...Chapter 1...

How long has it been since everything started going downhill?…Was it when she found out that her fiancé and close friend cheated on her? Or was it when she spent a night with a stranger?

“Ughh..”

A low moan rang out, breaking the silence.

Juliana, who was lost in thought, snapped out of it when the small sound reached her ear. Golden eyes shone clearly in the dark room.

“Louis…”

“Uhhn…”

A feeble voice that seemed like it would disappear at any moment sounded precarious.

Sensing something off, Juliana got up from her bed.

She hastily pulled back the curtains, her eyes falling on the man with blue hair. He was lying on the bed, chest rising slowly as he breathed.

Perhaps because it was dark, his hair almost looked black.

His dark hair caught her eye for a bit, but she got distracted the next moment.

‘Oh my god!’

This was because Louis was sweating intensely.

Juliana hurriedly removed the blanket lying over Louise’s neck and placed her hand on his forehead. Fortunately, he didn’t have a fever.

“Mmmnn…”

And at that moment- Louis, who had sensed her presence, turned slightly and opened his eyes.

“Julie…”

Louis’s languid, half-closed eyes faced her. His face froze as the proximity between their faces grew more.

“…Why is Julie in my bed…”

Louis rubbed his eyes, his words slurring in surprise and confusion. His eyes, which were rounder than usual, looked dumbfounded. His confused blinking was very cute, but now was not the time to be lost in thought.

He had opened his eyes only because she was touching his forehead. Yet, Juliana’s heart pounded as if she had been caught doing something wrong.

“Oh, are you awake?” Juliana questioned belatedly, with an awkward smile.

“Louis, did you have any nightmares?”

“Oh, no, I’m fin…fine.”

His thin voice cracked midway. In puzzlement, Juliana gazed at the man. Louis’ face hardened, a struggling look making its way up.

Sweaty hair was stuck on his forehead. His posture was extremely stiff, and his eyes were more or less startled. He was trembling while holding the lapels of his shirt tightly.

“Are you sick? You were groaning earlier.”

“You’re sweating so much, and you say you’re fine?”

Juliana’s expression turned serious.

“Not really,” Louis, who usually spoke in a drawl, was quick to reply, which made her feel suspicious. Juliana’s suspicions grew even deeper on noticing his shaky fingers and his attitude, as if he was hiding something.

“More than that… First of all, what do you want me to do with this cold sweat?”

The sweat on his forehead bothered her.

“This won’t do. Roll up your clothes.”

“Now, get up.” Juliana nudged him with a determined look. Louis stood up in a daze.

“What’s this?”

When his shirt was rolled up, a huge scar on his back was revealed. Juliana’s eyes grew wide.

“Louis, what’s this?!”

“…it’s just an old scar.” Louis pursed his lips.

The deep scar looked very painful at a glance.

It was as if he had gotten it on a battlefield.

Juliana bit her lower lip and her gaze wandered around the scar.

Huh, what’s this?

This looked like a recent wound. How did it happen?

Juliana stared at his back with her eyes almost popping out. Unlike her who couldn’t get out of the room, Louis’s movements were relatively free. The only time he left the room…was when he got called by him.

Juliana paused at the flitting thought.

“Louis, did he leave this, by any chance?” Instead of answering, Louis closed his eyes. His silence could only be taken as a yes, and Juliana’s eyelashes fluttered. “Why…why didn’t you tell me?”

Juliana bit her lower lip again, reliving the memory that had resurfaced.

For about three weeks, he hadn’t come for Juliana.

At first, Juliana tried to get out of here, but each time she did so, she failed and eventually gave up running away at some point.

She couldn’t believe he was doing this to Louis in the background!

“Louis…”

Juliana stroked Luanne’s back, trying to contain her rising anger.

He had the heart to say nothing about him. So Juliana had no idea until now that he was picking on Louis.

“It’s just ugly and disgusting…”

Louis curled his body into a ball and murmured helplessly. Juliana felt sorry for Louis, who was struggling alone and dealing with him.

She didn’t even know until now…

“Are you okay?”

“It-it’s fine.”

“Tell me if you get hurt again. At least, I’ll put some ointment on it.”

Juliana was open to the fact that there wasn’t much she could do to help.

‘Yes, Julie,’ Louis wiggled his fingers, answering sincerely. As he moved his fingers, the magic bracelet on his wrist rattled.

“Does it hurt here?”

“Yes, there…”

When Juliana pressed on his back a little, Louis’ waist arched.

