I have a storm of worries swirling through my mind.

I’ve tried following my instincts and going with the flow of consciousness. I’ve also attempted to predict reality through rational contemplation.

In the end, my efforts were unrewarded—a useless waste. Discarded plans piled up, creating a sense of defeat.

‘What should I do about… Nepy…’

Glance.

I casually look at the sealed jewelry box.

It’s an adorable box with a brilliant heart-shaped pink diamond embedded in it.

Inside the box sleeps an item I painstakingly procured from another continent.

It’s a divine object that required astronomical wealth and extraordinary luck to obtain.

Now I need to show this to Nepy naturally…

‘But this is too obvious.’

Of course, Nepy would like it. His jaw would drop to the ceiling.

He’s absolutely unrivaled when it comes to being mischievous. Though he certainly wasn’t like that at first!

Either way, I’m the one who has to overcome my embarrassment. Overcoming this terribly disadvantageous dilemma is the difficult task before me.

“Sigh…”

Today, too, time flows like a stream.

Regardless of Nepy’s patience as he waits indefinitely, time disappointingly goes its own way. Time is an impatient thing.

‘I can’t postpone this forever.’

Since the key has been unilaterally given to me, my choice was determined from the beginning. All I need is the courage to face the embarrassment!

I clench my fist tightly.

To prevent the courage I’ve mustered from slipping away bit by bit.

Recently, Irefi has been acting strange.

She probably firmly believes she’s not showing it, but Irefi is a poor woman with no talent for acting. This is a fact thoroughly proven during our terrible first meeting.

Lately, it’s become common for her to awkwardly change the subject in the middle of our conversations.

I’ve pondered deeply whether it might be my fault, but that seems unlikely. Irefi’s policy is thorough punishment when it comes to my mistakes.

Which means Irefi must be carrying some worry she can’t talk about, and honestly, a feeling of disappointment knocks at the door of my consciousness.

‘Does she not see me as someone she can rely on…?’

Of course, my place to step in during daily life is limited. She’s already a super career woman, while I’m just an ordinary bookworm, far from being considered a modern genius.

‘Maybe it’s not unreasonable for Irefi to be dissatisfied.’

Once my thoughts turn negative, self-loathing sets in.

‘Besides not consuming food because I’m immortal, what advantages do I have as a lover?’

From a subjective perspective it’s hard to understand, but objectively speaking, I’m quite handsome.

But even this was a minus in Irefi’s eyes.

Even her future self immediately launched into criticizing my appearance…

‘What value could I possibly have to someone who used to spend her days getting Zikharun to spy on Miren?’

The idea of Irefi’s disillusionment feels like a convincing development.

No matter how much she dislikes me, she wouldn’t abandon me now.

Irefi has a strong sense of responsibility and an upright character.

She might continue our relationship out of a sense of duty to fulfill her promise to me.

I hate that.

I hate that more than anything. It’s an unacceptable future.

I don’t want Irefi to hate me. I wish she would treat me with an unchanging smile.

When I felt a cold sensation gripping from my forehead to under my chin, I was already running.

I know it’s highly likely to be just my own delusion. Still, I was afraid of this unfamiliar change in my lover.

Irefi is practically my entire social circle. She’s the only sanctuary in this world where I can breathe freely.

“Irefi!”

Bang!

And so I flung open the door to Irefi’s office with all my might.

“Nepy?”

She seemed surprised by my sudden, even urgent-looking visit.

The small jewelry box she was fiddling with—decorated with pink diamonds—was enough for me to guess what was happening.

“What’s the matter? Has something serious happened?”

“No, well…”

Now that I was face to face with her, I wasn’t sure how to explain.

It seemed impolite to just blurt out that I felt anxious because her attitude had been strange lately.

After I opened and closed my mouth three or four times, Irefi calmly offered me a seat.

“Why don’t you sit down first? It seems like it might take a while for you to speak your mind.”

“Okay…”

Outwardly, Irefi appeared composed. She didn’t seem to mind that I had ignored basic etiquette by barging in.

“I was a bit surprised. I can barely remember the last time you made that expression, Nepy.”

“I’m… sorry.”

“Why the apology? That’s not like you.”

I couldn’t easily answer. It was only natural that Irefi’s confusion would grow without knowing the context.

She put her hand under her chin and organized her thoughts, then suddenly her eyes narrowed sharply.

“Nepy. Tell me the truth. Is this an incident I can still fix?”

“…What?”

“Your abilities are extraordinary in many ways, so you might cause accidents sometimes. It’s okay. I can understand. So quickly…”

“Huh? What? No, that’s not it, Irefi!!!”

“It’s not?”

“I’m not some Mr. So-and-so who destroys shops with darts…!”

“Ugh, please forget about that old incident!!!”

Embarrassed, Irefi fanned her face with her hand.

She had inadvertently brought up her own past mistake.

“Sigh. Then why did you rush to find me, Nepy? I’d like to know before making any more assumptions.”

“Well…”

Why does the debutante day suddenly come to mind?

I recall that day when I self-deprecatingly thought I would never be able to defeat Irefi in my lifetime. Before her blue eyes, I can’t help but feel incredibly vulnerable.

