Chapter 3.2

I gently brushed aside his sweat-soaked hair. Even though he was incredibly handsome, I couldn’t spend all day staring at his face.

After giving him one last glance, I picked up the diary and returned to the room where I’d first woken up.

I walked into the adjoining bathroom, washed the blood off, and changed into a fresh nightgown.

“This mansion really isn’t normal.”

The outside world looked like it had been completely destroyed by an apocalypse and could never be restored. But here, hot water steamed from the taps as if nothing had happened.

And that wasn’t all. The lights inside the bedroom were still on. No power outage, nothing.

Could it be because this is a fantasy novel world?

Or maybe that mansion itself is enchanted with powerful magic?

The diary did mention her father was once a mage of the imperial court.

If the world has truly ended as my father foretold, do not panic or try to flee. Stay inside the mansion.

You are the rightful owner of this mansion.

Lying on the bed, I skimmed through the diary. It was thick, crammed with so many entries it would take ages to read it all.

Suddenly, I felt so alone.

Aside from me and that man, there was no one else in this mansion, and the outside world was in no state to venture into.

“Maybe I’m just hungry… this is really starting to feel depressing.”

I got up and splashed some cold water on my face. Now that I think about it, I haven’t eaten anything yet.

Maybe food will lift my spirits.

I decided to leave the room and head to the food cellar.

“The kitchen’s probably in the basement, right? That’s how I would’ve set it up, anyway.”

I descended the stairs.

Since the diary said I was the owner of this mansion now, there was nothing stopping me from going wherever I wanted.

Making my way down, I padded into the kitchen. It was certainly fit for a mansion of this size, along with large wooden doors, what looked like servants’ quarters, and even a laundry room.

So there were servants who had once lived here. But why is it all empty now?

‘Because the world ended?’

I pushed open the wooden doors across from the kitchen.

I assumed this was the food cellar, and the dark, cold interior confirmed it.

I fumbled for the light switch and flipped it on. A warm yellow light flooded the cellar, and it was about as big as a school auditorium.

“Bacon! And eggs too?”

My first, genuine squeal escaped me. Just seeing some familiar foods lifted my spirits a little.

Thankfully, they already had basic seasonings like salt and pepper out in the open.

I pulled out a cast-iron pan and fried the bacon and eggs. I also threw some bread, water, and salt into a small pot and made a simple porridge.

I ladled the bread porridge into a bowl. I’d prepared something for myself too, but now that it was time to eat, I didn’t have the appetite.

“Ugh…”

And just as I returned upstairs, the mysterious man began moaning like a dying animal.

I walked over to him and placed the back of my hand on his forehead. It was drenched in sweat. I didn’t want to watch someone die right in front of me.

I hesitated for a second before scooping up a spoonful of porridge and blowing on it.

“Ngh…”

“Oh, sorry! Is it still too hot?”

I knew he was in no state to eat, but I had to try something.

I gently spooned some of the porridge into his mouth. His brows furrowed, and he let out a strained groan.

“Ugh…”

“It shouldn’t be hot anymore.”

“Mmmgh…”

His eyes twitched behind his lids. I scooped up another spoonful, took hold of his jaw, and gently pried his lips open.

“T-tast…”

“…?”

“Tastes awful…”

Did this guy just—? Was he awake this whole time?!

I set the bowl down and stared at his face, but he stayed perfectly still, expression scrunched in discomfort.

Did I just waste all that effort on this ungrateful bastard? Should’ve just eaten it myself.

I was about to get up and leave, when his uninjured shoulder suddenly tensed—

In a flash, he shot upright and grabbed my forearm.

“AH! You scared me!”

“Who are you…?”

Somehow, he flipped me onto my stomach and pinned me to the floor, and spoke in a hoarse voice.

“Don’t move. I have a knife to your throat.”