***

The dream collapsed without warning.

After capturing the scene of the past crumbling like a puzzle, when I opened my eyes again.

……I was in Cardien’s arms.

It seemed my body had leaned against him when my consciousness flew into the dream.

I quickly stood up and hastily apologized.

“I’m, I’m sorry……!”

Cardien stood up with me, his expression unchanged as if it wasn’t a big deal.

I thought he would surely get angry or mock me, but he’s surprisingly quiet.

Ah, could this be…?

‘Our Cardien has changed……’

“Tutor.”

“……I lost.”

“Lost what?”

“Ah, it’s nothing. What is it?”

Having inadvertently voiced my inner thoughts, I quickly shook my head and asked.

Cardien pointed towards the outside and said.

“Let’s head back now. It’s getting late.”

“Ah…… You’re right.”

I nodded in agreement.

Indeed, when we arrived at the greenhouse, the sky still had a faint purple glow, but now it was completely dark.

I stretched out.

‘Honestly, I don’t feel refreshed.’

Although it was a dream, it felt like experiencing a virtual world, so I don’t feel as refreshed as if I had slept and woken up.

‘But……’

I stole a glance at Cardien, who was now walking beside me as we left the greenhouse.

Come to think of it, this might be the first time we’ve walked side by side like this, as if on a stroll.

‘He’s handsome no matter how many times I look.’

It’s a cliché observation, but I can’t help being mesmerized every time I see him.

At that moment, I couldn’t take my eyes off his face.

“Are you trying to bore a hole in my face with your stare?”

“Ah!”

Startled by his words, I quickly averted my gaze.

I had meant to just take a quick look, but I must have stared too intently without realizing it.

Cardien looked down at me for a moment before speaking.

“Do you have something to say?”

He seemed to think I was staring at him because I had something to say.

‘Well, that’s true.’

After hesitating for a moment, I bowed my head towards him.

“Um…… Thank you.”

“I’ve already heard your thanks.”

“That may be true, but.”

I took a deep breath. Then, with a calmer demeanor, I spoke again.

“Thanks to Your Grace, I think I’ll be able to sleep peacefully now.”

“……”

“Of course, since that dream just now wasn’t my real dream, I might have nightmares again.”

Cardien quietly looks at me.

His purple eyes are still indifferent and cold, but I already know the warmth that had seeped into them.

Then, smiling brightly at him, I said.

“I think I’ll be okay now. Even if I have nightmares again.”

I meant it sincerely.

Of course, having nightmares is still frightening and scary.

But when that happens, I’ll recall the dream from earlier.

That one scene we revisited seems enough to help me overcome it.

Cardien gazed at me silently for a while, then turned his head indifferently and said.

“You don’t need to be so grateful for simply using your own ability.”

“That dream wasn’t created solely by my ability, you know.”

“……”

That’s right.

No matter how much I can change dreams, I can’t make someone dream something they can’t imagine.

Though he’s not saying it, Cardien must have tried hard to imagine my story to create that dream.

Knowing what kind of person Cardien is, I was even more grateful for his effort.

Cardien didn’t say anything more.

We just walked quietly until we reached the main building.

But even that silence felt peaceful to me.

We arrived at the main building and were about to part ways.

I asked again about something I had been curious about.

“By the way, why did you really come all the way to the greenhouse?”

He replied in a cold voice.

“I told you. I was taking a walk.”

“You walk that far?”

“I prefer long walks.”

“……”

Feeling like I wouldn’t get the truth no matter what, I decided to let it go.

Well, it’s not that important anyway.

“Alright, I’ll head in then. Good night, Your Grace.”

I bowed my head slightly as I bid him goodnight.

Cardien looked at me silently for a moment before turning around abruptly and walking away.

I watched his retreating back before heading to my own room.

Thinking that it was good that I had gone out for a walk.

***

As Cardien entered the room, Winston, who had been organizing documents, turned to look at him.

Cardien sat down at the desk and said.

“You can go now too, butler.”

“Yes, master.”

Just as Winston was about to leave the room upon receiving the dismissal order.

As if suddenly remembering something, he turned to Cardien and asked.

