The afterglow of the sunset stretched the shadows long across the ground.

In the nearly ruined fishing village, Muen Campbell gripped the metal shovel Anne had conjured, picked the sunniest spot, and dug into the fresh soil, shovelful by shovelful.

A shallow pit quickly took shape. Only about half a meter deep, before Muen stopped moving.

It was deep enough.

He stepped aside. Anne approached, cradling Ailuka’s severed head in her hands.

Ailuka’s eyes were tightly shut, like she had drifted into a deep, quiet sleep.

A faint curve still lingered at the corner of her lips.

She must’ve gotten the answer she wanted, so when it came time to go... she didn’t leave behind many regrets.

Anne gently laid Ailuka’s head into the pit, then, with her bare hands, began covering it with soil, scoop by scoop.

This time, Muen didn’t help. He leaned against the shovel, eyes fixed on the distant sunset, silently listening to Anne’s whispered words.

“...Sorry, I couldn’t find anyone else to bury with you.”

Anne’s eyes lowered, sorrow faint in her expression.

When the Evil God descended personally, all the flesh and blood had been devoured as sustenance. Not a scrap was left behind.

In the end, all Anne could do was bring Ailuka’s remains back to this now-abandoned fishing village to bury her.

It counts as coming home... in some way.

The lovely head gradually disappeared beneath the layers of dirt.

Anne finished covering the little grave, then willed a metal tombstone into existence, planting it at the head of the grave.

She reached out, trying to carve something onto it— but after hesitating for a long time, not a single word emerged.

“Ailuka’s Grave”? That felt far too lonely.

The name of this fishing village? But beneath the dirt... there was only the girl’s severed head. Nothing else.

“...Forget it.”

Muen’s eyes were on the sunset, voice low and casual:

“Not all tragedies are worth remembering.”

“Is that so...”

Anne seemed dazed for a moment, then slowly withdrew her hand.

“Then... I’ll listen to you, Young Master.”

The silent fishing village had no trace of life left.

Anne stood, staring at the blank tombstone for a long, long time— as if lost in deep thought.

Until, finally, she accepted that she would never find the answer to her question, and spoke with quiet uncertainty:

“Young Master.”

“Hm?”

“Was I wrong?”

“Wrong? About what?”

“My... love.”

Love is possession.

Love is taking everything from the one you love.

Love is staying by their side forever.

Love is doing whatever it takes.

Not long ago, that’s what Anne believed.

It was love.

Such a wonderful love.

But seeing Ailuka earlier... that grotesque monster, desperate to devour the one she loved—

Anne couldn’t help but feel like she was staring into a mirror.

The reflection whispered of love, yet looked so ugly... so revolting.

It made her wonder— was that nauseating thing truly love?

“Young Master... was my love wrong?”

“Maybe.”

Muen nodded, then shook his head.

“Or maybe... you just mistook possessiveness for love.”

“Possessiveness?”

“That overwhelming desire to have something... when it mutates into obsession.”

Muen explained,

“Possessiveness often grows from love. They look similar. Their roots are close, but in essence... they’re not the same. Easy to confuse, though.”

“You’re saying... I mixed up love and possessiveness?”

“I don’t know.”

Muen’s voice dropped lower.

“Everyone carries their own thoughts. Whether it’s love or possessiveness buried in your heart... only you can tell.”

“But ironically... we’re often the worst at seeing ourselves clearly.”

Anne laughed bitterly, self-mocking.

She turned to Muen, his handsome profile outlined sharply by the golden sunset, every line perfectly sculpted, enough to make her heart race...

She wanted to pull him into her arms. Hold him tight.

In that fleeting moment— was it love, or possessiveness?

“What... even is love?”

For Anne, that had once been the simplest question in the world.

Now, overnight, it had turned into life’s greatest mystery.

But maybe... with a change in perspective, she’d understand eventually.

Thinking of that, Anne’s face flushed shyly.

“Young Master, I remember something you said before...”

“Hm? What did I say?”

“You said...”

Anne’s cheeks reddened as she whispered,

“That... I could date you, as a normal couple would.”

“...I might’ve said that.”

Muen vaguely recalled—he’d been locked up at the time, and said it just to pacify Anne.

But why was she bringing this up now?

Muen’s brows furrowed slightly. Something wasn’t adding up.

“If you said that, then... can we start over?”

“Start over...?”

“Be a normal couple... like ordinary people.”

Dating.

Marriage.

Maybe even kids.

To explore... what true love really is.

“I see... I get where you’re going.”

Muen nodded, seemingly dazzled by the sunset, taking a few discreet steps back.

“But, just to be safe... let me ask—

You’re not planning to drag me back to the Ducal Estate, are you?”

