Regen looked at me with anticipation.

But it was a difficult request for me to answer.

He was asking me to not look for him when he would run away from home.

How was I supposed to accept this?

I cant say that I will grant Lords requests.

I think the alcohol I drank was pretty strong.

It was difficult to calm my heart once it started to rumble.

Im probably showing a hurt face right now.

However, Regen bit his lip, but he did not take back his urgent request.

No, he rather hastened the answer.

Promise me, please.

As Regen unconsciously scratched his arm, he realized what he had done and lowered his hand in shock.

I looked at the area around Regens wrist that was exposed through the wide sleeves.

It had a magic tool in the form of a bracelet, but there were scars on the skin around it.

The appearance was similar to Gilberts on the day he turned into a beast.

I wondered if it wasnt unusual, so I asked with a hard look on my face.

Lord, would you like to go to Aedis with me?

Regen hid his arms behind his back.

Its okay. It subsides over time.

..

More than that, promise me.

My heart throbbed slightly at Regens defensive attitude.

Regen didnt want me to interfere.

Either he will disappear suddenly, or his wrist wearing the magic tool was scarred.

I shouldnt have done this, but I was upset because I was drunk.

Are you sure you want to hear my answer?

Its for Your Graces sake.

I smiled sadly.

The way for me is to help the Lord.

It cant be. I think Ill endanger Your Grace. I just have a feeling it will happen.

Regen was always determined, but his refusal toward me was rambling. The evidence was also weak. There seemed to be no intention of wanting to convince me.

Is everyone else okay? Is it okay if its not me?

Perhaps..

Last time Regen said I needed protection because I was weaker than Mrs. Theresa.

Even he said he would protect me.

So, do I have to tell Regen that Im special?

Was he supposed to be praised for being mature?

But I dont feel like that at all.

I am the other master of Cyclamen Castle and the heir to a great family.

There was also a time when I used the blood of the beast to stop Regens rampage.

I have already proven my abilities and identity to Regen several times.

However, Regen ignored everything I had done and concluded that I was just an underdog who needed to be protected.

The conclusion did not seem to change.

I see. Even if the Lord suddenly disappears one day, I will not go look for him. I said I would listen to anything, so I have to accept the result. Im sorry that I couldnt show a reliable figure and couldnt be someone you could rely on.

I did my best, but somehow it seemed to be lacking.

Regens face turned blue.

No! It was never your fault. I, Actually I

Im sorry..

The only thing that came back to me was an apology.

Regen shook his head.

He couldnt speak or he didnt want to.

It meant one of the two.

I have to understand.

If I had been asked to wait at least, I probably wouldnt have felt this disappointed.

While Regen stared at the floor, I quickly rubbed the corners of my eyes.

This is because of the alcohol.

I was not upset at all.

In the beginning, children didnt like me very much.

I decided to approach him slowly, so it was fine.

I didnt know too much about Regens desire to protect me, who seemed so weak.

So I just smiled.

Its late, Lord. Ill take you to your bedroom. Thats fine, isnt it?

I couldnt reach out to Regen because of the tears I had wiped off on my fingers.

I walked silently, and Regen followed two steps behind me.

Even after arriving at his destination, Regen didnt want to look right at me, so I said goodbye with a simple greeting.

Then sleep well, Lord.

When I saw Regen enter, my strength fell.

I barely made my way out of the hallway, recklessly climbed the stairs, and at some point squatted down.

I want to take care of all those who are too weak to come to you on their own.

I leaned my head against the cold railing and chewed on the languid voice I heard in my dream.

The owner of the voice was old, like an old man on the verge of death, and said he wanted to help rather than seek help.

Even the worst. Even the weakest. Even if not a person. Let me take care of you. Let me hold you.

So, was he dependable for others?

Was there even one person he had to protect?

Was he strong enough for that?

Unlike me?

I wondered why you were here.

As I was about to fall asleep, I felt someone casually sit next to me. On the stairs where the cold air rose.

I hope I can help, Eve.

I raised my eyelids at the friendly voice that made my heart ache.

