* * *
As expected, Zavad’s expression darkened.
“What, don’t want to deal with me anymore?”
“You got it. The second I save up enough for a dowry, I’m out of this dump.”
“………”
Zavad pursed his lips, sulking.
Ranshel turned away, ignoring his drooping shoulders.
He had work to do.
He tidied up the tub and the surrounding area.
Then, as always, he sorted through the pile of confusing garments and picked out a plain, patternless outfit to hand to Zavad.
“…You’d better work hard if you want to save money.”
Well, that was obvious. Ranshel nodded. Zavad added nonchalantly:
“You keep handing me stuff that looks like I’m going to a funeral. You’re greedy but can’t even get the basics right.”
Okay, that wasn’t obvious. Ranshel’s eyes widened as he looked back at the clothes he’d picked out.
Sure, it’s plain… and it is black, but…
‘Wait—is this what people wear to funerals?’
Oh, Ranshel… even if all you’ve ever done is send people to funerals and never actually been to one yourself—how can you know so little?
“Why… Why didn’t the attendant say anything when they saw this…?”
Watching Ranshel mumble in embarrassment, Zavad smirked.
“They probably thought you were messing with me. That guy doesn’t care about stuff like that.”
“……”
“At first, I thought you were the same.”
He said it like it was nothing, while he calmly dressed himself.
Ranshel was momentarily speechless—but then a realization hit him like a slap.
‘So he doesn’t think that anymore?’
Wasn’t he supposed to be the one giving Zavad a hard time?
Ranshel figured it might already be too late, but he still tried asking cautiously:
“…Why do you think I’m not?”
Zavad let out a short, amused laugh.
“You’re not exactly subtle.”
“…Excuse me?”
“Your words are sharp, but… you don’t have any real malice behind your actions.”
“…Me?”
Ranshel’s jaw dropped.
How could someone be so clueless while staring at one of the most dangerous people in their life?
As he tucked the soft tunic into his trousers, Zavad continued:
“That’s why I asked if it was about money. It’s obvious your behavior is tied to your orders.”
“……”
“You never look like you’re enjoying it.”
“…It’s work. It’d be weirder if I did enjoy it. I’m just doing what I have to do.”
“Exactly. That’s what I mean. You’re simple.”
Wearing his belt and fully dressed, Zavad strode purposefully toward Ranshel, who stood there, frozen.
“If you’re going to mistreat me, at least enjoy it. When would someone like you ever get to manhandle a noble? The ones before you practically died from how fun they found it.”
“……”
“You should’ve been the same. Or at least pretended to be. That way, I could’ve thought you were just another one of them.”
Zavad stopped right in front of Ranshel.
Crimson eyes scanned him from head to toe.
‘…What is this?’
What just happened?
A chill crept down Ranshel’s spine, and he instinctively stepped back.
The Zavad who once seemed so simple and easy to read was now staring at him with an expression Ranshel couldn’t decipher.
“I heard what was said, so I guess I’m supposed to torment you a bit. But I don’t want to be cruel to a pitiful kid. Still, I have to do my job. I have to work hard, so I focus only on that for now. And because of that, my priorities shift, I stop paying attention to you, gaps form…”
Zavad suddenly seized Ranshel’s fingers.
Startled by the strength that didn’t match his small frame, Ranshel froze.
“Since you’re not conscious of it, your touch is way too gentle. I must look like some soft peach to you…”
“……”
In this castle, there were hardly any who knew Zavad clearly.
He wasn’t a person—he was just a bundle of nasty rumors.
So Ranshel relied on the game script floating in his mind to think about, analyze, and judge who Zavad was.
Sixteen at most. An occasionally irritating, frequently pitiful little noble brat.
That’s how Ranshel had pictured him.
But he’d never truly been objective. His emotions always clouded things.
Every time he thought of Zavad, he also saw Eunhye’s face.
Eunhye had adored this character.
She used to smile so sweetly and shower him with affection.
And now, he was small and pitiful, just like when Eunhye had loved him best…
And Ranshel realized.
‘…He saw through me.’
He had no idea how deep this boy’s shadow ran.
He’d dismissed him as young and innocent.
A simple kid he could care for and protect.
Not realizing that by doing so, he’d made himself just as easy to read.
As simple as Ranshel thought Zavad was, Zavad had thought the same of Ranshel.
“If you’re just going to quit once you’ve saved up some money, why be so kind without reason? Why get so attached?”
“……”
“…I’ve never worked with someone like you before.”
Ranshel flinched at the delicate, soft sensation slipping between his fingers.
Had anything ever been held in these hands besides a quill?
And even if there had been, it would’ve left no trace.
These were the same hands that had absorbed both the filth of foul monsters and the most noble of purifications.
The back of his hand, brushed by soft goose feathers.
The fingertips that carefully adjusted the flow of ink.
Now, those hands were clutching him with the desperation of someone holding onto their lifeline.
The strength behind it was born from urgency.
“You’re… the first person I’ve ever asked for help like this…”
There could be no one more fitting.
No matter who came next, none would shake like this when Zavad sought help again.
Zavad’s eyes were filled with a desperation Ranshel had never seen before.
It was as if even his brain had gone stiff.
This wasn’t right.
Something about this felt wrong.
“Help me.”
“……”
Watching Ranshel’s wavering face, Zavad added softly, like hammering in the final nail.
“I’ll give you what you want…”
What I want.
In that moment, it felt like a bucket of cold water had been dumped on his head.
His vision, which had wavered like an earthquake, finally sharpened.
‘What could you possibly know…?’
Ranshel swallowed a bitter laugh.
What on earth was this kid talking about?
For the first time in the midst of all this confusion, one thought became painfully clear.
“And how exactly would you give me that, young master…?”
He had only one wish.
It would always be the same.
Ranshel blinked slowly, then tilted his head gently side to side.
And without a shred of hesitation, he pulled his hand from Zavad’s grasp — more like yanked it away.
The moment Ranshel stepped back, the distance between them widened dramatically.
Zavad looked momentarily stunned, as if something completely unexpected had just happened.
“You… how dare you…”
For a second, his face twisted with offense and humiliation.
But he quickly shook his head, as though forcing himself to hold it together.
Clenching his now-empty hand, Zavad took another step forward.
“I can give you as much as you want. Helping me will be far more profitable than staying with your current employer. Opportunities like this—to get something that valuable in one go—aren’t common. You couldn’t earn that much even if you worked for centuries.”
His hand reached once more toward the ornate display case overflowing with luxurious items—as if the things Ranshel wanted were right there, radiating dazzling light.
* * *
This just breaks my heart