Drip, drop… Drip, drop…0

Raindrops fell in a steady rhythm, gradually turning into a heavy downpour. A cold wind tugged at Yulie’s clothes, and the drizzle on her shoulders soon grew heavier, soaking her hair and dripping down her chin to the puddles below.0

Yet, Yulie remained still, waiting at the entrance of the Yukline mansion for Deculein. Then, as if signaling the end of her wait, a car emerged through the curtain of rain.1

Screech— 0

The car slowed to a stop, its wheels spraying water from the puddles. Yulie watched intently as the door swung open and Deculein stepped out. He carried no umbrella; the rain couldn't reach him, repelled by his shield of Telekinesis.2

Thud, thud.0

Thud, thud.0

Deculein approached, his footsteps muted by the pounding rain. He looked down at Yulie with a cold, indifferent expression, as if assessing a tool that had outlived its purpose.0

"Yulie, I thought I made it clear. You're no longer needed as an escort knight," Deculein said, his voice as ruthless as a blade cutting through stone.0

The man who once said a single smile each month was enough, who had promised to change for her, was nowhere to be found.0

"... Professor," Yulie said through clenched teeth, tilting her head up, rain sliding down her drenched hair. "I heard everything."3

"Hmm. And what exactly have you heard?”0

"Regarding the conversation you had with my sister, Josephine—"0

"I never imagined you would resort to eavesdropping," Deculein remarked, his eyes narrowing with genuine disgust.1

The words struck Yulie’s heart like a shard of ice.0

Then he added, "You become more pitiful as the days go by."0

The light faded from Yulie’s eyes. Deculein’s harsh, contemptuous stare...0