“The beast you brought has opened its eyes,” Sylvia reported.

I laughed, “Haha, Sylvia. Even so, calling him a beast… though he did act like one.”

Hearing this, Sylvia’s expression grew even colder.

She spoke while visibly suppressing her anger.

“From what I’ve heard about his actions, he’s no different from a beast. They say he caused a commotion as soon as he woke up. Though he can’t use black magic because of the restraints with barriers, he seems quite violent.”

“Hmm… is that so? I bet Raku is looking for me. Right?”

“Yes. He dared… to demand we bring you to him. That rotten bastard.”

Seeing Sylvia speak through gritted teeth, looking ready to rush to Raku and strangle him, I quickly asked.

“Where is Raku now?”

“He’s locked up at the farm. In a cage… perhaps.”

Sylvia looked at me with disbelief.

“Are you planning to meet him in person?”

“Yes! It would be troublesome if he tried to escape just to see me. I should tell him not to cause any disturbance.”

“But will he really listen obediently…?”

“Yes. He will. I’m certain of it. So isn’t it better to make him listen before anything happens?”

After examining me for a moment, Sylvia sighed softly and said with a resigned face.

“I’ll guide you. But I’m coming with you. Since you won’t listen even if I tell you it’s dangerous….”

“That’s my Sylvia. You know me so well.”

When I winked at her, Sylvia flinched, blushed, and stormed out of the room.

“Let’s go!! If that beast tries anything, I’ll snap his neck right away!!”

“You can’t do that, Sylvia. Just beat him enough so he doesn’t die.”

I followed Sylvia toward the farm where Raku was reportedly imprisoned.

‘I thought I could finally rest… but this guy is causing trouble? I’ll go meet him as he wishes.’

I need to teach him a lesson so he won’t act up anymore.

❖ ❖ ❖

Inside the farm.

This was my first visit since the incident when Sylvia and the employees tried to trick me.

Sylvia seemed uncomfortable as we entered the farm, probably reminded of that time, and kept glancing at me.

“Wow~ This brings back memories. I was really scared when I was locked up here.”

When I joked with a playful smile, Sylvia’s expression contorted in pain.

She took a deep breath and spoke solemnly.

“…I should atone with my death…!!”

“I’m joking.”

Thinking Sylvia might actually do it, I spoke seriously with a straight face.

Still, Sylvia remained fidgety with guilt.

“That time… I’m truly sorry for what happened then. I wouldn’t blame you for dismissing me.”

“I told you it’s fine. I wasn’t scared at all back then.”

‘Rather, I enjoyed it….’

But since I couldn’t tell Sylvia that the place where she imprisoned me was where the head of House Cayenne and my brother filmed a bondage scene in the original work, I just smiled and patted her back, assuring her it was really okay.

And Raku was locked in that very human cage—the same place I had been imprisoned and a hot spot in the original work.

“We’re here.”

The human cage had been prohibited from holding people since that incident.

But Raku was an exception.

Since they were keeping him within House Cayenne, there was no more suitable place.

“Miss Lize.”

The knights guarding the cage bowed when they saw me.

I greeted them lightly and said I wanted to see Raku.

After exchanging glances, the knights seemed to decide there would be no problem and made way.

So I approached the cage.

Through the iron bars, I could see Raku kneeling with restraints on his neck, wrists, and ankles.

Though they said the restraints had barriers, he was also gagged to prevent him from chanting spells.

Of course, they said they had also removed the secret mechanism that allowed escape from inside.

“……”

Sensing someone’s presence, Raku raised his head and looked up at me. His face was a mess from the injuries inflicted by Arkle.

I smiled and waved my hand slightly.

“……! Mmph!!”

Raku’s eyes widened when he saw me.

As he violently moved his wrists as if trying to break the chains, the clank-clank—!! of metal rang out madly.

Startled, Sylvia quickly stepped in front of me.

The knights also reflexively drew their swords.

“This son of a b*tch—”

I gently moved Sylvia, who had shouted harshly at Raku, aside.

“It’s okay, Sylvia.”

“Miss Lize.”

“Could I go inside for a moment?”

I asked one of the knights with a smile.

“What? But that’s….”

As expected, he couldn’t easily grant permission.

I had no choice but to use my trump card.

“I heard he’s severely injured. Arkle asked me to heal his urgent wounds.”

The trump card of ‘name-dropping.’

‘Sorry, Arkle.’

After exchanging glances, the two knights soon nodded.

