Life returned to Lucian’s eyes, which had been dying out after failing to steal Prince Deus’s demon.

It was certain that the change in Serena Winter, who had been unbearably boring, was also due to the influence of that demon.

If he could just have that demon, he could continue creating new toys.

And to steal that demon…

‘…Or the contract ends when I die?’

“Ahaha.”

Lucian covered his mouth to prevent laughter from escaping, but he couldn’t hide his curved eyes.

***

The next afternoon, as I was about to leave home after failing to see Echo and just leaving a note, it happened.

Knock knock-

A visitor on a day like this.

I stayed quiet, pretending no one was home.

But then.

Knock knock- knock, knock knock knock-

What’s going on?

This persistent visitor started pounding on the door.

“Kekek. Master, should Wit chase them away?”

“…No. I’ll handle it.”

I threw on a robe, intending to send the visitor away, and opened the door.

“Hello?”

And I froze right there.

“It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”

Lucian Berto. Why is this person suddenly…

Fortunately, my face was hidden by the robe when reflected in his purple eyes.

Otherwise, I would have surely revealed an expression I couldn’t hide in time.

I quietly swallowed and spoke in a disguised voice, pretending to be calm.

“What business do you have?”

“Business? How disappointing. Do I need a reason to visit a friend’s house?”

I stared silently at Lucian, who was pretending to be sad in a detestable way.

What is this? Why has this man, who had stopped coming to this house after Echo’s request, appeared now?

Why at this moment when I was about to leave?

After pondering briefly, I decided to give up trying to understand.

One shouldn’t try to understand someone who isn’t in their right mind.

“We’re closed today. And since I have urgent matters to attend to, please go back,”

“I met a guard on my way here. Do you know what he told me?”

I had to close my mouth at Lucian’s words as I was trying to send him away.

“He said there’s a madman living in this forest who attacks people, so be careful.”

My lips went dry and chills ran down my spine.

It seemed Lucian had met that guard who had been knocked down by Wit back then.

“But when I think about it, the only person living in this forest is the toy store owner, right?”

“Where is that guard now?”

“I sent him back already.”

Lucian said with a bright smile.

Looking at him like this, I thought he resembled Violet quite a bit.

Well, they’re siblings, so that’s natural.

“Sent him back? How…?”

“It was simple. When I said you were my acquaintance, he went back without much fuss.”

As he said, the capital’s guard wouldn’t have defied the words of Marquis Berto.

But why?

Why would Lucian Berto help me?

As if reading my thoughts, Lucian continued his explanation.

“I couldn’t let our toy store owner get into trouble.”

“…Why?”

“Hmm? Why, you ask. Are you really asking because you don’t know?”

A criminal has no way of knowing what’s inside a crazy person’s head.

Hiding that inner thought, I waited for his answer.

“Because I care about you.”

At Lucian’s response, I clenched my fist. How should I hit him to break his nose?

Lucian, who was looking at me with a kind smile, spoke in a disappointed voice.

“Even when I show my affection so clearly, my toy store owner doesn’t recognize it, which makes me very sad.”

How annoying.

It wasn’t the first time I’d seen that snake-like attitude, but today my fist was itching more than usual.

“Thank you for your help.”

Whether it was true that Lucian had chased away the guard or not, I needed to leave this place quickly.

As time passed, Count Ferial would deploy more guards and narrow the search net.

“But I really have urgent matters today, so-“

“If you’re grateful, would you treat me to a cup of tea?”

“What? No, wait…!”

Without even listening to the end of my sentence, Lucian pushed me aside and flung the door wide open.

I panicked and blocked his way, terrified that Lucian might have seen Wit.

But fortunately, Wit must have hidden well as he wasn’t visible.

I let out a small sigh and called out to Lucian.

“Sir, what are you doing? Barging in like this-“

“Are you going somewhere far?”

What?

Lucian was staring fixedly at something.

Following his gaze, I saw my packed bags on the floor, and I calmly answered.

“Well, I was thinking of taking a trip.”

“A trip…”

Lucian slowly looked around the house and muttered quietly.

“For a trip, your house looks very empty.”

Seeing this, I sighed and decided to be straightforward.

What could he do if I said I was leaving?

As I stood there with my arms crossed defiantly, Lucian, who had been staring intently around the house, slowly turned to look at me.

With a somewhat meaningful smile.

“You’re a noble, aren’t you.”

“…What are you.”

Lucian asked me, as if he knew everything, while my arms went limp.

“And you’re a woman.”

What is he saying?

For a moment, my brain froze, and I blinked blankly.

How much does he know about me? Could he possibly know that I’m Rosemary?

While I was filled with questions, the face of a certain fairy flashed through my mind.

The fairy of wealth, Taro.

Lucian is Taro’s contractor.

And I had shown my face to Taro when he secretly entered my house.

That meant Taro could reveal my identity to Lucian at any time.

What should I do…

I unconsciously glanced at the fruit basket on the floor.

Wit had poked his head out from between the fruits and was giving me a look that said, ‘Should Wit help?’

No. For now, it’s just my assumption.

Let’s respond calmly.

I secretly showed my palm to Wit, signaling him to wait.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Remember?”

As I was pretending not to know, Lucian asked me first.

“When you grabbed my hand at the opera house.”

I grabbed Lucian’s hand?

I frowned and tilted my head.

Seeing my eyes that showed no recollection, Lucian tapped his shoulder as if giving me a hint.

Shoulder?

At that moment, I remembered brushing off Lucian’s hand when he placed it on my shoulder in front of the opera house.

“Your hand was small for a man.”

Lucian continued speaking with a subtle smile.

“Too soft and delicate for a commoner.”

“…That’s prejudice. Not all commoners have rough hands.”

And not all men have large hands either.

After my calm response, Lucian closed his eyes gently and nodded, clearly agreeing with me.

“Yes. You’re not wrong. There are always exceptions.”

Looking at him, I thought.

Is that all he knows about me?

Very fragmentary information obtained from a hand that accidentally touched his.

I was just beginning to feel relieved that it might be only that much when—

“Then why are you hiding your identity?”

Momentarily flustered, I couldn’t answer right away.