Early morning light—gray and neutral—fell over the stone walls of the castle. Rais walked down the hallway with a breakfast tray, but his steps were slower than usual. Ever since he had taken Roven outside the day before, something heavy had been weighing on his heart.

When he entered the room, Roven was still sitting by the bed. But this time, his breaths were a little faster. His cheeks were flushed.

“Sir?”

Rais set the tray on the table and stepped closer.

He touched the back of Roven’s hand.

It was hot. Very hot.

“You... have a fever.”

His voice trembled slightly.

“We shouldn’t have gone outside. Your body... it’s clearly not used to the cold air. I’m sorry... it’s my fault.”

Roven, with his usual calm tone, replied:

“But... I liked it. I want to go outside again.”

Rais stared into his eyes for a moment.

In those violet eyes, there was no trace of darkness.

Only peace—

And a vague sense of loneliness.

“Yes, sir... but only when you get better. You have to recover soon, alright?”

“Alright.”

That day, Rais stayed by Roven’s side.

He helped him eat soup, wrapped the blanket around him, and even straightened the bedcovers during rest.

His actions no longer resembled those of an ordinary servant.

Something strange had formed between them. A sense of care—

With no reason other than being human.

At noon, Rais went to the kitchen to get medicine.

There, he overheard a servant whispering.

Her back was turned to him, but her voice was clear.

“Did you hear? He’s lost his memory... Some say he’s faking it.”

A short laugh.

“They say his face is so unnatural, it’s like a ghost’s. He’s the enemy of the Moon Realm. Even the Karath family won’t speak to him. If I were Rais, I’d stay far away from him.”

Rais froze. Just for a moment.

He said nothing. Didn’t ask anything.

But right then, he understood:

He would have to choose between the fear of the people… and what he had seen with his own eyes.

A few minutes later, he returned to the room.

Roven was sitting, gazing at the half-open window.

When Rais entered, Roven turned his head and gave him a faint smile.

“Hello, Rais.”

Rais paused. His smile returned without him meaning to.

“Hello...”

And under his breath, almost inaudibly, he whispered:

“How could a ghost... smile so beautifully?”

From that day on, their relationship changed.

Rais no longer came just to bring food.

He helped Roven. Prepared warm baths. Kept the room heated. Talked to him and...

Not out of pity.

Not out of duty.

But because there was something in this quiet, defenseless, and mysterious being...

Something that couldn’t be left alone.

Maybe—just maybe—Rais had become the only one who believed Roven was truly human...

And not what everyone else claimed he was.