“Oh, I’m sorry! It hurts a lot, right?”

Louis and Juliana’s eyes met head-on as she tested around. Juliana drew backwards, feeling embarrassed. Louis pushed his back close to her. Juliana’s palms splayed against his wide back.

“Hold on a bit, Louis.”

How painful is it? Juliana swore at him inwardly and patted Louis on the back with a pitiful look.

“How can I get rid of this magic bracelet?” She couldn’t use magic because of the magic bracelet on her wrist.

“It’s okay, Julie.”

Louis slowly turned around and made eye contact.

His blue eyes that didn’t have a single ripple in it, reminded her of a calm sea.

Juliana was rather saddened by the sight of the man who consoled her without showing any signs of hardship.

She really wanted to protect this good-natured man.

Knock, knock.

Then someone knocked on the door.

The sudden knock startled Juliana, who looked at the door.

It was past midnight. Who was it?

Creak, the man who opened the door was an old man with gray hair.

‘There have been many occasions when butlers have come to meet us, but never this late…’

Juliana’s expression became even more serious in the tense atmosphere. The only one who stared at her with a serene look on her face.

The butler walked up to Louis and whispered something.

The butler must be doing this under his command. Juliana could easily understand that he was looking for Louis.

Juliana’s forehead creased.

‘I can’t allow this!’

She didn’t think twice.

“Where are you taking Louis?”

Juliana appeared in front of Louis and hid his body behind her.

“Don’t worry, Julie.”

Louise lowered the arm held protectively in front of him and gazed at Juliana’s glimmering gold eyes without much agitation.

“I’m not the one Juliana should be worried about.”

“What? Louis, wait a minute.”

“I’ll be right back.”

With the corners of his mouth bent beautifully, Louise followed the butler in a blink of an eye.

Juliana stared blankly at the already closed door.

She didn’t think it’s bad, but why was she so anxious? Could it be… was her hunch right?

Juliana called out Louis’ name quietly.

Its been too long to wait any longer. It had already been three days since Louis, who followed the butler, did not return. Juliana clenched her fist and strode down the hall with a cold look.

While left alone, she focused on removing the magic bracelet from her wrist.

And she finally made it today.

Juliana rubbed her free wrist, but she couldn’t rejoice.

She walked fast, thinking that he might be picking on Louis.

Ping! The ringing magic detector made Juliana halt in the middle of the room.

There was blood everywhere.

Juliana quickly covered her nose with the smell of fishy blood.

At that moment, the curtain fluttered because someone came in. Sensing someone’s presence, Juliana readied herself to strike first.

Behind the purple curtain, stood a man with his back to her. He had a sword in one hand.

“Where’s Louis?”

Juliana spoke to the man in a wary voice. She couldn’t be careless, not after seeing the amount of blood that colored the floor. Someone had bled out here.

The man turned his head slowly. His black hair fluttered in the mirror, revealing his face.

“He’s… he’s…”

Juliana’s heart lurched. Her body froze, unmoving.

“Oh, I got you.”

The stinging coldness that touched her skin and the man’s raspy voice sounded as real as ever.

Black hair and black eyes.

The man she encountered had a crazy look in his eyes.

Juliana’s breathing was lost in the chills that penetrated her whole body.

A man with blood splattered on his cheeks, white clothes painted with blood…

Hiccups rose up her throat. Juliana hurriedly covered her mouth.

She was going to make a great appearance and save Louie Ann.

But…What’s going on here?

Her head turned blank in encountering a situation she had never thought about.

“You-you, who are you?”

Juliana bit her tongue to keep her hiccups in check. She tried to straighten her back, but her legs were like jelly. Her heart pounded as if it were about to explode.

“What can we do?”

Speaking in a calm, nonchalant tone, the man’s eyes turned into crescents.

He dragged the sword on the floor while approaching her. The parts that he passed by were covered with blood, a red trail left behind.

“As long as you’re in this mansion, no one can come out alive.”

Unlike his monotonous voice, the man’s eyes were strangely heated.

The man’s sword poked the fallen assassin on the floor.

Was he talking to the assassin?

Or talking to her?

Juliana couldn’t stop looking at his eyes, which seemed to be moving all over her body.

“Tell me, Julie.”

Juliana held her breath because of the familiar body scent of the man near her. A lazy smile spread across his face.

His face…He had Louis’ face, but different eyes and hair color, with an unfamiliar, chilling smile.

“Do you still want to get out of here?”

