I glanced to the right.
Nicholas was chatting with the coachman beside him.
For a coachman, he didn't seem that old, perhaps just a bit older than me. Still, I had a nagging feeling that something was off about him.
'Maybe it's just my imagination.'
Infront, the figures of Xerta and Epsilon appeared, walking toward us. A scene you wouldn't see anywhere else.
'I can literally see the annoyance written on Epsilon's face.'
"Xerta, are you finished already?"
Leyla stood, her smile warm. Xerta gave a small nod.
I hadn't expected to see his face looking like this—like an overworked office worker after a brutal shift. Those eye bags… honestly, they low-key looked terrifying.
Epsilon returned to my side, arms crossed, lips pouting like a sulking child.
"Keith… forgive me for making you wait. I'm honestly embarrassed to show myself like this."Xerta half-covered his eyes with his palm.
'Well, it doesn't exactly ruin your image…'
"Forgive me, Duke Xerta, it seems I came at the wrong time. You truly look busy."I put on a stern look, which was my way of being respectful.
Xerta's gaze shifted, first to Nicholas, and then to the coachman beside him. A flicker of surprise crossed his face.
Meanwhile, Nicholas was licking pastry crumbs off his fingers.
"If you're busy all day, Xerta, I suppose you won't mind if I stay the night?" Nicholas's eyes glinted with hidden meaning.
"Ah… of course, no problem, Your Highness Nicholas."
Xerta whispered something to Josh—clearly instructing him to prepare.
"Josh will guide Your Highness to your room." Xerta said calmly.
"And, Leyla…" He turned to her. "Please show Keith and Epsilon to their chambers."
Leyla smiled politely, then gestured for us to follow.
So, Xerta deliberately separated himself. What does he want to discuss with Nicholas?
I'd be lying if I said I wasn't curious.
Despite the expectation that Nicholas's official interaction with Xerta wouldn't occur until after this arc, they were already becoming acquainted, plotting. Nevertheless, Nicholas's mannerisms remained unchanged.
'The First Prince hasn't shown his true face to the public yet.'
I could only hope it stayed that way. But if the pace of events had already shifted… what else was bound to change without me realizing?
On the way to our rooms, none of us spoke a word.
I stole a glance at Epsilon beside me—lost in thought. And at Leyla, who looked oddly focused on memorizing the halls, as though she still hadn't learned the castle's layout.
"This is your room," she finally said. "It's tucked into the corner, but it's the right one."
I eyed the door, then turned to her with an awkward smile.
"Then, Lord Epsilon, I'll show you to yours."
'Eh? My room's not the same as his?'
Why was I even expecting that in the first place?
"I refuse."
"…What?" Leyla flabbergasted.
Even I was caught off guard by Epsilon's sharp reply.
"You're planning to put my room across from his, aren't you? So you can keep watch over me."
'Where the hell did that come from?'
Leyla forced a smile. "I thought you two might be uncomfortable sharing a room. That's why I suggested separate ones."
Epsilon looked like a rebellious cat ready to claw its way out.
'Hold on. Why does the air between you two feel… weird?'
I ignored them both and pushed open the door. But the moment I did, a chill skated across my skin.
'Wait… in a castle this big, you're telling me this room has been empty? You're seriously calling this room uninhabited?'
If that were true, then the entire atmosphere of the castle instantly turned creepier. Were they expecting me to face nightly visits from restless spirits or something?
'Hell no.'
"I… don't mind sharing a room with Lord Epsilon." The words slipped out of me before I could stop myself.
Both of them turned their heads toward me.
"Besides, the room's too big for a knight like me."A flimsy excuse—but anything was better than being left alone in this haunted corner.
Leyla's face fell, tinged with a strange disappointment. Almost like she couldn't accept it.
"You heard him, didn't you?" Epsilon raised an eyebrow, pleased.
"If that is your decision, I won't object." Leyla bowed formally.
"May you both rest well."
She turned slowly walking away until her figure disappeared.
'Leyla…'
"Hey, what are you daydreaming for?" Epsilon lightly kicked my shin. "Let's go in."
'Damn it.'
"Fine… you're so touchy."
"What did you just say?"
I stuck out my tongue at him before stepping inside. The bed was enormous, so I immediately flopped down onto it.
"Hey! Shoes off before lying down!" For some reason, it felt like I was on a school trip with my mom.
'Even when I was still Jung Cha-ri, my mom wasn't this naggy.'
"You're sleeping here, right?" I sat up and patted the mattress.
"W-what?"
"Then lie down already."
Epsilon's face tightened, his eyes darting everywhere.
"Wh-what are you saying! I—I'll sleep on the floor."
I blinked twice. "In this freezing weather?"
I grinned. "Better to share a warm bed under a blanket. If we get cold, we can always warm each other."
"W-warm each other?" His whole body stiffened.
"What's wrong with what I said?"
"You're so vulgar. How many people have you seduced with that innocent face?!"
'H-hey! Why are you turning this against me?'
"Listen, don't ever make that face at me again. As for sleeping, I'll take the floor. Or maybe I won't sleep at all. We need to stay alert."
"Come on… you're always in work mode."
He clenched his jaw, glaring like he wanted to snap at me.
"I'm not like you. I have my way. What's wrong with being cautious?"
He wasn't wrong. If anything, I was relieved. After all, he was the strongest character in TWTSH. Just being with him was enough to make me feel safe.
