His mind went completely blank—so much so that he didn’t even realize what was happening. When he tried subtly pulling away, Justyn shifted his arm, adjusting into a position that made it easier for Ries to lean into him.
Thanks to that, it was easier to look up at him too. All he could see was that black mask, but even so, he could tell—Justyn looked pleased.
Now that his body and mind had finally settled, his thoughts started to wander. Ries recalled the conversation he’d had with Diana not long ago.
Well… calling it a conversation might be generous. It had felt more like a one-sided ultimatum.
“I’ll reconsider whether or not to continue your treatment.”
He was certain that’s what she’d said—unless he’d completely misheard her. The moment that shameless voice echoed in his mind, a deep frown furrowed his brow.
To think she’d threaten Justyn over something as serious as his life. It was almost impressive, the way she’d cleanly wiped out whatever lingering feelings he might have had.
But no matter how far his thoughts drifted, they always circled back to the same place.
Was it really okay to let her walk away like that?
Sure, she’d been the one to make those outrageous demands. The way she talked—like he was a thing to be claimed or discarded on a whim—had definitely pissed him off.
Still…
A quiet heaviness settled over him.
***
“Oh my, Priestess!”
The moment Diana stepped inside the mansion, a surprised voice greeted her. A maid spotted her reddened eyes, the delicate droop at their corners, and rushed over in a panic, holding out a pristine white handkerchief.
“What happened?! Your beautiful face—how did it end up like this?”
As soon as they noticed her pallor, a group of maids swarmed around her. A chorus of worried voices followed, their concern overflowing.
That was always when Chesif appeared—hurried footsteps, a face drawn tight with worry. Diana liked it best when that polished, elegant expression crumpled with emotion for her sake.
“Diana, your face… I heard you went to Duke Laufe’s estate today. Did something happen?”
“Chesif…”
“Ah, I must’ve kept you out too long. Come, lean on me. You need rest.”
“…Thank you.”
His graceful hand came to rest on her shoulder. As he guided her forward, she could feel the familiar gazes following them—curious, admiring, tinged with just a hint of envy.
Yes. This is it.
A mansion straight out of a fairytale. People desperate to please her. A man who loved her—handsome, high-born, someone no one dared look down on.
It was everything she’d dreamed of as a child. And the voices echoing behind her only lifted her mood higher.
“She must’ve come from that cursed duke’s estate, right?”
“Who knows what awful things she had to endure… Poor thing.”
“He must be mistreating her! How could anyone do that to someone who’s working so hard to heal others? Lady Diana deserves so much better!”
The lines were always the same—but she never got tired of hearing them. Diana basked in their whispers until they finally faded into the background.
But by the time Chesif guided her into his study, even that warm glow had started to dim. Her spirits sank again.
Seated across from her, Chesif asked gently,
“So, Diana. Can I ask what happened today?”
As if she’d been waiting for the question, Diana began recounting everything—how uncooperative Duke Laufe had been, the mocking way he’d spoken to her, and how she’d found Strawberry.
Chesif listened quietly, offering a few words of comfort—right up until that last part. Strawberry? His brows knit.
“You mean the cat?”
“Yes. I had no idea Duke Laufe had taken him.”
His reaction was mild, almost indifferent. And of course it was. That cat—who’d once stayed in his home—had always been nothing more than a shedding nuisance to him.
But Diana clearly didn’t see it that way. When he noticed the shimmer in her eyes, Chesif knew—this was about to become a problem.
“…I want to bring him back.”
“What?”
“Strawberry. I want to bring him back. He’s the one who brought us together, remember? That makes him precious… and we have a duty to care for him.”
For the first time, Diana spoke firmly, meeting Chesif’s gaze without flinching. He had to fight to keep his expression in check, barely managing to mold his face into something appropriately troubled.
“Diana…”
“And if he stays in that dangerous place, something bad could happen to him! Sure, he acted distant just now, but that’s only because it’s been so long since we saw each other. I’m sure everything will go back to normal if I just bring him home.”
