"Where on earth have you been all this time?"
The study of the Valteir Ducal Estate, located on the outskirts of the capital.
Duke Valteir's refined yet razor-sharp voice filled the room.
Standing before him with an utterly unshaken expression was a man standing perfectly straight.
It was Cassium, the duke's second son.
"I've told you countless times that you were supposed to show your face at that event."
"My apologies."
Though he spoke words of remorse, his voice carried no hint of shrinking back, submission, or fear.
Dry eyes, matching that tone, met his father's gaze.
The duke clenched his fist and strode toward him.
"Were you off somewhere fooling around with a woman?"
A bitter smile appeared on Cassium's face.
He hadn't expected much.
Still, he had disappeared for days before returning.
Yet his father showed not even the slightest trace of concern.
Looking at this truly "perfect" father, Cassium felt as though he were an actor in a meticulously scripted play.
"And if I had been?"
"What?"
A faint flush crept onto the duke's face.
"So you've finally decided to disgrace this family. That's it. Right now—"
"Please calm yourself. Nothing of the sort happened."
The House of Valteir, admired by everyone.
Its two perfect sons.
The eldest, a priest beloved by the gods.
The second, a knight beloved by the sword.
And parents who supposedly cherished both sons equally and dearly.
How perfect a picture.
Yet Cassium had never once felt loved by his parents.
The only person who had ever protected him was himself.
He had never longed for anyone's warmth.
Because that had always been normal.
So he simply lived that way, believing life was meant to be like this.
But then—
"Just where have you been for all these days?"
"I went somewhere to rest for a while."
The duke's eyes wavered.
For the first time, his son had given an answer other than the usual emotionless apology.
Cassium met his father's gaze.
He had always been someone who observed the world without expectations or desires.
Someone who wanted nothing.
And yet, during the days he had spent as a rabbit, something inside him had begun to shift.
"What did you say?"
"I was exhausted. Even when you spoke to me like that, I didn't have the energy to argue. So I went away to rest for a while."
His voice remained dry, but his words were no longer empty.
As Cassium finished speaking and turned away, the duke called after him.
"A marriage match has been arranged."
Cassium stopped and looked back.
"I'll be sending a proposal. She's someone perfectly suited to you."
"Not to me. To House Valteir, you mean."
"The proposal will be sent regardless. Three days from now, a branch of Veranium flowers will be delivered to that family as planned."
"Do as you please. Then I'll leave this house—not for a few days, but forever."
The duke's face twisted violently.
"Where did you learn to speak like that?"
"I'm not sure. The only things I've ever seen growing up were the words and actions of the people in House Valteir."
Strange, isn't it?
Leaving those words behind with a respectful bow, Cassium turned away again.
And this time, he left the study without looking back.
The door closed behind him.
Entering his room, Cassium let out a deep sigh and ran a hand through his hair.
A marriage match?
His thoughts were tangled.
Whether he actually left home or not, the duke was not the sort of man to abandon his plans.
He would send the proposal to that family regardless.
Just as he always had.
Ever since the day Cassium was born, his own wishes had never mattered.
To be honest, until now he hadn't cared.
Whoever he married made no difference.
Human emotions.
Love.
None of it meant anything.
Anyone would do.
A memory surfaced.
His mother's voice from long ago.
"Cassium, you must never love anyone."
"Why?"
"Because no matter whom you love, you'll never be loved in return. You'll only hurt them. So don't love anyone. Don't cherish anyone. Love only yourself."
He had been very young.
His mother probably had no idea he still remembered those words.
Yet they had lingered with him far longer than she could have imagined.
Even now, they remained crystal clear.
But...
"Cassium?"
At that moment, emerald-green eyes and crimson hair flashed through his mind.
Lize's face as she looked at him when he woke in the cave.
"You'll forget anyway."
And the image of Lize standing just one step away from him on the night of the knights' victory celebration.
"Thank you, Gold Rabbit. Thank you for staying by my side."
The warmth of her embrace.
