Today, I feel like I’m dreaming. Or perhaps it started yesterday.

"Master."

Could it be that my entire life is just a dream? Maybe this life I thought was my own is just a massive illusion?

Perhaps a mad god is stimulating my brain with mana. Enen, you twisted bastard.

“M-Master?”

Ah.

The Section 4 Chief’s voice, now trembling, brought my drifting mind back. If I’m feeling this overwhelmed, how must she feel? If I don’t respond, she might just run away.

With the collar still on her neck.

Hell.

For a moment, I envisioned it—the Section 4 Chief bolting out of my office with that collar still around her neck, her face flushed as she stumbled away.

If that happened, my life would be over. Not just my civil servant career, but my entire social life. That cannot happen.

With a shaky hand, I reached out and took hold of the leash handle the Section 4 Chief had offered. I wasn’t entirely sure if this was the right thing to do, but I took it nonetheless.

"Thank you, Master."

The Section 4 Chief’s previously anxious expression brightened instantly. Come to think of it, at some point, she stopped calling me "Chief" and started calling me "Master."

This is dizzying. What on earth has happened over the past few days?

"...You’re entrusting me with everything?"

"Yes, Master."

When I spoke, she nodded firmly, her expression sincere. Unlike before, when she avoided eye contact and drew lines, she now seemed genuinely determined to follow my lead.

Well, fine. It’s a good decision. Finally, she’s facing me directly instead of running away; that’s a positive step.

But was the collar really necessary for that?

"An impressive commitment."

I spoke carefully, expressing my bewilderment. Why did she choose this approach? If anyone else had seen this, my social life would indeed be over.

"E-Erzebet said that if I did this, Master would take care of the rest."

She answered, embarrassed.

I felt despair. I never expected there’d be a spy within my own ranks. If she was going to give advice, couldn’t it have been something normal? Why this?

Is this some twisted form of friendship? Since she bawled her eyes out in the middle of the Ministry, she figured her friend should at least wear a collar to even things out?

Section 1 Chief, you’re terrifying.

"And what is it you expect me to do?"

I couldn’t help but tease the Section 4 Chief a bit, following such strange advice so literally.

I felt sorry for her, considering the courage it must’ve taken to come here wearing that, but she could have thought about my position too.

"Um, well..."

The Section 4 Chief seemed flustered by my question. Unlike the Section 1 Chief’s advice, which implied I’d know what to do, my question seemed to have confused her.

I wanted to tease her more but restrained myself. If I pushed too far, she might flee, and that would only make things worse for me. Though she wouldn’t get far, given that I held the leash, I’d feel awkward restraining her like that.

"It’s just a joke. I understand without you needing to say anything."

"Th-thank you..."

I patted the Section 4 Chief on the head, and she muttered her thanks in a small voice.

Let’s look at the bright side. Despite the unusual presentation, she erased the line she’d drawn and approached me openly. Even if she did add, “I’m entrusting everything to you,” that’s just her way.

In a way, it’s a bold confession. Somewhere, people declare, “I’ll give you my half, so give me yours.”

"For now, let’s take that off. It’s a bit alarming to have it on in case someone sees."

I reached toward her neck to unfasten the collar. The confession had made an impression, so it was time to get rid of that embarrassing thing—

“Hnngh!”

"Ah."

It was my first time handling a collar, and I accidentally tightened it. Not that anyone should be used to handling collars in the first place.

"M-Master, if this is what you—"

The Section 4 Chief, her face reddening from the sudden constriction, stammered her words.

What she said, though, was horrifying. I’m not that kind of person. Don’t turn me into some cruel villain of the Inspection Department.

Come to think of it, the initials are the same. Dammit.

"...I don’t have those preferences, so please don’t misunderstand."

I quickly removed the collar and tossed it away. I’m done with that thing; I never want to see it again.

"There’s something better to wear than that."

From my pocket, I took out Ring 6.

A symbol of her entrusting everything to me. If she wants to show proof of that, she can wear a ring. Wearing proof around her neck makes her look like a crazed deviant, but wearing it on her finger makes her look like a regular lover.

I am not some freak who’d prefer the former.

"Think of this as my half. I’ll consider this as your half, too."

"M-My half..."

I slipped the ring onto her finger, then put my own ring on.

She seemed touched by the mention of “half,” nodding fervently. Truthfully, I hadn’t planned to rush things like this, but seeing the collar shook me too much.

However, as long as it ends with both of us happy, it doesn’t really matter, right? I decided to leave it at that.

---

As soon as the Section 4 Chief left, I summoned the Section 1 Chief.

It seemed she sensed her guilt because she entered cautiously. Seeing her behavior only irritated me more. She knew this would be problematic, yet still gave such advice to the Section 4 Chief.

"Did everything go well?"

The Section 1 Chief awkwardly smiled as she noticed the collar discarded in the corner of the office.

"Yes, it went well."

