I couldn’t think of any words to refute the man’s statement. The temperature was quite chilly due to the continuous rain for the past few days. It wasn’t weather where I could even pretend to be hot.

But I hurriedly opened my mouth because I felt saying I was admiring his incredibly handsome face would lead to a very awkward situation.

“I tend to have a lot of body heat.”

Boom.

Just then, a thunderclap sounded from the sky, as if condemning my lie.

“I see.”

Unexpectedly, the man accepted my words nonchalantly and raised his upper body.

However, it seemed very difficult for him due to his still unhealed wound.

I helped him sit up. Fortunately, he didn’t reject my assistance.

“So, why did you come back?”

The man spoke as if he hadn’t expected me to return to this warehouse.

“Did you hope I wouldn’t come back?”

“Who knows.”

The man ambiguously dragged out his words.

I shrugged my shoulders at him.

“I couldn’t just let the person I saved starve to death in the warehouse.”

The man, who had been looking at me, soon noticed the tray placed nearby.

I moved the tray closer to him and removed the waterproof cloth. Then I opened the lids one by one.

The food I had brought from the kitchen earlier was neatly placed on the tray.

The man stared at the food I had brought and then looked up at me, seemingly puzzled.

“Why are you doing all this?”

“Is it wrong to do so?”

“A stranger, an outsider. Moreover, a man with a serious injury. You help such a person without any suspicion or caution?”

The man’s eyes narrowed as if trying to see through my intentions.

It seemed this man was dissatisfied even with being helped.

“I told you. I don’t want the person I saved to starve to death in the warehouse.”

That was part of it.

Anyway, I had saved him, and it made me uncomfortable to leave him in the warehouse without food. More importantly, I didn’t want him to come to the Count’s manor seeking help.

Of course, judging by his responses so far, it didn’t seem likely he would come to the manor, but you never know with people.

I wanted to completely eliminate any chance of him meeting Miss Veronica.

The man still couldn’t easily believe my words and frowned.

“So, you’re not going to eat? You must have been starving all day.”

They were simple foods, but enough to make a meal.

The man finally averted his gaze from me and slowly reached for the food.

He picked up the spoon on the tray and took a sip of the potato soup, his expression complicated.

His brows furrowed, then he pursed his lips tightly and even let out a sarcastic laugh.

He was a man who showed many expressions while eating.

Oh, did he not like the meal?

That was possible.

The man was a Duke of this empire.

Being one of the high nobility, he must be used to luxurious meals, so he might not have liked the food I brought.

I hadn’t considered that.

But it wasn’t easy for me to sneak food out either.

Gathering leftovers after everyone had finished eating made my heart race and my chest tighten, so how could I prepare anything better?

“Don’t like it? Sorry, but I’m not close enough with the kitchen staff to prepare something better. Even if you’re dissatisfied, just be content with this.”

As I said this, the man lowered the hand holding the spoon and looked at me.

Then he smiled softly.

“No, it’s enough.”

I thought he had a sharp impression, but now, with his eyes drooping languidly, he exuded a warm, sunny atmosphere.

My heart fluttered. Seeing such a handsome face smile at me, it was impossible not to feel excited. Feeling thrilled by the villain who would make Miss Veronica unhappy—it was all because of that face.

In that situation, the man left me with a short thank you.

“Thank you.”

***

Sitting in one corner of the warehouse, I watched the man eat.

The man started eating as if it was nothing, but his refined movements confirmed he was a noble.

Miss Veronica also exuded an elegant atmosphere with the etiquette she had learned from a young age, and I felt the same from this man.

But somehow, it felt a bit different.

Yes, more like a knight?

The knights who came to pledge their loyalty to Miss Veronica had this kind of atmosphere.

In fact, Duke Berzel was famous for his swordsmanship, so my impression wasn’t entirely wrong.

“Does it suit your taste?”

I asked, curious about the man who was eating without complaint.

The man continued eating quietly without any dissatisfaction.

In fact, I was worried that he might overturn the table, saying it didn’t suit his taste.

But fortunately, the man briefly looked up at me and smiled faintly.

“I’m not picky about food.”

Why does he smile so often? I can’t take my eyes off him.

It was natural for a person.

People are inherently drawn to beauty. And I was an entirely ordinary person.

So it couldn’t be helped that I was captivated by the face of Duke Berzel, one of the main characters in this world.

Fortunately, the man didn’t seem bothered by my gaze. He finished his meal and put down the spoon.

There was still some food left, like the potatoes I had brought, but the man didn’t touch them.

“Are you waiting for me to finish everything?”

The man suddenly asked me.

I snapped out of my daze and looked out the small window in the warehouse.

Amidst the darkness, the thick raindrops filling the sky were clearly visible.

“No, I was just planning to rest a bit before leaving. The rain is too fierce.”

It didn’t seem like the rain would let up anytime soon.

Thinking about walking back to the manor through this rain made my head spin.

I sat crouched, hugging my knees. Then I rested my head on my arms and watched the man.

“How’s your wound? Does it still hurt a lot?”

The man raised his hand and touched his wound.

Seeing the slight furrow in his brow, it seemed he was still in pain.

“…It’s bearable.”

“Seems like you’re quite good at lying.”

The man looked up at me at my unintended remark.

His inscrutable blue eyes turned toward me.

I avoided his gaze for a moment, then felt a sense of futility and met his eyes again.

Surely, he wouldn’t draw his sword on his savior, right?

No, considering he had threatened me the day before, it wasn’t entirely impossible.

Besides, the man in front of me was the villain of this world.

He wouldn’t hesitate to ruin our family to get Miss Veronica.

He could kill me to rid himself of any displeasure.

…Thinking that far, I lowered my eyes respectfully.

“I’m sorry.”

…I won’t act out.

I apologized, hiding my true feelings, and the man let out a puzzled sound.

I cleared my throat to change the atmosphere.

“Anyway, I hope your wound heals quickly.”

So you can leave this territory.

I wanted him to leave this territory soon so I could enjoy my free time without worry.

If he met Miss Veronica and fell passionately in love, it would be irreversible.

I didn’t think he would wander around in this weather with a wound, but it was too soon to be relieved.

“Are you worried about me?”

The man frowned.

What, is it a problem even if I worry?

“Do you know who I am and worry about me?”

“Well, you’re a vi…”

“Vi?”

I shut my mouth tightly, startled by his questioning voice.

I almost thoughtlessly told the man, ‘You’re a villain, aren’t you?’

I tried my best to turn my head while pondering how to overcome this situation.

First, I shouldn’t give any hint that I know the man’s identity.

He might kill me if he thinks I know too much.

And in novels where these situations typically occur, playing dumb was the best response.

“Vi…ictim of this terrible weather who got injured. How would I know who you are when you haven’t even told me? Or are you going to tell me now? No, right?”

I quickly continued, fearing he might say he would tell me who he was.

“Right, what does it matter who you are? The important thing is that I found you injured, brought you here, treated you, and you’re recuperating here. That’s it, right?”

I broke into a cold sweat as I saw the man’s furrowing brow. I rolled my eyes, gauging his reaction, and he suddenly let out a laugh.

He had such a variety of expressions.

While thinking that, the man suddenly lifted one corner of his mouth and looked straight at me.

“Well, there’s one thing I need to point out.”

“…What is it?”

I felt a chill at my fingertips, thinking it wouldn’t be that simple.

“This.”

The man picked up a small bottle next to him.

It was the empty potion bottle.