[You have entered the Domain of Deviation.]
[Adjusting for appropriate thresholds due to improper interference……]
[While this interference exists, quests will not be assigned. However, store access and status checks remain available.]
[Good luck! (ෆ`꒳´ෆ)]
Seated in Kyle’s palm, I lowered my gaze from the system window and took in the spacious room around me.
The room we were assigned was so large that it seemed to take up half the entire floor. Two walls were lined with bookshelves, forming a library and a reception area, while a fireplace adorned the living space, which also appeared to double as a bedroom.
Though the place was well-maintained, it lacked the signs of frequent use.
‘It’s like a well-decorated studio apartment. No, maybe closer to a model house?’
Kyle, only after entering the room, carefully studied my expression. His eyes then landed on the earmuffs I was wearing, and his face showed a trace of shock.
“This is…?”
—Chzzzt. (What, why. What.)
“……When did you get this?”
—Chii. Chzzzt. Chik. (Bought it on the way. What, got a problem with that?)
“Unbelievably adorable…….”
Kyle gazed at me with an intensity that suggested he was moments away from planting a kiss. Naturally, the moment he tried to get closer, I smacked him right on the lips.
You came all this way just to act like this? Control yourself, seriously!
—Chik! (Get a hold of yourself!)
Understanding my frustration, Kyle lowered his gaze with a soft chuckle.
“You’re too cute. I can’t help it. But don’t worry. Even if we stay like this, I’ll be able to hear any movements outside right away…….”
Before he could even finish speaking, his expression darkened. Swiftly, he pulled me close to his chest and gripped the hilt of his sword tightly.
Knock, knock.
A feeble knocking sound shattered the thin veil of silence.
The person beyond the door said nothing after knocking. Kyle, just as quickly, drew his sword but did not move to open the door first.
“Who is it?”
The knocking came again.
Knock, knock. This time, slower and softer.
A sudden chill crept over me. Instinctively, I lowered my body and pressed myself against Kyle’s palm.
Kyle, seemingly reaching the same conclusion as I did, let out a quiet sigh. Right—Nox had mentioned earlier, “I’ll send a servant.”
“Come in.”
At Kyle’s command, the door swung open.
Two women entered with slow, deliberate steps. They were dressed in white blouses and long black skirts, their faces eerily pale. In their hands, they carried various items: clean cloths, a bowl of ice, a pitcher, firewood, and matches.
They didn’t speak a word.
They merely bowed slightly, set their burdens down on the table, and without so much as a backward glance, exited the room.
I watched them closely.
Their movements were stiff, like wooden dolls with rusted joints. Their eyes lacked focus, their expressions void of emotion.
More than that, their attire was too thin for residents of this castle, revealing glimpses of skin that had no trace of warmth.
And the most unsettling detail—the faint blue glow that seeped through their shirts. A soft, eerie light emanating from their chests, right where their hearts should be.
‘Are they… dead?’
Kyle reached the same conclusion. His eyes flickered with suspicion as he murmured under his breath,
“There’s no sign of life in them at all.”
Kyle remained frozen in place, rigid, until the servants had completely left and the door clicked shut behind them. Only then did he slowly turn his wary gaze toward the items they had brought.
The items were simple and practical—nothing unnecessary. It was only the ones who had delivered them that were suspicious, not the objects themselves. Besides, they were precisely what we needed at the moment.
After a brief moment of thought, Kyle spread out a handkerchief on the carpet and gently placed me on top of it.
After firmly instructing me to stay put, he took the firewood and placed it in the fireplace, lighting it up. Slowly, the chill in the room began to dissipate.
Without stopping there, he dropped ice pieces into the kettle and set it to boil. From a small cupboard, he retrieved cups and a tiny spoon. Once the water was warm, he scooped some up and held it out to me.
“You must be freezing. Have some.”
Honestly, thanks to my earmuffs, I hadn’t been that cold since a while ago. The one who was truly freezing was him—his ears were still tinged red.
But I knew he wouldn’t back down until I drank it. Letting out a deep sigh, I accepted the warm water from Kyle and took a sip. He had even cooled it down with gentle breaths, making it just the right temperature.
“A bit more.”
—Chik. (Why am I the only one drinking?)
“I’ll have some too after you warm up. Now, drink.”
Each time I took a sip, Kyle gazed at me as if he were overwhelmed with affection, gently stroking my forehead with his index finger.
Listen, I’m telling you, there’s a whole grown man inside this hamster! A man in his twenties, no less!
Still, I didn’t entirely dislike Kyle’s kindness and attentiveness toward me. So, in the end, I obediently did as he wished.
After sharing the warm water, we prepared to sleep. At some point, the night had grown deep.
Kyle carefully drew the curtains over the large windows and checked the fireplace, ensuring it was safely contained. Then, he placed me at the center of the bed, not forgetting to tuck a blanket over me.
After that, he sat down on the floor beside the bed, lightly embracing his sword as he leaned back.
‘Again with this position…….’
