After hearing Yurise's words, I was briefly thrown into confusion but quickly regained my composure.

The fact that the 4th division head liked me wasn’t exactly incomprehensible. Perhaps it’s more accurate to say that it wasn’t a surprise anymore—if I’m being honest.

Marghetta, who had rejected me once, the marquis who had a difference in status and race, even Luise and Irina, who I hadn’t known for more than a year, and even the first division head, who had only been working with me professionally—didn’t they all seem to have some affection for me?

**‘I was kind to the 4th division head, after all.’**

I cleared my mind and judged the situation objectively. The 4th division head had more reasons to like me than most others, if anything, and it certainly wasn’t a small number.

I had taken him in after he lost everything—his family, his home—because of the war. I fed him, clothed him, and gave him a place to stay. I didn’t really think of it as mistreatment. I even helped him awaken the talent he had for martial arts, which he had neglected for so long.

Moreover, I had pushed for the revival of the 4th division in various ways, which ultimately helped him rise to his current position. Though he wasn’t a noble yet, being just a knight, his noble title was practically guaranteed at this point.

**‘I guess he had every reason to like me.’**

No matter how I thought about it, I really had been kind to him. I had followed the typical "savior" cliché to the letter, hadn't I?

"Should have been a little more average," I muttered.

Such a sinful man. Without even realizing it, I had charmed a woman. My sins were deep and wide.

"Master, it’s fine, but don’t say such things in front of others," Yurise said.

"Sorry," I apologized.

That was a remarkably objective judgment. However, to anyone who didn’t know, I probably just sounded like a narcissist.

Thankfully, Yurise knew about my relationship with the 4th division head, so she let it pass without concern. But as she said, it wasn’t something I could say in front of others.

"Are you sure, though?" I asked, scratching her head.

Since Yurise had spoken directly to me, I figured there was confidence and reasoning behind it, but there was still a possibility.

At Yurise’s age, it was the time when one was very interested in relationships. It wasn’t difficult to imagine that just seeing a close man and woman together could lead to all sorts of fantasies. The closeness between a superior and subordinate could easily be misinterpreted as a romantic relationship.

"Everyone in the mansion knows, except for you," she replied firmly.

"...I see."

Her resolute answer removed any doubt from my mind.

So, it turned out that I was the only one who didn’t know. My awareness was garbage.

"They probably didn’t say anything, but I bet they were worried. You have more and more rings on your hand, but Fenelia’s not even here..."

Yurise sighed as she spoke. Her words, though somewhat critical of the 4th division head, couldn’t mask the tremble in her voice.

Though the 4th division head was stern, he was gentle with the people in his division and the staff at the mansion. For him, they had become a new family, replacing the one he had lost in the war.

Yurise also regarded the 4th division head like a big sister. She must have been worried about her sister suffering through unrequited love, especially since that love had not yet been returned.

"Well, Master, Fenelia is a good person too..." Yurise began.

"I know," I said, cutting her off.

I understood what she was trying to say. Even though I wasn’t the type to treat my staff badly, saying something like this to a master required a lot of courage.

Just as Yurise thought highly of the 4th division head, I did too. He was like my first disciple, and he helped bring the 4th division, which had almost disappeared from history, back to life.

I had raised him, even though he was older than me.

"If the 4th division head confesses, I’ll seriously consider it. Whether it’s today, tomorrow, or next year."

If the 4th division head confessed, I wouldn’t take it lightly. He was a reliable person, one who had earned my trust. There was no reason for me to push him away or dislike him.

If I hadn’t received any confessions yet, or at least just one, maybe I would have hesitated. But now, I was already wearing five rings.

Even if the number increased to six, it would be just half of what the Golden King had...

"...Master?"

"Hmm?" I responded.

"Don’t you think Fenelia would confess first?"

Her words, though negative, couldn’t be easily countered.

**‘Definitely.’**

The 4th division head was always strict, serious, and quiet. I couldn’t imagine him confessing first. In fact, it was hard to even picture him getting married.

If he had the courage to confess first, he would have done so long ago.

"I’ll take care of it, so don’t worry."

I gently patted Yurise’s head, trying to soothe her.

If the other person doesn’t make a move, I’ll have to act. If I didn’t know, I would have let it slide, but now that I knew how the 4th division head felt, I couldn’t pretend I didn’t.

---

I quickly headed to my master’s mansion. I had just returned to the academy and had a lot of work to catch up on, but nothing took precedence over my master’s call.

- "Long time no see. Is this the first time since the Red Wave incident?"

"Yes, Master. I’m sorry I couldn’t greet you sooner."

- "It’s fine. You were busy with work, so it couldn’t be helped."

I couldn’t even lift my head, seeing my master smiling as though it was nothing. While I was away, my master had suffered the humiliation of being imprisoned. As their servant, I hadn’t even been able to visit them. How shameful.

Yet, my master didn’t blame me. They never contacted me when I was sent on a mission. After all, if the communication device rang at a critical moment, that would be another disaster.

