"Count. Howard, Hamilton, and Beaufort families have sent letters. They expressed their condolences for the late Count's passing and also mentioned they wish to meet you at the funeral. How should we respond?"
"Please convey my gratitude but inform them that the funeral will be a quiet family affair. Postpone the greetings until later. For now, I'm preoccupied with settling the remaining affairs."
"Understood."
"...Why are you still standing there, Albon?"
Adrian was about to turn around when he noticed the butler lingering despite their conversation being over. Albon was looking at him with inexplicably teary eyes.
Albon was the first to have his memory altered to deal with Ruairi’s death, so Adrian could guess what was on his mind. Seeing the frail young master, who had been sickly since birth, inherit the title of Count must have made him feel both proud and sorrowful. Recently losing both parents would only amplify those emotions. It seemed as if Adrian was tidying up his father's study because he couldn't abandon his family duties despite his grief.
"It's nothing. I am just deeply moved by your impressive demeanor... I apologize if I overstepped."
Albon had unwittingly revealed his true feelings and was startled. He had unintentionally treated the now full-fledged master of the household as he had before. The seasoned butler quickly composed himself, recognizing his misstep.
"I apologize, Count. It was inappropriate of this old man. Is there anything else you require?"
"Not at the moment. But I might need your assistance soon. My father left a lot of unfinished business that needs sorting."
"It would be an honor to help. Please call on me anytime."
Albon displayed utmost politeness before leaving the room. Adrian, who had not yet formally received the title but was effectively the Count, was already being addressed as such. Once Albon exited, Adrian irritably flipped through the documents.
"How did he manage to mess up so much?"
And it was so sloppy. If he could uncover the demon worshipping activities with just a hunch in the three days he was away from the mansion, it said a lot.
It's surprising the authorities haven't caught on until now.
Adrian meticulously burned the mountain of evidence in the study. Even if someone had suspicions and searched the mansion, they wouldn't find anything.
After taking Ruairi’s life two days ago, the first thing Adrian did was establish his alibi and create witnesses. He had arranged for an artist to testify that he was with Adrian at the exact time of Ruairi's death, as well as the coachman who drove Ruairi's carriage, the knights escorting the carriage, and the servants who accompanied them. The coachman, although perfectly healthy, was even brainwashed into believing he had severely injured his leg in the accident and walked around with a limp and a crutch.
Everything must be perfectly prepared. Unlike before, when it didn’t matter what happened to him, now he needed a future with Hilda. He couldn't afford any risks or possibilities. After confirming he couldn’t extract the unknown external power from Hilda, he had to be even more cautious.
He couldn't extract "it," but he could invade it. Although he couldn't see it clearly, Adrian had the intuition to discern everything. He injected his power swiftly, paralyzing parts and damaging others. While he occasionally hit a wall, it was enough to control Hilda. It was newly discovered that she was more under its control and borrowing its power than he had expected.
Had Hilda only been benefiting from it, he might have ignored it. However, as he regained all his power, the force pulling Hilda also grew stronger, making it intolerable.
I had no choice but to lock her up.
His hands trembled, recalling the harrowing moment. Not knowing what had triggered the surge in her power made him anxious. Fortunately, Hilda had been quietly staying put for the past two days without much resistance, so no additional measures had been necessary, but the unease hadn’t completely vanished.
He instinctively felt it was too late, that she was already drifting out of reach, but he refused to accept it. He believed that with more perfect control, he could hold onto her. If he sealed off every little possibility...
While he had regained all his power, the curse wasn’t lifted. As time passed after the last killing, he would start feeling pain in various parts of his body again, so he needed to act swiftly.
Knock, knock.
As Adrian anxiously folded and unfolded his hands, there was a knock at the door. He already knew who was outside. She had been hesitating upstairs for a while before mustering the courage to come up.
"Come in."
"…"
At his permission, the door opened slightly. She was so tense she couldn't open it any further. After hesitating, she finally managed to enter the room, which he observed with cold eyes.
"I... I have something to ask, my Lord, I mean, Count. I apologize for the intrusion."
"What is it? Speak."
"Where is Hilda?"
Her name was Emily, if he remembered correctly. Hilda had mentioned her several times, otherwise, he wouldn’t have let her into the study. Thinking about it, Hilda’s visit to the temple was because of this maid, so it was right to hold her accountable.
However, he didn’t kill her because of a reason he had recalled recently. Adrian, almost as if brainwashing himself, reminded himself of the reason with superhuman patience. He needed to appreciate her tremblingly asking about Hilda despite being terrified by his gaze.
"Why are you asking me about Hilda?"
But he needed to confirm. She might have seen something unnecessary.
He smiled kindly, as he always did, causing Emily to drop her gaze.
"Why do you think I would know where Hilda is? I'm also curious about her whereabouts. I haven't seen her for two days."
"But I’m sure I heard her."
"Heard what?"
He carefully controlled his grip on the chair. When his emotions flared, his power would violently rampage, destroying everything around him. He had already crushed and repaired this chair about five times.
"Half asleep, I mean... I don’t know where you went, but I heard Hilda's voice. She was very worried about me. So, when I woke up, I looked for her, but I haven’t seen her for two days. For some reason, I think I also heard your voice… I know it’s a great impertinence to come to you like this, but Hilda is my dear friend. If she’s missing, we need to report it and find her."
"Reporting it, huh? How admirable of you to care for your friend."
Adrian smiled softly, his eyebrows gently arching. Emily, who had been nervously staring at the floor, looked up at him with hope.
"Then, do you know where she is?"
"Yes, I probably do. But who are you looking for again?"
"What?"
"I forgot the name of the person you're looking for. You said you’d even report it if we couldn't find her. Can you tell me your friend’s name again?"
At that moment, Adrian’s gaze penetrated deeply into Emily’s mind. As his dark green eyes momentarily clouded and then cleared, the worry and pity on her face vanished completely.
“Who was I looking for? Come to think of it, why am I here...?”
“Weren’t you looking for your friend?”
“Me?”
Emily tilted her head, looking confused.
“That’s strange. I don’t have anyone to look for... Oh my, I’m sorry, Count. How dare I come here like this?”
“Is that so? It seems I misheard. In that case, could you clear away that teacup over there? I called you to tidy up the table.”
“Oh! Yes, yes, you did. The Count called me. My mind must be elsewhere... I apologize, I apologize.”
Bowing repeatedly to ask for forgiveness, Emily quickly tidied up the table and left the office. She wouldn’t be looking for or reporting Hilda anymore. He had completely erased Hilda from her memory.
Not just her. He intended to erase Hilda from everyone’s minds.
There would only be one person left in the world who knew Hilda. Thinking that, his sharp anger seemed to subside a bit.
As long as he didn’t bring it back, those memories wouldn’t suddenly resurface. Erasing memories was like secretly stealing someone’s diary and hiding it in a deep cave under the sea, sealing it with bars. Who could find a small cave in the vast ocean and retrieve those hidden memories? It was impossible.
Hilda might be angry if she knew... but she wouldn’t know. She had no reason to leave the room, so she wouldn’t have a chance to find out.
Even if she found out and came to hate him, it would be a joy. Because it would mean she was still by his side.
This is the only way I won’t lose you. To blindfold you and tie your limbs tightly.
He felt a momentary sense of rapturous satisfaction thinking of her left alone in the room.
‘How are you any different from Lilith?’
A sudden question pierced his unguarded mind. His hand, which had inadvertently clenched, crushed the chair. The relentless voice continued.
‘No matter how you package it, you’re forcing your own way of love on her and trying to possess her. You’re no different from Lilith.’
No, I... I just. Hilda was important to me. I was just trying to protect her... His feeble excuses scattered like dust.
‘You’re pouring the very form of love you so despised onto her. Isn’t it more horrifying?’
Horrifying. If even I find myself this horrifying, how hideous and dreadful must I seem in your eyes? The self-loathing gnawed at his reason like a parasite. The contempt and hatred he felt towards Lilith would be precisely what Hilda felt towards him. It was unbearable. Though he had committed the sins, he felt as if he was being scratched raw from the inside. Imagining that the disdain he had for Lilith could now be directed at him, he found it hard to breathe.
In truth, he didn’t want to keep her caged like a bird. You were a light that no one could dim.
Around you, there is always light, but around me, it keeps raining, Hilda. The rain doesn’t stop. It’s so distant and bleak that I can’t stand it.
Adrian rubbed his hands together anxiously, realizing that the warmth he felt when he held her two days ago was absent. Without her by his side, he was just cold, even shivering. Scratching his skin until it bled provided a bit of relief, the stinging pain at least a distraction. He compulsively covered the scars on his wrists.
But there was no turning back. I have to protect her...
Adrian, gripped by desperate compulsion, continued to search through Rueir’s office. He couldn’t leave anything that might ruin his future with Hilda.
He could embody any form of evil the world knew if it meant keeping her with him.
No one could take her from him. Not even Hilda herself.
“It’s boring, it’s so boring.”
Lying on the bed, I muttered to myself. How did they manage to decorate even the ceiling with such old-fashioned patterns in this house? I must have wondered about the sale price of this mansion at least thirty times in the two days I’ve been locked in Adrian’s room. I must have said I was bored about 100 times, no, 200 times? I think I’ve said it’s tedious about 300 times. Of course, I only said it when I was alone. If Adrian heard, he’d look like he was suffocating.
It’s been two days since Adrian manipulated his affection score, causing the game system to display a series of error messages. Since then, I’ve been trapped in this room. The moment when all the lights of the world went out one by one with a sound effect, leaving only Adrian and his room, is seared into my mind like a photograph.
Was I crazy to be looking at the trembling Adrian even while my world was collapsing?
The game system continued to spit out errors, and I could do nothing but stare blankly, my world completely controlled by Adrian. On the other hand, I could consider it a reward vacation.
In a way, it was like being told not to work and to rest, right? Since my employer said so, I could laze around in this room legitimately. Since I had been assured it was paid leave, I’d probably have quite a bit of money saved up when the system recovered its sanity.
With some leisure time, I diligently read the romance novel that was all the rage among the servants. Although, after a day, even that got a bit boring. Somehow, all the romance novels were about overcoming differences in status and finding true love, which felt very bland and insipid to someone like me who’s used to all sorts of stimulating modern content.
Thanks to my lukewarm reaction, Adrian also seemed to gradually regain his composure. Two days ago, he was trembling and pale as if he had seen something horrifying, but it was fortunate.
Even though he was regaining his composure, there were times when he fell into extreme anxiety. When the mansion’s surroundings grew eerie, a storm raged, or it felt like an earthquake, I had to say a word to calm him down. Then the trembling would stop, but I worried about what might happen while I was asleep. What about the innocent people outside?
Even though he had locked me up like this, I still wasn’t afraid of him. I had seen him unable to kill me even as he burned up inside. At the moment his murderous intent dropped from 92% to 0%, Adrian had essentially traded his life for mine.
Would he really be able to harm or kill me?
Honestly, if I made a big fuss about leaving, Adrian would probably cry and beg, then eventually let me go. If I threatened self-harm, he wouldn’t even have time to beg.
But doing that wouldn’t solve the root problem, it would only increase distrust. Adrian was capable of so many things I didn’t know about. Sometimes he would secretly do things I couldn’t imagine and then act completely natural. Compared to that, crashing the game was mild.
Adrian was the strongest character in the game with a demon attribute, even waking up from deep sleep in 6 seconds. It would be strange if he didn’t have such schemes.
I wasn’t surprised at all!
Actually, I was a little surprised.
I should have known when I battled with the Countess over map access.
No, I shouldn’t have raised his affection by giving him pencils in the first place. Scraping together my money to give him ten pencils at a time brought this trouble. It led to today’s trouble...
Speaking of which, I hadn’t seen even a hint of the third piece of the demon’s artistic soul or whatever it was, only the fourth piece piling up, preventing completion. If I had drawn better, it could have been disastrous. Perhaps the confinement event would have come sooner. It was a case where bad luck turned into good fortune.