Slowly bowing his head, the man’s forehead rested against Juliana’s.

Black, onyx-like eyes. Those dark eyes were not even close to the calm sea she knew.

Her mouth dried up under his intense eyes, which wanted to burn everything with their smoldering gaze. Juliana can’t bear to take her eyes off him.

The empire’s lunatic.

She had brought herself here.

To the lunatic’s den.

Juliana Hariens.

She is a wizard who belongs to the Tower of the Wizard Organization and the sole daughter of Duke of Hariens, one of the only three who form the pillars of the empire.

Long gold-colored hair. Bright golden-colored eyes with thick eyelashes, a sharp nose, red luscious lips, and flawless skin.

She was both brilliant and skilled enough to graduate from the Academy of Magic as second place.

She joined the wizard organization shortly after graduation and started work, currently receiving one month vacation as a reward from the organization.

Enjoying a prosperous and abundant life like this, she thought that her life would flow flat as always.

But, what’s happening here?

“Ah, Robert… When are you going to marry Juliana?”

Juliana blinked absent-mindedly.

Today is a special day, since she had started dating Robert for six years.

How come Rosa, her close friend, and her fiancé were together, when she sneaked into his mansion to give him a surprise visit?

“Wait a little bit more. When I become Duke, I will make you Duchess. I’ll make you my duchess once I get what I want.”

“Do it quick, I don’t want to wait any longer.”

The two of them, her fiancé and her friend, were together. It also seemed like a very inappropriate relationship considering he was her fiance and she, her best friend. Robert and Rosa had betrayed her.

Laughter escaped Juliana’s mouth at the same time as she finally realised.

She staggered  back while clutching herself, her mind shattered to pieces.

“Until when do we have to keep our relationship a secret?”

“Don’t worry, Rosa. First of all, if the marriage goes as planned, likewise the Duchy will be handed over to my hands…… But you would have to endure until then.”

Juliana clenched her fist at the unbelievable sight.

Robert was her first lover, and at the same time was her promised betrothed.

She liked him.

Juliana did her best without telling a speck of lie to him, even if he, who seemed to have offered the whole world to her at first, had changed after the engagement. She gave him clothes, money and even her heart, but the end result was like this.

She wasn’t sure since when he had been doing this kind of crap behind her back. As a result, Juliana’s entire body shook at the fact that all her efforts ended up only to be made fun of by a scum who was aiming for the duke.

Originally, he would have to enter the family as a son-in-law at the same time as they became betrothed, but it was a good thing that Juliana entered the academy which caused the wedding to be delayed.

What a waste of time she had spent on this piece of scum to live in wealth and honor until now. It’s obvious that she was crazy to trust him. When his shell was peeled off, Robert turned out to be no better than the world’s trash.

“Haah.”

A laugh escaped her mouth. 

Rosa… Just how much had she cherished her? Like a real sister. She threw off the white dress and Robert’s gift.

The white dress that she threw and the shirt she had brought for Robert as a gift was all prepared by herself.

Feelings of sorrow as well as betrayal were momentary. However, her anger was deep.

With an expressionless look, Juliana walked toward the both of them, who were still glued together.

At the sound of footsteps approaching, they looked up at the same time, just to see Juliana.

“!!!!”

Robert, who visibly stiffened, pushed Rosa away from him as if he was throwing her aside.

With a crash and a loud noise, she rolled down. Rosa, who fell disgracefully, raised her head. Rosa’s face, which was both surprised and frightened, gradually turned pale.

She had tumbled down the bed with a thud and crashing sound. 

“You want the title of duke?”

“Juliana, let me explain everything! It’s a misunderstanding, this is…”

Robert’s face was filled with embarrassment.

“Misunderstanding?”

She asked again. What she just saw and what she heard was a misunderstanding…?

“Yes, so this was all… This, this b**ch, she seduced me!”

Robert pointed his finger to Rosa. Rosa’s eyes widened while she gathered clothes to cover her body. Rosa hurriedly seized Juliana’s trouser as her face turned deadly pale.

“Huh, no, Julie. Believe me……I couldn’t help it…I’m innocent.”

Juliana looked down at Rosa with a cold stare as she pleaded with tears.

The cunning figure who was talking to Robert and desiring for the duchess’ position disappeared in a flash.

“Did you approach me for the title from the beginning?”

“Julie, don’t do this! It’s a misunderstanding!”

“So, this is a misunderstanding?”

