Episode 3

"—That's correct."

The woman's expression, initially as sharp as a cat whose tail had been stepped on, softened subtly.

This is it!

For a brief moment, her thick boundaries faded.

Ute Velvet, wearing a kind expression, began to explain.

"I've been observing you for quite some time..."

"You've been observing me?"

Her already stern gaze grew even more intense.

'Damn it.'

He had made an error in judgment.

In Sonnet Posa's eyes, Ute Velvet was no better than a stalker.

However, he couldn't back down now.

'Think quickly, think quickly.'

The stranger cleared his throat once more and continued.

"Given our proximity, I have a rather good memory. Rarely do I forget an encounter."

“…”

"You work hard every day, don't you? It's not that I was prying, but our apartment has poor soundproofing."

"And what does that have to do with anything?"

"I was impressed by your consistency. Not everyone can work that hard!"

“…”

"Unwavering boldness is a quality I greatly admire!"

"R-Really?"

"You were awesome during the rainy season last year. I almost fell in love with you."

Ute gently shut his eyelids and pleaded to Sonnet Posa.

'Please!'

Ute Velvet's plan required this woman.

'Let's escape this bloody romance world!'

Somehow, he found himself within the very books his sister was into reading... fortunately, he was aware of certain plot developments.

But who would have thought it would become his story to finish?

I Became the Only Sleeping Pill for the Mad Duke (1278/1278)

'I thought I had gone crazy at the time.'

Furthermore...

'Isn't there usually a single storyline per world?'

So you're saying it's possible for a villain's possession, a childcare story, a contract marriage, and more to all happen simultaneously?

'Is it because of a multifaceted narrative? Is that even possible?'

Well, it seemed that arrival here was inevitable.

'Not that it's any of my concern.'

If an individual unwittingly opened a romance novel, all they had to do was close it.

And for that to happen, it was necessary to ensure the story reached its proper ending.

'Only then can I return home.'

The man's lips were tightly compressed together.

'I have to find a way back home.'

To his real home.

Where he originally came from.

A place where there was a family who welcomed 'him'.

'She's anxious, what should I do now?'

For that, he needed Sonnet Posa.

Specifically, he required a facilitator who could easily approach a female lead.

'If I, a man, attempted approaching a female character, I'd probably get stabbed.'

Fighting against corruption was never an option.

He didn't wish to remain as a passing second male lead.

'I'm already anxious.'

Her hair, once damp with rain, was now completely dry.

'That is what makes Sonnet Posa's role even more crucial.'

After reading countless romance novels, one conclusion became clear.

'No one wields more influence over the female lead than a maid or servant.'

In a romantic fantasy, such characters were versatile experts, offering everything from love advice and assassination to disguise and intelligence gathering.

To bring the romance to a proper conclusion, such a collaborator was essential.

Sonnet Posa had evidently mastered such a field for a long time.

But more importantly...

Her composure, unshaken even while staring at this face!

'It's a rare talent to encounter.'

Ute Velvet hadn't intended to approach the woman next door from the start.

'We didn't have much interaction.'

Initially, he was more focused on recruiting different women he had sought through different means.

'How could you do that?'

'Were you toying with me?'

'How do you perceive people's hearts?'

But all those attempts failed.

'Ah, the frustration.'

His cheeks which had been swollen from a few days ago still seemed to throb.

Ute Velvet was also troubled.

'Even when I'm just a tiny bit kind, they begin to see our grandchildren in their heads...'

It's not a fault to be a sweet person.

He would approach just a little closer, and they would get angry, walk away, and scream, 'If you were going to act that way, you shouldn't have been nice in the first place!'

It seemed Sonnet Posa's precious presence existed all this time amongst such people.

'That detachment! That blandness!'

How can one be so indifferent to appearance?

"I'm busy."

Sharp like a knife!

It had to be this person.

'I'm tired of finding people only to get slapped.'

He didn't wish to endure the challenges of recruiting a personnel team because of frequent turnovers.

"I must secure a new job right away."

"Of course, I'm not asking you to help me for free. There will be compensation."

"That is?"

"Well—"

What to say?

He was so focused on securing her help that he neglected to consider other factors.

