* * *

“…What?”

It was impossible to read the expression on Baek Yigang’s face as he echoed my question.

At least it didn’t seem like he found it absurd… but was he angry?

No, if he were, his brows would’ve twitched menacingly by now, and they weren’t.

“I was just curious. If you do like me, how much? Like, percentage-wise…”

“What nonsense. Are you still dreaming?”

I thought I’d casually slipped the question into the conversation, but it clearly didn’t land. Baek Yigang gave me a cold look before glancing away, losing interest.

‘Tsk, I was hoping to gauge his reaction.’

If Baek Yigang’s perceived affection matched the system’s displayed stats, I could finally believe that he was just a programmed conquest character following his settings.

If that turned out to be true, I wouldn’t need to question the sincerity of his feelings toward me anymore.

Honestly, ever since my possession, I’ve doubted that Baek Yigang was simply moving according to his original settings.

And if I didn’t confirm it, I wouldn’t be able to believe it going forward.

After all, Baek Yigang was already veering off the original plot.

It didn’t make sense to think he’d faithfully follow his settings.

So, if Baek Yigang did like me, I wanted proof that it wasn’t because of the system but his own free will.

Unfortunately, he shut me down right away. But I’d expected that, so it wasn’t too disappointing.

Still, there was one thing I hadn’t anticipated.

Despite his curt words, Baek Yigang didn’t pull his hand away from mine.

‘Interesting… Could I maybe try kissing him one more time? What if that’s what caused the stats to increase by 5% last time?’

Normally, I wouldn’t dare say something like this out loud, but since we’re already on the topic, why not go all in?

“Baek Yigang.”

Again, Baek Yigang turned to meet my gaze.

‘See? If he didn’t like me, there’s no way he’d look at me so willingly.’

Kisses these days are casual—even between non-lovers.

It’s not a big deal.

At least, that’s what I thought.

Deciding someone’s feelings based on just one kiss seemed too rash.

But the way he kept meeting my eyes felt different.

Especially since it was Baek Yigang.

If I kissed him just once more, I could confirm if physical affection really affected the gratitude percentage.

If it did, that’d be a groundbreaking discovery. If not, well… too bad.

“About what we did at dawn… Let’s try it one more time.”

For a moment, his brows furrowed slightly.

‘Hmm, that expression usually shows up when I’m being a nuisance or spouting nonsense. Did I say something wrong?’

Honestly, if I needed to test if physical affection influenced the gratitude percentage, there was no real reason it had to be Baek Yigang.

I could’ve easily experimented with Ian.

I’d already had more frequent physical contact with Ian, so it would’ve been much easier to test with him.

In fact, Baek Yigang and I rarely touched.

The most we ever did was hold hands—barely.

And even that was just during his insomnia; since then, the only “contact” we had was accidentally brushing against each other in bed.

So, if physical affection did affect the stats, his lower percentage made sense.

On the other hand, I spent a lot of time close to Ian, often holding his hand for long periods—even if there was a purpose behind it.

That would explain Ian’s high gratitude percentage.

And then there was Piel, who I also frequently touched when we met.

His high stats made sense too.

Looking back, despite being closest to Baek Yigang, I was oddly the most distant with him.

If I’d known earlier, I wouldn’t have wasted time fulfilling his wishes for the future.

I’d have just held his hand for hours!

What a late realization!

No, I shouldn’t blame myself yet.

It’s not confirmed anyway.

Still, Baek Yigang’s gaze felt unusually intense.

Unlike last night, his chilly eyes practically howled with frost.

‘What’s with that sharp stare? A second kiss isn’t that big of a deal, is it?’

“…There’s no need to rush.”

“Huh?”

“You’ll be able to do even more once we’re married.”

“…What?”

Baek Yigang’s eyes curved into sly crescents, leaving me—who had brought it up—feeling utterly outmaneuvered.

“Be patient.”

What?!

Who talks like that?!

