**Episode 5**
Edvin was known in the underworld by the brutal title “Hyena of Barhad”…
“That’s right, isn’t it? Surely, our noble lord wasn’t just a moment ago playing that childish couple’s game of ‘feeding each other,’ was he?”
…an assassin.
“To properly support my lord, both body and mind must be in perfect condition. I’ll need to leave early today to care for my weary soul.”
Assassin or not, this man had been acting overly flippant for a while now.
‘He doesn’t look like someone deserving of such an intimidating title.’
Is he really the Edvin Blurst she knew?
Just as Sharie looked at him with suspicion, Caissa stopped Edvin as he tried to leave.
“No. It’s too early for you to get off work.”
He even clicked his tongue as if truly planning to walk straight out.
“Stop messing around. What is it?”
Caissa furrowed his brows, no longer willing to tolerate Edvin’s behavior.
Sensing the rising tension, Edvin bowed at a perfect right angle.
“I apologize for disturbing your precious time. There’s an urgent document regarding the budget that needs your approval today, and since you weren’t in the office, I had to find you in person.”
Indeed, Edvin was holding a thick folder in one hand. Confirming the reason, Caissa nodded.
“Wait there for a moment.”
Then, he did something no one expected.
“Go ahead.”
Gasp. Everyone in the hall let out a collective breath.
Sharie barely swallowed the water she nearly spit out and hurriedly responded.
“M-me? I’m fine, really!”
“No. You fed me, didn’t you? I must return the favor.”
The dining hall was large enough to accommodate the entire knight order.
And there were over a dozen servants present.
From Edvin’s direction, she could feel a piercing gaze.
“I really need to leave as soon as possible…”
Edvin muttered under his breath.
She was used to being scorned or overlooked, but this was a different kind of humiliation.
In the midst of this, Caissa calmly brought food to her lips.
She always thought he was just handsome—she didn’t expect him to be this shameless.
“Come on. Ahh—”
“Ahh—”
Let’s just get this over with, to escape this situation.
Her face bright red, Sharie tightly shut her eyes and opened her mouth.
And to her surprise, the meat was delicious.
The crispy exterior and juicy, tender interior almost melted in her mouth.
“It’s really good! I’ve never had food this delicious before.”
“I’m glad it suits your taste.”
She wasn’t exaggerating—it was genuinely good.
Being of the rabbit tribe, large families were the norm, often numbering over a hundred.
Naturally, not everyone received equal portions.
As someone pushed to the fringes, Sharie was used to eating stale bread or meatless stew.
This was a whole new world.
“Now, let me explain the rest of the utensils and their names.”
Snapped out of her daze by the meat’s flavor, Sharie came back to reality.
Caissa held up each piece of cutlery and explained their use.
Everything except the carving knife was fairly simple—though the size was an issue.
She was just comparing the knife to her forearm when Kaisa handed her a neatly wrapped set.
It was the perfect size for her hands—clearly prepared in advance.
“I had them made while preparing for the wedding.”
She appreciated the thought, but wondered why he waited so long to give them.
As if reading her mind, Caissa shrugged.
“It wouldn’t be fun if it were too easy.”
Finding amusement in someone else’s discomfort—how fitting for a male lead in a dark captivity romance.
“Thank you.”
She was truly thankful… though her gaze may have betrayed a bit of resentment.
Caissa let out a soft puff of air.
He quickly covered his mouth, but she had already seen the slight smile at the corner of his lips.
“All finished?”
It was Edvin, who barged in with bloodshot eyes.
Even Sharie, sulking moments ago, was startled by the desperation in his expression.
“Please understand how I feel, being stuck here unable to leave work while watching you two act all lovey-dovey.”
“You just got here, didn’t you?”
Caissa was the young leader of his tribe—none in Barhad dared defy him.
As his second-in-command, Edvin must also be a high-ranking official.
Surely he wasn’t in a position to complain about working hours.
“You don’t get it. As soon as you clock in, you start wanting to clock out.”
Despite the lofty title, Edvin seemed more like a lazy office worker.
“So, my lord. If you’re satisfied, shall we head to the office…”
“Not yet.”
Caissa casually looked at Sharie.
“You haven’t finished eating yet. The next course should be coming out soon. Sharie, remember to use the utensils from the outside in.”
As more dishes arrived—steamed fish, skewered game birds—Caissa meticulously removed every bone before placing the clean cuts on her plate.
“My lord…!”
Edvin, pacing in the background, had veins popping at his temples.
His eyes were so red, Sharie almost worried he might get sick.
“Sorry to leave you alone. See you tonight, Sharie.”
Meanwhile, Caissa remained calm until the end—a stark contrast to his agitated subordinate.
“Would you like the dish reheated, madam?”
“No, this is fine.”
After seeing him off, Sharie sat back down and resumed her meal.
The large, echoing hall was silent except for the clinking of silverware.
Despite being unfamiliar with the space, she didn’t feel uncomfortable—perhaps because Caissa had been so attentive.
Maybe that’s why…
She ate more than usual, until her stomach felt like it would burst.
* * *
Tap, tap.
Marble columns lined the corridor in perfect intervals.
Two tall figures walked swiftly down the hall.
“If you have something to say, say it.”
The man in front stopped abruptly.
‘Finally?’
Having been ignored all this time, Edvin snorted at last.
“Oh, I have plenty to say.”
Why he had to deliver something personally instead of sending a servant, or how he nearly screamed earlier out of shock…
There were many things he wanted to bring up, but one question mattered most.
“What’s with this sudden change of heart?”
Edvin stared at the man’s broad back.
He was unreadable, like a stone wall.
Moments ago, Caissa had been patiently teaching a rabbit tribe girl how to use silverware, even smiling.
‘Smiling?’
Even Edvin could hardly believe the thought.
This war-crazed man whose only joy had been oiling weapons?
He had worked with Caissa long enough to think he understood him, but now he wasn’t so sure.
“Whatever you do, I’ll follow you, my lord…”
After a deep breath, Edvin spoke as a loyal subordinate.
“But don’t let your guard down too soon. Who knows what the rabbit tribe is plotting by accepting the peace treaty?”
He’d met their elder before—a cunning and ambitious old man with suspicious eyes.
Edvin’s green eyes gleamed coldly.
The war wasn’t truly over.
This treaty was a temporary truce at best—it wouldn’t last long.
“She could be a spy sent to leak information… or even an assassin targeting your life.”
Though, judging by her trembling arms and the way she could barely lift a knife, it was doubtful she could even scratch Caissa.
“That’s not possible.”
Caissa finally broke his silence.
“Sharie becoming my bride… wasn’t a coincidence.”