「ProtocolException: Could not open a connection to Server.
DEBUG - 2764.2568 mil elapsed in LoadMapData
DEBUG - 4085.0766 mil elapsed in LoadNPCData
FATAL – ShowException: System.Threading.ThreadAbortException: Operation aborted.」
As I was internally babbling nonsense, white text suddenly flashed before my eyes. An error message, my only friend for the past two days. It roughly meant that it couldn’t connect to the server and failed to load data. Even in a partially paralyzed state, the system seemed to be continually trying to recover.
“Restoring... (0/1698)”
“WARNING!! Unable to restore.”
“WARNING!! Unable to restore.”
“WARNING!! Unable to restore.”
It's chaos, absolute chaos. At this point, the system seemed to be begging me to save it. I felt sorry for it, but there was nothing I could do. I was just as frustrated with the system being down. I wanted to check on Emily, but all the buttons were inactive, and I couldn't access any skills or the workshop, leaving me with nothing to do.
“WARNING! Unable to restore...”
What is this? Why is it suddenly using such a wistful ellipsis? Even this ruthless game system looks pitiful now.
“Ha... I can't stay like this forever.”
Just as the system kept trying to restore itself, it was time for me to start working towards getting back to my normal life.
It was crucial to instill trust in Adrian. He needed to believe that I was with him out of my own will, not because he was keeping me captive. If I answered his anxiety and distrust with constant affection, I believed he would eventually open up the world to me himself. He loved taking walks and eating delicious food together; how long could he really keep me locked up? I didn't think our bond lacked that level of trust.
Escaping this prison couldn't be about me running away, getting angry, or being threatened. Adrian needed to unlock it himself. To achieve that, I had to remain steadfast.
Resolving myself, I looked out the window. It felt like this room was floating in space, with the outside shrouded in black winds. The vague weather conditions could only be guessed from the faint sounds and slight changes in light. It was dark and gloomy, indicating another overcast day. The weather had been like this ever since Adrian lost his composure two days ago.
Two days ago... that night.
“Ah, I'm thinking about it again.”
I covered my eyes with my hand and groaned. It happened two nights ago. Adrian had asked me to spend the night with him, and after some hesitation, I agreed. It didn't take long to decide, but it wasn't a light-hearted decision.
He had whispered that he wouldn't let me have nightmares and then carried me to bed... Surprisingly, he left me alone. Adrian didn't even sleep in the bed. For some reason, he hadn’t slept for two days and just watched me from afar. It was baffling; he was so seductive and alluring, yet when the moment came, he withdrew. Yesterday, I almost asked him seriously.
Why aren't you doing anything to me? You're leaving me alone after inviting me to your room. Shouldn't we at least have kissed by now?
Demons were supposed to be lustful creatures, weren't they? I wanted to grab Kazimir and demand answers, but since I couldn’t meet him, I could only speculate by myself.
At first, I wondered if I lacked feminine charm, but that didn't seem to be it. He had clung to me before we left the mansion, so why was he avoiding me now? Did he have different arousal triggers? Maybe being affectionate and sexual desire were two separate things for him. Or perhaps he was surprisingly innocent. He had been sickly since childhood, so he might not have received basic sex education.
These wild guesses made me feel guilty for thinking such things about a pure-hearted young master who loved tending plants.
No, I was just harboring academic curiosity. My body had recovered, but I was puzzled by his distancing behavior. We hadn’t been together long, and it was strange to be so reserved during the honeymoon phase.
It seemed a bit crass, but I was not just being promiscuous. If Adrian had a physical problem, I was willing to find an eel in this world to help him. Ahem.
At that moment, there was a knock at the door, followed by it opening slowly. There was only one other person who could enter this room besides me. I sat up reflexively, tidying my hair. The bed was a mess from all my rolling around while thinking.
“Adrian. You're back? You're late today.”
I greeted him as soon as the door opened.
I remembered once getting so absorbed in a book that I didn’t notice Adrian entering. Every step he took toward me had thunder and lightning crashing outside. After that, I tried to be out as much as possible, except for unavoidable circumstances, as it seemed to greatly reassure him.
“Hilda, how was your day? You must have been bored alone.”
“I just caught up on sleep, read some books, and did various things. If you knew I was bored, you could have come back sooner.”
“Sorry. There was more to handle regarding my father than I expected.”
I tried to lighten the mood by whining a bit, and his stiff expression softened slightly. A gentle kiss on the forehead and a firm grip on my hand had become quite natural.
If it was about his father, it must have been about the demon worship. Given Adrian's involvement, it would take some time to sort out. If Harrison had caught the scent, other investigators could easily find out more.
Speaking of which, I wonder where that scoundrel Harrison is now. He preached justice but fled without sending a single officer to help. If Adrian hadn't come, what would have happened? It was a tough situation, having to save Emily as well. What kind of police officer does that? He’s such a shady man.
“What’s troubling you, making you frown like that?”
Tap tap. His index finger touched my forehead. I looked at him, as if waking from a dream. I suddenly realized I hadn’t told Adrian about this.
“Adrian. I have something to tell you...”
“Let’s talk over dinner.”
“It’s short. Inspector Harrison is targeting you.”
“No, dinner first. You’ve lost weight recently. Do you know how upsetting it is to see you like this?”
“Who, me?”
I had been about to complain about the despicable Harrison, but my mouth clamped shut. Who lost weight? That’s news to me.
“Look at your wrist. It looks like it could snap with a touch.”
My wrist was sturdy enough to handle nine hours of scrubbing.
“How poorly have you been eating while I was away...”
I had been eating three hearty meals a day. His sincere concern left me speechless. Judging by my face, I was better nourished than he was.
“You’ll disappear if you keep wasting away, Hilda.”
“...”
I was speechless. How ridiculous is this? I had been feeling myself gain weight in real-time from eating and staying in the room for two days straight. I had stopped doing housework, but kept eating the same amount, so it was inevitable.
My immense basal metabolic rate was holding out for now, but if I kept this up for a week, who knew how much weight I’d gain? I had thought my face looked rounder in the mirror this morning.
“So, Hilda. I told them to prepare extra dishes today. Shall we continue our talk over dinner?”
But if Adrian's concern led to a more delicious meal, that changed things. Gaining weight or not, as long as I was happy now, it didn’t matter.
"Now that you mention it, I'm really hungry. Shall we go to the dining room? Let's go quickly."
As I jumped up, Adrian smiled playfully. His hand gently brushed down from my head to my cheek, the touch was so kind and soft, like petting a cat, that my heart started to race.
Currently, there were only three opportunities a day to leave the room, which had no windows or doors that could be opened. These times were when we moved to the dining room for meals. Even when Adrian opened the door for me, there was no separate notification indicating a specific map had been unlocked. It was as if we were walking blindfolded, with light only illuminating our immediate surroundings as I held onto Adrian's sleeve.
Every time we entered the dining room, a large table full of food awaited us, but there was never anyone around to serve it. I missed contact with others more than I realized, but I comforted myself by remembering the advantage of not having to let go of Adrian's hand in the hallway.
The meals here were always amazing!
The savory juices bursting in my mouth with each bite of meat were exquisite. Actually, I had been busy tattling about Harrison as soon as we arrived at the dining room, and when my story went on too long, Adrian started cutting the meat and feeding it to me. Even as I chewed each bite he fed me, I kept talking.
"So, that guy suddenly started banging his head against the bars, asking to see the leader. I knew he was crazy, but I didn't think he'd drag me into it too. ...That's when I met the Count."
I glanced at Adrian, worried he might get sad again at that point. Luckily, he seemed too occupied slicing meat at my eating pace to notice.
"And then... mm, this meat is really delicious. The inspector allied with the Count and tattled on me, saying it was better to restrain me again since my wrists were free. How can someone be so petty? Even though I told him the shift times so he could escape alone."
"Hilda, don't act so recklessly again. What if I had been even a little late? Fortunately, I could heal your wrists, but if it had been worse, it wouldn't have ended so easily."
"Well, I wouldn't have been hurt at all if it weren't for the inspector."
Hearing the events of that day from Adrian's mouth, which I had only seen through system messages, made me pause. He slipped a small piece of meat into my slightly open mouth. As I chewed it deliciously, my thoughts were complicated.
"I should have dealt with that inspector first. I'm sorry I didn't realize it sooner. Do you have a body part of his you'd like me to bring back? Just tell me how, and I'll carry it out and explain it to you."
He asked so casually, like he was offering to spread jam or butter on toast, that I almost replied, 'Cute!' I quickly shook my head.
"No, I didn't mean for you to take revenge. Just be careful. That person is obsessed with you. Nothing good comes from getting bitten by a mad dog."
"Alright. Since you said it, I'll be cautious, Hilda."
"Now that I think about it, it was strange how he always picked fights whenever we met. I didn't expect to see him while looking for Emily... By the way, have you seen Emily? She was unconscious when I first saw her after being hit on the head. I'm curious if she's okay now. I wonder if she's hurt anywhere."
"......"
"You probably don't know, right? You've been busy since you returned to the mansion, so you wouldn't have had time to check on each servant."
I watched Adrian's reaction carefully as I said that. He usually had a composed expression, but spending so much time together, I had learned to notice subtle changes. Movements of his eyes, hand gestures, tone, and pitch of his voice—all these minor differences could be significant indicators with him.
"Well, I don't really know. I haven't seen her personally, but Leticia reported that a missing servant had returned and was recovering. Since she's not hurt, that's good news for you, right, Hilda?"
"Yes, that's a relief."
"If you want, I can find out more details tomorrow."
"No, it's enough to know she's safe."
I answered as casually as possible, and Adrian responded slowly, "Alright..." His deliberate response hinted that something was on his mind.
It's a lie that he heard it from Leticia. He must have met Emily himself. But if he's not saying it... it seems like things are heading toward the worst scenario I had imagined.
Erasing me from everyone's memory, making me a non-existent entity in this world.
I hoped it wouldn't come to that, but it seems Adrian has chosen this path. Considering his extreme actions of disabling Kaiden and Grover and turning Kazimir into a bloody mess, it's not surprising. In fact, it's more surprising he didn't kill them. He must have respected my wish not to see people around me die or get hurt.
Now he's just wandering in uncertainty. If not today, then tomorrow. If not tomorrow, then the day after. If not that, then a month, or even longer. Adrian will find a way to hold both his true feelings and me. My love wasn't so weak that I couldn't wait for that long.
"Hilda, you can eat slowly."
And my stomach wasn't so small that I couldn't finish the food in front of me.
As I continued to eat, practically shoveling the food into my mouth as usual, Adrian watched with admiration and quickly finished his meal as well. Back in Adrian's room, we enjoyed some tea and chatted, and time flew by. Realizing it was getting late, I carefully asked him, who was sitting across from me.
"Young Master, I need my pajamas. Can I go to my room to get them?"
I had been stuck in the evasion dress and didn't have many proper clothes. Although I diligently washed and dried the evasion dress, it wasn't suitable for lounging around. Initially, I thought they'd let me out in two or three days, but as things progressed towards the worst-case scenario, it seemed like just my wishful thinking. With this turning into a long-term situation, I needed to gather some clothes and necessities. For now, I had found a long undertunic in the wardrobe, which reached my mid-thighs due to our height difference. But it tended to ride up, which was quite annoying.
"Now that I think about it, Hilda, I wasn't considerate enough to let you stay here unprepared."
Adrian noticed my hand holding down the hem of the tunic to prevent it from riding up and sighed belatedly.
"It's alright. I'll just grab my pajamas and come right back. I promise."
"No. You stay here. I'll go get them."
"What? You'll go, Young Master?"
I naturally thought I should go, but Adrian suddenly put down his teacup and stood up gracefully. Adrian going to get my clothes instead of me? It was an unexpected suggestion that left me momentarily speechless.
"Are you sure, Young Master? Really? Will you be alright?"
"Yes. What should I bring?"