Now I have no choice but to spill everything.

I don’t want things to be awkward with Irefi. My fear of remaining in an awkward relationship compels me to speak.

“I feel like I have a lot of things I need to fix…”

“Umm…? You… Nepy?”

“I’m sorry for making you put up with me… I’ll try harder… If there’s anything you’re dissatisfied with, I’d like you to tell me.”

“If anyone’s been putting up with someone, wouldn’t it be you with me…? Besides, I don’t understand what dissatisfaction you’re talking about.”

“I know you’ve been very patient with my thoughtless behavior. You don’t need to hide it, feel free to criticize me.”

“Ahem. Let’s calm down first, shall we, Nepy?”

It’s been quite a while since I’ve seen Irefi press her hand against her forehead.

I worry that I might have made her angry again.

To dejected me, she speaks gently.

“First, let me be honest. I have no complaints about you, Nepy.”

“That can’t be…”

“I should be the one asking. Why are you worrying about such unnecessary things? I can’t even imagine what prompted this.”

“How should I put it… It’s like I brought this on myself…”

“First, stop acting like you’ve committed a crime and straighten your shoulders. You’ve done nothing wrong, Nepy.”

“…Really?”

“Would I lie in this situation? I’d like to first ask why you detected any dissatisfaction from me.”

“Urgh.”

I feel ashamed for having blown my assumptions out of proportion into delusions.

Belatedly realizing my overreaction, self-loathing hits me like a battering ram.

Yes. Why didn’t I know? All discord stems from a lack of communication.

If I had resolved this through conversation earlier, I wouldn’t have had such miserable delusions. At this rate, I’m no better than a bad man who distrusts his lover.

Perhaps I haven’t grown at all since our terrible first meeting…

Being honest now is probably the way to make up for my blunder.

“Recently… Irefi. Your attitude has been strange.”

“Mine?”

“Yes. You’re trying to hide something, but it’s too obvious. Irefi, you have no talent for acting.”

“N-no talent?! I’m not… particularly hiding anything…! Ugh.”

She seemed to realize something herself when she tried to refute.

Irefi closed her eyes tightly as she took a moment to organize her thoughts.

After taking several breaths, she half-opened her blue eyes again and exhaled.

“Phew… Yes. I see. If Nepy felt uncomfortable, such misunderstandings would accumulate.”

“Is it something difficult for you to tell me?”

“No!!! Absolutely… not that…”

Irefi’s face suddenly dropped toward the ground. Her white hair covered her face like a curtain, but looking closely, her complexion was faintly visible.

Her hidden face was the color of a ripe apple—a redness that tinged her transparent skin.

I was speechless at this unexpected reaction. There was no reason for such a vivid blush on her face.

“Nepy…”

“Ah, yes! Irefi…”

“That…”

“That?”

“This is… really for your sake, Nepy. It’s serious! So… please don’t tease me…”

“Why would I tease you, Irefi? I was so worried…”

“I’m sorry about that. I should have been clearer about my attitude. I caused you unnecessary concern.”

“As long as the misunderstanding is cleared up, it’s fine. Can you tell me the reason now?”

“Umm… yes…”

As long as it’s not extreme dislike toward me, I’m fine. Now that the misunderstanding is cleared, I won’t be surprised no matter what reason Irefi gives.

Little did I know how arrogant this assumption was.

“Nepy. Would you look at this?”

“Is this… a jewelry box?”

“Yes. That’s right. Though what’s inside isn’t jewelry.”

I remember. It was what she was fiddling with when I barged into her office.

Irefi placed the jewelry box on the table. Then, with eyes that seemed about to tear up, she pressured me and asked earnestly.

“Can you promise? Not to laugh or have strange thoughts… I’ve been agonizing over this for so long…”

“I won’t be surprised even if the Eldchain jumps out of there.”

“That would be treason…”

My modest joke seemed to work, as her seriously narrowed eyes somehow drew a gentle curve.

By now, I was dying of curiosity about what was inside this pink diamond-studded jewelry box.

When was the last time I saw Irefi’s vulnerable side so transparently?

It was a freshness I hadn’t encountered since we fought as Destroyers and she confessed to me.

“I’m opening it now…?”

“Mmm!”

Creeak.

Finally, the bright jewelry box opens its mouth wide.

The time has come for this troublesome item—which makes even the world’s strongest knight express difficulty—to see the light.

Just as I was wondering if Miren had packed it full of her sister’s dark history…

The long-awaited contents revealed themselves.

Sitting alone inside the jewelry box was a necklace whose purpose was difficult to guess.

“…An accessory? That’s not a big deal.”

Even with my artistically dim eyes, I can tell at a glance. This isn’t something made to be worn outside.

If it looked monstrous, I might at least let my imagination run wild. But this is too ordinary to be something a noble would wear.

“What is this that made you so hesitant?”

A question that naturally arises.

However, the answer to this legitimate question exceeded my imagination.

After keeping me in suspense for quite some time, she answered.

With a voice cracking from embarrassment.

“…… It’s called a slave collar.”

With a fully ripe face, she clearly said so.