As soon as Oceanos gave the order, Styx grabbed my arm and left the banquet hall. I tried to resist being dragged away, but it was completely useless. It only made my shoulder feel like it would dislocate. Constantly looking back hoping to catch a glimpse of Asrein through the window, I asked:

“Why are you hiding me?!”

[I don’t know either. His Majesty enjoys playing games.]

Who doesn’t know about his capricious nature? I sighed deeply with a grimace.

“You two have no reason to oppose each other.”

[That’s not our concern. Are you worried the human who came to rescue you might die?]

“No, that’s not…”

I am worried since the opponent is Oceanos, but somehow I don’t think Asrein would lose. When I trailed off, an irritated Styx suddenly shouted.

[Don’t tell me you think His Majesty Oceanos will lose?!]

“Hahaha…”

Even though I tried to laugh it off, Styx wouldn’t stop grumbling. After leaving the banquet hall, we circled around to the back of the palace. I couldn’t tell where we were heading, but our destination wasn’t important right now.

“Isn’t it too quiet…?”

By now, the two should have confronted each other, yet the area was silent. While I was curious about what was happening beyond the palace, I was relieved not to hear any explosions or thunderous noises. Phew… Surely the rational Asrein wouldn’t openly use attack magic. That’s when I felt reassured.

BOOM-!

[W-what’s that?!]

A massive explosion occurred, seemingly right on cue. Smoke billowed thickly, like great flames meeting powerful streams of water. This was my chance. Taking advantage of the obscured vision, I broke free from Styx’s grip and fled. Though I couldn’t see clearly, anywhere I could hide would do.

Running while looking only at the ground, I immediately climbed up when I spotted stairs. With difficulty, I found a door by feeling along the surface, tore off the moss and seaweed clinging to it, and went inside. When I finally caught my breath and looked up, a stuffed eagle was staring at me.

“Gasp… where am I?”

The doors lined up on both sides along the long corridor looked like a cozy inn. But I recognized it from the low ceiling and the eagle emblems scattered throughout. This was inside the Evgenia Imperial ship I had glimpsed before going to the banquet hall.

Leaving immediately was the priority, but unnecessary curiosity guided my steps. It didn’t seem to be a simple trading vessel; there were traces of people living here, like a passenger ship. Just as I was about to climb up the worn stairs to see more, I heard it. Creeeeak- the sound of rusty hinges moving.

[Are you here~?]

It was Styx. If I stepped on the stairs now, I would be caught immediately. I quickly lowered my body and darted into the room at the very end of the corridor. Looking through the door crack, I could see Styx checking each room from the front of the deck.

[Wow, hide and seek? I like it~]

Fortunately, they took it as a game. I quietly closed the door and belatedly checked the room’s structure. The room, which should have been corroded by seawater, was perfectly preserved thanks to Oceanos’s magic power. Except for the passage of time, it could easily be mistaken for a museum.

Moreover, judging by the luxurious red decorations, it seemed to be a cabin where someone of high rank had stayed. A nobleman of Evgenia lineage perhaps? There were no clues on the solitary round table or chairs.

[Tae~o!]

Meanwhile, the mischievous voice calling my name grew closer. I needed to hide my body first to avoid whatever might happen if caught. Looking for a suitable place, I spotted a velvet curtain hanging on the wall.

“This will have to do since I’m in a hurry…”

I pulled on the edge of the curtain to hide behind it. But the fabric slid down smoothly and fell helplessly to the floor. I stared blankly at the velvet cloth rolled up like a blanket.

[Taeo~ His Majesty is looking for you~!]

Hearing Styx’s voice snapped me back to reality. I needed to hide, even if it meant burying myself in the pile of fabric. Crouching on the floor and draping the velvet over my shoulders, I happened to look up at the wall.

There was a painting hanging there. The velvet cloth wasn’t a curtain at all, but had been placed to cover the picture.

“…What is this?”

Forgetting about hiding, I stared intently at the large painting. Three figures were carefully framed in gold: a white-haired middle-aged man sitting in a chair, a boy reading a book on his lap, and a young man resting his hand on the old man’s chair. It was an ordinary scene of a noble family’s harmonious moment.

