“What exactly is wrong with those things?”

Igor frowned, irritation evident.

“It’s about time they learned.”

“Honestly, beings like that exist in every generation, in every world.”

I calmly reassured him.

“The only difference is whether they have enough sense not to provoke us.”

“The fact that this kid even brought it up means it’s the latter, doesn’t it?”

“Yes. I’m sorry for bringing up something so trivial and unpleasant, Captain. You must already be tired of this sort of thing... But they’re not at a level that poses a real threat yet, so there’s no need for you to worry too much. If you permit it, I’ll handle it myself, Captain!”

“Thanks for reporting it first.”

Even Erich Erhart had casually mentioned something similar in passing.

Complaining about how aggressive one of the newly risen Elders—ranked third—had become.

Erich would take care of it anyway, but it didn’t hurt to at least be aware.

“What about Yoow?”

I asked absentmindedly.

Rose answered,

“I believe he’s aware. But he hasn’t said anything to me.”

“Alright. Just keep an eye on them for now. Don’t move first.”

“Yes!”

“You can take it easy now.”

I meant it.

Most Elders with functioning brains wouldn’t try to strike at me—they’d do everything they could to avoid getting involved with me at all.

Of course, there would always be the ambitious type, thinking they should take advantage of the only remaining Level 10 on Earth while he was weakened.

But there was no way someone like Erich wouldn’t notice that—and no way he’d simply let it slide.

Erich Erhart might be a pervert, but he wasn’t an idiot who lost his reason to his tastes. He hadn’t grown complacent enough to sit back and watch someone attack me just because it entertained him.

In other words, he wasn’t stupid—or relaxed—enough to break the alliance we had built.

And now, Lee Seunghyun was by his side as well...

“Besides managing fan pages or cleaning cabins, don’t you have anything you actually like?”

I knew she liked me a lot—but I couldn’t just tell her to keep watching over me from the cabin forever.

“Sorry I don’t know much about you. You never really talk about yourself in front of me...”

“Captain...”

Rose pressed her clasped hands to her lips, her eyes welling with tears.

What did I even say?

Ignoring my confusion, she murmured,

“Just the fact that you care about me like this makes me so happy...”

“...Right. But could you also answer the question? I still have no idea what you do in your daily life.”

“What would you even do with that information about someone like me?”

“Don’t say ‘someone like me.’”

I frowned slightly.

“And what do you mean, what would I do with it? It’s strange that I don’t know. You know a lot about me.”

“But there’s no need for you to know about me, Captain.”

“Why not? That’s strange.”

“It’s not strange at all.”

“It is...”

“It really isn’t.”

“...Do you just not want to tell me?”

I asked cautiously.

Surprisingly, Rose simply smiled—and didn’t answer.

...Seriously?

I straightened up from the sofa, blinking in shock.

It wasn’t that she hadn’t been telling me.

She didn’t want to.

She had been deliberately holding back.

With her hands still loosely clasped, Rose tilted them slightly and smiled meaningfully.

I stared blankly at her.

“Why?”

Is she uncomfortable?

“Is it because I’m your superior?”

“Not at all! If you allowed it, I’d want to stay by your side every second, every minute, Captain!”

Then why—

If she liked me this much, why wouldn’t she tell me anything about herself?

Wouldn’t most people be happy if someone they liked took an interest in them?

In my confusion, a new thought suddenly struck me.

My voice turned cold as I spoke.

“...Do you hate yourself?”

Was that it? Like how I avoided looking at myself in mirrors—did she avoid talking about herself for the same reason?

The moment I considered taking immediate action—

Rose burst into clear laughter.

“Not at all!”

There was no hesitation in her voice.

“I’ve been very happy lately!”

“...Really? Then that’s good.”

Then why won’t you tell me anything...

“...You’re not committing crimes like Lin, are you?”

“Oh my, Captain.”

Rose lightly covered her cheek.

“I would never do anything that might make you despise me. If I were to be despised by you, I’d rather die.”

“Don’t die.”

“Of course, if you truly wish to know about my daily life, I can tell you everything—from beginning to end.”

“...But you just don’t want to say it first.”

She smiled again—confirmation.

I swallowed the sting of that realization and gave up asking further questions.

Nodding tiredly, I said I understood.

Rose flushed faintly, smiling as she looked at me for a moment before speaking.

“I’ll take care of something and come see you again, Captain.”

“Alright. Don’t overwork yourself...”

“This is personal business.”

“Is it?”

What kind?

I tried to convey my curiosity with a glance, but once again, Rose had no intention of explaining.

She simply smiled, said she’d be nearby if I needed anything, and then left the cabin.

***

“What are you doing?”

Igor’s voice came as he looked down at me sprawled on the sofa in shock.

I absentmindedly stared at the ceiling, stroking Milk sleeping on my stomach.

Looking at the tiles that practically radiated wealth, I muttered,

“Why doesn’t she want to tell me?”

There was no way Rose disliked me.

I wasn’t paranoid enough to doubt that.

But it was equally clear that she had no intention of sharing even trivial personal details with me.

Why...

“...Did I nag her too much?”

“Hahaha!”

Kairos burst into laughter.

Why is he laughing?

I tilted my chin up and looked weakly at him standing by my head.

Still chuckling, he looked down at me, eyes curved.

“That’s probably not the reason. There’s no need to worry.”

“What do you mean?”

Does he know?

“Did Rose tell you why?”

“No. But I can guess.”

“What is it?”

I shot upright.

“What’s the reason? Why won’t she tell me?”

“It’s just her disposition.”

...That was it?

I rolled my eyes in disbelief as he continued.

“I have fans like that too. They prefer to keep a certain distance from what they admire. There were plenty like that in the Empire as well.”