“Yes, it’s all a misunderstanding. Let me explain, please…”

“Shh, you’d better shut up before your mouth would be threaded through by needles.” Juliana said with a cold look.

“Well, i-it was a mistake…! Please, you used to be sweet Juliana, come back to me, yes? This is unlike you…”

Juliana had always endlessly kind to her own people. Perhaps because she had only shown her good nature so far, both of their faces turned deadly pale by her cold expression.

“Really? I can’t believe it’s not like me. Who do you think I am?”

A smirk naturally appeared on her mouth. How dare they plot against her. 

No, how much confidence does he have to himself if this all looked easy to him….?!

“Ju-Juliana……I’m, I’m sorry.”

Rosa was on the verge of tears when she called out Juliana’s name.

“Keep begging me and saying sorry. But I won’t forgive you.”

“Julie!”

“Don’t call my name. Let’s break up here.”

Juliana announced their breakup shortly but firmly. Robert had a stupid look on his face, as if he didn’t understand yet.

“No! Please forgive me. I’ll be good, okay?”

Robert, who became aware of the meaning of her words belatedly, raised his head. Juliana still stared at Robert with an impassive face.

The only daughter from the house of Duke Hariens.

“Don’t think you would be safe after trifling with me, the Wizard of the Tower.”

If Juliana turned around, it meant that the duke would turn with her in an instant as well. 

Robert hurriedly reached out and tapped Juliana’s hand.

“Get your dirty hands off me. I won’t ask you why you did this when it was already over.”

Juliana dusted her clothes and spun around. She could hear Robert calling her name from behind. She tried to ignore it while moving her trembling legs out of the room.

She didn’t want to be in Robert’s mansion even for a moment longer.

It felt like his existence itself was denied by his betrayal. Her pride has been hurt, ashamed, and her heart ached. But the obvious fact that she almost got married to that lousy scum was giving her even more goosebumps.

“Whew, the more I think about it, the more I will get a fever.”

She didn’t calm down entirely even when she was in the carriage.

She couldn’t believe everyone had almost got duped by a man with such impure intentions.

Suddenly, a thought slid by her mind that he might have gone somewhere and settled a debt in the name of the duke. In the midst of her thoughts, the carriage quickly headed to the house of Duke Hariens.

***

“Madam, you came back early.”

Mary, the exclusive maid approached her when Juliana entered the room.

“Marie, where is my father?”

“The Duke is in his Office.”

“Is that so? Alright.”

Juliana immediately moved her steps toward her father’s office. She had broken off her marriage as she pleased, however she wanted to report to her father about this first.

As she stepped forward with big strides, she finally stood in front of Duke Harien’s office. 

Knock knock. 

Julieta knocked on the door.

“Come in.”

Juliana walked into the office after getting permission from the duke inside a moment later.

“Father.”

“Juliana, what happened’?”

A welcome look radiated from Duke Hariens’ face.

“I have something to tell you.”

“Sit down.”

Both of them sat on the couch. Juliana calmly brought up what happened today. Duke Hariens listened quietly about Robert’s relationship with Rosa and the cancellation of their engagement.

“That’s why you broke off your engagement?”

“Yes, Father.”

Putting aside the process of breaking up the marriage, she broke the engagement between the families with her emotion at that moment. 

The corners of Duke Harien’s mouth twitched when Juliana also used the word “father,” which she rarely used, with the fear of being scolded for doing something for no particular reason.

“Yes, good job.”

“Is this alright…?”

“It can’t be helped. I accepted him because he was the second son of a marquis who was worthy to be in our family. However, on the contrary it seems that his actions have demeaned our family status. I’ll find another son-in-law.”

“Yes, Father.”

Before leaving, Juliana left the room with a request to see whether or not Robert had owed anything in the name of the duke.

Robert and Rosa.

She was glad to know their true selves now. She didn’t have to know how they had been strutting around arrogantly during the time when she was away at the magic academy.

If they have committed a crime, there will always be a judgment on it.

When Juliana came back to the room, Marie was standing in front of the firewood. In front of Marie was a pile of letters and invitations.

There were quite a lot of letters and invitations in front of her.

“Young Lady, there will be a masquerade ball held at Earl Geriona tonight. What do you want to do about this?”

What?”

“A masquerade ball…”

Juliana’s eyes twinkled in interest.

***

A grand masquerade at Earl Geriona.

A golden haired woman who was wearing a red mask quickly skimmed through people inside the banquet hall. Her eyes shone keenly inside the mask.

“…Haah.”