Though it sounded like a simple favor, it meant a noble young master would be running an errand for a servant. It was because all the exits were blocked, but since I was always the one moving around when we were together, I never imagined such a situation. However, Adrian seemed nonchalant about it. Considering he had suggested calling him by his name, he might be a more open-minded noble than I thought.
"I need my pajamas. They should be... where did I put them? Did I hang them up to dry or put them in the wardrobe?"
"Please check the wardrobe first. You've been to my room, so you should know where it is, right? It's much smaller than yours, about this big. Open the second drawer, and there should be long, white negligees that reach the ankles. There should be about three of them folded on the far left, so just bring them all."
"Long, white negligee."
"Yes. And in the first drawer... no, never mind. Forget I said anything."
I must be crazy. No matter what, I couldn't let Adrian bring that. As I shook my head, Adrian murmured, "First drawer," as he left the room. Will he manage? Adrian has probably never done an errand in his life, not even when he was younger or as a demon.
Like an older sister sending her younger brother on his first errand, I paced around the room before realizing how absurd my worry was. It's not like he's going outside; he's just going to our quarters, so what's the big deal?
I decided to take a quick shower while he was gone, figuring he might take a while in my room. I quickly showered in the bathroom attached to Adrian's room and was drying my wet hair with a towel when I stopped in my tracks. Surprisingly, Adrian was already back. Thankfully, I had put on an under tunic beforehand; otherwise, it could have been a very awkward situation.
"......"
But why does it already feel so awkward? From the moment our eyes met, we were both silent, frozen. I forced myself to look down at the pile of clothes he was holding. Instead of just the nightgown, he seemed to have brought everything from the wardrobe.
"Hilda... did I get it right?"
He had indeed brought everything from the wardrobe, and I had a strong feeling he had also brought the thing I had asked him not to. As I slowly nodded, Adrian's face lit up, clearly proud of completing the errand.
"Thank goodness. I couldn't find exactly what you described since everything was white... Should I just put these back in the wardrobe?"
"No, no. Just give them all to me!"
"Why? I can put them away myself."
"Please, just give them to me!"
I threw down my towel and hurriedly approached him, causing Adrian to hand over the pile of clothes, looking slightly confused. I felt relieved for a moment until something fell from the pile. Oh no. The brief sensation when it brushed my finger told me exactly what it was.
"Hilda, what's this? I've never seen it before."
A small piece of white, lacy fabric fell open in his hand. The way he innocently asked what it was made my mind go blank. Why did it have to be that? I tossed the clothes aside and reached out.
"Give that to me! Right now!"
"Huh? Why are you so flustered? Your face is all red."
"You don't need to know!"
It's clear he hasn't had any education on this matter! As I snatched it from his hand, I contemplated whether I should live in a maid uniform to avoid such disasters.
Not knowing how anxious I was, this innocent young master followed me around, his eyes brimming with curiosity. What's that? What's that? His eyes screamed the questions he didn't voice. If I didn't do something, he'd probably keep pestering me until bedtime.
"It's... clothes."
"Huh? I can't hear you."
"Underwear... It's women's underwear."
"Oh."
Finally understanding the situation, he closed his mouth. Despite the awkward silence, my face felt like it was on fire, but I tried to stay calm. It's just underwear. Everyone in the world wears it. I wear it, Adrian wears it... Oh, I shouldn't have thought that.
"Sorry, Hilda. I overstepped. Everything was white, so I wasn't sure what to bring."
"There's no need to apologize for that."
I didn't know how to face him, so I buried the underwear in the pile of clothes and stuffed them into the wardrobe. Feeling embarrassed but with nowhere to escape since the map was closed, I realized my hair was still dripping wet. Oh right, I just got out of the shower.
"But Hilda, something's been bothering me."
His voice came closer like a breeze. I looked up to see his soft smile and felt his hand gently touch my shoulder. The hand slid down my collarbone, lightly grazing my skin to my neck. Only then did I realize the front of the shirt I had hastily put on was more open than I thought. His hand carefully closed the gap, his touch both strong and gentle.
"You're too... alluring."
His touch was cautious, trying to cover my exposed skin without knowing how. I felt my face flush even more at his careful touch.
"This shirt is much shorter than the one you wore before. Aren't you cold?"
"..."
"Ah, so that's why you wanted to get something from your room."
His shy smile spread beautifully in my vision. He slowly lowered his head and lightly bumped his forehead against mine.
"You're even redder than before. Why are your lips trembling?"
His nose gently rubbed against mine. I felt like I was inhaling his breath, sweet and intoxicating. His low laughter tickled my ears.
"If it's because of what happened earlier... I'm sorry for making you say such things, but I don't regret it. Your red face is cute. What should I do?"
His bad hand wrapped around my waist, pulling me slowly closer. Our legs intertwined, and I didn't resist as he tilted his head. His gaze, pretending to be shy, thoroughly examined me.
"Is it okay to spoil me like this? You might not be able to handle it."
"Who's spoiling who?"
"You saved me. So, you have to take responsibility for taming me."
His words ended with a brief kiss. The sensation lingered warmly. It felt like I was in the middle of a stormy sea. His hand on my back felt increasingly warm, perhaps because my clothes were still damp, his body heat easily transferred to me.
"That's enough. You're not cut out for running errands, young master... Don't even think about doing it again."
"Oh, come on. I'll do better next time, so please don't be mad, okay?"
Adrian gently rubbed his lips against mine, whispering softly as I bit my lower lip hard.
My heart skipped a beat. I was always weak to his sweet, charming expressions and voice.
"Please, Hilda. Such harsh training is too painful."
He slightly moistened his upper lip and sucked it in, signaling me to open my tightly closed lips. His hands traced from my back down to my waist, their gentle touch making me tremble. Unsure where to place my hands, I clumsily held onto his shoulders or clenched my fists. Noticing this, Adrian smiled charmingly, seeing my tightly shut lips slowly parting.
Feeling lost, I lowered my eyes. He paused momentarily, as if shy. I couldn't shake the feeling that his shyness was a facade—like a sly fox. His tongue slipped into my mouth, merging with mine in an irresistible sensuality, gently coaxing my tense tongue.
He tilted his head slightly, deepening the kiss. Our noses brushed against each other, and the sound of our wet lips meeting echoed intimately. A faint moan escaped me as his tongue softly explored my mouth.
Feeling his tongue relax my rigid one, I timidly moved it, eliciting what seemed like a pleased smile from him. He blew warm breaths into my mouth, rewarding my hesitant movement.
My chest heaved uncontrollably. Trying to calm me, he pressed down with his body, but it only made my heart race louder. My two awkward arms had somehow wrapped around his neck. Had I done it first? Or had he guided me? Either way, we were entwined, sharing the same heat.
When I finally dared to open my eyes, our gazes met. His clear blue eyes were filled with overwhelming affection. His kiss, his love, his gaze—all of it enveloped me completely. My legs were trembling, nearly clinging to him for support. As I tried to steady myself and pull away, he pulled me back each time.
"Can I tease you a bit more, my master?"
Before I could respond, his hands slipped under my clothes.
His touch was sticky and warm, sliding along my waist and back. It felt as if the steam in the air clung to both of us. His touch on my bare skin felt like it could burn. It was hard to tell if the heat was from me or Adrian.
As I melted under his devoted kisses, Adrian supported me with surprising strength. As soon as he broke the kiss, his tongue entwined with mine again. It felt like countless spider webs were being spun inside my mouth.
"Even your breathing is sexy now."
"..."
"By now, you're deliberately seducing me, aren't you?"
It was his seductive voice that accused, though he was the one constantly making me breathless. As I gasped helplessly, Adrian's tongue retreated, instead softly caressing my palate. The pounding of my heart transmitted through his touch.
If he could kiss this well, why hadn't he done it before...?
Noticing my distracted thoughts, he gently nipped the tip of my tongue, then my lower lip, engulfing my tongue again. Each light caress mixed with sharp sensations made my body shiver.
This is strange. I feel like my mind is going to melt. I pulled back desperately, avoiding his relentless tongue, but he pursued tenaciously. His mercilessly sweet affection left my legs trembling. As he finally paused, our heavy breathing filled the silence. Glancing over my expression, he smiled brightly.
"I've been inconsiderate. Didn't realize you were struggling to stand."
My feet left the floor in an instant. Though I hadn't been standing on my own, the sudden loss of support made my legs dangle. It only took a few steps for Adrian to carry me to the bed. The soft fabric touched my backside as my body naturally lay down, and he climbed on top of me.
This kiss was different from before—short and light. His damp lips pressed slowly against mine and then moved to my neck. The flickering candlelight suddenly went out, making his kisses on my neck feel even more vivid. When he licked my neck, it tickled unbearably.
"Don't... tease me."
As I whimpered softly, he lightly bit my neck. It seemed both a response to my sighs and a plea for me to stay still.
"Sorry, it's not on purpose. You're just too adorable all flushed like this."
His hand slipping under my clothes made my face burn.
I flinched, squeezing my eyes shut and hunching my shoulders as his low chuckle rumbled against my neck. His insistent kisses felt like they were pleading. Without meaning to, I squeezed my legs together.
My inadvertent squeeze made him chuckle again. He laughed like an innocent boy, but his lips were hot. The peculiar feeling of his persistent mouth on my neck made me close my eyes tightly. His breath trailing over my shoulder and collarbone was scorching.
"Can I touch you more?"
He pouted playfully, rubbing his nose against my neck. The sound of his golden hair rustling in the darkness tickled my cheek. All my nerves were focused on his hand sliding down my leg, making me moan. It was hot and ticklish, causing my body to tense and relax repeatedly.
"Please, give me permission, okay? I'm always starving for you, wanting to taste every part of you. If you say no, I might really collapse. I probably wouldn't be able to get up for days..."
"You've already... done as you please until now."
"How generous my master is to grant permission."
"Stop calling me that... weird name."
"Who else could be my master but you?"
His hand, which had been moving steadily, paused, then gently rubbed the slightly protruding bones of my hips. It was a tender, deliberate touch.
I reached out to him impulsively. Just as he was touching me, I wanted to touch him. My hand found its way to his neck, encountering the smooth skin interrupted by a deep scar. It felt more pronounced than before. Maybe it had deepened after killing over 500 people. As I traced it with my fingers, Adrian grabbed my hand and pulled it away.
"Don't touch that, Hilda."
"Huh? Why..."
"Don't touch... ugly things. Don't even look at them."
Though his voice was soft, I felt his firm refusal for the first time. I lowered my arm, bewildered.
Ugly things? I didn't understand. From the context, it seemed he was referring to himself, but to me, Adrian was the opposite of ugly. No one with functioning eyes would ever think of him that way.
"What do you mean ugly?"
"They're ugly. I'm covered in scars."
I was at a loss for words again. His hand crept up from my hips, unabashedly exploring.
Everywhere his hand traced, sparks seemed to fly. It was like he was meticulously feeling out each bone. Since it was dark and I couldn't see, Adrian tried to comfort me by saying I didn't need to be embarrassed, but I knew he could see in the dark like a cat.
His hand skimmed up my side, making my stomach clench reflexively. I'd thought I'd gained weight from staying in my room all the time. Should've eaten less earlier. Despite the confusion, regret washed over me. Too many things were bothering me.
His hand, which had been moving up my flat belly, finally followed a curve. He carefully gathered and lifted me with his large hand. I was fully enveloped in his grasp. As he reached the peak, my head tipped back as if I was about to faint. My toes curled, and my legs tensed as I struggled, but Adrian soothed me, gently biting my neck.
"I'll make you feel good."
His fingertips lightly scratched my peak. It felt like stars exploding in my mind.
Ah, ah.
"Shh. It's okay, Hilda. Oh, so beautiful. So very beautiful. Can you make some more noise, please?"
"Adri..."
"Yes, I'm right here. Say my name once more..."
I panted, each breath a struggle.
"May I kiss here, before you melt away?"