“By the way, Master, where did you rush off to so urgently in the middle of work?”

At his question, Cardien remained silent for a moment before coldly replying.

“I went for a walk. And……”

He picked up a pen that had been lying around carelessly and added.

“I didn’t leave in a hurry.”

From Cardien’s words, there was a strong sense of ‘don’t ask anything more.’

‘Is it just my imagination?’

Winston tilted his head, nodded, and was about to leave the room when.

“By the way.”

“……? Yes?”

Winston turned his head at the sudden voice.

Cardien was still looking at the documents.

He slowly parted his lips.

“The indoor temperature of the glass greenhouse was a bit low.”

Greenhouse? Suddenly?

Winston was puzzled but opened his mouth to explain the reason.

“Ah, that’s because of the optimal temperature for plants……”

But Cardien was already not listening.

“It’s almost winter, so I think we could raise the temperature a bit.”

That was already as good as an order.

Understanding immediately, Winston bowed his head.

“Yes, Master. I’ll have the indoor temperature raised tomorrow.”

“And.”

It’s not over?

“……Yes?”

Cardien was silent for a moment before speaking.

“The path to the greenhouse, it should be renovated. There are many pebbles, so one might trip.”

……What exactly did you do there?

Winston was confused, but once again, he simply bowed his head calmly.

“Yes, Master. I’ll have it inspected as soon as the day breaks.”

“You may go now.”

“Yes.”

Winston quietly left the room, and Cardien resumed his remaining work alone.

Suddenly, he turned his head to look out the window.

Beyond the window, he could see the view of the garden where Livia had taken her walk.

***

The next morning.

Waking up to the sunlight pouring in, I stretched out.

Then I let out a short breath.

“Hah……”

Following that, I muttered in an admiring voice.

“The effect is no joke……”

To conclude, I didn’t have a nightmare last night.

Not only did I not have a nightmare, but I also got a good night’s sleep, clearing away all the fatigue I had accumulated.

Cardien’s dream prescription was so effective that my resolve to overcome nightmares even if I had them seemed unnecessary.

‘Should I ask for it again later?’

What kind of dream should I have next time?

While I was seriously contemplating this, there was a knock on the door.

Soon after, Chelsea entered.

When our eyes met, Chelsea showed a surprised expression.

It’s because I rarely woke up at this time in recent days, tossing and turning due to nightmares.

I smiled brightly at Chelsea and greeted her.

“Good morning, Chelsea.”

Chelsea soon returned a faint smile and greeted back.

“Good morning, Tutor.”

Somehow, it feels like the start of a good day.

***

And that feeling was right on the mark.

Although I’m not sure if this is good or not.

I was in the middle of interpreting Jeffrey’s diary as usual.

Jeffrey’s diary, which had been full of hatred towards God and the world, suddenly changed at some point.

[I met her.]

This was written on the front page of the diary as well.

The important part is what follows.

[She reached out her hand to me.

Saying she would grant what I wished for.

Is she a god, a devil,

Or is she a madwoman?

Whatever she is, it doesn’t matter.

I begged her.

To kill them.

To kill those who murdered my family,

To end the breath of those who greedily took away my family’s fortune.

In return, I would gladly offer my soul.]

As if his emotions were heightened, Jeffrey’s plain handwriting began to become more intense.

I then turned to the next page.

And then…….

[Ah…… Aah……!!

She granted my wish.

She tore out the heart of the one who killed my family

And choked the life out of those who took away my family’s fortune.

She is not a devil.

Nor is she a madwoman.

She is a true god.

Not that abominable Thelia,

But my real god!]

The heightened emotions soon invaded even the lines, flying across the page.

But soon Jeffrey regained his composure and returned to his original plain handwriting.

I suppressed the chills I felt for no reason and continued reading.

[I offered my soul to her.

She introduced herself as Egrid.

I followed her to a place where others who had received the same grace as me gathered.

They gather there regularly every year to realize Egrid’s will.

It is underground, and above it, the detestable children of Thelia are running rampant.

Although we are underground, it won’t be for long.

Soon, Egrid’s glory will be spread across Lagranacia.]