Juliana bit her lower lip hard. The reason why she wanted to come to the masquerade ball in the first place was that she was feeling quite impulsive.

One night flings used to happen secretly in high society. But Juliana never had such a secret love affair because she was already engaged.

She’d entered the Academy of Magic when other young girls were busy dating and preparing for marriage.

She might end up marrying someone like this.

Juliana went to the masquerade ball suddenly with that thought in mind, but she hardly found someone that reached her standards.

Meanwhile, Juliana was agitated when the memory of her fiance and best friend rose to the surface again.

“Haah, bad XXX.”

Juliana spat out a cuss. She barely managed to calm the rising anger within her and gulped down a couple sips of wine that moistened her lips. The sour and bitter taste spread through her mouth.

Juliana placed her hands on the table as she staggered, feeling tipsy. She had long crossed her usual drinking capacity out of anger. It has been a while since her face has turned this red.

Juliana stumbled out of the banquet hall only to head toward the terrace.

When she got to the terrace, someone was already there. Juliana was taken aback by the sight of the person leaning on the railing. She was so drunk that she had missed the placard that had been placed in front of her.

“Oh… I’m, I’m…sorry.”

Juliana hurriedly tried to get out since there was a visitor who got to occupy the place first.

“You can stay.”

But the voice of the man from behind halted her steps. Juliana slowly turned her head and looked at the owner of the voice.

The man was extremely gorgeous. His eyes were cool and calm like his blue hair. His blue and fathomless gaze, a shade deeper than the night sky were directed toward her.

Her drunkenness went away completely when she saw the appearance of the man after he took his mask off. The man was too handsome. Juliana gazed blankly at his face with a flushed look. 

Her heart was pounding loudly. The man leant away from the railing with indifferent eyes. Having kept a little distance from Juliana, he proceeded to speak with a straight face.

“You’re drunk.”

“What? Oh, yes. I drank a bit…”

He must have smelled the scent of wine that was coming out of her mouth. Juliana lifted her hand and tried to cover her mouth. However, when her fingertips brushed against the metallic mask covering her face, she lowered her hand.

The man gazed at Juliana with an expressionless look. He took a handkerchief out of his pocket and laid it on a small bench.

“Please sit over here.”

The man’s gaze remained on Juliana’s high-heeled shoes. She couldn’t read his expressions, even though she wanted to.

Juliana slowly approached the man, a strange irresistible and unspoken attraction dragging her toward him.

“The air is cold.”

The man took off his coat and placed it on Juliana’s shoulder. She had never seen a man like this before. She couldn’t believe he even cared about a woman he had never seen before

Juliana sniffed in the cold wind while trying to figure out the man’s intention. But the man only acted as if he had done his duty.

“I hope you have a great time at the banquet.”

The man turned around with these plain words. Juliana’s heart was stirred by this consideration from a man she saw for the first time. 

She had a hunch that women would go crazy everywhere if such a handsome man made his way out.

She wondered if it was the influence of the alcohol, or was the man’s appearance excessively handsome? A strange courage surged up in her.

“Will you stay the night with me?”

Juliana fixed her eyes to the floor in shame as she clutched the hem of his clothes.

Silence took over for a moment.

The blowing wind had gotten rid of her tranced mind and tipsiness.

In the remaining silence, Juliana let go of the man’s clothes weakly.

Her face turned burning hot in embarrassment even though she was drunk.

Juliana only stared at her shoes.

“Can you take responsibility?”

“Excuse me?”

Juliana, whose thoughts were distracted, replied a moment late. The eyes of the man she happened to meet were gentle. He whispered in a low voice as he was looking into Juliana’s eyes, the only part that was seen through the mask.

“I won’t leave if you promise me.”

“I’ll give you an unforgettable night.”

Juliana raised her head at the hand before her eyes. Juliana held his hand as if she was bewitched. Bowing, the man smiled and blinked his eyes beautifully. His gaze remained on Juliana’s earlobe that turned bright red for a long while.

***

She had already shifted places by the time she came to her senses.

“I want to see your face.”

The man’s large palm came closer to Juliana’s face. Juliana flinched. His hands were interrupted by something so he was unable to touch her face.

‘Oh, come to think of it, I’m still wearing a mask.’

Juliana was still wearing the red mask that she put on at the masquerade ball.

The man just laid his hand over Juliana’s red mask. He was seeking her consent with intense eyes. But Juliana remained silent because she didn’t want to reveal herself.