A faint sound echoed. Only the rapid breaths and the wet sound of skin clinging to skin filled the hot air. His intense expressions of affection pushed me deeper into the flames. Scratching, rubbing, and kneading. The thrill that stimulated me from the core. I couldn't endure the tingling sensation climbing up my spine.
When I twisted my shoulder and struggled, he lifted his head. He kissed me, watching me flounder in the distant darkness. It felt like my whole body was melting and absorbing him. I was completely submerged, unable to escape.
I stifled a moan, and Adrian anxiously licked inside my mouth.
"Swallowing your voice is just trying to drive me crazy. You know it drives me wild. You know I can't hold back, yet you tease me."
His anxious whispers flowed over my wet lips. He gripped the loose fabric on my shoulder as if he would tear it apart.
"It's not... that. My voice is really..."
"Don't lower your head. Look at me, Hilda. Because you're beautiful, I want to see you. Feel a bit more. Show me just a little more..."
Adrian persistently followed my gaze, which kept trying to drift downward. As if he didn't want to miss a single moment.
"Will you cry in my arms?"
His trembling lips lightly bit mine. I turned my head, short of breath, but he relentlessly followed. He left no place untouched—ears, cheeks, lips, neck... His fierce possessiveness... An overwhelming, blind desire that wanted only me in this world, his eyes shining with ecstatic light. It was dizzying.
"Your face is so beautiful when you feel it. How am I supposed to let go of you all night?"
"......"
"Look at me, Hilda."
"Ah, uh..."
"Drench me with yourself, thoroughly."
His plaintive call felt like it melted into me. This time, I reached out first and pulled him closer. The tendons stood out on the hand that had only been gently caressing. He held me with a powerful grip. He kissed me desperately, like a man starving, sucking in breathlessly, consuming the air.
Hilda, my Hilda.
Ah, you truly are omnipotent. You made me want to live. You made me hope for and dream of a future that I thought didn’t matter. You made me say I love you. You made me want to hold you.
Can I hold you more, touch you more, delve deeper...? I want to make you cry as much as I care for you. I want to make you weep, not knowing what to do. You, with your blushing face, you, writhing in my arms, are unbearably lovely. So, is it okay if I'm a bit mean, hmm?
My holy deity. You make me kneel and pray. A single word is enough. I will surely obey your words.
That night, buried mercilessly in him. His plaintive voice soaked my ears all night long.
What time is it? As soon as I woke up, I rolled my eyes, looking for the clock. It seemed like morning. To check the time, I had to turn over, and if I did, I might face Adrian. There was no need to confirm if he was still in the room. I could hear the sound of tea being poured behind me.
I glanced down and, fortunately, I was wearing the negligee I brought yesterday. Since I don't remember putting it on myself, Adrian must have dressed me, which means... Let's stop thinking about it.
I debated whether to get up as if nothing had happened or to wait until he left the room. While clutching the blanket wrapped around me, I heard the sound of a teacup being placed down behind me.
"Hilda, good morning."
Before I could make a decision, he knew I was awake. Damn, that devil with the ears of a ghost.
"I prepared a simple brunch for you. I made sure to include plenty of your favorite meat, but you seemed to be sleeping so soundly that I couldn't wake you."
Meat! My eyes flew open but then squeezed shut again. I wanted to go straight to brunch, but I am a human who knows shame. After what happened last night, I couldn't act like nothing happened the next day.
"Hilda? Why aren't you answering, Hilda? Hmm..."
Adrian poked at the blanket covering my head when I didn't budge. I wasn't ready yet. He seemed to wander around me, and then suddenly, thud, he dropped onto me.
"Master, what are you... trying to suffocate me..."
"What are you talking about? I'm hugging you."
Adrian pulled the blanket corners, hugging me entirely within it. He was slender but not light. My lungs felt crushed, and the breath I was holding burst out all at once.
"You're... squashing me!"
"It might look that way depending on your perspective."
Anyone could see he was crushing me, yet he brazenly lied. As I tried to crawl out of the blanket, his arms tightened around me.
I couldn't breathe. I shot up, and Adrian rolled off me. Then he spread his arms and grabbed me as I tried to escape from the bed. Though I ended up face-planting, it didn't hurt.
"Finally showing your face."
The moment I raised my head, our eyes met. His bright, dazzling eyes curved, making me go blank.
"Hilda, I kept my promise, didn't I?"
He intertwined his fingers around my waist, looking at me tenderly. My face heated up as soon as I woke up.
"What promise..."
Surprised by my hoarse voice, I couldn't finish my sentence. My God, it was completely gone.
"I promised to keep the nightmares away. You slept soundly all night."
"......"
"Though I didn't want to let go, you seemed quite exhausted by the end... Ugh."
Yeah, it's better to kill this tempting devil. Burying last night's events, for the sake of humanity. Even if he lived, he would only seduce people.
When I pressed a pillow against Adrian's face, he deliberately made loud muffled sounds and slapped the bed. I moved the pillow slightly, and he exaggeratedly acted like he almost died.
"Don't tease me. It was really bad."
"Sorry. You were so cute, turning into a tomato as soon as you woke up. Shall we go have brunch?"
His interlocked fingers slid up from my waist, and my body leaned towards him. My eyelids felt heavy, my already swollen lips bit down. Unyielding kisses continued. It was like a kissing ghost had possessed him last night. Sensing that last night might repeat itself, I barely managed to pull away, but Adrian gently pulled my chin, planting a soft kiss.
His tongue moved as if it was in its own home, and his hand naturally delved into the negligee. He stopped only when I requested we have brunch. In many ways, he tried not to forget his noble manners, and he respected my meal times. This time was no exception. Otherwise, who knows what could have happened.
Even as he tidied up my negligee, I lay limp over him, exhausted. I prided myself on my basic stamina and strength, yet he managed to tire me out like this. Adrian needed to reflect... and I might need to reconsider my plan to get eel from this world. Although Adrian didn't undress, from how much he enjoyed last night, he seemed ready to pour in every ounce of strength he had.
But, seeing him now, still buttoned up to the top, I felt unfair. Wow, not even school uniforms are buttoned up like that.
"…Hilda, I told you not to do that."
When I placed my hand on his nape like yesterday, he reacted sensitively. He seemed highly guarded, making me wonder why suddenly? And what's this talk about ugliness?
"Why? Why can't I touch or see it? Last night, I saw everything, isn't this unfair?"
"That's because you're beautiful."
I was speechless at his casual response. Who's calling whom beautiful here... Honestly, he was much prettier. Is this crazy? If his charm made even the person involved embarrassed, it was serious.
"I don't want to show you because it's ugly. So, please don't pout."
He left a light kiss on my forehead, watching my reaction. What could be so ugly? He might yield if I forced him, but his serious, unhappy expression made me stop. If I were going to be repelled by something as trivial as a scar, I would've run away when the holy water incident happened. Adrian probably thought he hid it well, but I saw his flesh melt, exposing his bones... If such a thing would change my feelings, I wouldn't have started this at all.
I considered explaining this but decided against it. It was a sensitive issue for him, especially since the first thing he asked was if I saw his condition. Also, I suspected his near self-loathing had something to do with his confinement. As we were building trust, I needed to approach this carefully.
"I'll... go wash up first."
I got off him, dragging my knees, and headed to the edge of the bed. Adrian promptly followed.
"Shall I wash you?"
"No, thanks!"
"Aah. How will I live after being rejected by my master..."
Crazy! Crazy! I slapped his hand off my negligee, and he pretended to wipe tears, looking pitiful. Ugh, that fox.
But it seems he didn't sleep again last night?
I sat in my room, munching on the dessert I had brought, while observing Adrian. Despite the seasonal change, his long sleeves could be attributed to his meticulous nature. His sleeplessness seemed to be part of his constant vigilance.
I felt more sympathy than frustration for Adrian's desperate struggle. Even though he had managed to paralyze the system with incredible force, it was the game system that ultimately connected us. The system kept trying to recover, only to crash again repeatedly, but it looked like it could be restored at any moment. No matter how strong Adrian was, he couldn’t hold back a collapsing dam with his bare hands.
I understood his anxiety. Even though I tried to stay strong, I couldn't be completely carefree. The possibility of being trapped here forever, the game either overcoming Adrian’s power or completely failing, causing us to log out, or the game crashing unexpectedly—all these uncertainties haunted me like a monstrous shadow. But I tried hard not to let it take over, as once fear settles in, it gnaws away endlessly.
"Hilda, what are you thinking about so deeply?"
When I came to my senses, Adrian was right in front of me. I was slightly startled, and as I opened my mouth, he quickly seized the opportunity to give me a light kiss and then stepped back, smiling as if nothing had happened. This devilish man.
"I was just wondering why you're so skilled at that," I said, fanning myself to cool down my flushed face. His smile grew even wider. He tilted his head playfully, as if to ask, "Oh, really?"
"Like just now, and last night. You didn’t hesitate or get lost. It’s definitely not something you’ve done only once or twice."
"Well... basic education starts early."
"So, they teach that kind of thing? How to touch someone like you did last night?"
My face grew redder as I spoke, recalling his touches vividly from the previous night.
"Of course, that's not something learned in successor education. There's dignity to consider."
"Then where did you learn it?"
Adrian’s expression turned subtle, as if he didn’t understand my question.
"Well, I didn’t learn it anywhere. It’s instinct, you could say. Demons are naturally skilled in that area."
"Can you really do that on instinct alone? You’re not experienced or anything? You can be honest! I’m not a petty girlfriend who clings to the past!"
"Girlfriend…"
Despite my insistent questioning, Adrian seemed to only focus on the word "girlfriend," his cheeks turning slightly pink. Normally, I would have admired his handsome features and remarked on how adorable he looked, but now my suspicion grew. Although it seemed like I was his first, considering the title, one could still gain such experience without love.
[ hey there, sorry for disturbing your reading! I'm just here to make sure you are reading this from my website (https://tlbyviridescent.blogspot.com/p/surviving-as-maid-in-horror-game.html) and not somewhere else where it got reposted without my permission... that's it! ]
Goodness, my thoughts were getting embarrassingly petty.
"Would you have preferred if I had experience? But I've never wanted to make anyone cry as much as I wanted to with you. Never before..."
"Lies. You’re that good the first time?"
If he was that good the first time, I couldn’t imagine how skilled he’d be later. No, this wasn't what I intended.
"I'm happy to receive compliments, but Hilda, it bothers me that I have no way to prove that you’re the only one for me. I could show you my past, but I’m afraid it might shock you…"
"No, no, that’s okay. I believe you."
Seeing him seriously contemplating, I realized he might really show me if I pushed further. Though I was curious to see what I’d only heard about, I suspected it would include many disturbing scenes. More importantly, I was now more interested in Adrian’s future. As I shoved another cookie into my mouth, Adrian took a sip of tea and then suddenly spoke.
"And what about you? Have you ever had a romantic relationship with anyone in this mansion? It might be best to send them away, for everyone's sake."
He belatedly hid his grim intent with a bright smile. His true feelings had already slipped out, though, dear demon.
"Why do you ask? I didn’t have time for relationships, working all day in the mansion."
"Really? No lying."
I nodded, and Adrian grinned with satisfaction, trying to hide his delight. Unlike my questions to him, his seemed motivated by genuine concern. I really hadn’t had time for relationships. My life was too barren, and the closest I’d come was holding hands with a boy as a student. Having a demon as my first romantic partner—what a thrilling life I lead.
Adrian, seeming pleased with my answer, continued to smile genuinely. Seeing him in a good mood, I decided to suggest something.
"Adrian, there still aren’t many people in the mansion, right? How about we take a walk? It’s been a while, and it might make us sleepy after the meal. You promised to show me how the lavender we planted has grown."
"That’s right…"
"Let’s go for a short walk. 30 minutes? Or even just 10 minutes would be fine."
When his expression didn’t improve at the mention of 30 minutes, I reduced it to 10, but his frown remained. Even 10 minutes would barely leave us five minutes in the garden, considering the time to get there and back. His pale face showed even that short time was too much for him.
