7.

Facing that gaze, the secretary felt a shiver down his spine.

The man’s curiosity resembled the cruelty of a young child.

As if playfully holding a butterfly and tearing its wings apart, twisted without malice.

‘…How can Lady Elze love a man like that?’

Unbeknownst to himself, the secretary entertained such impious thoughts.

Dante Dessaby Offenheir.

Born as a royal bastard, he subdued the dark forces of the kingdom.

A figure who achieved the position of a marquis solely through his strength.

Sometimes, when facing his master, the secretary felt an eerie sensation as if encountering something non-human.

His appearance was as beautiful as a god-sculpted masterpiece, but his inner self was empty.

While yearning for absolute love from others, he loved no one.

“Well, anyway, I’m busy catching and killing some rats right now.”

On the other hand, his faint curiosity towards Elze quickly faded.

Dante returned to his usual uninterested expression.

“We’ll visit her soon, so until then, tell Elze to enjoy her time at the boarding school.”

“Yes, I will convey your message, Your Excellency.”

“Still…”

Suddenly, Dante let out a wry smile.

“It’s fascinating how undisturbed Elze is.”

With those words, Dante swiftly left the basement.

The cautious secretary closed the basement door and quietly watched Dante’s receding figure.

Step by step.

Footprints were imprinted on the smooth stone stairs.

Footprints stained with red blood.

* * *

The next morning.

With breakfast in hand, I headed back to Lucian.

“Good morning, Your Grace.”

Inside the dark room, where the sun hadn’t risen yet.

Lucian, lying on the bed, briefly turned his gaze in my direction.

At least he didn’t seem as fierce as yesterday, which was somewhat relieving.

‘It seems Lucian… didn’t get a proper night’s sleep.’

Not only did he look tired, but there were also dark shadows under his eyes.

After all, he was suddenly dragged into this wretched boarding school and even failed to escape.

It must be difficult to sleep comfortably.

“Did you sleep well last night?”

“Being dragged to this trashy boarding school and trapped here, how could I sleep well?”

As expected, I received such a reply.

I anticipated a reaction like that.

I just responded by lifting the tray I had in my hands slightly.

“I brought breakfast.”

Warm soup, soft white bread, jam and bacon, omelet, some fruits, and juice–a typical noble breakfast.

“I prepared all the food safely, but I understand it’s still hard for Your Grace to trust and eat just because I say so.”

“….”

“So, I’ll taste each dish first. How about you have them after that?”

“No need.”

What?

I blinked my eyes dumbfoundedly.

Lucian stared at me with a dry gaze.

And then…

“I don’t need it.”

The voice rejecting the offer echoed like desert sand blowing in the wind.

“Why…”

“I’m not going to eat it.”

I reflexively held back the question, “Why don’t you want to eat?” that was about to burst out of my mouth. I forced down the argument that rose to my throat.

‘…Yes, maybe his feelings are complicated right now.’

After all the turmoil yesterday, it would be strange if he had an appetite right away today.

I obediently picked up the tray and stood up.

“Then, I’ll leave for now.”

“….”

“I’ll bring lunch later, so please make sure to eat then.”

I pleaded earnestly, but it seemed like Lucian didn’t hear a word I said, even with his ears.

Suppressing a sigh that was about to burst out, I bid farewell.

“Well then, rest well.”

“….”

Lucian didn’t respond.

He just gazed beyond the iron bars, seemingly searching for something outside the window.

His desperate gaze felt like he wanted to escape outside immediately.

…Perhaps he’s like a bird with broken wings, unable to fly for the rest of his life.

I turned away from Lucian and left the room, trying not to pay any more attention to him.

* * *

My relationship with Lucian was deteriorating rapidly.

It was no wonder, considering Lucian had been refusing meals for a whole week.

‘What should I do? Lucian’s condition seems bad.’

I anxiously observed Lucian’s state.

The once rosy cheeks had lost their vitality, and his eyes were sunken due to weight loss.

Now, Lucian didn’t even bother getting angry at me. He just glanced weakly in my direction, and if he found it too bothersome, he simply closed his eyes to shut me out.

Of course, I didn’t just sit idly by either.

At first, I tried everything to lift Lucian’s mood.

“Hello, good evening.”

“….”

“How are you feeling today?”

“….”

“I brought some food. Would you like to have at least a little bit today?”

I persistently tried to talk to Lucian, but he either tightly sealed his lips or ignored me completely if he found it too bothersome.

Such Lucian was like a noble flower wilting away without water and sunlight.

He didn’t even rebel.

It seemed like even expressing emotions drained him, and he might have thought it was better to just wither away quietly.

Facing Lucian, who showed no will to survive…

I felt my heart tighten with fear, and in reaction to that fear, anger began to build up inside me.

“How long are you going to keep refusing meals?”

To be honest, I understood that Lucian might hate me.

After all, fundamentally, I was here to monitor him.

It was okay for him not to trust me, and I could comprehend his animosity towards me.

But still.

Still, I thought.

‘Do you need to torment yourself like this?’

I would have preferred it if he resented me or got angry at me instead.

If, by any chance, Lucian were to continue like this and end up dying…

‘My escape plan would be completely ruined.’

I chewed on my lips anxiously.

Even if someone accused me of being selfish, I couldn’t help it.

My life was the most precious thing to me.

Whether the female protagonist and three male protagonists killed or saved each other in their obsessive love, was none of my concern.

All I wanted was simply to escape from this damn trashy harem romance fantasy world.

And for Lucian to awaken his powers and demolish the Rose Cross Academy.

Escaping from this dreadful boarding school was entirely impossible.

Even if I were lucky enough to succeed in escaping, I knew the secret that Duke Kalleid was imprisoned in this school.

And Dante would do anything to permanently silence me.

And the most efficient way he favored was…

‘Killing me off.’

…A shiver ran down my entire body.

‘I can’t let that happen.’

I bit my lips and stared at Lucian lying on the bed like a broken puppet.

A difficult-to-express anger surged up from the depths of my heart.

I knew it was irrational anger.

But still.

‘You were born as the male protagonist of this world.’

Awakening brilliant powers and reclaiming the family stolen by your cousin.

Even if you stumble and break in the process, there will be a female protagonist to heal your wounds and take care of you.

…As long as you are safe and your life is guaranteed until the end.

But me?

I, the villainess sacrificed to enhance the female protagonist, suffering here and there under the walking death flags, along with the three male protagonists, and brutally murdered.

I, who is consumed sacrificially for the sake of the novel’s cider?

“Why do you keep refusing to eat? Can I ask you the reason?”

When I came to my senses, I found myself coldly questioning Lucian.

“….”

Lucian responded as if he didn’t even want to answer, closing his eyes tightly.

“Do you plan to starve yourself to death?”

“…It’s not like a cat cares about a mouse. Why bother asking such pointless questions?”

I thought he would completely ignore what I said this time too.

Surprisingly, a heavily locked voice flowed out.

Lucian sneered.

“No, you should be in a position to keep me alive.”

“Your Grace.”

“To avoid being discarded by the Viscount of Offenheir. Isn’t that right?”

…What am I supposed to say right now?