This was because her high status stopped her mouth even while she was drunk. She didn’t want to get blamed without a reason by the high society at a time when she broke up her engagement.

“……”

The man’s hand pulled back as he understood her sign of refusal.

Juliana felt like she was going to die by the rustling sound that reached her ears.

“Ahh.“

“Don’t be so pushy.”

At the end of her words, darkness covered both of their figures.

***

“Haah. Haah.”

Juliana opened her eyes. She exhaled while wiping out the sweat off her forehead. Juliana grimaced as she stabilised her breathing.

“Where is this?”

She came to her senses to be stunned by an unfamiliar ceiling. Juliana looked at her surroundings after straightening her upper body.

White wallpaper, white bed, white drawers.

Was the owner of this room a white lover? The room was entirely white.

The event from last night suddenly struck her head like a wave. The betrayal of her fiancé and her friend, and her spending the night with a man whose name she didn’t even know, because she was feeling broken-hearted. As soon as she realized, Juliana suddenly jumped up like lightning.

“Crazy…!”

She couldn’t remember what happened after she suggested the man stay for the night because she blacked out. Except that she asked someone to sleep with her.

Arghh, Juliana desperately wanted to stop and scold whatever got inside her yesterday.

‘I couldn’t believe I was crazy enough to throw such a crazy offer at a man I just met for the first time like that!’

Juliana screamed inside as she vowed to never drink again.

After a while, the Juliana that has been settled then lifted up the blanket to peek under it. She was still wearing her yesterday’s beautiful blue dress. Juliana breathed out a sigh of relief on finding that she wasn’t *****.

She casted her eyes to the side of the bed slowly while feeling nervous. There was no one on the cold side of the bed.

It seemed that her one-night-stand partner had already left.

Juliana blinked. Strangely, she felt empty, however there was no reason for both of them to keep staying here. Juliana got her foot off the bed to the floor.

“…..What is this?”

Juliana was appalled. There was something she didn’t see before that was on her wrist.

“АФпряий.”

Juliana chanted the spell. Her eyes flickered blankly as her mana scattered in the air.

‘What’s going on here?’

Juliana bit her lips hard while thinking about it.

Then she heard a strange sound behind her.

“Ugh.”

Juliana’s eyes widened when she turned to look behind.

A large caterpillar was wriggling on the floor… No, someone whose whole body was wrapped in a blanket was wriggling over on the floor.

“Who, who are you…!”

Juliana was taken aback. The caterpillar that she thought was threatening, only wriggled and crawled over the floor without answering.

“Wha, What is that……?”

Juliana saw the caterpillar wriggling and moving slowly.

The caterpillar turned his body over to the back after moving limply and grovelling everywhere on the floor. It came closer right before Juliana.

Juliana was taken aback when her eyes met the eyes of the man in the blanket.

“Aghh!”

A scream escaped her mouth. Juliana hastily shut her mouth.

“Are, are you okay?”

Juliana said while moving slightly after regaining her senses late.

“I’m alright.”

Juliana was taken aback by the man’s extremely courteous voice. She felt a sense of estrangement from the frivolously crawling figure that was on the floor a while ago.

“Can, can I help you…?”

It’d been long since she had forgotten what happened due to the shock right in front of her eyes. Juliana set the man’s body free from the blanket which was wrapped tightly on him with one arm.

The man she saw up close was extremely beautiful. The blanket man looked as if he had a good and refreshing sleep on his face. Juliana realized that his blue hair was loose and sluggish.

Ah, this man.

He was the one she had spent the night with.

‘But why is he so wrapped up tightly like that?’

“What is this?”

Juliana gestured to her own wrist while thinking it wasn’t the time to admire the man’s appearance obscurely.

“Well……”

Juliana’s question was ignored by the man. His head tilted to the side appearance was artistic. However, the image of the man crawling while wriggling on the floor like a giant caterpillar had been embedded firmly in Juliana’s head. 

I’m sorry, Juliana thought to herself. He had become a human blanket in her head. Juliana’s heart remained unwavered thanks to that thought, despite the man’s handsome appearance. Her heart was so calm that she almost couldn’t keep it that way any longer.

“Then, do you know where we are?”

“……”

There was no answer from him so he didn’t know either. Juliana thought carefully and closed her eyes.

Both of them were in an unfamiliar place.

Not just that, the man was even wriggling pitifully in the corner on the floor as his body wriggled inside the blanket. Juliana felt sorry for him, but who would sympathize with whom when they were both in a similar situation?

“……”