For the first time in my life, I saw embarrassment on Sera's face.
I had always believed she was immune to emotions like that.
She was usually cold and opportunistic.
Seeing that expression only made it more amusing.
But Sera quickly recovered. Her usual expression returned as she shot me a sharp glare.
"Are you harassing me, Theodore?"
I could tell she was angry—especially since she used my full name. Still, without the slightest embarrassment, I answered,
"Yes."
She pulled herself free from my hand with force.
"I didn't think you were this shameless, Theo. Are you seriously harassing your childhood friend?"
I replied with a playful tone.
"Right now I'm just harassing my fiancée… my future wife."
Disgust spread across Sera's face.
"You're such a pervert, Theo. And how does that make it any different? We're not even married yet."
I continued shamelessly.
"I only tasted the food while it was still in the kitchen. Is that really something wrong? I mean—"
Before I could finish, a fast slap came flying toward my face.
I dodged it immediately. I was sure it would have swollen my cheek.
Then I jumped back quickly, just in time to avoid a savage kick aimed straight at my precious little friend.
My whole body trembled. Every playful thought in my head disappeared instantly.
Sera shouted in fury.
"You're comparing me to food, Theo?! I'll show you what poisonous food feels like today!"
I noticed demonic energy starting to gather around her.
"I'm sorry, Sera! I was joking!"
I swallowed the rest of the words I had wanted to say.
Was she actually insane?
I glanced downward and let out a sigh of relief.
Was she really ready to castrate her future husband?
And why didn't she have any middle ground in her mood? She was either cold as ice… or erupting like a volcano.
Trying to calm things down, I said,
"I just wanted to improve your mood, Sera."
At last, she withdrew the demonic energy she had been preparing.
"Improve my mood?" she snapped. "Call it what it is—provoking and insulting me. And on top of that, you harass me?"
At that moment, I realised I had truly gone too far.
I shouldn't have touched her. Even if I had only been trying to break the awkward tension between us.
Especially since we were supposed to become husband and wife.
Lowering my head, I said,
"I'm sorry… again. I didn't think it would bother you this much. That was my mistake. I apologise for what I did."
…
His apology only irritated me more.
I had expected him to act arrogantly.
But now that he had apologised, there was nowhere for my anger to go… even though his provocation had clearly crossed the line.
I had only wanted to teach him a proper lesson.
But I hadn't expected him to be that capable.
How did he avoid that slap… and especially that kick?
Even stranger, he dodged them both so easily, even though he was a full level below me.
Finally, I spoke, unable to hide my irritation.
"Don't do that again, Theodore."
A thought crossed my mind.
This might create a gap between us… but does it really matter?
This marriage won't last long anyway.
…
Even after my apology, I could tell Sera was still upset.
That irritated me a little.
What did she mean I couldn't even touch her?
All I did was wrap my arm around her neck like a friend. Yes, it was a bit rude, and I had apologised for it.
But calling it harassment?
I didn't even feel any desire toward her. And I had a feeling saying that out loud would only make things worse.
Still, the fact that she tried to hurt me like that—especially with that kick—was no joke.
I was certain it could have seriously injured me.
That kick had triggered my bloodline ability—Instinct.
Which meant the threat had been real.
Even so, I went back and sat down on one of the garden chairs, trying to ease my frustration.
Honestly, even though the garden itself was ugly, the atmosphere was nice. The warm air helped restore some of my energy.
But the garden itself was strange.
Dark plants grew there, clearly not ordinary vegetation.
They were planted right on the abyss and used for alchemy.
Instead of petals, they had eerie sensory tendrils, each one pulsing slowly like a beating heart.
Just looking at them for too long made a faint chill crawl down my spine.
Then Sera sat down beside me.
My mood flipped again.
She had just complained that I was harassing her, so why sit next to me now?
The moment she sat down, I stood up from the chair.
"Goodbye, Sera. I have many obligations to attend to."
As I turned to leave, she reached out and grabbed the edge of my coat.
"Are you upset about what happened earlier, Theo?"
I turned back to her calmly.
"No. It's not like that. I don't really have the right to be upset. I was embarrassed about what I did… and the atmosphere between us became awkward."
Then I added,
"So I thought it would be better not to bother you anymore and just leave."
To be honest, I was telling the truth.
Even though I felt some anger, the stronger emotion was embarrassment… and a sense of failure.
That was why I had decided to leave. Being there was starting to feel suffocating.
Sera smiled.
"Sit down, Theo. I'm not bothered by your presence. Actually… despite everything that happened."
Huh?
She released my coat, and I let out a quiet breath of relief before replying,
"I'm sorry, but I don't think I can continue this conversation. And I don't really feel comfortable staying here."
Then I added,
"You may not feel uncomfortable… but I do."
"So… goodbye."
Without waiting for any response, I left in a hurry.
The moment I stepped out of that mansion, I felt relieved.
A strange sense of déjà vu crossed my mind because of the way I had left.
I got into the carriage and ordered the driver to move quickly.
As soon as the carriage started moving, the embarrassment and frustration slowly faded away.
…
Did my attempt to improve her mood end up backfiring on me?
But why was her reaction so exaggerated?
Could that problem she was dealing with have finally started affecting her?
Heh…
I laughed.
I kept laughing for quite a while—long enough to notice the frightened glances the driver kept giving me.
Just a few days ago, I had been strutting around, claiming I would face the whole world without fear.
And now?
I had barely managed to hold my ground against Sera.
What right did I have to challenge the world and claim it wouldn't crush me?
This world really is harsh.
Suddenly, I slapped my own face.
That only made the driver even more terrified.
But that slap helped wake me up from my self-pity.
I wasn't the victim here.
The truth was… I handled things badly.
There had been many ways to improve Sera's mood without provoking her.
But I chose provocation because it was the fastest—and honestly, the most entertaining—method.
And it did work.
Just… at the cost of my own feelings.
I chose speed, and now the consequences came back to bite me.
I should have taken things slowly instead of rushing. That might have avoided the whole clash.
I spoke loudly to the driver.
"Relax, man. I haven't gone crazy, and I haven't lost control."
I noticed him visibly relax after hearing that.
…
Once we arrived home, I stepped out of the carriage and headed straight to my room.
I took off those formal clothes.
After changing into training attire, I made my way to the training room.
Since the deep night hadn't ended yet, I decided to train until the first faint light of dawn appeared.