He simply wished to go home. Sincerely, please.

Her red lips began to move unconsciously.

"…Home, please..."

"Home?"

Oh my.

It seemed a small gasp finally presented itself from within the thick walls that had remained silent.

Both hands, neatly placed on the table, flinched visibly.

'This is it.'

Ute whistled inwardly and leaned forward.

The woman's lips quivered once more.

"The building collapsed today. Shouldn't there at least be one nice house in the capital?"

"Ah…"

"In Miss Sonnet's possession."

"My possession."

A light flush painted her clear skin.

'This is it.'

Her icy facade wavered before his proposition.

What a truly refined taste.

'Perfect.'

Sonnet hesitated before confessing, while Ute Velvet celebrated inwardly.

"I actually... I've always dreamed of having my own home."

"Owning a house is a universal wish."

He, too, wanted to live with his younger brother in a three-bedroom apartment overlooking the river.

"A house with a small garden—though it's a challenge, I would also appreciate a small vegetable patch."

"It is indeed difficult."

If home could be reached, anything would be done for dear Miss Sonnet.

The stranger shut his eyes and shook his head.

"A garden is essential, however. How about planting apricot trees in the back and hydrangeas to let bloom every summer?"

"Of course, that sounds wonderful."

"I can make it happen for you."

The faint blush subsided.

Sonnet gripped the table with both hands, as though preparing to stand.

"Wait, wait! Don't get up, okay?"

Her rain-soaked sleeves were damp.

As he blinked pitifully, Sonnet sat down again, willing to give it another chance.

"Well, if you can't trust me, how about this?"

“That’s….”

"A contract is more reliable than a person."

Ute quickly continued to explain, ensuring his opponent wouldn’t escape.

The key to this negotiation was to captivate the soul and secure the signature swiftly.

"A house with a garden. You understand it takes over 30 years of work to afford such a property in the capital, right?"

"Well."

"The sooner you help me, the sooner you'll have it, Miss Sonnet!"

“…”

"A house! Think about the cost of a house... How about signing after some consideration?"

The offer he put forth was twice the current market price; Sonnet couldn't help but be shaken.

Now.

Ute Velvelt flipped the contract and pen toward Sonnet Posa and sealed the deal.

"Will you sign it?"

1 second.

2 seconds.

3 seconds.

“…Yes.”

The light purple head bobbed up and down like a tiny lavender buoy.

As expected, nothing in this world could be achieved without money.

---

'So handsome...'

I barely caught half of his words, too entranced by his face.

A person shouldn't be this mesmerizing.

'No, but still!'

Why are his hands so pretty?

His long, elegant fingers gracefully drafted the provisions of the contract.

"This is an official contract approved by the Ministry of Magic. Once signed, neither party can unilaterally break it, so you can rest assured."

His lips are as red as cherries, his fair skin resembles a beautiful painting—

'Stop.'

I pushed away my distracted thoughts and furrowed my brows.

"Then sign here..."

He raised his head. I quickly lowered my eyes to avoid getting caught and inspected the contract.

"I think there's an extra zero here."

Angels must be bad at arithmetic.

"This is not written in monetary units. Our currency utilizes Gold, Silver, and Copper. Adjust it."

“Aha, yes…"

He looked up, his mouth parting into an awkward smile.

It felt like if I made a mistake, I would fall into those clear green eyes that seemed to encompass me entirely.

"Stop looking at me and write properly."

"Yes, Ma'am."

What should I do, his hand brushed against mine...!

It felt like a fever was spreading where his fingers had briefly grazed.

'I'm shaking...'

The letters he scribbled onto the contract were neat and tidy, like his fingers. Could this composed appearance also resemble his soul?

"What's this small print here?"

"It's nothing important…"

"If it's nothing, I'll erase it."

“Sorry, sorry…”

Angels aren't good at grammar either.

"The spelling is wrong here. And here, too."

"I didn't see that—I'll fix it. Just a moment."

As he lowered his head further to adjust the writing, his silver hair cascaded like finely spun threads.

'What do I do…'

I fidgeted and clasped my hands tightly.

You don't hear my heart racing, do you?

'What if he finds out I like him...!'

---

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