'Hmm… being with him…'
I stared at him.
'Alone… together… in this room.'
My face grew hot. I knew this would happen eventually. The day my heart would be tested.
"What's with you? You've been sneaking glances at me all this time."Epsilon finally turned his head. For some reason, his face looked brighter than usual.
I whipped my gaze away, pressing a hand against my chest. My heart was hammering.
'Crap… did I just dig my own grave?'
"Hey… what's wrong?" Epsilon leaned in, sitting right beside me. "Why are you holding your chest? Are you hurt?"
He pressed the back of his hand to my forehead—his face so close I could see every detail.
Panicking, I shoved his hand away. He frowned in confusion.
"What's with you? I was just checking."
"Epsilon… could you back up a little?"
"Huh? Why?"
I shot up to my feet.
"I need some air."
"Hey! Where are you going...?"
I stormed out, slamming the door behind me. And I just kept walking.
Farther and farther.
------------
I felt like I had walked far enough, to the point that I didn't know the way back anymore.
'Am I… lost?'
Honestly, I don't even know why I overreacted like that earlier. It's not the first time I've seen that godlike face.
'But seeing it that close… it's dangerous for my heart.'
The air started to grow colder, sharp enough to sting—like needles pricking into my skin.
Whooshh…
I whipped my head around, certain something had just passed behind me. The castle was enormous, yet I hadn't seen a single person.
There were no servants, no guards, no butlers—no one at all.
'Damn it, I'm starting to get scared.'
I swallowed hard, slowly turning my head left, then right.
'Phew… just my imagination.'
When I looked forward again, Nicholas was standing right in front of me, holding a lantern.His face was half-lit by the glow.
"Why are you here, Keith?"
*UWAGHHH—F@&*arhghhh…!!!
On the outside, my face was dead calm. But inside? My soul had just about left my body.
"Why are you wandering around in the dark like this?"
I pinched his cheek. "Don't you ever do that again."
Nicholas froze, shocked by the menacing look I gave him."O-okay… no more sudden appearances."
Finally, I felt relieved that the horror had been dealt with.
At last, I asked, "So why are you wandering around this hallway?"
"Hey! I should be asking you that," Nicholas said as he lowered his lantern. "Why were you sneaking around on tiptoes like that?"
If I admitted I was lost, I'd sound like an idiot.
so I cleared my throat and said, "Ehem… I just wanted some fresh air."
"Heeh… is that so…" Nicholas rubbed his chin.
"What?"
"It's nothing."
He gave me a mischievous grin.
"By the way, you looked pretty relaxed around Xerta. Has your relationship already developed that fast?" I speak as if mocked.
Nicholas's smiling face turned serious. His gaze sharpened."Keith, are you curious? If you really want to know, I'll tell you."
"No, no need. I don't care."
Nicholas puffed his cheeks, back to his usual self."Cih… boring."
I knew Nicholas seemed to have a special kind of favoritism toward Keith, though I had no idea why.
But he really wasn't talking much to Leyla. Could it be that this Nicholas differs actually from the one in the novel? Does he… not have feelings for her at all?
'Should I ask?'
"Nick."
"What is it, Keith?"
"What do you think of Leyla?"
Nicholas looked confused. Then he tilted his head, thinking."She's a good wife."
'I knew it. He's interested.'
"Xerta is lucky to have her. She's sharper than I expected."
"So?" I asked eagerly, "Do you like her?"
"Hah?" Nicholas curled his lips, "Wait—you mean, do I like her as a person? Of course."
'So… no romantic interest…'
"What about you?" he asked suddenly.
"What?"
"You like Leyla, don't you?" Nicholas gave me a teasing grin.
"…"
"I didn't expect that kind of reaction. So that time, it really wasn't because you liked her, huh?"
"Of course not. I already told you, she's just a lady I serve." I replied curtly.
"I see…" Nicholas looked disappointed.
What exactly was he expecting?Now that I think about it, I don't even feel that gloomy about Leyla anymore. Am I… slowly moving on from her?
"So then, how about now?"
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Who do you like?"
I shook my head. "Is that all you ever think about?"
I flicked his forehead.
With just the lantern lighting our path, the two of us walked down the hall. Eventually, we reached the lounge where we had been waiting earlier. From here, I figured I could find my way back to my room.
"Keith, did you see that?" Nicholas pointed to a secluded room near the stairs. "I think that door's open."
I followed his finger. For some reason, the aura around it felt… eerie.
"I'll check it out."
"Eh, wait—Nick." Too late. He was already walking there.
'Damn it, I'm scared…'
I hurried after Nicholas. When I caught up, he was standing in front of the door.It was closed, not open.
"It's not locked." Nicholas turned the knob.
"Hey! Why are you just barging in—"
Creeeak…
The door opened.But instead of something terrifying, inside was a woman lying on the bed—like a snow princess. Her silver hair gleamed even brighter than Xerta's.
She lay there with her eyes closed, wearing a snow-white dress.
"She's… beautiful," Nicholas murmured beside me.
He wasn't wrong. Her beauty could rival even the main protagonist's.
'Wait… don't tell me that's Sera von Helming?'
In that instant, it felt like a bolt of lightning struck through my head as if something had entered or left me. I couldn't tell.
I clutched my head, gasping.
"Keith, are you okay?" Nicholas panicked.
'Damn… my consciousness…'
"Keith!" Nicholas's face blurred in my vision.
Then, everything went dark.