I replied, holding up my hands to display the rings. Now, three rings on each hand—a total of six rings—adorned my fingers.

Every time I looked at them, I felt a twinge of self-consciousness, but I comforted myself with the thought of the legendary Twelve Rings of the Golden Prince. At least ten fingers are enough to cover everything…

"See? I gave some really good advice! If I hadn’t intervened, she’d still be stuck, wouldn’t she?"

Seeing the rings, the Section 1 Chief immediately turned smug, and her prideful grin annoyed me.

Good advice, my foot. Couldn’t you have given her something normal?

"Fine. Well done, so come here and sit."

I restrained my frustration, patting my knee. It wasn’t time to dole out punishment yet, so I didn’t act hastily.

As soon as I patted my knee, the Section 1 Chief’s eyes widened in surprise before she scampered over, almost like prey drawn to bait.

“Hehe, I wasn’t expecting a reward~”

As she sat on my knee, grinning, I wrapped my arms around her, not too tightly but firm enough to prevent any escape.

"It’s not a reward."

"Huh?"

As I held her, her ears turned red, and she looked at me with confusion.

Unfortunately for her, it really isn’t. They say the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

"Apologize for your pranks, for causing trouble, for constantly doing ridiculous things."

I whispered close to the Section 1 Chief’s ear, and she froze on the spot.

Naturally. I whispered words she’d remember for the rest of her life.

"S-Sorry... I’ll behave... from now on..."

Deliberately slurring my words, I could feel the Section 1 Chief trembling pathetically in my grasp. Ah, yes. Blackmail via embarrassing memories works best.

The Section 1 Chief wriggled like mad but had no hope of escape. Even if ten Section 1 Chiefs latched onto me, I’d still win; capturing one who’d let her guard down was trivial.

"Please, just once..."

"Ahh! S-Stop it already!"

"Just give me one more chance..."

"I’m sorry! I was wrong!"

I stopped after two more minutes to spare her from tears.

Yep, that worked like a charm.

---

Dress, check.

Accessories, no issues.

Cake, perfect.

"Good."

I double-checked everything at the door just in case. After all, it’d be embarrassing to go through all the trouble of getting a gift only to forget it.

Especially the cake. That’s the most important part. Sera’s birthday is around this time, so I made sure to prepare it. A birthday party without cake is missing something essential.

On top of that, I made it myself. As a member of the pastry club, I crafted this homemade cake with care. If I’d forgotten it, I’d be heartbroken.

"Sera is going to love it. Thank you so much, young master."

When I mentioned I was baking it myself, even the nanny teared up with joy. Saying something like, “Oops, I left it behind,” would disappoint her, no matter how forgiving she is.

Having confirmed everything, I knocked gently on the door. I made sure not to knock too loudly; Sera tends to be startled by loud noises.

“Yes, come in.”

Hearing her gentle voice, I opened the door.

Sera was sitting on the bed, smiling sweetly. She had the same golden hair as the nanny, flowing long, and her sapphire-like eyes sparkled.

Fortunately, she looked well. They

 said she’d been recovering, and it was true—she seemed much better than before.

"Hello, Sera. How have you been?"

"I’m well. How about you, sir knight?"

I chuckled, embarrassed by Sera’s teasing. She’s still calling me that, even though it’s been eight years.

"‘Knight,’ really? I’m still just a student with a long way to go."

"Is that so? That’s odd. Mother says otherwise."

I couldn’t help but laugh awkwardly. The nanny must have told her some exaggerated tales.

Since returning to the estate, I’d sparred with the family knights a few times. Though I won each time, it’s not as if they could go all out against their young master. Obviously, they held back.

But the nanny, ever proud of me, heaped praise upon me. It was rather embarrassing.

...And she must have shared the story with Sera too.

"Nanny just sees me in a good light. I think she might have exaggerated a bit."

"If you say so, sir knight, I suppose I’ll believe you."

"Please."

"Alright."

I smiled back at Sera as she laughed lightly.

It was a bit embarrassing, but if it made Sera happy, I didn’t mind. Being confined to her room in the mansion, she’s often lonely. If this cheers her up, it’s worth it.

"But what’s all this? You didn’t need to bring anything."

Sera glanced at the boxes I was carrying, tilting her head in curiosity.

Who was she kidding? If I’d come empty-handed, she’d surely sulk.

"Your birthday is coming up soon. I prepared a few things."

As I started opening the boxes one by one, Sera’s eyes sparkled. She may not be able to go outside, but she finds satisfaction in collecting clothes and jewelry.

When I finally showed her the cake, she giggled again.

"I don’t really like sweets, though."

"I know. So I made it less sweet."

She paused, her fingers tapping lightly on the boxes.

"You made it?"

"Yes. I’m in the pastry club, so I’ve learned a few tricks."

After a moment’s silence, she dipped her finger into the cream on top of the cake.

"...Yeah. It’s delicious."

With a bright smile, she tasted the cream.

It seems like it suited her taste, thankfully.