“But…!”

Kaisel shifted his dry gaze toward her.

“I don’t place much meaning in living.”

His tone was infinitely plain and monotonous.

There was no emotional fluctuation whatsoever. As if it were natural.

“Fate is predetermined anyway. It’s just that mine is a bit shorter. I don’t want to extend my lifeline by doing unpleasant things to each other.”

“…Your Highness.”

Kaisel answered as if his life meant nothing.

“Cynthia, don’t misunderstand. Your job isn’t to save me, but to temporarily stop the pain of the curse. So don’t try to extend the life the goddess has determined.”

“……”

“Nothing would change even if this life ended right now.”

Cynthia bit her lip hard.

A sense of helplessness washed over her at the realization that there was nothing she could do.

“Forcing impossible things is just a waste of time. Just as sending that bird away early would be merciful.”

His voice was even colder than usual. It sounded all the more frigid because no emotion was conveyed.

“I enjoyed the tea. It’s getting late, so I’ll be going now.”

“…I’m sorry.”

“I didn’t say that to hear such words. Also, we’ll have a guest at the mansion soon, so be aware.”

“A guest?”

“Yes. He’s quite an eccentric old man, so the mansion might get noisy.”

As Kaisel rose from his seat, Cynthia also moved to see him out.

When she opened the door, the heavy downpour had stopped, and a full moon illuminated the night sky as if it had never rained.

A fresh scent wafted from the herbs laden with moisture.

“Thanks for the invitation.”

His voice was magnificent, and he looked the same as always.

Strictly speaking, it was closer to coercion than an invitation, so Cynthia’s face flushed hot.

Kaisel, with his eyes gently curved, soon turned his back. He walked away with unhesitating steps.

Unable to properly complete the formalities, Cynthia blankly watched his retreating figure.

His sculptured silhouette soon disappeared from sight.

❀❀❀

After finishing the cleanup, Cynthia wearily climbed to the second floor. With a tired face, she bathed and immediately burrowed into bed.

However, Kaisel’s emotionless eyes lingered in her mind, making sleep impossible.

What must Kaisel have felt?

The emptiness of having nothing to protect, nothing to leave behind.

Her heart kept aching as she couldn’t even imagine how much time had passed to make him so detached, dulling his emotions.

‘I didn’t truly understand his heart.’

Why?

Her chest felt heavy and constricted.

Rustle.

Cynthia froze. The black snake had already climbed onto her leg.

“……”

It was truly a strange snake.

The snake that disappeared without a trace by morning would mysteriously appear at night.

It felt like being haunted by a ghost.

Despite searching the cottage vicinity thoroughly with Mila, who possessed an excellent sense of smell, they found nothing but a single worm, let alone a snake.

Cynthia recalled her conversation with Mila.

“The grand ducal residence is protected by the master’s magic, so neither people nor animals can freely enter. Though the master seems to leave birds flying in the sky alone.”

How had this black snake entered, and why did it keep appearing before her when there was no food?

Of course, the cottage was a suitable habitat for snakes, unlike the mansion.

The maple tree path and surrounding stones were perfect for hiding.

For Cynthia, who worked with herbs, snakes were sacred creatures that she couldn’t simply kill.

Despite planting plenty of impatiens and marigolds around the cottage with Mila—plants that snakes dislike—it had no effect.

The black snake moved along her leg as if swimming.

“Why do you keep bothering me……”

As Cynthia spoke, trying to remain calm despite her whimpering, the snake raised its head.

Could it possibly understand her words?

‘That’s even scarier.’

She’d heard intelligent demonic beasts could understand human speech—what if this wasn’t a snake but a real demonic beast?

A chill ran down her spine and her mouth went dry.

“……You’ve never tried 99% chocolate, have you? It tastes like crayons, you know? I only eat herbs, so I taste like that too. So please stop appearing!”

After rambling about how unappetizing she would be, a defeated sigh escaped her lips.

“Well…… snakes don’t have taste buds anyway, so what’s the point of saying all this?”

The black snake tilted its head with eyes showing complete disinterest in Cynthia’s words.

Instead, it kept approaching her as she moved sideways, continuing to rub against her body.

“Don’t come! I-I’m scared!”

Just as Cynthia pushed away the blanket to distance herself—

“Ah!”

