued looks and physique, but I had no idea I fit your taste until now.”

His words triggered a memory I’d completely forgotten.

─Ascan, listen carefully. I’ve seen countless male faces.

─…Faces?

─Oh, and physiques too! Good looks and a nice body are basic requirements.

Long ago, when he asked if I had special feelings for Master Barnen, I gave that ridiculous answer out of sheer exasperation.

Feeling suddenly embarrassed, I coughed awkwardly.

“Ahem, just forget about that. How long ago was that? You still remember?”

“I can’t forget anything you’ve ever said, no matter how trivial.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s precious to me.”

My heart fluttered at his casually spoken words.

I loved this about Ascan—how he never hid his feelings for me, expressing them openly and vividly, always making me feel deeply loved.

Unlike my lonely past life, I now had family—Orland and Noxia—but the affection I received from Ascan was uniquely sweet.

Maybe this was what romantic love between a man and a woman felt like.

Feeling a bit shy and wanting to lighten the suddenly serious mood, I asked Ascan,

“How about we have a cup of herbal tea? It’s been a while.”

In the past, it was my favorite. Now, it was his.

Ascan, recalling those old days, smiled faintly and stood up.

“Wait. I’ll go make it.”

“Oh, it’s fine…”

Since we were on a ship, making warm tea meant stepping outside the cabin. I intended to go with him, but he moved first.

“I’ll go. Let’s revive some old memories while I’m at it.”

He was likely referring to his days as a slave.

I never imagined I’d one day sit reminiscing like this with Ascan—it felt surreal. For the first time, I truly felt he’d regained his memories.

“Alright. I’ll wait here.”

When I replied with a lazy smile, Ascan softened his eyes and nodded gently.

Left alone, I leaned against the table and gazed out the small cabin window.

The dark, gently rippling sea felt strangely dreamlike.

Staring blankly at the night ocean, I felt myself being drawn in.

‘It’s just like Ascan’s eyes.’

I smiled faintly to myself, unaware I’d even thought it.

When Ascan returned to the cabin with the herbal tea, Tanashia was already fast asleep, leaning against the table.

He smiled faintly, looking resigned, and quietly set the tea down. Then he stepped closer and gazed at the sleeping Tanashia.

She breathed evenly, deeply asleep—perhaps exhausted—and just looking at her made his chest tighten with a sharp ache.

She was indescribably adorable.

It had nothing to do with the gently rocking ship, the soothing sound of waves, or the tranquil glow of dimmed lights.

It was solely Tanashia’s presence that moved him.

“…You seem like someone who grew up loved by everyone—so why do you carry such a lonely look in your eyes?”

The question Ascan had been unable to ask earlier now slipped softly from his lips.

He’d never imagined he might be the first person to ever treat Tanashia kindly.

Of course not. With the powerful Brellof family behind her, plus Orland and Noxia—

On the surface, Tanashia appeared to lack nothing. That’s why he’d always felt inadequate beside her perfection.

But today… Tanashia felt different.

Somehow, she seemed like someone akin to him—a kindred spirit.

Perhaps, contrary to appearances, Tanashia hadn’t been loved by her family after all. He hadn’t realized it while she’d lost her memories, but now he could see it clearly.

‘Is that why she hated Miss Noxia so much?’

In the past, Tanashia had asked him to find a way to steal Noxia’s supernatural ability—or, failing that, to eliminate Noxia entirely.

As Ascan recalled that distant memory, a glint of killing intent flashed in his eyes.

“Now, I’ll do anything you want.”

If she wished, he could steal anyone’s supernatural ability. He could kill anyone.

There was nothing Ascan wouldn’t do—as long as Tanashia desired it.

As he stood watching her sleep, she shifted uncomfortably and murmured softly.

“Mmm…”

Her sleepy mumbling was so cute he couldn’t help but frown and smile at the same time.

He worried she might wake, but he couldn’t leave her like that—so Ascan carefully lifted Tanashia into his arms.

She felt so light in his embrace he frowned again.

He’d have to feed her lots of delicious food—she felt like she might crumble if he applied even a little pressure.

Carefully, quietly, Ascan carried Tanashia to the bed, holding his breath the entire time.

Thankfully, she didn’t wake—not even when he covered her with a blanket.

Ascan sat on the edge of the bed and stared endlessly at the sleeping Tanashia. He felt he could watch over her like this for the rest of his life.

He wanted to stroke her soft cheek, but fearing he might wake her, he settled for gently touching her shadow on the bed instead.

Even just looking at her, tender emotions surged like a tide.

The longing he hadn’t even realized he’d felt during his memory loss now had a clear target—and it overflowed uncontrollably.

‘Miss, Tanashia.’

No matter what name he called her, his feelings remained unchanged.

Even if he whispered “I love you” in her ear all night, it wouldn’t be enough to express everything he felt now.

Ascan’s heart was the same as ever.

Loving, beloved Tanashia.

She was the one and only woman in his world.

Time passed, and the ship arrived at the Lazent Empire.

Since bounties still hung over both Ascan and Tanashia, they judged it too dangerous to immediately head toward the Arwen Empire.

Stepping onto the Lazent Empire’s port once again, Tanashia stretched luxuriously. Behind her followed Ascan, Carlton, and Zen.

Watching Dekain command his private soldiers on the deck, Tanashia said,

“We’ll go ahead first. I’ll contact you later—see you then.”

“Alright. I’ll wait.”

Tanashia waved her hand broadly, her farewell more gesture than words.

Dekain found himself staring fixedly at her retreating back. Just then, Kevin, who’d been waiting for them at the port, hurried over.

“Guild Master, was your journey uneventful?”

“Fortunately, yes.”

“Then why that expression?”

At Kevin’s question, Dekain unconsciously stroked his chin.

“What… does my face look like?”

“You seem steeped in a sense of loss.”

“…I tried to hide it. Was it that obvious?”

Dekain smiled self-deprecatingly. His crimson eyes remained fixed on Tanashia’s receding figure.

He used to believe it didn’t matter where Tanashia’s heart was directed—as long as he claimed the seat beside her in the end, he’d won.

But seeing Ascan and Tanashia embracing in the ruins of the mansion, a surge of anxiety rose in his chest.

What if there was never a place for him in her heart?

Until now, he’d assumed that once he restored his identity as Prince of the Lazent Empire—and later became Emperor—Tanashia would naturally become his.

But for the first time, he doubted that assumption.

Somehow, his heart felt impatient. That’s why he’d abruptly revealed his feelings to Tanashia in the cabin.

“Tanashia is clearly my woman—she belongs beside me…”

Dekain’s crimson eyes darkened as they settled on Ascan, walking beside Tanashia.