"Master, do you truly think that way?"

  Tia was momentarily stunned. She had never expected Kenley to say such a thing.

  If Kenley had misunderstood Leonbali's words today and thought that he lacked money for arranging a wedding, then his earlier behavior would make sense. The blush on his face, his nervousness, and his stammering—it was all too genuine to be an act.

  In the world of Aude Continent, where slave traders ran rampant, becoming a slave meant losing one's freedom, reduced to nothing more than a commodity to be bought and sold. Yet, Kenley had never treated her as a mere slave. Instead, he provided her with food and clothing, even giving up his own bed so she could sleep comfortably.

  To her, Kenley was not just an ordinary master. Though he seemed shrewd on the surface, she saw him as a knight with a pure heart. To outsiders, it might appear that he took her in as a servant to satisfy his own desires, but Tia knew the truth—he treated her like family. Not only did he protect and cherish her, but he would rather let her drink his own blood than see her starve.

  How many masters in the real world would act like Kenley? A master who did not scold, abuse, or control their servant? Perhaps there were some, but they were rare.

  To Tia, meeting Kenley was the greatest fortune of her life, a mercy granted by the Mother Goddess herself.

  Kenley gently ran his fingers through Tia's hair and said apologetically,"Tia, I'm sorry for giving you such an unpleasant experience today."

  Tia lifted her face and shook her head."No, Master, you don't need to apologize."

  Kenley said nothing, waiting to hear what she would say next.

  "It's alright, Master. No matter what you do to me, I will never complain. It was you who gave me a second chance at life. You saved me when I was at my lowest, and you let me feel the warmth of the sun again. I just want you to know that no matter what you decide for me, I will accept it without regret… even if it means becoming another man's wife."

  As she spoke, Tia slowly raised her head and gazed directly into Kenley's eyes.

  Kenley met her gaze in silence.

  Time passed, second by second. Though her vampire heart no longer beat, she was filled with overwhelming tension. She had no idea how Kenley would respond.

  Would he cast her aside? Would he come to hate her? Would he truly abandon her?

  But this was who she was—this was Tia's heartfelt truth, the result of careful contemplation.

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  No matter what fate awaited her, even if it meant her death, she would not hesitate.

  And then—

  Kenley suddenly laughed.

  His unexpected laughter left Tia completely frozen.

  "Master… what do you mean?"

  "Tia, aren't you overthinking things?" Kenley chuckled, both amused and exasperated. Why did this girl always manage to turn things into such an emotional ordeal?

  "Master, these are my true feelings! I thought long and hard before speaking!" Tia protested, confused by his reaction."Please, don't make fun of me."

  Instead of answering, Kenley pulled her into a firm embrace, wrapping his arms tightly around her waist.

  Caught off guard, Tia's face instantly flushed red.

  "Tia, have you forgotten what I said tonight?" Kenley's voice was low, teasing.

  "I said I wanted to prepare a grand wedding for you. So tell me, Tia—how could I ever bear to give you to someone else?"

  His gentle words struck her like a bolt of lightning.

  Tia felt as though something deep within her had suddenly been fulfilled.

  So he never intended to give her away. That was all she needed to know. She wanted nothing more.

  "But… but…"

  Tia was overjoyed, yet she was also afraid—afraid that she had misheard him, that it was just an illusion.

  She wanted to confirm it again.

  Kenley fell silent, reflecting on his actions today. He had indeed made a terrible mistake. Perhaps it was because he had spent the last four years immersed in high-intensity gaming. This was only his third day in this world, and he had yet to fully adjust his perspective.

  He couldn't afford to make such a mistake again.

  Kenley gently patted Tia's back before saying,"Tia, there are no‘buts.' Do you remember the vow we made before the Mother Goddess? You long for me, just as I long for you."

  The moment he spoke those words, Tia felt as though she had been struck by lightning.

  Her eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at Kenley. Her expression was a mix of joy and astonishment, like a lost traveler in the desert who had suddenly discovered an oasis.

  Her chest rose and fell rapidly, her heart filled completely by Kenley's presence. At that moment, all she wanted—all she needed—was to be with him.

  Yes! No matter what he thought, she had already made up her mind!

  "Master! I love you! I love you so much!"

  And with that, she threw herself at him, pressing her lips fiercely against his.

  "Mm—!"

  Kenley was caught completely off guard.

  His only intention had been to comfort her, to ease the tension from today's misunderstanding. He had never expected such an intense reaction from her.

  Was this what they called love born from deep emotions?

  For the first time in his life, Kenley found himself on the receiving end of such a passionate advance.

  He instinctively tightened his arms around her, but something felt off—was Tia only wearing her undergarments?

  Wouldn't that… make this situation dangerously heated?

  But before he could think further, Tia clung to him like a serpent, entwining herself so tightly that he couldn't break free.

  Left with no choice, Kenley surrendered to her kiss, gradually responding in kind.

  It had been a long time since he had shared such an intimate moment with a woman. Was this his first kiss in this new world?

  To be honest, he hadn't expected it to happen with Tia.

  Since he had experience, he gently guided her, deepening the kiss with soft, deliberate motions.

  "Mmm…!"

  Tia's kissing was clumsy—she merely pressed her lips against his, not realizing that such a kiss lacked finesse.

  "Tia…"

  Sensing Kenley's growing heat, Tia instinctively responded even more passionately.

  But then—

  "Hiss—!"

  Kenley suddenly gasped in pain and immediately pulled away.

  "W-What's wrong?!"

  Tia was completely lost in the moment. Kenley's abrupt retreat left her flustered and confused.