* * *
Ateol’s expression turned unreadable, and then a message appeared.
[Affinity: Ateol]
95%
‘Ateol is wondering, “Why?”
Why?
What do you mean, why?
Just hurry up and like me more!
Now’s not the time to wonder!
Just increase your affection already, you damned paper character!
Frustration boiled inside me as I reconsidered.
Was it because I only kissed him?
The system mentioned physical contact—maybe just brushing lips together wasn’t enough?
Then… do I have to do more?
Without hesitation, I grabbed Ateol’s hand and placed it against my cheek.
“Can we do more than just kiss?”
“…Surely you’re not suggesting we do this here?”
“Why not?”
No one would come here anyway.
I was running out of time.
Yuri was nearby—that Yuri.
I had to make Ateol my ally as fast as possible.
…Should I have caught Yuri instead?
Maybe I could’ve done something if I had.
Why was my magic still intact?
Yuri’s appearance alone hadn’t triggered the power shift yet.
Since when had Yuri been here?
Yuri. Yuri.
“Yuri.”
I snapped back to reality.
Ateol was still holding my cheek, his voice quiet.
“Apologies for calling your name so carelessly. But you weren’t responding. Do you recognize my face?”
“Ateol.”
“Good. That’s a relief.”
“I knew from the start.”
Of course, I knew it was Ateol.
That’s why I was acting like this—desperately trying to win his favor.
Ateol gently grasped my chin and gave me a brief kiss.
I tried to deepen it, but he easily lifted me into his arms and pulled away.
When I scowled at him, he simply soothed me.
“Either way, this isn’t the right place for this. There’s nowhere suitable to enter nearby… Shall we continue this conversation at my palace?”
“O-Okay.”
Of course, “conversation” was not what we’d be continuing at his palace.
As we walked toward the carriage, I clung to Ateol’s hand the entire way.
The market’s entrance felt farther than usual.
Once inside the carriage, Ateol moved to sit across from me, but I quickly slid in beside him.
I gripped his sleeve tightly, lost in thoughts of Yuri and the affinity meter.
Ateol occasionally glanced at my hand, but his expression was unreadable.
At the palace, I pulled my hood low, tucking all my hair inside the robe, and followed Ateol closely.
Since I was dressed in plain clothes, the servants of the Fourth Prince’s palace didn’t recognize me.
They simply noted that Ateol had brought someone concealed in a robe.
My fingertips felt ice-cold.
Fear still gripped me.
Yuri. Yuri.
His name echoed in my mind.
I refused to die again.
Since Yuri was in the capital, finding him wouldn’t be difficult.
Maybe I should escape the palace before six years pass.
But for that, I needed Ateol’s help. And for that, he needed to like me.
The affinity meter flickered at 95%.
How much higher did it need to go before he’d do whatever I asked?
At last, we reached the bedroom.
Like someone possessed, I dragged Ateol toward the bed and pushed him down, climbing on top of him.
I threw off my robe and reached for my waist ties when Ateol suddenly grabbed my wrists.
“Tower Master.”
“What? …Why are you stopping?”
“Because…”
Why?
He didn’t seem like the type to care about chastity.
Was the affinity meter lying?
Could it be that… he didn’t actually like me that much?
The thought made my stomach drop.
Clinging to his face, I whispered, “Like me more.”
[Affinity: Ateol]
98%
Ateol…
Ateol, what?!
Damn this system.
If you’re going to give useless updates, just get rid of that vague explanation!
Frustrated, I tried to leap off the bed—only for Ateol to grab me.
The world spun, and in an instant, I was pinned beneath him.
Without hesitation, he kissed me.
This kiss wasn’t gentle like before.
I struggled for air, but he didn’t give me a chance.
He pressed forward relentlessly, his tongue slipping past my lips, reaching deep.
I gasped, squirming beneath him, but Ateol didn’t stop.
He wasn’t letting me go.
A choking cough escaped me as saliva dribbled down the corner of my lips.
At that, Ateol pulled away for a moment—only to capture me again in a kiss so deep it felt like he was devouring me.
My entire mouth ached, tingling, and the lack of oxygen made my head spin.
By the time our lips finally parted, I was gasping for breath, my shoulders rising and falling with each labored inhale.
Ateol whispered in a low voice.
“Don’t be so impatient. I like you. At the very least, enough to want to keep you safe.”
It wasn’t the desperate, heartfelt confession I had been hoping for.
His words felt more like an attempt to pacify me.
Not exactly impressive for someone with a supposed affection level of 98%.
That system really must be faulty.
I mean, even if I were targeting a book character based on a status screen, it’s absurd to expect an epic love story after only a handful of meetings.
“So, what I’m saying is… I’d like to know why you’re acting like this all of a sudden.”
“What? Isn’t it obvious if I like you?”
“Look back on your own behavior and tell me—does it seem obvious?”
…Yeah, not really.
I had completely panicked after seeing Yuri and ended up acting like a lunatic.
Even I was aware of how unhinged I had been.
And honestly, I wasn’t in my right mind even now.
Well, since I’d already lost it, might as well go all the way.
“I lied about losing my memory.”
“Oh?”
Ateol raised an eyebrow. He looked intrigued.
“It’s not that I lost my memory—I never had it to begin with. I’m not the so-called Tower Master you all claim I am.”
This time, his expression stiffened slightly.
“To be fair, I really don’t remember how this all happened. But one thing I do know for sure is that I’m not the real Yuri Aieles. So please, find the real Yuri and help me.”
“How?”
“Just… send Yuri back to the tower and quietly let me go. That’s all I need.”
Ateol stared at me, then slowly rested his hand on his chin.
His gaze was calculating, as if trying to determine whether I was insane or not.
I wasn’t crazy.
If anything, this world was the crazy one—this absurd world that had dragged me into a possession scenario.
The truck that pulled me here was crazy.
The system that forced me into a regression was crazy.
I was perfectly sane.
But what if Ateol didn’t believe me?
What if he just assumed I was mad?
My stomach churned as I anxiously watched him lean forward, looming over me.
“Well, fine. I’m a man of my word. You do remember what I promised, don’t you? That even if I die, I’d make sure my subordinates protected you no matter what.”
“Really?”
“I don’t lie.”
“…Alright then.”
Suddenly, my rationality returned.
In broad daylight, I had nearly pounced on Ateol like some animal in heat.
The realization hit me hard, and my face flushed deep red.
* * *
