It’s not what happens that matters — it’s not knowing.

I realized I had been acting like a child today.

It wasn’t about Hyeol’s charm—it was something more fundamental.

I knew it would be nearly impossible for me to have the princess. So there shouldn’t be any problem with using another girl instead, right? That thought made me uncomfortable.

In truth, I shouldn’t be thinking like this at all. Even if, in the end, I allowed myself to be seduced today.

I couldn’t forget my vengeance. Nor the fact that I cannot fully trust anyone. Just because I don’t remember them from my previous life doesn’t mean they didn’t betray me.

I should only trust the Third Princess.

She would be the only woman who would never betray me. Someone who went through the same suffering I did. Someone who still carried the dream of protecting this world.

The memory of her crying during the judgment resurfaced in my mind—followed immediately by Anneliese’s cheerful expression.

My fists clenched.

Only then did I notice that I had pulled Hyeol closer. She leaned against my body naturally.

Sirius raised her thumb.

I gave up resisting and let things flow at their own pace.

I picked up a slice of cake and brought it to Hyeol’s mouth. In the end, I was still a man—so I decided to act like one.

“Ah… uh!”

Surprised by my action, Hyeol slowly parted her lips and closed her eyes. Her rosy cheeks felt warm.

“Don’t close your eyes. It’ll be hard to eat like that.”

“Y-Yes!”

She opened her eyes like a rusted gate.

Hyeol’s body was warm, and combined with her fragrance, she was undeniably beautiful.

As a man, I couldn’t keep fooling around forever. I had already noticed her subtle advances. Counterattacking seemed appropriate—especially with the people around me provoking me like this.

Sirius and Luiz raised a sign with a bold “10” written on it.

Where did they even get that?

When Hyeol finished eating, I leaned closer and wiped her lips. Her body trembled slightly.

Cute.

I never thought I would still have moments like this in this life. Even so, this calmness would only last for a brief moment.

In my past life, I didn’t remember Hyeol or Sirius. I didn’t believe they were directly involved in my capture. Still, I couldn’t give myself to anyone who might become the cause of my ruin.

“This cake is delicious. You really have good taste.”

Luiz took another bite. There was still some cake left.

That glutton.

“Hey, Luiz,” Sirius asked while rubbing her hands together, “is the Inzaghi family planning to send troops to the south?”

I turned to Hyeol. She showed the same behavior—both of them were anxious.

“Huh? I think so. Our family has always tried to support our allies as much as possible.”

“Could you ask them to withdraw their troops from the south? The south should be defended by its own people. We’re not requesting any support.”

I understood Sirius immediately. Even if other lands helped the south, their future demands could far outweigh the losses the south would suffer by standing alone.

“I don’t think I ca—”

Sirius grabbed one of Luiz’s arms and pressed it between her breasts.

“Please.”

Her gaze was intensely feminine—an irresistible, deliberate sensuality.

Hyeol watched them with a languid expression. Then, as if remembering something, she licked the hand I had used to wipe her lips.

There was no reasonable reason for her to do that. And yet—she did.

I realized something far too late.

My body was sending erratic impulses, and I was behaving strangely.

Wasn’t I supposed to protect the Third Princess in this timeline? Then why was I leaving a girl’s room late at night?

I felt dizzy, as if intoxicated. As if my blood had been drained.

I remembered nothing of what happened afterward.

When I woke up the next day, Hyeol wore a radiant expression.

“What happened last night?” I asked casually. Not remembering whether I had done something indecent kept hammering in my mind.

“Nothing. Nothing at all, hehe.”

She adjusted the collar of my shirt while giggling.

Luiz draped an arm over my shoulder. His eyes were dark.

“Last night, we became men, brother.”

What? This idiot… but maybe—?

My eyes met Hyeol’s again. She covered her cheeks and lowered her face.

I couldn’t have done that… could I?

A sharp headache tore through my mind.

This was dangerous.

I should kill her.

There was no chance I would allow myself to be used like this. The fact that I couldn’t remember anything meant I had been drugged without realizing it.

The things I hated the most.

Hyeol.

I carved that name into my memory.

There was nothing cute about her actions—only calculated desire.

Thinking back, none of the café tables from the previous day had flower vases. Only theirs did.

Even if the plant enhanced desire, it shouldn’t have been enough to completely cloud my judgment. The only explanation was the assistance of some kind of drug—combined with my own mental weakness.

Having already died once and constantly dwelling on the past must have made it easier for her to take advantage of me.

Hyeol was shorter than me, and somehow, her red eyes felt just as demonic as my sister’s.

From now on, I would create a list of things I hated.

At the very top: Anneliese.

Right after her—any girl with crimson eyes.

Losing control was unacceptable.

I exhaled slowly.

“Where’s Sirius?” Hyeol asked about her friend’s whereabouts.

“She’s not feeling well. She couldn’t get up.”

Hyeol’s expression tightened—just for a moment—before returning to normal.

Sirius really knows how to please a man.

Seeing the satisfied look on Luiz’s face, I couldn’t help but wonder if she did it just to make him feel good—or if Luiz was truly a wolf hiding beneath a lamb’s skin.

Classes began shortly after. Sirius entered the room as if nothing had happened. No limping. No discomfort.

That alone proved my point.

Luiz had fallen into her honey trap.

It wasn’t my place to help him. Honestly, he’d probably fall again—this time willingly.

I couldn’t deny the facts.

While Hyeol had her cute way of acting, Sirius was sexy and shameless—yet refined.

That duality was strange. But it wasn’t the only odd thing I noticed.

Hyeol and Sirius were always whispering about something.

And the more I thought about the possibility of being drugged, the clearer it became—if someone planned and executed it, it had to be Sirius.

Hyeol didn’t seem like that kind of girl. She might have been a victim too—just like me.

I removed red-eyed girls from my list, but I remained wary of her.

Hyeol was more than she appeared. Of that, I was certain.

Sirius was a mage with refined aura control. She might not be a monster like my sister, but she was something dangerous nonetheless.

Hyeol must have been another monster hiding her claws. Her cute appearance didn’t match what she truly was.

My aura felt suppressed whenever she was near. Now it felt even worse—as if I couldn’t resist her at all.

Even so, I wanted to believe Hyeol wasn’t involved.

Not remembering what happened was the worst part of all.