Scanning for any useful clues, I discovered tiny writing in the bottom right corner.

[To His Grace Duke Evgenia of Toricorto. With respect, Cherik Pantonio.]

A familiar name flashed through my mind. There was only one person in Karsa history with the surname Evgenia and the title of Duke.

“This is Evgenia I…”

This meant the ship might not belong to the imperial family. How could a painting completed before Evgenia overthrew Sio and took the throne be here? Like a museum docent, I crossed my arms and examined the painting carefully.

That’s when I spotted a new figure behind the young man standing at an angle. A man with his brownish-yellow hair tied down. Though his body faced the window, his straight-bridged profile was frighteningly familiar.

“…Asrein?”

Even after rubbing my eyes and looking again, it was him—Diabel Asrein. His attire was simpler than now, but his face was identical. Instinctively, I reached out to touch his image in the painting. His expressionless face looked like a doll given life.

“He really resembles his ancestor…”

The striking resemblance was one thing, but something felt off. The Asrein family received their count title for siding with Duke Evgenia during the war. Yet this painting seemed to capture a moment before that.

Just as I was sensing the contradiction in this subtly twisted timeline:

[Wow, found you!]

A hand suddenly landed on my shoulder. Startled, I turned around to see Styx grinning.

“…!! Styx. When did you get here?”

[Just now. Let’s go quickly.]

“Where to?”

[His Majesty Oceanos sent a messenger.]

Following their gesture, I turned to see a water bird appearing outside the door. It was Oceanos’s avatar that had led us to the banquet hall. I wanted to keep looking at the painting, but Styx firmly gripped my shoulder and led me out of the ship.

[Oh, right. Turns out that intruder… I mean, guest was an acquaintance of His Majesty Oceanos.]

“What?”

[So His Majesty asked me to bring you. He said he’ll gladly send you back to land.]

“Then what was that explosion?”

[Who knows. Maybe he used magic because he was too excited?]

One more welcome like that and someone might die. Still, it was fortunate that Asrein had an unexpected connection with Oceanos. I hurriedly followed Styx to the reception room inside the palace. Though I’d only been imprisoned for about a day, it felt like I was seeing Asrein after a week.

Just before knocking on the door, I suddenly remembered my attire.

“W-wait a moment.”

[What’s wrong?]

“Give me my clothes.”

[What clothes are you talking about~]

“The clothes I was originally wearing!”

[Ah~ I’ll bring them soon. But His Majesty is waiting, so hurry inside.]

“How can I go in looking like this…!!”

Our whispered conversation gradually grew louder. I couldn’t face Asrein in this outfit that revealed not just my chest and sides, but my thighs as well. While pleading with Styx and holding their hand, the door suddenly swung open. Turning stiffly like a broken machine, my eyes met directly with Asrein’s.

“Tae-oh, are you alright…”

I faced him in this bizarre outfit without any mental preparation. I should have at least tried to hold the gaping parts of my clothes! His abruptly cut-off voice reflected his bewilderment. Oceanos, who came out next, covered his mouth and giggled softly.

[Styx. Bring this person his clothes. I will finish the banquet and return.]

[Yes!]

Styx, who had refused to listen to me no matter what, promptly turned away. With Oceanos gone too, only Asrein and I remained in the reception room. He inside the door, and I outside. Like there was an invisible line neither of us should cross, we both stood without moving a single step.

“I’m sorry for making you worry…”

I slightly raised one hand to close my exposed chest, and used the other to hold the slit at my thigh. I looked up at Asrein with an awkward smile. But Asrein hadn’t blinked once since opening the door, appearing frozen in time.

Just as his frozen state began to worry me, a brazen voice was heard from afar.

[Here, I brought your clothes!]

Styx approached from the distance with welcome clothes in their arms. Receiving them with delight, Styx playfully winked one eye.

[Want help changing?]

I was about to decline, saying it was fine. But it wasn’t me who expressed an opinion—it was Asrein.

“Stop touching him.”

