He realized that I treated the male protagonists as a mere text.

“At first, it was just pride.”

Seth’s crimson eyes darkened.

“I wanted you to acknowledge that I was alive.”

I wanted to look away, but since he was holding my face, all I could do was avoid his gaze.

“I hoped that even if I killed someone, your eyes, which looked at me like I was a lifeless object, would crack.”

But I couldn’t block my ears, and I didn’t want to hear the thoughts that were drilling into my eardrums.

“Hey, Master. Were you pretending to be surprised, or were you really surprised?”

“I was really surprised. Of course.”

Please believe me; it’s true.

Maybe my earnestness reached him because Seth nodded as if he understood.

“Hmm, I’ll believe you, even if it’s hard to.”

…So I’m the one who can’t be trusted.

“You probably already know this, but I don’t think twice about the same thing, you know? Because I finish it in one go.”

I know that.

“But you think about it every day. Every hour. I don’t know how many times you’ve replayed it in your mind.”

Somehow, I would make you acknowledge that I was a living being.

The addition made my heart sink.

“Isn’t it funny? I was living without being able to die because living was so boring…”

Beep! Beep! Beep!

The alarm blared wildly, and I tried to pull back, but Seth grabbed my arm first. He smiled with a playful glint in his eyes.

“Why? Are you trying to run away?”

With one arm wrapped around my waist, he prevented me from moving.

“What are you talking about?”

“Master, you have a natural talent for escaping from difficult situations.”

If I had such a talent, I wouldn’t have gotten myself into this situation in the first place!

I wanted to say that, but unfortunately, I was too timid.

“You always find excuses and reasons… managing to slip away.”

Seth’s smile grew wider, and I rolled my eyes as much as I could.

From the front, I probably looked like a flounder.

“Don’t run away. Look at me.”

Seth lightly pressed my cheek, and I unconsciously looked forward.

In his deep crimson eyes, there was no glimmer of light.

Again.

Again, I’m struggling.

You’re not a lifeless text.

Seth was still smiling, but his eyes were sinking.

“You made me live hard when I was barely alive.”

It felt like something twisted was crumbling down.

“I believed that if I gained your acknowledgment if I broke that mask-like expression of yours, I would win.”

“…….”

“But when you showed a wounded expression, it felt strange.”

Ah, Seth Milan has figured it all out.

I had tried to hide that I felt guilty toward him, but I had been found out.

“The moment I longed for came, but strangely, I wasn’t happy.”

The smile hanging on Seth’s lips felt bittersweet, which made my feelings feel strange too.

So, after that, you didn’t dig into me anymore?

Realizing that I regretted the past I created with my own hands?

Seth had brought up his wounds and asked me to have a relationship with him, and I willingly agreed. At that time, if he had made me swear to stay by his side, I would have done so.

Later, if he had asked me to sign a marriage contract after stirring up guilt again, I would have done that too.

But at some point, Seth stopped forcing anything on me.

“Do you know?”

“…What?”

Now my voice was choked.

“Since that day, the number of times you’ve looked into my eyes has increased significantly.”

I could see myself reflected in his crimson eyes.

Beep! Beep! Beep!

The alarm, which had subsided, blared again.

“I really like it when you look into my eyes. It feels like you’re peering into my deep, secret parts.”

“…….”

“It seems like you know everything, even if I don’t say a word.”

I still didn’t know what Seth was thinking or what plans he was making.

But I understood his desire to be understood and loved.

Seth Milan is a pitiful man who struggles to gain the love of the female protagonist but doesn’t know how to love, only repressing his feelings.

“Don’t leave me.”

And so, I couldn’t say anything.

I couldn’t deny reality or give a light affirmation to escape the situation.

***

“Writer.”

“…….”

“Writer!”

“Uh, huh?”

“It’s quite something to be lost in thought while dancing.”

The rare sight of Dietrich sulking.

Oh no, this is bad.

“Alright, let’s change the music.”

“Dietrich! Diet! I was wrong, so I’ll, ugh.”

Dietrich continued to move to the dance music without considering my exhaustion. It felt like being manipulated by Dietrich like a marionette.

It was Dietrich’s suggestion when he discovered that I was learning about Imperial history and etiquette from Sissy. To dance with him.

I agreed as it was much better than having to watch Dietrich in heat the whole time.

Surprisingly, there was plenty of room to dance in the tower, and Yuno made the floor slightly slippery like a ballroom.

“I see You’ve been neglecting it, and your skills have deteriorated.”

Did I ever have them in the first place?

Wasn’t it just rote memorization? I never had any talent for dancing, did I?

“I’m going to take a break!”

I barely shook off Dietrich’s hand and sat down on the sofa.

“What can you even do?”

Unlike Seth, the commander, who hadn’t managed to secure the two days he was supposed to spend with me, was in a very bad mood.

Due to the Emperor’s orders, he could only come to the Mage Tower for one day a week instead of two. Sometimes, even that day wasn’t completely free.

I suspected it was Seth’s doing. There was no one else who could manipulate the Emperor like that.

And of all days, it had to be the day Dietrich decided to take a break.

“Can’t dance, can’t manage your stamina… pathetic.”

Despite saying that, it was very typical of Dietrich to bring cold water and personally wipe my feet.

“If you want to leave the Mage Tower but can’t, just let me know anytime.”

He had no sense at all.

Just as Dietrich was about to press me further, Mr. Wood opened the door and walked in.

“Commander, there’s a summons from the palace.”

At Mr. Wood’s announcement, Dietrich’s face twisted in displeasure. After a moment of huffing, he wiped my feet with a dry towel and stood up.

“Be back soon.”

I can guarantee that Dietrich won’t be back today. If he comes back tomorrow, that would be lucky.

“Be careful.”

Of course, I didn’t voice my predictions. I was a wise person.

“Liri!”

As soon as Dietrich left, Yuno appeared with a flourish.

“I’m really happy that I get to spend more time with you lately.”

After finishing his sentence, the blonde mage blushed and began to pull down his lower garments.

“Hey.”

I lowered my voice.

Then I grabbed his flowing hair tightly and glared at him.

“I told you not to do that.”

Yuno’s flushed face turned even redder.

“Liri, be rougher. Treat me more harshly.”

As I stood there in disbelief, Yuno tried to move his hands again, and in my panic, I gripped tighter.

I was holding his golden hair as if I might pull it out.

“Ah!”

As I was about to apologize, Yuno gasped in delight.

“Liri, one more time—”

“—It’s not your time right now, so get lost. Do you understand, you little brat?”

“Yes!”

Yuno made a cute sound and disappeared with a pop.

…Ah, I want to escape.

I genuinely wanted to get away from this world.