"Sorry, but I can’t walk yet…"
"There’s no one to see us, and we won’t run into anyone. Is 10 minutes too difficult?"
"It’s not about the time. It could become dangerous in an instant, and you could disappear. Plus, Hilda, you wander too recklessly. Just recently, you got into trouble when I left you alone for a moment. Do you know how worried I was when I found your wrist injured, surrounded by hundreds of people? You almost died, do you realize that?"
"Well, I did have a very capable helper on the way…"
"When I arrived, you were already in danger. By the time the helper got there, it might have been too late. Can you imagine how I felt finding you like that? Oh, Hilda, please. You’re safest here. I’ll make sure you’re not bored, so can’t you stay here with me? Aren’t you happy here?"
"I am happy. But…"
I’d be happier if I could go out.
"But…?"
He asked desperately, as if ready to beg. Sometimes, I couldn’t tell if he was genuinely earnest or just knew how weak I was to that look.
This time, though, his words made sense. If Adrian hadn’t arrived back then, I might not be here now.
"…Alright. I won’t say I want to go out, so don’t be sad."
It was disappointing, but I’d have to save the walk for later. He seemed really shaken by what happened, so I’d bring it up again once he calmed down.
No rush. This is a legitimate paid vacation period. In this place, where I can get anything I want, I’ll do what I’ve put off.
"Can I ask you a favor instead? It’s not a big deal. You can say no."
What should I do today? Forgetting my disappointment, I had an idea. Adrian, who had been anxiously watching my reactions, immediately responded.
"What favor? Just say it."
"Teach me how to read and write. Just the basics."
With the game system paralyzed, I couldn’t use the translator and was illiterate again. Thanks to some prior study with a sleep boost, I could manage short sentences and simple words, but it wasn’t enough. With plenty of time and a teacher available, it was a good opportunity to learn to read without relying on a translator.
In that sense, this event gave me a chance to reflect on myself, something I had never considered before, living without a system here.
"If that's the case, as much as you want."
Adrian looked immensely relieved at my words.
"And the piano we stopped learning last time. I would like to have various beginner music sheets so I can practice on my own when you're not around."
"I'll prepare them tomorrow and stack them on the piano like a mountain."
Adrian immediately got up and went somewhere, returning with an armful of books. He said these were books he used during his studies and fortunately, they were still around. He promised to get new ones tomorrow, but for today, he gave me these to look at.
Come to think of it, Adrian must have had to learn to read and write anew after coming from another world. He was nearly dead and yet had to study as the heir, so it's understandable he wanted to break the world apart. It's clear why he was so rebellious when we first met.
"But young master, don't you have to work today? You said you had a lot to take care of."
Usually, after a simple meal, he would leave, but today, he stayed by my side, watching me with satisfaction as I opened book after book. He chose one from the stack I was holding and placed it on the table.
Seeing the word "textbook" written in hard letters on the cover, I was glad I had studied in advance while under the buff. It looked like Sanskrit, and I wouldn't have dared to memorize it from scratch.
"Should a teacher leave on the first day of lessons?"
"It's fine if you teach me after work."
"Let's see, where should I start teaching? Should I begin with the characters?"
"No, I've memorized the characters and can read and write simple sentences, though a bit slowly. But I think it's better to start with basic grammar for review."
"Studying on your own, that's impressive. Hilda, could you be a genius?"
I was just a bit embarrassed until "impressive," but as he continued, I couldn't help but straighten up. Adrian's affection seemed to be growing thicker these days. I even worried if he might go blind someday.
Adrian took the pile of books from my hands and started flipping through them, stopping midway. He opened one and began with basic sentences, teaching patiently, unlike when he had aggressively taught me swordsmanship before. Back then, I must have been quite a thorn in his side.
Even though I no longer had the sleep buff, with a handsome teacher with a wonderful voice, I could manage to learn.
Moreover, finding traces of young Adrian in the corners of the books was quite enjoyable. Imagining him writing diligently with his small hands, unlike his current swift handwriting, made me smile involuntarily.
"...As we just learned, when the possessive 'my' is added to a word, the last letter changes to 'i'. So what happens when it's 'your'?"
"In that case, it changes to 'a'... I think."
"That's correct. However, you tend to miss the alveolar fricative sound when making that pronunciation. Try curling your tongue a bit more."
"Like... this?"
"Wait, can I help you?"
Adrian, dissatisfied with my attempt, reached out. At first, it seemed he was just going to lightly press my tongue to correct my pronunciation. But when his finger touched my tongue and gently pressed, he paused, looking at me.
Tension tightened like a vice. In his crystal-clear eyes, I saw his black pupils contract. A reddish heat rose like a pillar. Feeling something might happen if this continued, I quickly bit his fingertip.
"Teacher, we're in class right now."
"...Ah."
I bit so lightly it didn't leave a mark, but his shoulders flinched. He looked at my lips with lingering regret before slowly withdrawing his fingers. When I closed my mouth, a small sigh, close to a groan, escaped him. Had I held his finger for five more seconds, last night might have repeated itself.
See, this is what happens when we're alone. Of course, I'm not entirely innocent either.
"Teaching you to read... might not be a good idea."
The earlier impulse must have been strong because it took Adrian a while to return to his usual neat demeanor. A long sigh, a small groan. He seemed to think it wouldn't be appropriate to stray into debauchery while teaching me. Adrian surprisingly adhered to etiquette.
"..."
About twenty minutes later, I poked Adrian's hand, which was idly resting on the table, as he stared blankly out the window. The remnants of desire still burned in his eyes as he turned to me, then to the book I pointed at. Scribbled on the corner of the page were our names.
"Adrian" and "Hilda." Several hearts drawn between them were a bonus. Adrian's eyes widened.
"Hilda, this... this can't just be left here. It needs to be carefully cut out and framed. It should be preserved for at least 100, no, 200 years... for generations. Where did I put that preservation film?"
"Wait, wait! It's just a doodle!"
"A doodle? You wrote my name for the first time. No book will be more precious to me now."
"A textbook? Hey, where are you going? It's just a meaningless doodle, really!"
I showed it to him to lighten the mood, but Adrian reacted like an explorer discovering an ancient relic. I barely managed to stop him from rummaging through the drawer for the preservation film and brought him to the window. He still seemed reluctant, his eyes fixed on the desk.
"I'm not teasing. Your reactions are cute, but there's no need to tease you right now. There are plenty of ways to make you cute... Wait, this part needs an explanation."
"What explanation?"
Engrossed in the doodle, Adrian suddenly turned serious and showed me the book. His unusually talkative demeanor was surprising today. His intensity made me flinch. Adrian looked somewhat sulky.
"Why is the heart drawn next to your name bigger? As if you love me more."
"It's not really bigger... Come on. Fine, I'll draw more hearts. Is that better now?"
It was barely a millimeter difference, yet he was making a fuss. I drew small hearts all over the side with his name, and though he relaxed, I couldn't help but feel slightly resentful. What's wrong if I love more?
"But if you think about it, isn't it true? I confessed first... If I hadn't, would we have created such a commotion in the glasshouse? We would've probably kept fighting Kazimir. If it weren't for me, we might not have even realized we liked each other until we died fighting that demon."
"Now that you mention it, you're right. As an apology, may I touch you?"
"I'm not finished yet."
He was always eager to cling to me at every opportunity. I slapped away the hand creeping onto my lap, and he backed off, teary-eyed.
"Speaking of which, did you really fire Kazimir? You should call him back. He thinks he's waiting for an important task. If he finds out the truth, he'll be really hurt. Even if he's a demon, you shouldn't treat him so harshly. And if you bring him back, send him home after work. The orphans seem to like and follow him a lot. They seemed to have been waiting eagerly when he stayed at the mansion for a while."
"Did you actually miss Kazimir? You liked his arm muscles, didn't you..."
"No, it's not like that! My preference is you, young master!"
If the wind ruffled my hair, Adrian seemed ready to be jealous of the wind. It frustrated me that he didn't understand my feelings, so I yelled in a fit of anger, only to blush afterward. Seeing Adrian murmur, "I'm your preference..." with slightly red ears made me more embarrassed.
Our conversation continued in a haphazard way.
"Kazimir... I never thought of him that way, so you don't need to be jealous of anyone. Really."
"..."
"Hm, I guess I'm a bit sleepy after studying for so long."
"It is about time to get drowsy."
I pushed back my chair and pretended to yawn, and Adrian naturally stood up as well. We seemed to be on the same page.
Though we got up separately, we lay down together. As I snuggled into his arms, he held me tightly with his generous arms. As he nuzzled his nose into my neck and was about to kiss me, Adrian opened his mouth to speak at that exact moment, causing his teeth to graze mine.
Ouch, that hurt. I don't know why I can't get the timing right with kisses.
Tears welled up as I rubbed my lips, and Adrian chuckled quietly. Then he lifted my chin and kissed me as I wanted. As he licked my lips, the pain quickly melted away. It felt ticklish and warm.
The following kisses were gentle and soft, unlike the deep and intense ones from last night. His actions, sucking my lower lip and nibbling it slightly, were filled with affection. Seeing his heated eyes made me feel somewhat intoxicated.
"...Wait a moment."
Adrian's hand, lifting my negligee, was stopped. His eyes widened slightly. Once, twice. He tried again, but I caught his hand. This time, he seemed to sense something was off and looked at me inquisitively.
"I actually made a firm decision last night."
"What...?"
I slowly lowered my gaze and looked at my shirt. A white barrier with buttons fastened up to the neck.
"As long as I don't take off this shirt, nothing like last night will happen again."
"What?"
Adrian looked down at me as if he had received a death sentence. What do you mean, no, wait, why...? A torrent of confusion and questions poured from his eyes in an instant.
"Hilda, I explained. I..."
"Yes, you explained. But I still don't understand. I love you, so I trust you and show you everything. How bad could it be, really?"
Adrian would never be able to answer that. He still couldn't be reassured by my love alone, which was why he kept me confined in this room.
"No, Hilda. You're misunderstanding. It's not just because of that. I regained my powers recently, and I can't control them well yet. If my emotions explode, I don't know how wildly I'll act... I might even hurt you... It won't take long to fix this. Just until then."
"Then let's wait until then. Until we can love each other freely. I'm fine just holding you like this."
"Hilda. Please."
I held him tightly and rested my head on his chest. I truly meant it when I said I was fine just holding him. It would be a lie to say I didn't feel any frustration, but wasn't it more important that we felt the same way?
"Until then, it's forbidden."
When his desire-filled hand subtly tried to touch my waist, I pinched the back of his hand slightly. His hand reluctantly found its way back, but Adrian still looked troubled. Despite unintentionally brushing against my neck and tickling it, I didn't react, and he let out a long sigh.
But if I didn't do this, Adrian's icy wall would never melt. Seeing him guard his appearance until the end even while drenched in holy water made it clear he would never reveal what he thought was hideous.
"Even in hell, they don't impose such harsh punishments..."
"Punishment? I'm already excited thinking that day isn't far off. I hope it comes as soon as possible."
I kissed his neck lightly to comfort the worried demon, and I felt his shoulders stiffen. Another long sigh. Despite being excellent at inciting others' desires, he seemed to struggle with controlling his own, clenching and unclenching his fists as he took deep breaths, looking pitiable.
"Good night, Adrian."
A huge hotel room with unlimited leave, meals, and necessary items provided, and a wonderful lover beside me. There was no better vacation.
Is it morning? I rubbed my eyes and glanced towards the window, then remembered the reality of being confined in this room and checked the clock again. It was 9 AM. Since I fell asleep clinging tightly to Adrian after dinner yesterday, it must be 9 AM.
Unable to see the scenery outside, I gauged the time this way every day, but I could feel my sense of time deteriorating. I used to wake up at dawn every day before this, but now I lay around until 9 AM. When I leave this room, it will take a while to regain my biological rhythm.
Once I relaxed, I felt endlessly sluggish. Even though I just woke up, I wanted to go back to sleep. As I slowly blinked my sleepy eyes, something familiar yet unseen recently caught my eye.