“Why?”

If someone I liked took interest in me, I’d be happy.

“She said earlier she’d stay by your side every second if allowed. That doesn’t make sense.”

“It’s a bit different. Well... I’ve never been a devoted fan of anyone, so I can’t say for certain—but apparently, they feel more comfortable liking someone without revealing themselves. I never pressed them for details. I just respected their wishes.”

“I still don’t get it.”

“Hilde.”

Kairos spoke gently.

“The form ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) admiration takes differs from person to person. Just like the loyalty of the knights under your command all had different shapes. You don’t need to question it—just accept their goodwill and be grateful for it.”

...That makes sense.

Even if I still didn’t fully understand.

Coming from someone more experienced than anyone in living as a ‘star,’ I decided to accept his advice.

As long as Rose wasn’t uncomfortable with me, that was enough.

If she wanted something, she’d come to me eventually.

Feeling a little more at ease, I played with Milk until he grew tired.

With both Rose and Kairos’s stalker gone, a quiet peace settled over the house.

Igor went out back to train his swordsmanship, and after confirming I’d eaten breakfast and taken my medicine, Kairos sat nearby, working on something on his laptop.

Floating in that peaceful time, I rolled around lazily until Milk lost interest.

“Ah, thanks for letting me stay last night. I should get going.”

When I got up around noon, Kairos looked up.

“Why not stay for lunch?”

“I have plans with Yehyeon.”

It wasn’t an excuse.

“Then I’ll head out. Don’t stare at screens too long—take breaks.”

“I’ll treasure the doll.”

Kairos closed his laptop and walked me out.

“Thank you. Truly.”

I gave a small smile, then left his house and headed toward Yehyeon’s.

I hadn’t seen him much these past few weeks.

He said he was preparing for the sports festival, but it seemed more work had piled on—he rarely came home. And over the weekend, he’d done nothing but sleep. Now I understood why Choi Yun and Choi Ami used to check if Yehyeon was still breathing when he’d sleep like that after stepping down as Supreme Commander.

Until yesterday, I thought it was just stress from the upcoming event.

But after hearing Rose’s report, I realized that wasn’t the only issue.

I should bring up the Elder situation while talking about debts today.

When I rang the bell, Yehyeon opened the door immediately.

“Hilde.”

He smiled brightly.

“How are you feeling?”

...Was today a weekday?

Losing track of time while staying cooped up, I blinked at his white shirt and black slacks.

Did he take half a day off?

Without figuring it out, we ate first.

A warm chicken dish—something like soup.

Only after eating properly and taking my medicine did we start talking.

I casually asked if he’d been busy lately.

Yehyeon immediately caught the intent behind my question.

“I’m reporting everything to the strategist. If necessary, you’ll hear about it.”

I see.

So he and Yoow had agreed not to tell me unless it was important.

“Spitfire’s side is aware as well, so there’s no need for concern. From what I hear, Lee Seunghyun is personally monitoring anyone who shows interest in you.”

That was reassuring.

Far more reliable than Erich Erhart.

And unlike Erich, Lee Seunghyun owed him nothing.

Meaning—whether I liked Yekaterina or myself, it didn’t matter. No need to even ask.

I could relax more than before.

...How is Seunghyun doing these days?

“...Speaking of which, Hilde.”

Yehyeon’s voice pulled me back.

“What did you say to my father... to Lee Seunghyun?”

What happened?

I looked up sharply.

Yehyeon’s expression was unreadable.

Why ask that now?

“Did he give you a hard time again?”

“No.”

Yehyeon replied.

“If anything... it’s the opposite.”

...What?

As I blinked blankly, Yehyeon smiled faintly.

Then he explained.

While I had been in a coma, something small had happened.

To me, it didn’t sound like much.

As usual, Yehyeon had sent a holiday gift and a message to Lee Seunghyun.

And for the first time—

He received a reply.

“Alright. You’ve done well.”

That was it.

...And he got drunk over that?

Listening to the rest, I struggled to hide my unease.

Something that small had shaken him that much.

I knew Seunghyun had been changing—but it made me realize just how cold he’d been to his own son all this time.

I didn’t show it.

“That’s good. But I didn’t really do anything, Yehyeon.”

“No.”

He smiled.

“If it weren’t for you, I would’ve never heard those words from my father in my entire life.”

This is killing me.

“Thank you. I was so worried I wouldn’t get to tell you this.”

I had no memory of doing anything worth thanks.

Still... I was glad we hadn’t stayed asleep too long.

Instinctively, I spoke to Kyle Zargal in my thoughts.

Someone must have waited for you like this too.

I hope you’re doing well.

If possible... I hope you’ve found at least a little happiness.

But still—

This wasn’t something worth thanking me for.

“I just pushed him toward counseling. I don’t even know how to handle things like this properly...”

“If you hadn’t pushed him, he never would’ve gone. I still can’t believe that man is seeing a therapist.”

Yehyeon waved his hand sharply.

“You wouldn’t know, since he acts differently in front of you—but Yun and I agreed long ago that no matter what Ju said, Lee Seunghyun would never go.”

“...Acts differently...”

“He only listens because it’s you. Who knows how long that’ll last.”

“I’ll check in on him from time to time.”

“You don’t need to. Ah—Yun’s coming back tonight.”

Yehyeon suddenly changed the subject with a smile.

Did he not want to talk about his father anymore?

His voice had already lost all its sharpness.

“He went outside the Core for work.”

“I thought I hadn’t seen him lately. Reclamation work?”

“Yes. He should be back soon—”

Yehyeon’s gaze shifted.

I turned to see what he was looking at.

The living room had a wide window.

And through it—

We saw them.

Rose.

And Choi Yun.

Talking.