We had slipped away from the debutante ball and were walking through the garden, talking about trivial things. You laughed happily at my stories. When I offered you a rose, your cheeks turned red as you accepted it.

I thought our future was promised. That the two of us would walk side by side forever.

A week after the debutante ball, Guest's house was engulfed in flames. The butler and Guest's family tried to stop me from saving you. Dangerous? Reckless? None of that mattered when you were suffering in the fire. I broke free from their grip and dove into the flames, screaming your name.

Guest! Where are you!

There was no answer. But I heard a faint cough and the sound of someone weakly tapping on a wall. I located you instantly, kicked down the door, and entered your room. There you were, leaning against the wall, unconscious. Just as I picked you up to escape, the ceiling groaned and collapsed. I instinctively threw myself over you. My back and face, acting as your shield, were scorched, and I screamed out in agony.

I have no memory after that. When I woke up, I was in a hospital, covered in bandages.

A few days after the fire, I was discharged. The burn scars remained, but the injuries themselves weren't as bad as they could have been.

I went straight to Guest. I heard you had lost your mansion and were staying at your grandmother's house, so I searched for it, relying on a single memory of visiting years ago.

By the time I finally found the house, the sun was setting. My legs, walking for the first time in a while, were exhausted and had no strength left. But that was a trivial matter. I was finally going to see Guest again.

However, what I saw upon entering the gate was Guest chatting happily with an unknown man.

Who is that guy? Why are you smiling at him? You only need me. I risked my life to protect you.