"Restoration in progress. Retrieving resources... (234/1698)"
My eyes snapped open. The system, which had been continuously spitting out error messages and unable to recover since Adrian hacked it, had started restoring.
Watching the dots appear and disappear repeatedly, it seemed to be progressing, but it hadn't changed from '234' for a while. Whether it was due to large resource files or poor network connection, it looked like it would take all day at this rate.
Why did it suddenly start restoring? Adrian wouldn't have let this happen.
"Did you sleep well?"
"Restoration has been stopped."
"WARNING!! Unable to restore."
Arms suddenly wrapped around me as I stiffened, staring straight ahead. I was pulled into his embrace. As Adrian nuzzled his face into my shoulder like a child, the system crashed again, spewing error messages. I blinked blankly, watching the white letters scroll by. What had just happened?
"What's wrong? Are you sick?"
"Oh... no. I'm just sleepy."
I quickly regained my composure and pretended to yawn, and Adrian smiled sweetly.
"You've become such a sleepyhead, my Hilda. But that makes you even cuter."
"That's because I don't have to work. You've spoiled me, Young Master. What are you going to do about it?"
"You can live without doing any servant work for the rest of your life. As long as you don't want to, of course."
Though he offered me options gently, we both knew the reality was different. Adrian constantly whispered such words during my time in the room.
You don't have to do anything, you don't need to know anything, this place is safe, you must stay by my side...
Was this another tactic to keep me compliant by his side? I couldn't help but listen to the temptations that seeped into my consciousness without realizing it.
But that's all it was. My mind was still clear, and I constantly thought about what I would do once I got out. Though he advised me to quit being a servant, I had no intention of doing so. Maintaining my livelihood with my own efforts was a crucial skill. Besides, working made the occasional lazing around and distractions more enjoyable.
Maybe if my mind had been brainwashed as Adrian wanted, I might have been freed from here sooner. If I had become a doll that did nothing and thought nothing, he could have felt reassured. Was my not being the only one not brainwashed making him more anxious? I wasn't sure.
"You seem to have slept poorly, Young Master."
His hair was slightly disheveled, indicating he had slept, but only briefly. For the past few days, he hadn't come near the bed or slept at all, so last night I had to force him to lie down. But he looked more haggard than when he hadn't slept for days. Was it because I had banned physical contact since yesterday?
"That's because I'm undergoing a harsh punishment from you."
"Ending that punishment isn't that difficult, you know."
"I'm sorry. It's not that easy for me."
"You know, right? I'll love you no matter how you look."
"...Of course, I know."
"You don't believe me, do you? It's obvious."
"No, what are you talking about? I believe you with all my heart. I'm as happy as if I have the whole world."
Liar. He didn't believe me at all. Adrian pretended to be moved, hugging me and kissing my forehead softly, but I knew it was a lie. I had said it more than ten times, and he still didn't believe it, so it seemed I would have to repeat it until it stuck. A demon who didn't let anything slide easily.
"What is all this...?"
"Do you like it? I prepared it for you."
When I returned after breakfast, the room looked different from when we had left. During our short meal, people had come and gone, filling the walls with paintings, placing a new wardrobe full of my clothes next to Adrian's, and stocking the table with various kinds of coffee and wine. There were also numerous textbooks, sheet music, and novels.
Just as I had started a project to earn his trust, Adrian seemed to have embarked on a project to make this confinement more livable.
"What are these paintings? Landscapes?"
"Yes. I prepared them so you can see the outside without going out. Here, this one is the lavender field you wanted to see. A painter came yesterday and painted it after seeing it firsthand. This one is the scenery in front of the mansion. And here is the calico cat you sometimes feed. These paintings will change regularly. They will depict the scenery from the previous day."
In addition to the paintings he introduced, there were many depicting the village, the general store I often visited, and the bedding shop, among other peaceful scenes. Each painting had a long tag with detailed descriptions of conversations in the stores or the calico cat’s actions. The paintings were so vivid that they felt like I was there, especially when reading the accompanying descriptions.
However, out of the nearly twenty paintings, there wasn’t a single person or even a shadow of one. It seemed like he wanted to avoid my interacting with others. He brought back the lavender I wanted, but not Emily, whom I also inquired about.
Did he secretly leave for so long yesterday because of this? Just because I said I wanted to go out, he tried to create a substitute for actually going out…
I looked around at the paintings, half amazed and half incredulous. How many painters did he hire to create these daily? How much money was he spending just to keep me confined?
So this was his idea of relieving my frustration.
Did he really think looking at new paintings every day could replace a normal life? Did he hope that by immersing myself in the paintings, I would start talking about them as if they were my real daily experiences? Maybe that would be a happy ending for Adrian.
“How do you like them?”
“…”
“You seem to like them. I’m glad.”
Would he understand if I explained that paintings can’t fully replace a person’s life? Though his innocent smile might have seemed strange and frightening, I just felt a mix of emotions—conflicted and sorry for him.
To me, he seemed like someone huddling in a downpour, trying to protect a match flame. He didn’t realize his own back was soaked, desperately trying to keep the dying light alive. I couldn’t bring myself to hate him.
Even a long day goes by quickly, and the time in the room passed surprisingly fast. Thanks to his demand that I stay with him unless he was handling important tasks, I could spend most of the day with Adrian.
Trapped with me, he effectively imprisoned himself as well, so one day I asked if he found it suffocating. Adrian smiled and said,
“Not at all. I only recently got the freedom to leave the room.”
Right, he had mentioned he was sick as a child and confined to his room.
“You don’t need to make that face. I prefer being here to being outside with all its noise. I’m happier with you, Hilda.”
He was elegantly stating that he was naturally a homebody.
Thanks to Adrian’s sincere homebody nature, I made significant progress in my reading and writing studies. Unlike the early days when I struggled with basic letters, I had advanced to an intermediate level. When I read my first newspaper editorial, Adrian gave me a standing ovation, declaring I must be a genius. It was the second most embarrassing moment after the time he wanted to frame my sentence, “Adrian is definitely a fool.”
In contrast to my progress in studies, my piano skills were slow to improve. Sitting side by side with the teacher often led to playful distractions. Most lessons ended with Adrian’s hand gently covering mine on the keys.
“Such a sly move. From the start, you intended this when you offered to teach me piano, right?”
Adrian’s hand lightly rested on mine as I gave him a sideways glare. He smirked.
“Back then, I was desperate just to hold your hand. You never gave me any chance, so I had to find a way.”
“Ah, so you were scheming from the beginning? I thought you were so kind and considerate then.”
“It’s rare for a demon to court a human… Please don’t blame me too much, my lady.”
Adrian pressed his cheek against my shoulder, rubbing it slightly in a childish manner. He called me ‘my lady’ whenever he was in a disadvantageous position or trying to excite me. Despite knowing this, my heart always melted.
It felt like I was losing every time. Although if I asked him to surrender, Adrian would probably find a giant white flag and wave it around.
Still, after being inseparable for over two weeks, I realized something.
I used to think Adrian merely liked me, but it was more than that. Adrian loved me much more deeply than I had imagined. He laughed only when I laughed, and he was somber when I was sad. He seemed to be reshaping his world around me with all his strength and time.
“Hilda, are you going to keep playing that key?”
Huh? I looked up to see Adrian gesturing toward my hand on the keyboard. Only my index finger remained on the keys. He wanted me to keep pressing it? Confused, I pressed down again, producing a dull sound. He wanted me to keep hitting it repeatedly? So I did, and Adrian placed his hand on the keys beside mine.
“It’s a waltz for a cat that visits the garden. Here’s the cat finding you and running joyfully.”
As I awkwardly pressed one key, Adrian’s hands moved, creating a beautiful melody. Despite the irregularity of my single note, Adrian’s playing complemented it, producing a lively tune that perfectly captured a cat’s playful steps.
When I slowed down in confusion, Adrian inserted slower, longer notes, evoking an image of a cautious cat encountering a stranger. He seemed to be composing the piece on the spot, without any sheet music.
Wow, how amazing. It was thrilling to contribute even a single note to a piece I could never play on my own.
“A cat enjoying a treat from you.”
Adrian’s hand moved faster as the notes rose higher. The lively tune resembled a cat excitedly meowing for a treat, circling around, and eagerly pawing. The music captured the joyful cat’s antics as the keys tapped faster and faster.
“A cat basking in the warm sunlight.”
The major key quickly shifted to a minor one, and the tempo slowed down. The melody depicted a cat leisurely stretching and lying down, and I couldn’t help but smile. The sound of the cat rolling over was mirrored by the playful notes that briefly quickened.
“Then it spots a bird and excitedly chases after it.”
At the moment my finger lifted, Adrian’s left hand joined the keys. Was this an arpeggio? The notes flowed rapidly from one end of the keyboard to the other, mimicking a cat’s swift chase. Realizing that the dense, quick notes represented a cat chasing a bird made me laugh again. Then, with a few strong chords, the short concert ended.
I looked up at Adrian in admiration.
“Wow, that was amazing! Did you compose that yourself? How did you do it? It’s incredible! How did you know when I would press the keys? And how did you know about the stray cat in the garden? Did you see me feeding it? Why didn’t you come to say hello to the cat? Wow, wow…”
Excitement made me babble. Adrian smiled quietly as he guided my hand back to the piano. Following his lead, my fingers slowly replayed the notes. Wow, I knew he played the piano well, but I didn’t realize he was this good.
“Unfortunately, I can’t do that. Animals are afraid of me.”
“Really? I never heard that before.”
“Animals instinctively recognize top predators. Humans might be the most arrogant beings in the world.”
“Did you think that about me too?”
“No, Hilda. I just hoped you wouldn’t fear me as much. The frightened look in your eyes whenever you saw me became ingrained in my mind…”
Adrian’s small gasp for breath felt like a punch to the gut. He stopped pressing the keys and deeply kissed me when I looked up at him.
Before we knew it, we were on the bed, exploring each other constantly like playful children.
Even while studying or playing the piano, I often found myself kissing him without realizing it. His neat forehead, well-aligned eyebrows, deep-set eyes, nose, lips, earlobes, neck, and the firm back beneath his thin clothes... These were all I could touch, but they were enough to keep me endlessly captivated.
When my fingers traced a rounded line from his ear to his earlobe, Adrian would softly whisper, "It tickles, Hilda," and laugh quietly. His reddening ear tips were endearing. I touched him so often that I could probably draw his features with my eyes closed.
We were so deeply in love that we sometimes nearly crossed the line. Whenever I repeated the conditions I had set, Adrian would struggle with his desires. I could feel his longing for me with every fiber of his being, but he managed to restrain himself. He seemed determined not to reveal his body entirely, no matter how much he wanted to. It was frustrating, but we had all the time in the world!
Kissing him alone stirred enough passion within me. Hours would pass just biting and licking each other. We would only stop when Adrian had work to do or when our lips became sore and chapped. Even then, we would hold each other tightly, sharing stories and enjoying each other's company.
Spending one or two hours a day kissing—what on earth was that? The scarier part was that I never got tired of it, and I didn't think I ever would.
So this is what it's like to be truly in love. It feels like I'm a monkey crazed with lust.
"It's almost evening. I don't want to move from this position. Should we just sleep like this?"
The first time I used Adrian's arm as a pillow instead of an actual one, he asked me, his face flushed with pride. Now, with the system down, there were no restrictions on pillows, and his embrace was spacious, warm, and fragrant. There was no reason to refuse.
When I nodded, Adrian's face broke into a delighted smile, and he pulled me closer with all his might.
Thump, thump, thump. His loud heartbeat echoed in my ears. He acted so skilled and experienced, but when I laid my head on his chest, I could hear his heart racing madly. Wouldn't his heart burst at this rate?
"I wish these days would last forever."
"......"
"If only they could be eternal, I'd do anything."
His hauntingly beautiful voice was filled with joy. His hand, gently stroking my hair, seeped with dark emotions.
