To summarize, Seth told the people in the mansion not to talk to me. More likely, he told them to stay out of sight.

Because apart from the gardener and the mute man who serves me meals, I haven’t seen anyone else.

It was scary, like a haunted mansion!

But despite that, this man deliberately approached me and spoke to me.

Moreover, judging by his reaction earlier, the gardener seems to have a liking for me.

Of course, I can’t completely rule out the possibility that Seth instructed him to do so, but it’s rare to find someone who can act so convincingly.

The gardener’s response was genuine, and to some extent, I found someone who could be on my side.

“Yeah, there’s no need to die!”

After that, I continued to go outside, and every time I did, the gardener would be nearby, wandering around me.

“I want to rest in a quiet place. Do you know of such a place?”

“Follow me, Miss.”

He led me to a secluded area surrounded by the forest.

“Not many people come here.”

“That’s nice. I like the tranquility.”

“Flowers grow over there. Well, rare flowers, you see.”

As I feigned curiosity, the gardener skillfully dug up one of the flowers, leaving its roots intact.

“This is Ijalia.” 

Isn’t this the flower that’s said to be the elixir of life?

Similar to the Mistflower, but with larger buds and a golden color, the flower was shining brilliantly in the gardener’s hands.

“It’s very beautiful, isn’t it?”

The gardener approached me closely and only told me to take a closer look at Ijalia without revealing its true nature.

Well, Ijalia’s efficacy as a medicine isn’t well-known to the general public. It’s more famous as a rare painting subject.

“Are you secretly cultivating it?” I asked with wide eyes.

The gardener nodded with a blush on his face and then added, “Oh, but the master knows. He’s the one who brought me the seedlings.”

Wow, you grow things like this for a villainous man.

It’s called the elixir of life, and it can cure any illness if the dosage is right. However, it doesn’t make you old or prolong your life.

On the contrary, it can be poisonous, depending on how it is prepared. It has no smell, no color, and leaves no trace – perfect for killing someone.

“I’ve heard of it, but this is the first time I’ve seen it. It’s incredibly beautiful.”

“Hehe, do you think so?”

“Thanks to Loun, I get to see amazing things.”

The gardener lowered his head and extended both hands forward, as if urging me to look at the flowers more closely. It seemed to imply that I should appreciate the flowers. 

Perhaps I should take this flower when I eventually leave the mansion.

Thanks to the gardener, I learned a lot of things. Above all, when was the last time I had a proper conversation with someone?

Regardless of my escape plan, talking with the gardener was quite enjoyable.

Seth seemed busy and often arrived late, so I spent a long time wandering around the garden and the walls.

* * *

“Master, are you having fun wandering around outside?”

Seth asked me one day when he returned home.

“Yeah, I’ve always liked wandering around.”

That’s a lie. I’m a homebody.

“Hmm…”

Seth tilted his head to the side, and for a moment, I felt like he could read my thoughts, making my heart skip a beat.

“I see…..”

“I enjoy going for walks. It would be even better if I could do it with Seth!”

‘Move as if your life depends on it,’ I willed myself. Be strong, my words.

“Is that so?”

Seth approached me as he undid his cufflinks. While I sat on a chair by the window, he came closer and placed his arms on the windowsill on either side of the chair, as if trapping me in his embrace. 

He tilted his head to meet my gaze. His hazel eyes narrowed.

“Whenever the master shows interest in me, it makes me feel good.”

“Aha, really?

“Yes.”

“That’s a good attitude, very suitable for being mine!” I commended him. 

Seth only pretends to follow through on the words he says, so let’s make sure he knows.

You’re mine! Don’t hurt your master!

“Is that so?”

A voice mixed with laughter bubbled out of the supple lips I was forced to look at from my trapped position. His voice felt tickly in my ears.

“So, Master should want me a lot.”

I couldn’t distinguish whether it was a spoken word or a moan. Whatever it was, the low, lilting vibrations of his voice penetrated my eardrums.

“Deeply.”

Although he’s asking me to desire him, why does it sound like he wants me?

“Haha, ahahahah, Seth. Should I pat your head? Haha!” I babbled, intentionally disrupting the atmosphere. 

“Okay.”

Responding to my random remark to lighten the mood, Seth picked me up and sat down, taking the chair for himself.

Then he sat me down on his thighs.

Feeling uneasy with the sensation of someone else’s legs pressed up against my as$, I flinched. 

As I began to tilt and lose my balance, Seth supported my waist and murmured, “Relax.”

“I want to get up.”

His arms tightened around my waist, and despite my protest, he didn’t let go.

“Just stay like this.”