“We’ll go in with you.”

“Me too—”

Sylvia stepped forward after the knights, but I quickly said.

“That won’t work. Having someone beside me while performing holy power would be distracting.”

Of course, it was a hastily made-up lie, but it was true that I didn’t want to be disturbed.

Because I had something I wanted to discuss with Raku alone.

‘Ah, since Raku can’t speak right now, will I be talking alone? Anyway.’

Finally, one knight took out a key from his pocket and opened the cage door.

“If there’s any sign of danger, you must come out immediately—!”

Sylvia still looked anxious about letting me go alone.

“I know, I know.”

I answered with a smile and carefully entered the cage.

I approached Raku and stopped one step in front of him.

Then I spoke in a small voice that only he could hear.

“Do you still want to serve me?”

“……! Mmph—!”

Raku nodded vigorously, his golden eyes wide.

As expected, I didn’t think this man would easily abandon his fantasy of salvation.

“Then… I’ll give you a chance.”

I said with an angelic, bright smile.

Right now, I probably looked like a pure saintess extending a hand of salvation.

“Obey me. Then I’ll save you. I’ll cleanse your sins and protect you even in the ‘life after death.’ All you have to do is obey.”

“……”

“I’m telling you to be a well-behaved dog.”

I smiled gently and stroked his silver hair.

“Can you do that?”

Raku, who had been staring at me intently, slowly nodded. His nodding gradually became more vigorous.

“Mmph—! Mmph…!”

“Yes, yes. Good boy.”

Though I couldn’t understand what he was saying, I assumed it was affirmative and casually stroked his head.

“Mmph!”

Somehow I felt like there was more meaning of ‘more’ in that utterance.

Raku was contentedly letting me stroke his head with a pleased expression.

‘He really is like a dog.’

In both the literal and vulgar sense.

I had always considered myself the greatest pervert in the world, but it seems the world is wide and full of crazy people.

Still, I couldn’t tarnish my dignity as a goddess, so I said without showing any outward agitation.

“If you continue to behave well like this, I’ll remove your restraints. And if you do really well, I might even let you serve me up close?”

“……!”

At those words, Raku’s eyes lit up.

“For today, I’ll just treat your wounds. So you need to keep behaving well, okay?”

I placed one hand on Raku’s ruined forehead.

I intended to heal some of his injuries, but I realized I was unsure how to receive his show of respect in his current state.

In the end, I decided to remove his gag temporarily.

“If you want to serve me closely, you must stay still.”

“…Ah, I will. Thank you, goddess.”

Once the gag was removed, Raku took a breath and answered docilely while looking at me.

“Oh, and in this country, there’s something called honorifics. When you address me from now on, you should attach the title ‘Miss.”

“Miss…? Miss Goddess…?”

“That’s right. Say it once more. With a respectful heart.”

“Miss Goddess.”

Raku murmured while looking at me with ecstatic eyes.

“Well done.”

I was able to use holy power successfully.

As a reward, I healed his wounds.

As I left the cage, I looked at him with a warm smile.

“You must stay quiet until I come again.”

Raku nodded from behind the bars.

With his golden eyes shining brightly as he watched me, he looked like a large dog waiting for his owner to return.

I waved my hand slightly at him and left the farm.

❖ ❖ ❖

Having subdued the concerning threat for now, I was finally going to return to my room to rest, but…..

“I heard you met with the sorcerer. Let me hear your report right away.”

Martha caught me in front of the stairs.

“But you said to get enough rest first~”

My resistance to whining was useless.

I was eventually dragged to Martha’s office and had to report in detail about what happened in Kelston and my recent meeting with Raku.

“So now, we should send a letter to His Majesty the Emperor saying we’ve found a way to break the curse.”

“Already done.”

She’s quick as expected.

Martha said with satisfaction, her chin resting on her interlocked fingers.

“By the way, since that sorcerer sees you as a goddess and follows you… he’ll be easy to control. It’s fortunate you’re a member of House Cayenne.”

“……”

A member of House Cayenne? Has she completely accepted me as a member now?

“It’s reassuring to have such a reliable person as a family member.”

And even praise from the original female protagonist known for being harsh.

Of course, she might be flattering me to keep me on her side, but it still felt good.

Either way, Martha trusts me, doesn’t she?

‘Now I don’t have to worry about being kicked out.’

Looking at me feeling pleased, Martha said.

“So, I want to officially announce your marriage to Arkle.”