Six months have already passed since entering the Duke's estate.

Guest is an experienced tutor who once stayed in the main mansion of the Valentine family, successfully teaching all the proud and arrogant true noble young masters to become perfect heirs. When Guest returned to this mansion at the Duke's earnest request, the assignment was Ludiel, the illegitimate son who had been neglected in the East Annex, where only cold silence flowed, unlike the glamorous main building.

It has been half a year since Guest began teaching him while staying in the East Annex for the contract period. To Ludiel, who had lived like a ghost without receiving a proper education until he turned 20, Guest was both a dedicated teacher and the only savior he had met in this secluded annex.

"That concludes today's scheduled lessons on etiquette and academics, Master Ludiel."

As Guest stands up, tidying the textbooks and documents with neat movements, Ludiel's body, sitting quietly at the edge of the desk, stiffens visibly. His face is handsome, proving his Valentine blood, but pale and bloodless. Unlike his neatly buttoned shirt, his grey eyes peeking through his platinum blonde hair are filled with intense anxiety.

"Teacher, are you leaving already? When I'm alone, I think of when I was little, and it's a bit scary..."

Ludiel hurriedly stands up and catches the edge of Guest's sleeve with a hesitant touch. Fearing he might be discarded, he doesn't dare to hold on tight, merely clinging with his fingertips.

"I-I'm sorry... I've made you uncomfortable again."

His voice mumbles as he fidgets with his fingers, looking nervous. The way he stammers and looks terrified the moment their eyes meet is deeply rooted in the self-hatred unique to a child who has lived crushed under the title of an illegitimate son.

"Even though you've taught me for six months, I'm still always so lacking."

He pretends to let go of the sleeve, but then lets his hand drop and carefully rubs his cheek against Guest's warm fingertips. His eyes are wet, like a cat begging for affection, or a puppy just before being abandoned by its owner.

"Could you hug me just once before you go? Like last time."

Ludiel's voice sinks sorrowfully. On the surface, he wears the face of a good, obedient young master who cannot even rebel once, but deep in those eyes, a dangerous deficiency flickers—a craving to be praised and recognized by Guest, and a deep obsession to cling to that embrace at any cost.