“Of course I am.”

Anne nodded vigorously, shy but resolute.

“I grew up at the Ducal Estate too. It’s my only home... But don’t misunderstand! I’m not scheming to become the Duchess or anything. I’ll still serve you as your personal maid, but... while serving you... could I also...”

The shy girl glanced back, cheeks flushed, filled with hopeful dreams.

Building a love nest with Young Master at the estate... doing all sorts of naughty things... maybe having a dozen, two dozen kids... just imagining it made her—

Whoosh—

Anne heard the wind whistle.

In the instant she turned around, she saw Young Master’s cold, sharp expression—

And the shovel.

There was no time to react. A dull thunk, a flash of surprise across her face, and everything went dark as she collapsed.

“Hmph, wicked woman.”

Watching Anne faint at his feet, Muen smirked, devilish and sarcastic:

“Trying to trick me back to the estate for some kidnapping play? You think I’m that easy to fool?”

“A Saint Seiya never trips over the same spot twice!”

“The Ducal Estate? Even dogs wouldn’t go back!”

The fading twilight reflected off his arrogant grin.

In the reeds by the lakeside, a pair of loving waterfowl peeked out at the lone man standing in the cold wind.

Their gazes carried... pity.

...

...

“Where... am I...”

Anne awoke from unconsciousness, greeted by a familiar ceiling.

“Head Maid, you’re awake!”

A young maid leaned over in surprise.

“How do you feel? Any discomfort?”

“Noelle?”

Seeing the maid uniform, Anne’s eyes flickered with confusion.

“Why are you here...? Wait, where’s the Young Master?”

Anne shot upright, scanning the room. “Where is he?”

“This is the Ducal Estate, of course I’m here.”

Noelle blinked, stumbling over her words.

“As for the Young Master... he brought you back, changed his clothes, then left in a rush.”

At that, Noelle’s cheeks flushed faintly as she muttered,

“What kind of indecent outfit was that... has Young Master been corrupted out there?”

“He left?!”

Anne’s eyes widened, then darkened with frustration.

“Why didn’t you stop him?!”

“He’s the Young Master. How could we stop him?”

Noelle pouted.

“Besides, he said he was going to school. We had no reason to stop him.”

“I... see...”

Anne slumped back onto the bed.

Noelle was right. If Young Master truly wanted to leave, ordinary maids couldn’t stop him.

“Well... I’ll leave you to rest then, Head Maid.”

Noelle bowed and quickly excused herself.

Something about the Head Maid felt... off. Better to bail.

...

Once Noelle left—

Anne rose alone, walking to the window.

She gazed outside.

In the manor gardens, maids were busy pruning hedges into pleasant, decorative shapes.

Yet, even so...

The vast Ducal Estate felt utterly empty now.

“You escaped... Young Master.”

“And of all places... Saint Maria Academy, that off-limits fortress? How ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) sly of you...”

Anne rested her head against the window, staring into the distance.

But... the person she longed to see was already out of sight.

“I won’t give up.”

Her fingertip scraped against the glass, digging down hard.

The screech of nails etched jagged scars into the pane.

“No matter where you run... I’ll bring you back. And then...”

“Keep you by my side, forever... never apart again.”

Anne’s eyes filled with that same old, intense obsession.

“But...”

She slowly crouched down.

In the curtain of cascading hair, her elegant, doll-like face flushed deep red— like a ripe apple.

The bashfulness, the troubled longing of a girl in love.

The darkness had receded. What remained... was clear, beautiful, pure.

“I don’t think I can hurt Young Master anymore... What should I do...”

...

...

I love you, Young Master.

...

...

【Jealousy Progress: 100%】

【Fixed Progress Reached – Fate Interference Activated】

【Partial Memory Obfuscation Completed】

【...】

【Keep struggling, Muen Campbell.】

...

...

(End of Volume)

Author’s Note:

Finally wrapped this volume up, what a relief, congratulations everyone!

Maybe some sharp and charming readers are wondering—

Why not let Muen and Anne snuggle it up at the Ducal Estate? Wouldn’t that be sweet?

Of course it would! But that’d lock Muen into Anne’s solo romance route.

And this... is a harem novel.

I know a lot of you like that kind of devoted single-love story, but come on—

We can’t let Muen slack off at the estate or settle down farming in the countryside, right?

He needs to get out there.

Only by stepping out can the plot advance... and new beautiful girls appear!

Anne’s still a main heroine. Her screen time isn’t going anywhere.

And honestly... keeping Anne’s little yandere streak makes her even cuter, don’t you think?

Next volume— just as exciting.

Thank you all.

See you next time.