Kallion staggered out of his office without even putting on his coat properly.
The hallway was not just quiet—it was dim and almost haunting.
Because of the festival, most people had taken leave and left the mansion, so only the minimum staff remained. The silence was broken only by Kallion's rough breathing.
"Yuliana…"
The only thought in his head was that he had to see Yuliana right now.
He didn't even remember that just a few hours ago, he had given her permission to go out.
He felt as if he would stop breathing if he didn't see her immediately.
"Urgh…!"
He pressed a hand to his forehead and walked unsteadily down the hallway, stopping several times to lean against the wall because of splitting headaches and strange echoing voices in his head.
"Kallion, sir?"
The head maid, passing by, spotted him and rushed over in surprise.
"Are you alright, sir?"
When she tried to support him, he pushed her hand away and asked, breathing heavily:
"Where is Yuliana?"
Confused, she answered, "I believe Madam went out into town with Kate… But sir, you look very unwell. You should see the doctor—"
"Let go!"
When she tried to help again, he shoved her aside and leaned against the wall like a wild animal, growling.
He was always calm and composed, so seeing him like this left her stunned.
Had he been drinking?
Before she could think further, Kallion started walking again—heading outside the mansion.
When she tried to follow anxiously, he turned his head slightly, eyes flashing with killing intent, and growled:
"If you get in my way right now, I might kill you. Remember that."
His words were perfectly clear—not unclear at all—and the black, ominous aura surrounding him made it impossible for her to approach.
It was the same for all servants he passed. No one dared to speak to him as he left the mansion and began searching aimlessly for Yuliana.
"Yuliana…"
He didn't even understand why he was so desperate to find her.
But his body and mind sought her out like a dying man in a desert searching for water.
He wandered through the festival crowd, his face twisted with pain, clothes and hair in disarray, expression dazed, walking unsteadily like a drunk.
People avoided him, never imagining that this was the master of the Valdormer estate.
He grabbed the shoulder of a woman in a black dress — but it was a stranger wearing a black mask.
Several times, he mistook others for her, earning strange looks.
The streets were full of people dressed in black clothing and masks, making finding Yuliana nearly impossible.
"Where…?"
Then, all the masked people seemed to turn and look at him at once.
Their gazes, like they were looking at a drunk troublemaker, appeared to Kallion as if they were deathly reapers staring him down.
"Urgh…!"
A sudden, intense headache struck again.
The world seemed to sway and spin.
Visions of Yuliana's smile and her voice echoed in his head, stabbing at his heart until it felt like it would tear apart.
Clutching his chest, he staggered — and fell to his knees.
"Haa… haa…"
The people around only saw a drunk man and did nothing.
His vision darkened, his breathing grew faster — and he felt he might die.
"Kallion…?"
Amid all the noise, her voice was crystal clear.
He turned toward the sound — and there she was.
In the midst of the black-clad crowd, Yuliana stood like a red rose blooming alone.
Just seeing her made his mind feel clearer.
Forgetting where they were, he strode forward and pulled her into his arms.
Surprised, Yuliana looked up at him.
"Why are you out here? And why do you look like this?"
He didn't answer, just held her tightly, as if afraid she might disappear.
"Kallion…?"
At last, he murmured faintly:
"Found you."
Like a man gasping for air after nearly drowning, he buried his face in her hair and breathed in deeply.
Watching them, Kate suddenly looked flustered and stammered, "Ah… madam, I, uh, have somewhere to go with the other maids. I'll be going now!"
"Wait, Kate!" Yuliana called after her, but Kate had already vanished into the crowd.
With a sigh, Yuliana tried to push him away.
"What's going on? Let go first—"
But she froze.
His clothes were soaked with sweat, and his body was burning hot — far too hot for a human.
"You…"
Turning to look at him, she finally realized how bad his condition was.
"You're like this, and you still came outside?"
Even in her scolding, he only held her hand tightly, as if he would never let go.
Seeing his half-lost, dazed expression, she gave up arguing.
"Let's go back to the mansion first."
***
Back at the mansion, she looked for a servant, but most were on holiday, so she had to help him to their room herself.
The hallways were strangely empty and quiet.
At least he could still walk with her support, making it easier to get him inside.
She considered taking him to his office, but decided it was too cruel for someone sick, so she brought him to their bedroom.
Even as they entered, he kept one arm around her shoulders and held her hand tightly with the other.
Once she had him sitting on the bed, she tried to stand to call the doctor.
Thud—!
In an instant, he pulled her down beneath him.
"Kallion?"
She called his name in surprise, but he only looked down at her with a dazed, unfocused gaze — just like the night of the "Shadow's Night" in the past.
"Yuliana…"
His pupils were unfocused, his expression pained, like someone under the influence of something.
Before she knew it, his strong body pressed between her legs, his head buried in her shoulder, his breath hot and heavy.
"Kallion!"
He didn't seem to hear her, only breathing raggedly against her shoulder.
His large hand slid from her waist downward, and Yuliana snapped fully alert.
This was too similar to that past time — and she reacted immediately.
She shoved him away with all her strength and slapped him hard.
Smack—!
"Haa… haa…"
With both of them breathing heavily, she bit her trembling lip and spoke firmly:
"Stop it!"
Kallion, turning his head with a dazed look, touched his cheek slowly.
Then he sat up, his eyes clouded, tilted his head, and muttered:
"Why…?"