Became a stagnant person in a squalid prison cell
Chapter 39 —
“Captain, you don’t just avoid strangers… you avoid *showing* your face.”
Back when I was the boss and told people not to come greet me because I didn’t like strangers, Deril said that to me.
He also said, *“You like pretty things more than you think.”*
Back then, I denied it. But now… maybe he was right.
While I was thinking that, I saw an unexpected side of Helios.
He had come closer to me without me noticing.
Even the little distance that was between us—he closed it. He leaned in slightly.
He looked at me like someone examining a statue in a museum.
“…Am I dreaming?”
If he had gone to shower and came back to find his teacher replaced by a strange woman… anyone would think it’s a dream.
And honestly, I *wanted* him to think that.
I smiled softly. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision.
*“Is this your type?”*
I mouthed the words, without speaking out loud.
“…!”
Helios’s eyes widened a little.
Then, just like usual, he frowned as if annoyed.
“It’s not my type.”
His voice had that usual rebellious tone. It pricked my ears.
Helios didn’t just look good—his voice was attractive too. He had everything people liked.
And now, this perfect male lead muttered something.
“My type… is my teacher.”
…What?
I tilted my head.
Even someone like me, who doesn’t know much about social rules, knew—that’s *not* something normal to say.
But logic told me: just finish what you came to do.
I reached out with my right hand and gently touched his cheek. Since I was floating in the air, I could do it easily.
His eyes lost focus from surprise.
I caught him before he fell, and laid him down gently on the bed, like always.
“Everything you saw was a dream. A dream you won’t remember.”
It was a light suggestion.
I didn’t like using mental-type Kia (energy), but this small hint was better than messing with his memory.
Then I picked up the bracelet that had fallen to the floor and put it back on my wrist.
Soon after, the mayfly-like Kia I had sent earlier returned.
“You did well, Siri.”
It melted in my hand and played back the Warden’s message clearly, like a recording.
*“That annoying vulture filled this with nagging… ugh.”*
After listening to that cranky voice, I flopped down next to Helios.
Today will be the first and last time he sees my true form.
“Goodnight.”
I looked at his handsome face for a long time, then finally closed my eyes.
No matter how long I stared at him, I didn’t get bored.
If I kept staring like this, I might be able to draw him from memory even with my eyes closed.
His personality is so unpredictable too… watching him always felt fresh.
—
**The next morning…**
Mint woke up to a scream.
Even though she looked like she was in deep sleep, she was always ready to wake up at the slightest noise or presence.
She turned—and saw Helios sitting up, sweating heavily.
What’s up with him?
“Did you have a nightmare or something?”
His face was pale… no, not pale—he turned bright red as soon as he looked at her.
Mint thought of a tomato.
*“Does he have a fever?”*
If he was sick, they wouldn’t be able to move on to the 30th floor.
True to her “Tower over life” attitude, Mint immediately thought about climbing instead of his health.
“Are you sick?”
“No, not at all…”
“Then why’s your face like that?”
At her casual question, Helios touched his face. He could feel the heat too.
Finally, he spoke up.
“Didn’t you say your teacher has a sister?”
A strange question.
Mint nodded, confused.
“She had brown hair, right?”
She nodded again.
“Yeah.”
“Okay…”
“…Why are you asking?”
“….”
He stayed silent. Mint figured she wouldn’t get an answer.
She was about to move on when Helios gently grabbed her shoulder.
Slowly, he said,
“…I don’t remember much, but in the dream… I think I said something weird.”
“Oh yeah? Guess it was just nonsense. Forget it.”
“I wish I could…”
Helios looked down.
He couldn’t remember most of the dream, but *one line* stayed with him clearly.
He was sure it was something he had said.
> “My type is my teacher.”
Helios stared at Mint, looking somewhere between guilty and relieved. His expression was complicated.
“Ugh, man…”
He let out a sigh and finally admitted:
“…It was a scary dream because it was true.”
And just like that, he looked more at peace.
At the same time, his pale cheeks got even redder.
“They say dreams mean the opposite.”
That’s what he *said*, but Helios tightly shut his eyes.
It was hard to believe—but he had to admit it now.
His sexual preference.
Helios had once dreamed of escaping the prison, getting revenge on his father, and returning to the family as a noble.
Now that dream had a new ending.
> “I guess the family line ends with me…”
And Mint, the one who unknowingly changed this “normal guy’s” orientation, just tilted her head.
“Get up. Time to train.”
“…Damn it. What’s wrong with my preferences?!”
“Don’t go crazy yet.”
“Damn it!”