Blue stars were reflected in the ice-like eyes that looked at me.

Aedis.

Yes, Eve.

What should I do to become dependable?

I am already very dependent on the wife.

..

Im not the kind of person who gives my heart to anyone, reveals the past, or talks about future plans.

When I looked openly suspicious, Aedis lightly tapped my nose with his fingertips.

Eve, your nose is red.

Its because its cold.

Aedis smirked and laughed as if it was an insincere excuse.

Shall we raise the temperature in the castle?

Not the body, but my mind.

With a smooth word change, Aedis blinked his eyes.

It wont be of much help, but would you like a hug?

I reached out wordlessly.

Aedis got up and hugged me and muttered.

Eve, you smell of alcohol.

I only drank a little.

Aedis didnt seem to believe that much.

Thats true.

Although sometimes my husband looked like that too.

I asked, pulling the strength out of my body.

Aedis, how much do you depend on me?

My husband answered without thinking for a second.

Assuming I am as helpless as when I was a bedridden human, you are the only one I can entrust my life with.

When the weakest moment of his life comes back, I am the only one who he can entrust with his life.

It was a very unusual treatment.

Still, if it had been normal, I would have responded skillfully.

I drank alcohol, and now I was timid and only the tail of my eyes went down.

But I will not be able to protect you.

No, Eve. It is safest to be by your side. Of course, if you dont accept me, Ill have to wander around alone.

..

My dearest wife, simply being strong does not protect everything. Isnt that already the case with my first son?

And it sounds impure, but I want my wife to depend on me. I wish I was the first and the last, but since you are so sociable, I think this is too greedy.

Aedis dropped me off in a fluffy place.

It was in the bedroom and it was on the bed.

Aedis didnt stop at putting me down, but gently rubbed my warm eyes with his hand.

It It tickles.

And I was so embarrassed!

If I had known you would be alone with your eyes so red, I would have listened for you and what kind of conversation you were having.

That is a foul.

At my sulky reply, Aedis lowered his eyelids.

I think its a more moderate method than leaving my wife and me in the world.

Excuse me?

Finally, Aedis took my hand. Instead, another attack was launched.

Arent you going to tell me what happened?

Aedis face came closer, and my heart reflexively accelerated.

I wish you could tell me everything that happened today.

I dont care anymore.

I turned my head in the wrong direction and explained.

I even thought about getting out of bed, but as I was thinking it Aedis pulled me onto his lap.

Dont lie.

Um.

By the way, its okay for you to stay like this all night.

. It looks like Im stuck firmly in the wrong place today.

***

Regen stood blankly in the darkened room.

Regen thought of Gilbert.

He thought that all the feelings of respect, affection and dedication were for his one and only brother.

He was so happy he was Gilberts younger brother that he was willing to bear painful words and beatings.

That was tolerable.

Because it was not about hurting other people.

Because he didnt have to feel guilty about anyone. But at some point, he started to feel uncomfortable.

A part of his head, which seemed filled with a hazy mist, became clearer day by day, and the sense of incongruity that arose from his doubts became certain.

They said he killed the capitals employees. Thats why the knights took over the work

Ive also heard rumors that he was trying to harm Her Grace. Im so glad hes gone now. I hope he never returns.

Gilbert didnt just wield violence against Regen.

With that, he couldnt tolerate it in his head. But strangely, in his heart, he still had no choice but to respect and love his older brother.

This is not my feeling.

It was then that Regen finally realized that he had given Gilbert an unusual preference.

It was because of something like a thread in his head.

A single strand of magical power connected Regen and someone elses head.

There was only one command passing through the thread.

Follow Gilbert unconditionally.

When he became aware of the brainwashing, the existence of the thread became insanely irritating, and Regen covered the thread with his own magical power and slowly pursued it.

The more he did it, the hotter the magic tool burned, and his skin swelled up.

He had no intention of stopping.

Regen had always wanted to find the culprit who made him like this.

After a few days of seeking the source. He finally reached out to the man.

The man who inserted a thread in Regens head and brainwashed only one command was living in a desert covered with red sand.