Episode 22
The “Blue Lake” mentioned in the letter referred to a large lake near the Catherine estate.
Also known as the “Blue Mirror,” the lake was a popular dating spot for many couples.
As with many well-known places, absurd superstitions surrounded it.
One of them claimed that couples who kissed while watching the sunset at this lake would find each other again in their next life.
When I mentioned I was going to the lake, even Sophie insisted on tagging along with a meaningful smile and pushed me out the door.
[Did you brush your teeth?]
[Sophie!]
She must’ve completely misunderstood this as a cozy date.
Thanks to her assumption, I was able to come to the lake alone—just as the letter had instructed.
“It’s cold.”
I blew into the air, and my breath puffed out in soft clouds.
‘I should’ve brought a shawl.’
As I stood absentmindedly watching the ripples of water, I heard rustling behind me.
Assuming it could only be Lastin coming to meet me in this secluded place, I didn’t even turn around and calmly began to speak.
“A same-day appointment like this—if I hadn’t been free today, it would’ve been a mess… Please let me know at least a day or two in advance next time.”
But instead of a reply, only the sound of approaching footsteps answered me.
Thinking he was ignoring me, I spoke again, this time a little irritated.
“I was really flustered when you suddenly called me out today…”
When I finally turned around—
I nearly stopped breathing.
Because there stood—
“Master.”
Noah, covered in blood, barely standing while leaning against a tree.
With every word that escaped his lips, dark red blood dripped down his chin.
The metallic stench of blood assaulted my nose.
Flinch.
I instinctively backed away, hand over my mouth.
His appearance was too horrifying to bear.
His skin was torn and shredded to the point that he no longer looked human.
The once white and smooth skin on his arms was now marred by inflamed sores, and his wrists and ankles were bruised dark from what looked like shackles.
Even the relatively “intact” areas were littered with tiny syringe marks.
“Noah…?”
My voice trembled as I called his name.
He had already approached me and now stood right in front of me.
I gently reached out to touch his skin—beneath it, I felt only fragile bone.
When I called him, he lifted his head and smiled brightly, like he was overwhelmed with joy.
“Master, it’s been a while.”
That smile—it was a warning. A final red flag.
The bitter scent of blood crept up from his parched throat.
He approached and gently brushed my lips with trembling fingers.
“I ended up like this, but you’re still flawless—not a single scratch.”
“…”
“I’m not saying it to blame you.”
As I gulped, he leaned in and whispered softly.
“I just…”
“…”
“…wanted to be praised.”
He bit his upper lip with a strange smile.
“Master.”
His large hand gently cupped my cheek.
“I’ve returned from the hell you sent me to.”
His pitch-black eyes locked perfectly with mine.
“To make you completely mine.”
It felt like I was being swallowed into a thick, suffocating cloud.
“…I did well, didn’t I?”
A chill ran down my spine. I couldn’t stop shaking.
On the back of his hand was a brand—one I had never seen before.
To be exact—
A slave brand.
My eyes shook uncontrollably as I stared at it.
I had never marked him like that.
Why was that on his body?
He had said he was going to Yukarsia, not—
“I told you I loved you.”
“…”
“Why did you do it?”
He gripped my shoulders tightly.
The pain made me cry out involuntarily.
“No-Noah…”
“You’re all I have.”
“…”
“Why.”
“…”
“Did you have to do that?”
His lips were now just inches from mine.
“You should’ve just killed me then and there.”
Suddenly, he grabbed my hand and pulled it to his neck.
I tried to resist, to pull away, but there was no way my strength could overpower his.
“So that I wouldn’t even dream of false hope.”
He growled lowly.
His lips were about to touch mine.
I jerked my head to the side.
His hot breath clung to the back of my neck.
“Wh-What are you talking about?”
“Go ahead. Kill me now.”
“…”
“I’ll be merciful and give you one last chance.”
The world spun around me.
He’s not listening at all.
He was like a ticking time bomb.
If I said anything wrong—
He really might kill me.
And the target—was clearly me.
“Kill me.”
He gripped my hand tighter.
“No. I could never—”
I instinctively refused.
“Now.”
He seemed like he would disappear forever if I didn’t comply.
Overwhelmed by dread, a whimper escaped my lips.
“Stop.”
“…”
It was a desperate plea, my last shred of dignity thrown aside.
“Please!”
He stared down at me with lifeless eyes.
“Master.”
His face had gone so pale—he looked like a corpse.
“Why did you send me to the slave market?”
“…Slave market?”
My heart dropped like a stone.
“I didn’t send you.”
“…”
“I didn’t. I never sent you.”
A hoarse cry tore through my lips.
“I… I just…”
“…”
“I just wanted you to be happy…”
He finally stilled at my anguished cry, looking slightly startled.
Seizing the chance, I pulled my hand away from his neck and gasped for air.
“So I…”
I stared down at my pale, trembling hands.
Slowly, I stroked my fingers.
They ached. Every joint throbbed.
I had almost killed someone just now.
Suddenly, a name flashed through my mind.
“Lastin.”
As I said it aloud, a wave of heat surged up from within.
Unable to suppress it, I let out a broken sob.
Hot tears streamed down my cheeks.
“It’s all…”
My voice trembled.
“It’s all because of him.”
“…”
“I didn’t do anything…”
My legs gave out, and I collapsed onto the cold ground.
“…wrong.”
It felt like my entire body had turned into a soggy, heavy sponge.
“Please believe me. Noah, I…”
He stared at me for a long moment—then finally changed his tone.
A soft, almost sweet voice.
“Master.”
He knelt in front of my crumpled body.
Then with his thumb, gently wiped my tear-streaked cheeks.
“It was just a cruel little prank.”
It felt like someone had poured ice water over my head.
“…A prank?”
All of this?
“Should I stop now?”
They say people become dumb when pushed too far.
Even though I knew his words made no sense, I found myself nodding blankly—dazed by his angelic voice and soft smile.
“Get up. The ground is cold.”
Following his lead, I stood shakily. I couldn’t keep my balance and clung to his forearm.
His hands gripping my shoulders trembled uncontrollably.
“Master.”
“…”
“What is love?”
His empty gaze met mine—and froze.
“I was always afraid of losing you.”
“…”
“You always said, ‘I’ll be by your side.’”
He smiled faintly at the memory.
“But now, even when you’re beside me, I’m not happy. I feel suffocated. Anxious.”
“…”
“So I started thinking—how could I make you completely mine?”
He brushed a finger near my lips—then suddenly froze.
“If this is love…”
“…”
“Then I don’t want it.”
His strange words left me confused, but what he said next made my whole body stiffen.
“So I came up with an idea.”
His large hand slowly cupped my cheek.
“If I can’t have you…”
His warm, gentle touch made me smile faintly.
He smiled back just as sweetly.
His hand trailed from my cheek, slowly moving down toward my waist.
“Then no one else should either.”
It happened in an instant.
For the second time—
“Ah.”
My body felt like it was floating.
“…Goodbye, my love.”
As my vision blurred, I heard his faint voice.
‘That’s why I gave you a chance.’
SPLASH!
The next thing I knew, cold water engulfed me completely.