When he asked in a soft tone that I couldn’t resist, I continued to stroke his red hair from my uncomfortable position. As I did, the hand that was caressing my waist stopped.

“Hmm…”

While I was stroking his hair, Seth buried his face into the base of my neck. It was precisely near my collarbone, but the warm breath that reached all the way to my chest made me uneasy.

So, I took a shallow breath through my nose. I was afraid that if I took a deep breath, my chest might rise and touch Seth ‘s face.

Amidst my running my fingers through his tousled hair, Seth spoke again, his lips brushing dangerously against the sensitive skin of my collarbone with each word.

“You see, Master.”

“Mmh?”

“You know I hate lies, right?”

‘Yeah. You’re good at deceiving others, but you don’t like being deceived. But I’m not sure if you’re deceiving me, even now.’

I still didn’t know Seth’s true intentions.

If I were to guess, as a writer who knows a lot about this world’s secrets, maybe Seth has a plan to use my knowledge as the author?

So, I wonder if he wants to find out how much I know, how valuable I am to him.

In that case, if I’m of no value, I should just keep myself hidden.

There are less refined ways to interrogate, but Seth doesn’t recklessly confront someone he hasn’t grasped.

I’m the most mysterious figure in this man’s life, so he is testing the waters. As long as I don’t get involved, I might be able to survive.

…Maybe?

I put my thoughts aside and continued the charade. 

“Everyone hates lies, Seth.”

“Hmm, is that so?”

His breath kept brushing against my collarbone and descended lower. It felt like it was seeping into the hidden parts covered by my clothes, so I pushed Seth ‘s shoulder.

“Seth, I want to get down.”

This time, Seth obediently let me down and held my two hands in his. With my pinky finger slightly shaking, he grinned as he looked up at me from where he remained seated.

“But, if it’s you, Master, I think it’s okay to lie to me.”

“I know.”

Although I didn’t understand, I raised my chin and responded arrogantly.

Seth always had a strong and dominant personality, but he had a tendency to be even more ruthless towards the weak. So, I straightened my shoulders and confidently retorted.

“Of course, because I’m your master.”

“Hmph, hahaha!”

Seth suddenly burst into laughter, and I discreetly kept my distance.

Is this person crazy? No, they were already crazy, so it’s not surprising.

“Hahaha. Haha.”

After laughing for a while, he wiped away the tears that had accumulated in his eyes and stared at me directly.

“Yeah.”

His tone was no different from usual.

“So, continue to be my master.”

His tone was affectionate and laid back.

“All is forgiven when you’re my master.”

Seth’s red lips formed an arc, but his eyes were cold.

A shiver ran down my spine.

* * *

Today, there were straps on the front of my dress, and Seth was busy tying the knot. He was contemplating how to shape the ribbon.

“What happened to the clothes I wore before?” I asked.

“Why?”

This person never knows how to give a simple answer. He always asks why I ask such questions.

“There’s a dress I liked.”

“Hmm, really?” Seth didn’t take his eyes off the straps. “The clothes were damaged, so I disposed of them.”

Is that so?

Usually, the dresses Seth brought covered me entirely, down to my feet. Unless I was holding the dress and walking, it meant the length reached the floor, dragging slightly.

So, I took great care of them and carried them well, right? I made sure not to spill anything on the dresses or leave any signs that I was exploring the mansion grounds, looking for an escape route.

I organized the clothes meticulously to hide any signs of rough treatment. I always kept them neatly arranged and put away.

…Did I get caught?

I glanced discreetly, but Seth’s attitude remained calm as ever.

“What did you like? If you tell me, I’ll make it again.”

“It’s not that important.”

“Really? Let me know if you change your mind.”

Careful not to crumple the lace inside the knot, Seth finally tied the straps into a perfect but simple bow shape.

He seemed to have put a lot of thought into it, so I thought he would make a double bow or something.

“Let’s use this as today’s accessory.”

“Wait…!”

With that, Seth buried his lips on my slightly exposed chest and left a bright red kiss mark. He had sucked on my flesh so firmly that his lips made a smacking noise when he took them off my skin.

“What is this?!”

“Decoration.”

His eyes half-mooned in amusement, he licked his lips lightly with his red tongue.

“Do you want some more?”

“Enough. I’ll just choose a necklace that I like.”

To hide my agitation, I quickly stood up from my seat.

This crazy person is unnecessarily seductive. It seems like he is trying to tempt me every single moment.

“Necklace, necklace.”

As if determined not to give up, Seth crossed his arms and stepped back.

I didn’t like excessively large gemstones, but every gemstone Seth displayed was large in size.