- "When you have time, come to the mansion. I need to see your face again."

"I’ll come right away."

- "No, you just got back. You don’t have to rush."

"I’ll come right away."

- "...Alright."

As soon as my master invited me, I rushed over.

I entrusted the matters I had to handle to the unit leader. Since it was my master’s invitation, the leader even pushed me to go quickly, so I could trust them with it.

"Wow, you came quickly?"

To my surprise, my master was waiting at the main gate.

The guards, Theo and Hans, greeted me, but honestly, I barely noticed them. I’m sure they would understand. How could I not be excited when my master welcomed me personally?

"Let’s go inside. Yurise has been missing you. Oh, and Sophia too."

"Yes, Master."

When my master mentioned Yurise, a slight smile appeared on my face. I couldn’t help but feel guilty for not contacting her during my absence, knowing how anxious she must have been.

"Must have been really busy if you couldn’t even contact me, huh?"

"Yes. The shortage of resources among the Northern tribes made it difficult to resupply. With winter approaching, it hasn’t been easy."

"Can’t help it. The northern winters are brutal."

Hearing my master click their tongue made me feel like I had committed a crime.

No, it *was* a crime. As my master’s servant, I should have resolved their concerns, but I was still caught up in the issues of the north.

"Don’t let it weigh on you. It’s the first time in the Empire’s history that we’ve had to search the entire north."

My master, sensing my discomfort, patted my shoulder gently and reassured me.

"Thank you."

I bowed my head in gratitude for their kindness.

Even though I had achieved nothing so far, I would strive to stand tall before my master next year.

---

This time, I bowed my head for a different reason.

"Fenelia, is there something you want to say to me?"

As soon as we entered the empty drawing room, my master asked the question that made my heart race.

**‘Fenelia.’**

My hands started shaking, and my breath became shallow. They called me by name—without any warning—and now I had no idea how to respond.

This was completely unexpected. When my master calls someone by their name, it’s usually because they’re angry.

But my master wasn’t angry now. They were smiling gently as they asked.

- "I was so happy when you called me Erzebet."

I suddenly remembered a conversation I’d had with Erzebet before I contacted my master. It was true. My master was calling us by our names now. Finally, I could be called by my name.

...And knowing the reason, I couldn’t lift my head.

- "Do you know how many people have confessed to my master? I’m the fifth. There are four ahead of me."

Erzebet’s words pressed

 heavily on me. Along with Yurise’s anxious calls.

If I hadn’t realized it by now, it would have been a serious lapse in judgment. Thankfully, my judgment wasn’t flawed.

And when I didn’t say anything, my master spoke up first. They softly whispered my name and asked me if I had anything to say.

**‘Master...’**

Tears welled up in my eyes at their kindness. How merciful they were.

So, I had to speak the words I had kept hidden for so long, the words I had promised never to say.

"Actually, there’s something I’ve wanted to say for a long time."

I tried to steady myself, but my eyes were still misty.

And then I saw my master’s smiling face.

"I’ve dared to harbor feelings for you, Master. Feelings I shouldn’t have, for someone who has shown me the greatest kindness."

I was ashamed. I had said the secret I swore I would keep hidden forever, a secret I promised never to speak of.

It was an ugly secret. I, who had received everything, dared to love the one who had been so generous to me. Wasn't it greed, a desire I shouldn’t have?

But my master still smiled. There was no disappointment or anger in their eyes.

"Don’t worry about it," I quickly added.

"I will not ask for more. I will remain by your side and protect you, as I always have."

Even if I loved my master, I would never go beyond that. I couldn’t possibly ask to become their wife.

It was only natural. How could a master and servant, a sword and its blade, a god and their worshiper ever become spouses? A servant is a servant, a blade is a blade, and a worshiper is a worshiper. That is how it should end.

So, I was content to be my master’s servant, their blade, their worshiper. As long as I could be near them, I would be satisfied.

"If you permit me, Master, I will serve you and your family for the rest of my life."

I said those words with all my heart.

I was already more than happy to serve my master.

---

What was this?

What is this?

**‘Crazy.’**

I hadn’t imagined this response.

No, I had expected the 4th division head to either stay silent or deflect the conversation.

But instead, I ended up confessing...

**‘Is this love?’**

It was confusing. Something felt off. Yes, this was love, but the direction of it felt twisted.

And I was speaking of this twisted love so casually.

**‘...Is the 4th division head cursed?’**

Perhaps that was it. The lineup of the Ministry, myself, and him, were all abnormal in some way.

The madness of the 4th division had unfortunately been passed down to the 4th division head. Even though the name had changed to Mukgwangdae, the madness remained.

"Master!?"

I hugged the 4th division head, who was shaking in my arms, feeling his trembling, and pulled him even closer.

I’m sorry, 4th division head.

The madness left by our predecessors has burdened you.

**‘I’ll fix this.’**

It’s time to guide this twisted love in the right direction.