Why was he thinking of Lize now?
"......"
Then suddenly—
POOF!
His vision spun.
"Young Master?"
His attendant, Ronan, knocked on the door.
Receiving no answer, he knocked repeatedly before finally opening it.
The room was empty.
"Rabbit! Gold Rabbit!"
"Big Sister, you're injured. Please rest."
"Bryce, if I rest, can you promise you'll find the rabbit for me?"
"..."
"Hm? Bryce?"
Bryce stared off into the distance and whistled innocently.
"Sniff... Rabbit! Gold Rabbit! Rabbit!"
They had searched the forest relentlessly, but the Gold Rabbit was nowhere to be found.
Not where Luxka had been.
Not in the cave where they had taken shelter from the storm.
Where had he gone?
Had his rabbit instincts kicked in and sent him hiding deeper into the woods?
The thought made her heart ache.
She hadn't even gotten to say goodbye.
Gold Rabbit, where are you?
At first, she had brought the injured rabbit home because it was important to Bryce and would someday help cure her illness.
But that's not the only reason anymore.
The rabbit.
The Gold Rabbit.
He had become important to her too.
The few days they had spent together had brought her comfort and meaning in a way she couldn't explain.
As though they had known each other forever.
The Gold Rabbit had slipped naturally into her life, carrying a warmth that felt familiar.
She didn't want to lose someone precious like this.
Not helplessly.
I have to find him.
The search resumed.
"Miss! Miss Lize!"
One of the household maids, Diane, came running toward her.
The hem of her dress was splattered with mud from rushing down the rain-soaked path.
"Count Roshan is looking for you. Please return to the manor."
"Uncle? Sorry, but not now."
She felt bad for making Diane run all this way, but finding the Gold Rabbit mattered more than anything else.
Nothing her uncle had to say could take priority.
After fighting Luxka, her mind had been too hazy to think clearly.
But now she realized the rabbit might have been injured too.
His old wounds hadn't even fully healed yet.
If he had gotten hurt again...
It could be dangerous.
"But..."
"I absolutely have to find something right now. Tell Uncle I'll see him tomorrow."
"Ah, then, um..."
Lize gestured impatiently, silently telling Diane to hurry and deliver the message.
Diane stiffened under that look and nodded rapidly.
"Then... what should I tell him about the rabbit?"
"...What?"
"The Count asked about the rabbit that's currently in the annex..."
"Whaaat?!"
The rabbit?
Their rabbit had come home?
Ignoring the pain from her wounds reopening, Lize bolted toward the manor.
"Big Sister?! Where are you going?!"
"Bryce! Be careful not to slip while you're coming!"
Of course.
The rabbit had excellent homing instincts—just like her!
Just wait a little longer!
I'm coming!
The closer she got to the manor, the faster she ran.
The thought of her uncle having captured the Gold Rabbit made her even more anxious.
Don't tell me Uncle has already done something to him...
She wanted to think positively.
But the word "surely" didn't apply to her uncle.
What if Uncle already turned him into rabbit stew...?
It felt as though all the blood drained from her body.
No.
Don't think like that.
"Miss Lize. You've arrived. The Count is in—"
"I know."
She brushed past her uncle's servant and entered the annex.
Thud. Thud.
Her hurried footsteps echoed through the corridor, announcing her arrival.
Her eyes desperately searched for the Gold Rabbit.
Then—
"Pak!"
An all-too-familiar sound reached her ears.
It was coming from the annex reception room.
"You insignificant little creature!"
"Father, wait just a moment. I'll fetch my sword. A vicious rabbit like this should be skewered to death—"
Startled, Lize sprinted toward the room.
Without realizing it, her hand had already gone to the sword at her waist.
Her mind was filled with only one thought:
Save the Gold Rabbit.
Gripping the hilt tightly, she practically slid into the reception room.
At that exact moment—
"Lize!"
Her uncle's booming voice thundered through the room.
Oddly enough, he sounded delighted to see her.
"Do something about this rabbit!"