And this is coming from the guy who pounced on me like a beast at dawn!

“W-What are you even thinking?! How could you say something like that!”

I just wanted a quick kiss to test a theory, but now I was being treated like someone starved for affection!

Giving in to his arrogance wasn’t an option—my pride wouldn’t allow it.

“Forget it, then.”

It’s not like you’re my only option.

I’ll find someone else to test with.

You can stay here, you twisted perverted villain.

“Where are you going?”

“To Ian.”

As I got up from the bed and headed for the door, Baek Yigang’s voice stopped me.

His tongue clicked as I gave him a curt reply.

“Don’t bother Ian. He’s been busy with his research lately.”

“Research?”

Was he talking about herbology? Not that it mattered much.

“It’s fine. Ian told me I’m welcome anytime.”

“Wandering around before marriage doesn’t sit well with me.”

His tone dropped, displeasure clearly etched in it.

For the first time, his normally sharp gaze lacked its usual sparkle.

“When have I ever wandered around?”

“You always have, and you’re doing it now—in front of me, no less.”

Unlike my outrage, Baek Yigang remained calm, as if to remind me that nothing I said would change his mind.

‘Always?! Who’s always wandering around? And what’s this about “before marriage”?!’

Besides, when did I ever agree to marry you, Baek Yigang?!

“Hey, Yigang. I think you’re misunderstanding something. The event two days from now isn’t a wedding, it’s an engagement party. And a fake one at that.”

I sighed deeply, steadying my breathing to calm my racing heart, and spoke in a low voice.

But before I could even finish, a confident retort shot back at me.

“There’s no such thing as fake in what I do.”

This was going to be a long argument, wasn’t it?

Seriously, why is this happening so early in the morning?

And why does he seem so full of energy when I haven’t even eaten and can barely muster the strength to talk?

“And what makes you so sure?”

“Because I’m the only one you have.”

He looked incredibly certain as he declared that.

But… is that really true?

Honestly, I’m not sure, but for some reason, I feel like if I were to propose to Ian, he’d actually accept it.

The Ian from the original story might have been different, but the Ian here is an earnest prince who knows little more than herbs.

And he follows me around like a puppy!

This might actually be possible.

“Ugh… there could be someone else other than you, you know.”

“There won’t be. I’ll make sure of it.”

The gentle smile on his face was disturbingly kind, almost unsettling.

Why was he smiling at something that wasn’t funny at all?

“How can you say something so terrifying with a smile?!”

Please don’t remind me in such a casual way that you’re the story’s villain!

“Oh dear, it seems everyone else knows but you. Isn’t it about time you admitted it?”

“Admitted what?”

“Earlier, you asked if I like you.”

I… I did ask that, didn’t I?

Feeling a strange sense of foreboding, I nodded stiffly, and Yigang smiled faintly.

“No one proposes to someone they don’t have feelings for.”

“…So you’re saying you liked me even when you proposed on the hill?”

“Why? Does it bother you?”

The corners of Yigang’s lips curved into a smirk, and I instantly regretted my question.

Without realizing it, I started thinking back to that moment…

“No, I was just confirming….”

“Think about it. Whatever you recall, it’ll all be me anyway. That should answer your question.”

At his shameless words, I turned and hurried out of the bedroom without looking back.

Thud!

As the door slammed shut behind me, I let out a ragged breath.

“Ha…”

Why does he keep talking about marriage lately?!

Did he get possessed by the ghost of someone who died unmarried or something?

And lately, with everyone around me singing “marriage, marriage” like it’s some sort of mantra, I’ve been having these ridiculous, pointless fantasies despite myself.

Getting married to Yigang…

It’s absurd, absolutely ridiculous.

Yet, the image of me and Yigang at a wedding keeps flickering in my mind.

Both of us dressed in crisp black and white formal wear, with his usual stoic expression and me standing beside him grinning like an idiot….

Something like that?

But honestly, just imagining it makes me feel weirdly uncomfortable.

* * *