Prologue

“George says there was a snake found in the village storage, can you believe it?”

“What?”

Cynthia looked at her neighbor, Mrs. Della, with an incredulous face. It was understandable since even now, snowflakes the size of a baby’s fist were falling heavily.

This village at the northern edge had winter for more than half the year, and even during summer, the average temperature was extremely low.

How could there be a snake, a cold-blooded animal, in such a cold place?

Cynthia frowned, wondering if George was playing another prank.

At that moment, Della swallowed a laugh and said.

“I understand. When I first heard it too, I had exactly the same face as you.”

“Really?”

“Yes. They say it’s a pitch-black snake. With blue eyes too, isn’t that strange?”

“……!”

Della rambled on about how such a snake could exist in this world.

‘A pitch-black snake with blue eyes……’

Cynthia’s face turned pale at the description of the snake that was very familiar to her.

“Mrs. Della, I think I need to go to the greenhouse.”

“Hey! Cynthia?! Be careful!”

Cynthia waved her hand in acknowledgment to Della’s voice and moved like lightning.

However, the north wind mercilessly slapping her face and the snow piled up to her knees slowed her steps toward the greenhouse.

Soon, Cynthia arrived at the round glass structure and urgently opened the door.

Ding-a-ling, the bell hanging above the door jingled as it shook.

She scanned every corner of the greenhouse, but the black snake was nowhere to be seen.

Cynthia pulled up a chair, sat down, removed her muffler, and muttered weakly.

“……Of course Blackie wouldn’t be here.”

It had been a month since she, an apothecary, left the capital for this rural northern village.

Except for the piercing cold that kept her wide awake, life here was quite satisfactory.

Thanks to the excellent greenhouse imbued with the magic tower master’s magic, she could grow fresh herbs regardless of the season, and the villagers were kind.

However, memories that suddenly surfaced shook Cynthia’s heart.

Although it had been a brief period not even lasting three months, the memories of her time at the grand ducal residence came back as vividly as if they had happened yesterday.

Haah.

Cynthia let out a small sigh as she gazed at the newly bloomed purple flower. The cutting of evening primrose had burst open its delicate buds.

‘I should ask George exactly where he saw the snake.’

Cynthia stood up, patting both her cheeks.

At that moment, the wind chime made a small sound as it shook. It seemed a visitor had come early in the morning.

“Who is……!”

Her unfinished words scattered into the air. Cynthia dropped her muffler with a thud as soon as she saw the tall man standing at the door.

“Cynthia.”

The man approached with large strides and elegantly narrowed his eyes.

His black hair, disheveled by the wind, reflected the sunlight and sparkled dazzlingly.

Deep eyes like the abyss, a straight nose, and well-matched features—he was a handsome man with features as if carved to perfection.

“How did Lord Kaisel come here……”

As the surprised Cynthia tried to awkwardly step back, ahem, a dry cough escaped from his mouth.

‘Why would someone who’s sick come all the way here!’

Wondering if his illness had worsened again because of the curse, Cynthia’s gaze wavered.

“Are, are you alright?”

Suddenly, a large hand pulled her waist and embraced her. Her heartbeat quickened from suddenly being trapped in Kaisel’s arms.

Kaisel buried his head on Cynthia’s shoulder as if throwing a tantrum and exhaled a slow breath.

“Caught you.”

D*mn it. I fell for his wicked act again.

Cynthia bit her lip and squirmed to escape from his embrace.

Haha.

A low laugh sounded near her ear, as if her actions were cute.

“Did you enjoy your trip? It’s time to go back home now.”

She flinched at the unexpected words. Despite being in the warm greenhouse, she somehow felt goosebumps.

Could it be that Kaisel didn’t know she had run away? Cynthia anxiously rolled her eyes, not knowing how to respond.

“What does it mean to gently tame someone and then abandon them like this.”

Kaisel grabbed Cynthia’s chin and aligned their mismatched gazes. The voice flowing from his mouth was as cold as ice. Flustered, Cynthia opened her mouth a beat late.

“……The contract period is already over. First, please let me go.”

Even when she pushed with force, he remained immovable like a fortress. Instead, he bound her even more tightly.

“Cynthia. I clearly told you I would die without you.”

“……!”

Kaisel buried his face in Cynthia’s nape and growled as if in warning.

“I begged like a beast cub.”

“Wh-what nonsense are you talking about!”

“Breathe, eat, sleep—do everything only by my side. Even if you die, die by my side.”

No, did you come all this way just to say such savage things?!

Cynthia’s anger gradually rose at this unreasonable demand that made her want to hit him.

‘Without even knowing why I left……!’

She wanted to grab the villain by the collar and shake him mercilessly—he should be begging the female protagonist to save him instead of spouting nonsense here.

Somehow, the memory of when she first met him whirled chaotically in her mind.