Not realizing she’d reached the edge of the bed, her body suddenly floated in the air.

I’m falling!

Cynthia squeezed her eyes shut, bracing for pain. But strangely, she felt no pain at all.

Feeling her body floating, she cautiously opened her eyes.

“……Huh?”

The black snake had caught her, preventing her from falling. Then it gently placed her back on the bed.

‘It saved me.’

As she stared blankly at the snake, it acted as if nothing had happened, pressing its pointed head against her arms and legs while making small sounds.

Squeak.

“……You’re not even a pet.”

It didn’t attack her, just rubbed against her skin as if it were sweet honey.

Cynthia mustered a little courage and carefully stroked the snake’s body.

“Ugh.”

Despite her revulsion, the gleaming black snake’s skin felt cool and soft.

Its deep blue eyes, gazing at her with clarity, were beautiful just like Kaisel’s.

“Do you like me that much?”

The black snake shook its head slightly and docilely rested its head on Cynthia’s hand.

Oh well. I give up.

Cynthia spoke with a deliberately stern expression.

“Fine. I’ll allow you to stay beside me from now on. But never bite me. Otherwise, I’ll feed you marigold, just watch.”

The snake blinked its brilliant eyes as if it understood, making a “squeak” sound.

Looking at it more, it’s actually kind of cute.

“Let’s see, since we’re family now, I should give you a name. Hmm, since you’re completely black, I’ll call you Blackie.”

The black snake seemed pleased, rubbing itself against Cynthia’s arm.

She couldn’t help but laugh at its seemingly affectionate behavior.

She would have been lonely by herself.

Though it was just a snake, tonight she felt comforted by its presence.

❀❀❀

The next day, Mila’s sudden visit early in the morning had Cynthia rubbing her eyes as she opened the door.

Her jaw dropped at the sight of the items being brought in one after another.

“What is all this?”

The small living room was filled with so many items there was barely room to step.

While Cynthia stood dumbfounded, Mila smiled and kindly explained.

“These are gifts from the master, thanking you for inviting him to the cottage.”

What an extravagant way to express gratitude.

She had merely served him tea in a cottage that was on his own estate.

Moreover, she was the one who had received help through her absurd threat.

“Miss Cynthia, please take a look.”

At Mila’s words, Cynthia carefully touched the hem of a dress.

The dress, with its delicate embroidery and densely set jewels, was flowing and elegant.

There were also several sets of practical work clothes, hats, shoes, and accessories that sparkled like stars.

That wasn’t all.

There was even a magical device that accelerated aging or drying time.

This device was extremely rare and valuable, with limited production even at the Magic Tower, requiring years on a waiting list.

Recalling that she had mentioned liqueur to him yesterday, she made a troubled face. She had absolutely not intended to ask for anything in return.

“These must be expensive.”

Though it was certainly a joyful and pleasant thing, she felt strangely conflicted. It felt like her debt to him kept growing.

As Cynthia let out a small sigh, Mila asked with a tense expression.

“Do you not like the gifts?”

Cynthia, her eyes wide, hurriedly waved her hands.

“Of course not. They’re beautiful and I love them. I just don’t know how to repay His Highness for this kindness.”

“The master called you his benefactor. The same goes for me. ……Thank you for curing my illness with marshmallow root juice.”

Oh, so Mila knew.

Cynthia gave an embarrassed smile.

“Despite my distrust of you, you made marshmallow to cure my illness. I will never forget your kindness.”

Mila’s eyes, though still awkward, had become gentler than before.

“May I see your hand now?”

Mila obediently extended her hand.

Cynthia carefully examined it. Thanks to consistently feeding her marshmallows, it was nearly healed.

“It should be completely healed in about a week. I’ll write down a list of foods caracal beastkin should avoid.”

Nodding, Mila spoke after a slight pause.

“……Doesn’t it bother you that I’m a beastkin?”

“Not at all. You’re just cute. And Mila, you’re my friend.”

A small ripple appeared in Mila’s eyes.

‘Friend.’

A word that could never exist in her life.

She was an assassin who shouldn’t form attachments. But Mila didn’t want to lose this precious relationship she had gained for the first time.

I will protect her.

She vowed to protect this person who called her a friend, even at the cost of her life.

Hiding her flushed face, Mila changed the subject.