I love you. No one in the world loves you more than I do. So you must stay by my side. It's the only way you'll be safe. I have nothing but you. If you disappear, I'll surely go mad. So please stay with me...
Though his whispered indoctrinations, meant to sway me, didn't work, he never truly believed me when I said I loved him. It felt like an invisible barrier deflected my words every time.
Yes, I know. I trust your feelings. I only pretended to believe his beautifully painted smile. If he truly believed my words, he would have to let me go, wouldn't he?
But why did he decide to cut me off from the world right after the second main quest ended? It seemed like he had loved me for a while now. Could he see something I couldn't, just as he could invade the system?
I asked him about it several times, but Adrian always evaded my questions, skirting around the core issue. I decided to wait until he opened up to me.
I love you. I trust you. So please believe in my love too. I whispered these words to him constantly, to his distrusting ears.
It took a full three weeks, and by the fourth week, I was finally allowed to go out to the garden. The agreed time was 30 minutes after meals. Adrian would always accompany me, and I couldn't speak to anyone else. He ordered that no one should come near the garden while we were there, so it wasn't a difficult condition to meet. I gladly accepted.
After four whole weeks, I finally went outside! Even though it was only 30 minutes, it was significant. His attitude seemed different from when he used to say, "Later, when it's safe." It was proof that he was beginning to trust me, even if only a little.
The first step is always the hardest; progressing further will just be a matter of time. The important thing is that Adrian's heart is beginning to open!
Excited about my rare outing, I changed into a comfortable dress and followed Adrian. With the system down, there was no notification about the map being opened, but lights illuminated our surroundings as we walked together.
We descended what felt like an unusually long staircase into a wide hall with white marble floors. It was a place I usually passed by without much thought, but seeing it after four weeks felt incredibly refreshing.
"Wow, the sky is so beautiful today! How is it so clear without a single cloud?"
I couldn't believe such sentimental words were coming out of my mouth! I guess deprivation teaches satisfaction. Even a homebody like me, who would shut herself in with blackout curtains to play games on holidays, couldn't stand being cooped up for four weeks. My steps quickened with excitement as I reached the garden before Adrian.
The garden, which had grown denser and greener in my absence, greeted me. Summer flowers were beginning to bloom, presenting a beauty distinct from spring. Though the garden was meticulously maintained, it felt eerie without a single human presence.
How long has it been since I breathed in the outside air? I looked up at the clear, cloudless sky, sniffed at the passing breeze, and walked around, feeling the grass beneath my feet. It had been a long time since I walked more than 100 steps at once. It felt like I was shaking off the mold that had grown on me while I was stuck inside.
"Hilda... are you that happy?"
Adrian asked cautiously as I relished the fresh air. When I turned around, he wore a rather bitter expression.
"Of course! How could I not be happy after finally getting out? Wow, the weather is really nice. Can I explore the garden a bit?"
His bitter face turned even more melancholic. My joy in being outside meant I hadn't been happy inside. But I didn't feel the need to comfort him this time and excitedly explored the surroundings. He needed to understand the reality of what he was doing to be fair.
"Um, excuse me, my lord. There's an urgent matter..."
I froze at the familiar voice. Oh, it's Butler Elburn. Adrian is being called "my lord" now.
"I told you no one should enter the garden at this time."
It had been four weeks since I'd heard another person's voice. As I poked my head out, Adrian stepped in front of me, blocking my view. His voice was sharp and eerie, filled with suspicion. I stood on tiptoe and managed to see Elburn over Adrian's shoulder, but I regretted it immediately.
Elburn's face appeared blurred, as if seen through frosted glass. It seemed to be a precaution for encounters with others, making their faces indistinctly grotesque. It was probably to prevent me from forming any attachments or acting recklessly. Adrian's precaution made sense.
It was likely that only I saw them this way. Given that Elburn and Adrian were conversing normally, that seemed to be the case.
"I'm sorry. It's an urgent matter. A letter has just arrived from the palace. It seems you need to attend to it personally."
"Why now? Wasn't it supposed to arrive tomorrow?"
"My lord, I'll be fine. You should go quickly. You need to treat someone from the palace with respect. What if they take offense?"
Worried that he might suggest going back inside after just ten minutes, I interjected from behind. Adrian looked down at me with a troubled expression. He had made a promise, but he didn't want to leave me alone. He couldn't ignore someone from the palace either. The conflict in his blue eyes was intense.
"Don't worry. I'll stay right here and behave myself. We promised 30 minutes a day, remember?"
"Alright then."
He sighed as he reluctantly agreed. Yes! With someone from the palace here, he wouldn't be able to come back quickly. I might get to stay outside for two or three hours instead of just 30 minutes!
Even though I reassured him that I would be fine, Adrian kept looking back at me with lingering concern. Meanwhile, Butler Elburn turned his head, his features no longer blurred, but I could still feel his gaze on me. He tilted his head slightly before turning back to Adrian at his call.
It seemed like Elburn's memory had been altered too. As expected, it didn't surprise me much.
When the two disappeared around the corner, I plopped down on a chair Adrian had prepared in advance. I enjoyed the sun, stretched, and looked around the garden. I even had the luck to encounter the calico cat I fed daily, which rolled over, showing its belly in delight.
"It's been a while, but I don't have anything to give you, Tricolor."
The cat purred loudly and raised its chin, unaware that my hands were empty. When I scratched its chin as desired, it closed its eyes in satisfaction. Should I go to the kitchen to get something for it? But what if I run into someone? Adrian would be furious. Maybe if I just quickly...
"Tricolor, Tricolor. Where are you?"
I froze at the familiar voice coming from just beyond the corner. The cat, which had been enjoying my massage, sprang up and ran toward the approaching footsteps. "Meow!" it cried in greeting, causing the steps to pause.
"There you are. Tricolor, but you mustn't come in here at this time. If
we get caught sneaking in, we could get in trouble."
The gentle voice whispered. Despite the warning, the cat meandered between the person's legs, demanding whatever treat they held.
"Alright, here you go. Eat quickly, and let's get out of here. Oh my..."
She placed the dish on the ground and looked up, meeting my eyes. Like Elburn, her face was blurred, but it seemed like she was looking at me. I recognized her instantly. Her voice, the maid outfit I had bought for her.
"Hello. I'm sorry, but who are you? Do you know this cat?"
During our overlapping break times, we often fed the cat together.
"Yes. I used to feed this cat often. I'm staying at the estate for a short while at the count's invitation."
"I see... Well, I have a favor to ask even though we've just met. Could you keep it a secret that you saw me here?"
Adrian had told me he restricted access to the garden. When I nodded, Emily let out a sigh of relief. That ended our conversation. Only the sound of the cat enjoying its meal interrupted the awkward silence between us.
Even from a distance, I could feel Emily fidgeting and glancing at me.
"Can I ask you something? It might be a strange question..."
"Yes, go ahead."
"Have we met before?"
"......"
"I'm sorry if it's sudden. You just look familiar... Oh? Oh... Why am I...?"
Should I say we've met or not? While I was contemplating, Emily's voice started to tremble and suddenly, tears began to fall, dripping down her chin before pouring out. Only then did I realize.
I hurriedly took out a handkerchief but couldn't approach her. Why was she crying? It hurt to see.
"I'm so, so sorry. I don't know why I'm doing this... Why do I feel so sad... Why..."
"......"
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. It's so rude to cry in front of a guest..."
She seemed unaware of her own words as she tried to wipe away her tears with her hands. Although her memory was erased, it seemed like the emotions remained. She appeared overwhelmed by a sudden surge of relief and sadness.
I couldn't bring myself to approach her, fiddling with the handkerchief while sighing deeply. My legs felt heavy, as if they were weighed down by large iron balls. It would have been better if we met after everything was resolved.
"Here, use this."
"Oh, thank you..."
"Do you usually cry easily? To cry like that in front of a stranger."
"No, no. It's not like that. I just suddenly felt so heartbroken..."
Even as she wiped her tears with the handkerchief I handed her, they continued to flow down her chin. I have this odd habit of tearing up when others cry, so I had to bite my lower lip to keep myself from crying too. It would look so strange for us to stand side by side, crying our hearts out as strangers.
"Hey, how about we become friends? We look about the same age."
Her heavily trembling shoulders gradually calmed as I made the suggestion. Emily, whose eyes were blurred, looked towards me.
"Friends...?"
"You said I looked familiar, right? I feel the same way. Maybe we met somewhere. I think we'll get along well."
"But you're the guest of the young master, a noble guest. How could someone like me..."
"The truth is, I'm not of high status to be a guest here, so don't feel burdened. Should I introduce myself first? My name is Hilda."
"Hilda..." Emily mumbled, looking dazed. Hilda. She repeated the name as if she had forgotten I was standing in front of her.
"Hilda, that's a lovely name. It feels so familiar... My name is Emily."
"That's a beautiful name. It suits you well. You can keep the handkerchief if you like."
"Can we meet again?"
Her question was cautious, like building a castle of salt. I nodded with a smile.
"Of course. I'll be staying here for a while. Let's speak more comfortably next time."
"Yes. I should go now. It's not that I'm uncomfortable, but I shouldn't be here."
"I understand. Take care."
What was there to be cautious about in the estate? She left after several rounds of goodbyes. Just before she exited the garden, she turned around once more, and I waved again.
I'm glad she looks healthy. I worried a lot about how she was doing. Next time we meet, we should have a longer talk.
Meeting Emily made me a little sad, but I pushed the sadness away. We became friends again despite the broken past. Adrian is gradually opening up, so we'll be able to reclaim our memories soon.
"Adrian seems to be taking longer than expected."
I took a deep breath and looked around. Since I had some free time, should I make a flower ring like the one Adrian made for me? I can't imagine how beautifully he would smile if I put it on his finger.
Three days? No, at least a week. I planned to watch his reaction with delight. Not liking it was never an option.
I wonder what kind of flowers Adrian likes. He seemed to prefer grass over flowers, but I couldn't make a ring out of grass. I looked at the colorful flowers blooming nearby and started making a ring. It looked simple, but keeping the stem from breaking while forming a round shape was challenging.
How did Adrian make this?
As I struggled with making the loop and felt sorry for the growing pile of flowers, Adrian returned.
"Oh, you're back? You took longer than I expected!"
I quickly brushed away the pile of flowers on the table and stood up. Did he see? Hopefully not. As I dusted off the remaining flowers, I noticed his troubled expression.
"Hilda... Let's go back to the room... quickly."
Without any explanation, Adrian anxiously grabbed my hand.
"What? Oh, okay. Just let me tidy up. You're not going to cut my time tomorrow because we went over today, are you? That would be unfair since it was your work that delayed us."
"Forget about that. Just leave everything. We need to go, quickly."
I wanted to make him promise not to deduct the extra time from tomorrow, but Adrian pulled me along with unexpected strength. I followed, startled.
"Wait! Hold on. Let's go a bit slower! Ah, ah!"
Adrian didn't respond, hurrying up the stairs. He moved so fast it was hard to keep up without some legendary speed buff, and I nearly stumbled on the steps. The lights flickered on and off as he moved, making me dizzy. Finally, after shutting the door behind us, he seemed to calm down a bit.
"Adrian. Are you okay?"
"......"
Adrian, leaning against the door, looked pale as if he had seen a ghost. He breathed heavily, unable to speak. I was about to complain about being dragged like that but stopped, seeing his distressed face. There could only be one reason for Adrian to be this agitated. Emily.
"Hilda... I'm sorry, but despite my promise..."
"Yes."
"We can't go for walks... I'm sorry, but not for a while."
Adrian couldn't even look me in the eye, repeatedly apologizing. He must have heard us from a distance. I expected this.
Suddenly, the light that had filled my vision disappeared. The room, previously illuminated, went dark as if the power had gone out. Even without sunlight, this room had been the only visible place, but now it wasn't.
In the room, I could only see five spots: the bed, table, wardrobe, adjoining room, and the area in front of the door. Even the floor was pitch black, making the furniture look like it was floating in space. ...I didn't expect this.