But her optimism didn’t last long.
Chesif’s expression faltered. As if a part of it had collapsed, he quickly raised a hand to cover the lower half of his face.
He could’ve easily scoffed at how naive she sounded—but when he looked into those soft pink eyes, he couldn’t bring himself to.
Without a word, Chesif clicked his tongue.
He knew she was broken—but not this broken.
Of all things to obsess over… it had to be that filthy, vulgar creature? The thought made his stomach churn. Maybe her lowborn nature was carved into her very blood.
Use it, then discard it. That’s how it was supposed to go. With that conviction firm in his mind, he softened his expression into something gentler.
“…All right. I understand your concern. I’ll send word to Duke Laufe.”
“Really?!”
“Of course. Diana, what you want is what I want. I can’t promise the outcome, but… I’ll do everything I can to bring you good news.”
“Sniff… Thank you, Chesif…”
The obsessive glint in her pink eyes faded, returning to their usual sheen. That tearful, radiant smile of hers—he had to admit—it wasn’t entirely intolerable.
Chesif didn’t bother suppressing the urge that suddenly rose within him. If nothing else, this madwoman’s single redeeming trait was that smile. It made it easier to erase the unpleasant memory clawing at the back of his mind.
“I’m sorry, but there’s nothing I need to learn from you.”
That cold, resolute voice echoed in his head, and his jaw clenched.
Damn it all. Of all the places he could’ve wandered into, it had to be Duke Laufe’s den? That beast doesn’t have a single damn thing going for him!
He grabbed Diana by the shoulder and pulled her closer. She followed without resistance—utterly obedient.
And her face…
Ah. A perfect fairytale.
A prince who loves her. A magical cat who brought them together like a fairy godmother. A beautiful, cozy mansion.
This was the perfect ending—exactly the one little, helpless Diana had dreamed of before she became a priestess.
Diana smiled with pure bliss.
***
— Ugh. That lunatic’s back again?
“Myaaauk?”
The phrasing was so sharp that Ries blinked in surprise. But Sefiut didn’t seem the least bit interested in taking it back.
— You think I haven’t seen her around here? I’ve probably run into her five or six times. Her eyes were spinning like a crazy person’s. Gave me the creeps, so I stayed out of her way.
“Uuuung…”
— And I hate how she treats my descendant! If I had a body, I would’ve messed with her good!
Spinning eyes…
Ries recalled Diana’s pink irises. Now that he thought about it, he was starting to get what Sefiut meant.
Her eyes had been disturbingly certain. That unshakable expectation that he’d take her hand. That blind belief. That… compulsion.
So that’s what made me so uncomfortable.
Sure, her rudeness and overbearing attitude played a part—but this went deeper than that.
Still…
Ries stretched his neatly tucked paws, limbs extending in a long, languid stretch. One more thing was bothering him.
“Myaa. Aeeang?”
You said you can’t mess with her because you don’t have a body, but didn’t you torment Ketir just fine? He tilted his head with an openly questioning look. Sefiut let out a forced cough.
— T-Torment? I told you—I was just teasing him. He’s a sharp kid, so I gave him a little push now and then.
Poor Ketir. Even in death, his ancestor clearly hadn’t given up on his “teaching moments.”
— Anyway, that butler and the priestess are two completely different cases. You really think I can pull ghost tricks on someone with Divine Power? I’m a spirit, you know. She’s my hard counter. I wouldn’t stand a chance.
“Mweooong…”
What a letdown. Ries offered a sympathetic purr, then moved on to finish explaining.
The curse now clinging to Diana. Her insistence on taking him with her. The Sea God’s demand. Her sudden strike against the healing mission…
Looking back, it was hard to believe all that had happened in under an hour.
— Wait. You used to live with that priestess?
Sefiut narrowed his eyes in distaste.
Seriously? Of all the details, that’s what you fixate on?
Now really wasn’t the time for that. Thankfully, Sefiut dropped it, and after a long pause, he finally muttered:
— Hmph. I get the picture now.