He had done the same back in the Imperial City. Seeing the familiar scene unfold again left me with mixed emotions.
But this time, there was one thing that was different.
—Chik. (I’m here by your side.)
Did Kyle understand what I meant? Or did he not?
Judging by the faint smile that briefly surfaced on his handsome face… maybe, just maybe, he had somehow developed the extraordinary ability to understand hamster speech without even realizing it.
***
Under his protection, I had slept deeply through the night. When I finally stirred awake, I could tell it was already morning. My eyelids felt heavy as I forced them open.
It didn’t feel like I had dreamed, but my body still felt strangely stiff.
‘Even with the fireplace going, was it still too cold…?’
Letting out a groan, I activated Reload. As the bed shifted, Kyle, who had been resting with his eyes closed, turned his head slightly.
“Shu.”
“Your Highness, you should get some sleep too….”
The default outfit I appeared in when using Reload—a simple shirt and trousers—was not exactly suitable for the chill in this room.
As I shivered, Kyle set down his sword, turned toward me, and pulled me into his arms. With practiced ease, he wrapped a blanket around us and pressed my upper body against his, ensuring there was no space between us.
“I slept a little.”
“Yeah, but only a little.”
“Worry about yourself first. Your clothes are too thin.”
“Yeah, yeah. I should’ve asked them to make me some warmer ones. Let’s have Nox bring some over later.”
“Alright.”
Until now, I hadn’t fully grasped what the system meant by the Domain of Deviation, but the moment I regained my human form, I understood.
The brand inflicted by Nox’s influence pulsed with an unrelenting pain that I couldn’t ignore.
I had tried my best not to show it, but deceiving Kyle was impossible. His expression darkened as he placed a firm hand on my shoulder, sending a controlled flow of his mana into me with surprising familiarity.
“Hold on just a little longer. I’ll have a mage remove it soon.”
“Yeah, I think that’d be best. It hurts more than usual today.”
“If I could, I’d take the pain in your place….”
“What are you saying? If something happens, you need to be able to fight. Save your mana. You never know when or where you’ll need it.”
Kyle, his face full of guilt, gave a small nod before removing his cloak and wrapping it around me. Because of our height difference, the heavy fabric dragged slightly along the floor, but it was warm, making it much more bearable.
I gazed at him in silence, then slowly leaned in.
I knew we didn’t exactly have the luxury for such idle moments. But just then, looking at him, he seemed so incredibly dear to me.
So, just as I was about to press my lips to his—
Grrrgle.
“…….”
Curse my tactless stomach!
My face turned bright red. No, seriously. Of all times, how did my gut decide to sound off exactly one second before a kiss? I’ve lived through both human and hamster lives, and yet my fate remains as pitiful as ever, utterly devoid of dignity…!
“Phuhuh.”
Fortunately, even this situation wasn’t enough to shake His Highness the Grand Duke’s unwavering infatuation.
“I suppose it makes sense. You barely ate a proper meal since yesterday, after all. Shall we head out and find something to eat?”
“……Yes.”
Had he noticed the disappointment in my voice?
Kyle dipped his head and brushed a soft kiss against my cheek. His warm breath lingered on my skin, spreading a quiet warmth deep within me.
“Let’s go.”
The moment we stepped outside, I spotted two servants standing a few paces away.
They were the same ones from last night, the ones who had delivered the supplies.
Upon seeing us, they bowed slightly and turned to lead the way up the stairs. They didn’t say a word—just walked ahead in silence.
Tap, tap tap, tap.
Their movements were unnervingly stiff. Following their lead, we ascended to the next floor, where a spacious dining hall awaited us.
At the far end of a long table, Nox was already seated. He greeted us with a light wave, his manner as casual as if welcoming old friends.
“Had a peaceful night? Both of you?”
“Yeah, well. Thanks to you not trying any funny business.”
At Nox’s casual gesture, the servants withdrew. Moments later, I heard the rattling of wheels. A white serving cart, laden with steaming dishes, was rolled into the room.
It was unsettling—lifeless beings carrying hot, freshly prepared food. Where had it even come from? Everything about this place was strange, but I didn’t have the energy to question it further.
Three portions were placed on the table, but I didn’t touch mine right away.
[Kyle Jane Meinhardt. Estimated time until death: 34 days remaining.]
Good. That meant the food wasn’t poisoned.
I gave Kyle a nod, and he took the first few bites as a precaution. Once I confirmed it was safe, he swapped his plate with mine.
Nox didn’t seem offended by our open suspicion. If anything, he looked thoroughly entertained as he observed the two of us.
I stabbed a fresh fork into a piece of chicken cutlet.
The utensils were pristine, as if they had never been used before—not a single scratch. The plates and glasses were polished to such an absurd degree that my own reflection was clearly visible, making them feel almost like props in a child’s play kitchen.
Dead people with glowing blue chests stood silently, watching us.
The food was delicious.
Nox kept smiling.
And thus, our first morning in the Mage Tower began.