"Young master, what’s going on all of a sudden? Explain to me. How can a person live their entire life confined to just five places like a hamster in a wheel?"
"Hilda... You... you're too fragile."
"Me?"
If I ram into someone with my body, even the sturdy Kazimir would get knocked out cold. What are you talking about?
"Hilda, you... you risked your life to save a human girl in that dangerous place. Who's to say you won't do it again? I know better than anyone how easily humans can die."
"I'll be more careful from now on. Honestly, I didn't realize you'd worry this much."
"You told me before, you had to help because she was a human. Yes, because of that, I owe you my life too. But that doesn't mean I can just watch you constantly put yourself in danger."
Adrian suddenly approached and grabbed my hand. Rather than just grabbing, he clung to it. He stood a head taller than me, yet he seemed so low, almost desperate. His hands, cold as ice and trembling, surprised me.
"I'm not strong enough to remain sane if I lose you, Hilda. So stay here with me. Don’t go out, don’t see anyone... I beg of you. I can't let you go. The mere thought of 'what if' makes it hard to breathe."
"Young master, I appreciate that you care for me so much, but I'm someone who can live well even without anyone's care. You don't have to worry about me as if I'd break at the slightest touch. I don't get hurt easily, and even if I do, I heal."
"No. Not to me... Humans get hurt too easily and die too easily. You... you could have died so many times by now. You could have disappeared. Without me knowing. Without me being able to do anything."
"That's true for everyone, not just me. But not everyone lives in constant fear of the sky falling, right?"
"But you... I can't let that happen to you. Not to you."
Not to you, Hilda, not to you. He repeated obsessively, pressing his lips to the back of my hand. I just stood there, staring at him. He seemed more anxious than he did four weeks ago when he begged me to stay.
It dawned on me suddenly. Nothing had changed since a month ago. I thought things were gradually improving, but it was just an illusion.
Why? Why is he still so anxious when I've been here, doing nothing?
"I'll prepare anything you need. I'll replace what you want to see with paintings, and what you want to hear with music. And if time passes and you want to talk to someone other than me, I'll bring in people I've carefully selected. They will laugh and chat with you. You'll surely enjoy it..."
A faint smile appeared on Adrian's lips. Ah, I had been gravely mistaken. I thought his overprotection was due to his inability to accept the frail human body and finite life. I thought he was overprotective because he witnessed me in danger and I was often absent. So I firmly believed that continuous reassurance would help.
But that wasn't it. Adrian's fear originated from me. He was plunged into such great anxiety because of my existence.
It felt like a sudden blow to the head. I was always happy and secure because he was there, but he was so anxious because of me.
"You say you love me and that you'll be careful. But even then, you can't be at ease?"
"......"
"Do you really not trust me at all?"
"......"
"Not even a little?"
Adrian's lips moved a few times as if to speak, but he avoided answering. I could see his hands trembling slightly. That sight made me incredibly sad. I couldn't understand why he spent what should be happy moments so anxiously and fearfully.
I have so many things I want to do with Adrian, so many places I want to go.
"Does having me around make you happy? Or am I making you miserable?"
That can't be true, but seeing him tremble in fear of losing me, unable to sleep, made me think otherwise. Living in one room as if it's the whole world was more frustrating and frightening because of his anxiety, not because of the confinement itself. I felt sad for him, who felt loneliness despite being by my side all the time.
If things continue like this, it'll be the same even if I stay in this room for the rest of my life.
"How can you say I'm miserable? Don't you know how happy I am because you're here?"
Adrian spoke with such desperation that it seemed like he would collapse at any moment. Yet, I couldn't believe him.
"But you seem so unhappy right now."
"......"
"Let's stop living confined to this room. It's not good for either of us."
Adrian's desperate attempts showed no signs of ending, so I had no choice but to take action.
There's only one solution. Today, I’ll tear off that white shirt and cross the line together. There's a reason for the saying, "Pillow talk is where true communication happens." Once we see each other at our lowest, the words will flow naturally.
It might be sudden and Adrian might be surprised, but after waiting for four weeks, isn't that enough?
"You're saying you'll go out... that you'll leave me?"
I started to get excited imagining Adrian blushing. Today’s shirt looks more expensive than the one he wore yesterday. It's a shame to tear it. I should have pounced on him yesterday.
"I didn’t dislike being here. It just got a little frustrating sometimes. It's always dark in here, you know. I'm not saying I’ll leave."
I imagined our first night together being more romantic, but it seems like I'll be the one to initiate. It's a bit disappointing, but once we get started, it will be fine. I’ll suggest that we treat the next time as our first night. Adrian is good at pretending to be shy, so he’ll do well with that too, right?
"I thought you'd be fine here. I even thought you'd like it better. It's not dangerous and I can fulfill your every wish..."
"Young master, could you lift your chin?"
He kept mumbling, but being so close to our first night, I was too excited to listen. It felt wasteful to tear the shirt, so I decided to undo the buttons instead. But Adrian kept lowering his head, making it difficult to start.
Hmm, should I just tear it even if it's a waste? No, Adrian might be horrified by the barbarity, given how delicate he is. I don't want to hear complaints on such an important day.
"You're saying... you want to live like before. I can't separate that from you."
I asked him to lift his chin, but he kept lowering it further. His back was already rounded, yet it seemed endless.
Hmm, he’s not cooperating at all. Should I start from the bottom?
〔I actually wanted to kill everyone who touched your eyes and talked to you.〕
"......That's all I could do."
〔Nothing goes my way. It was never like this before. Everything was simple. I only needed you, but that one thing... I can't have it.〕
I hesitated, thinking it might be too bold for the first time, but with Adrian acting like this, I had no choice but to start from the bottom! As I reached out, I noticed something strange. Black ink was dripping onto the pristine white shirt.
What is this? Ink? Oh no, on such an expensive shirt... This won't come off easily. But where is this ink coming from?
〔I thought you'd be happy if I kept you here and provided good things for you. Not everything, but enough to be satisfied. I thought you would feel the same as I did, just having you by my side.〕
No, touching it, it wasn't ink. And now, Adrian’s voice sounded strange. It was his voice, but it echoed from all directions, like the resonance of an instrument.
〔I thought of erasing that girl's memories again. Start over from the beginning. I tried to console myself, thinking I was unprepared because I brought you here in haste. I thought of keeping you in a better room, treating you more preciously this time. I really tried...〕
〔If that didn't work, I was ready to use all my power to keep you.〕
〔Even if I had to kill you.〕
〔Yes, if it came to that, rather than losing you helplessly.〕
〔Lilith laughed. She said it's my turn now, just like I despised her.〕
〔If my prison was so miserable.〕
〔Coward. You'll end up being hated. You'll be left with nothing.〕
〔Look at what you've done. You're no different from Lilith, whom you despised. You're just another demon.〕
〔Worthless ash.〕
The strange sound, uncertain if it came from Adrian, reverberated through the air. Screeeech. The noise was like nails on a chalkboard, forcing me to cover my ears, but I quickly regained my composure and covered Adrian's ears instead.
"Adrian, are you okay? Adrian!"
No matter how much I yelled, my voice couldn't penetrate the muffled sound, as if I was screaming in the vacuum of space.
The shadow at Adrian's feet began to wriggle and stretch. Like tree branches, the darkness grew, creeping up the walls. The ink droplets that had been falling onto his shirt started pouring like a downpour, and Adrian's form began to darken as well. The darkness devoured him from the edges inward, as if it were alive.
No, what’s happening all of a sudden?
〔I trapped you... because it felt like you were mine if I did.〕
〔It hurts.〕
Adrian's softly whispered words materialized as letters, drawing themselves in black in the air. The words, drenched in ink, quickly bled into the air, turning it black. The letters were then overlaid with a rapidly spreading, blood-red hue.
"Adrian! Adrian!" No matter how much I called out, my voice wasn't reaching him. I reached out to hold his hand, but my hand only cut through the air. The dark, murky energy already covered more than half of him, making it impossible to reach. His eyes, now unfocused and wandering, couldn't find me.
〔When you left the room, you smiled happily. You rarely smiled like that. Seeing you so happy made me want to let you go. But I couldn’t.〕
〔Even if it wasn't me, you would find happiness. Just like you became friends with that girl again. I can't be without you, but...〕
〔How hideous I must have seemed in your eyes.〕
〔I don't want to see it.〕
〔I'm scared.〕
〔I'd rather die.〕
〔Am I making you sad and unhappy? I just didn't want to lose you.〕
〔My misfortune has tainted even you.〕
〔If I let you go, could you be happy?〕
〔I'm constantly anxious that you might disappear at any moment. No matter how tightly I hold on, it doesn't feel like you're truly with me. I can't trust anything.〕
〔It wasn't the warmth you gave me that I craved...〕
〔Hilda. Please. Hilda... please〕
〔Love me.〕
The whispers overlapped, layering one atop another. The voices echoed endlessly, without beginning or end. The words, appearing so rapidly in the air, vanished just as quickly, making it impossible to keep up. The flood was overwhelming. A fierce wind blew, making it hard to keep my eyes open.
"Hey, Adrian? It’s been less than five minutes since I told you I love you?"
I urgently called his name, but his blue eyes had already lost their focus. He seemed completely out of his mind.
The darkness that had been spreading gradually now expanded rapidly. The black vines grew like a monster, reaching the ceiling and spreading their branches. Crack, crack. The pillars groaned and cracked under the immense pressure. Fortunately, they stopped just before collapsing, but it was a close call.
Finally, a black wave surged. The wave rose endlessly high, then crashed down with a tremendous wind, knocking me over. By the time I regained my senses, it had already swallowed Adrian.
"Adrian!"
Crrrack. The entire mansion tilted. Startled, I grabbed the furniture next to me, but the whole floor tilted, causing the bed to slide, creak, and groan. The darkness grew, seeping out through the gaps in the doors and windows. Like a black cloud covering the sky, all light vanished, and time seemed to stand still.
Then, the whole world fell silent as if holding its breath.
Is it... over?
Carefully, I got up on the tilted floor.
"...Adrian?"
I spoke to the pulsating darkness tangled like a spider's web in the corner of the room. It seemed to pause at the sound of my voice, suggesting Adrian was somewhere in there. As I reached out, the darkness recoiled, forcing me to withdraw my hand.
Things were happening too quickly for me to fully grasp, but one thing was clear: Adrian had hidden himself.
「Restoration in progress. Retrieving resources... (0/1698)」
At that moment, the message I'd seen when Adrian had fallen asleep before flashed before my eyes. Perhaps because Adrian wasn't present, the restoration progressed slowly: 0, 37, 79, 184... I sat there, watching the white text change.
Finally, at 1698, the progress reached 100%, and a new message appeared before my eyes.
「Restoration complete. Please wait a moment...」
「Restoration complete. You can now continue the game.」
Light began to filter back into the world, previously darkened as if a power outage had occurred, except for the darkness spreading from Adrian. Maps, skills, affection targets, requests, and more areas that had been inaccessible were now illuminated, and I could use tools and buttons that had been deactivated.
The long-dormant game system felt both familiar and strange. Looking around, I noticed changes here and there compared to before my confinement. The darkness in the room and the white text hovering above it caught my attention first.
「The hidden dungeon has been unlocked.」
Thank you very much for uploading the chapter so quickly. I've never been this obsessed with anything in my life, thank you 😭😭
thank u for the updates!!!! this chapter was so good omg o(>∀<*)o
Thank you so much! 😭 I’m so happy! Poor Adrian, my heart is broken
You are an angel! Thank you for translating this novel <3
I am very happy and when they did bad things😭💞💞💞 one of the cats I loved the most🙊💞😭and I felt sad for Adrian💔 I feel like he is going through a difficult psychological state regarding the only person I care about.
thank you! ☺️ Rn Im sick and in the hospital it’s very boring… Your translations make my day !!! I love them <3 2 cutiepies
(*'▽'*) they did flufy things o m g
😭💞