His low, murmuring voice was razor-sharp. Asrein naturally gripped my shoulder and pulled me into the reception room. Then he glared at Styx like an unwelcome visitor and slammed the door shut. Judging by his tone and attitude, Asrein seemed thoroughly angry with me.

“It must have been difficult coming all this way. I… I tried to contact you, but my magic was blocked. I still tried hard to escape on my own. …Though I suppose that’s pointless to mention now.”

Even as I muttered useless excuses, Asrein showed no reaction. I wished he would openly express his anger rather than just leaning against the door and quietly staring. Holding the clothes to my chest, I awkwardly moved to a corner and said:

“I’ll change quickly.”

The atmosphere made me feel like I needed to hurry. I immediately placed each accessory down on the mantelpiece. Clink, thud. Only the hollow sound of heavy metals colliding echoed. Meanwhile, Asrein kept following my movements with his eyes. Is he deliberately trying to make me uncomfortable? If so, it’s working.

“…Um…”

I was about to ask him to turn around, but stopped myself. Thinking about it, we’re both men, so what’s the big deal? Just think of it as a public bath. Back in school, we used to change in the classroom without a second thought. Obviously, the one being self-conscious is the weird one. Yes. I’m the weird one. Right.

Trying to escape his gaze as much as possible, I turned my back and untied the string at my waist. Even the soft sound of the knot coming undone seemed disruptively loud. Thud—the only string holding my clothes together fell onto the carpet. Letting go of the fabric I’d been holding with just my hands made my legs feel exposed. I hurriedly put on my pants to cover my unremarkable legs.

It was just putting on clothes… Why was this daily routine making me so nervous? While fastening my belt buckle, I hoped Asrein couldn’t see my trembling eyelids. Anyone would find it strange to see someone getting as tense as a wedding night just from changing clothes.

“…Phew.”

I had only managed to put on my pants. Now I felt my body hair standing on end at the thought of taking off my top. What was Asrein doing now? I glanced back slightly and met his clear golden eyes. It felt like being the last painting left in a vast art gallery.

Avoiding his gaze like I was fleeing, I slowly removed my top. Soft silk brushed against my exposed back, making my shoulders tremble involuntarily. Just as I turned to pick up the neatly folded shirt:

“…!”

Asrein had somehow stepped forward and was looking down at me. Startled by his silent approach, I saw his neat brow furrow slightly. Soon his gaze swept over every corner of my body. Feeling like my vulnerabilities were exposed, my eyes flushed red. Unable to control my expression as I wished, I bit my lower lip slightly and carefully asked:

“Were you… very worried?”

How ridiculous I must look. A grown man whose ears turn red just from having someone watch him change clothes—not to mention being abducted and forced into strange attire. I wanted to hide behind the sofa immediately.

Hastily inserting my arms into the shirt, I buttoned it with trembling hands.

“Ah! Right. How’s Rio? The injured student, I mean.”

“…”

“His ankle seemed badly sprained.”

The conversation was one-sided. Or rather, it was more like talking to myself. Having put on the shirt in front of him, I felt somewhat calmer. Taking a breath to change the subject once more, Asrein finally spoke.

“The clothes.”

“Pardon?”

Looking up at his short statement, I met his displeased expression.

“Did you wear those clothes of your own will?”

“What?! No, no!!! Of course not. I was forced to wear them.”

“…Forced?”

His thin lips twisted sharply. Trying to salvage the situation, I waved both hands and added an explanation.

“Actually, when I regained consciousness, I was, quite amusingly, n*ked.”

“Hmm, n*ked you say.”

“W-well… You see. The sirens said they were preparing me, so they applied oil to my bare body…”

“Bare body…”

“Haha, then they happened to give me those clothes, so I had no choice but to wear them. I couldn’t walk around completely n*ked…”

Somehow, the more I spoke, the worse things seemed to get. After a long silence, Asrein just sighed deeply. I’d never heard a sigh so full of complicated emotions. Asrein irritably swept back his hair and turned away.

“This gets more outrageous the more I hear.”

“Right? I think so too.”

As I put on my vest last, I heard a quiet murmur.

“…Why am I so angry?”