"It's alright, Violet," I kept my voice as gentle as possible. "Don't be afraid. I'm right here. Your father is leading the caravan ahead. No one will hurt you."

"Dad..."

The girl's trembling voice carried suppressed sobs.

She nestled against my chest, whimpering in pain. Tears blurred her eyes, washing away their usual clarity. Only endless despair and... sorrow remained.

Violet eventually fell asleep. I wiped the tears from her sleeping face, my heart heavy with confusion.

*What exactly happened between this father and daughter?*

Time flew. The caravan reached its destination—a wealthy estate.

After Violet woke, she immediately sent servants to find the city's physicians. Eunice carried Rosalynd to a room in the mansion, then pulled me into the adjacent chamber.

She stood by the door, closed it, and turned to study me with calm eyes.

"W-What is it, Eunice?"

*Why close the door...?*

"I asked the servants here. I learned something."

"What?"

*Is it about Violet and her father?*

But Eunice’s expression seemed... off.

"Krein... this room has a door. And beyond it lies..."

"A secret passage?" I recalled the hidden door in the swamp cabin.

Eunice shook her head slightly.

"It leads to... the bathing chamber. So..."

A flicker of emotion stirred in her usually flat tone.

"Undress... Krein..."

I jerked back, disbelief sharp in my voice. "W-What did you say?!"

"Undress... If you won’t do it yourself, I’ll help you." She stepped forward quickly. I stumbled backward.

"W-Wait, Eunice! Don’t do anything rash!"

"Then what should I do?"

"I... I can manage alone..."

"How can I trust you with *this*? It’s *my* body!" Her gaze turned icy. "If you refuse, I’ll have to force you."

"H-Hold on—"

My teeth clenched. My legs trembled uncontrollably.

"F-Fine... I agree..."

I felt as helpless as a maiden about to be defiled.

"Good," Eunice murmured. "Then begin. Take off your clothes first..."

I nodded stiffly, fingers fumbling toward the buttons of my dress.

"Wait—" Eunice stopped me.

"W-What now?"

"T-Turn your back to me while you undress..." She watched me intently.

"...Okay." I turned, my face burning.

*How do I even take this dress off...?* I’d have to figure it out slowly...

The moment my fingers brushed the fabric, a sharp pain exploded at the base of my skull. The world blurred. My body went limp, collapsing to the floor.

*What... happened...?*

Darkness swallowed my consciousness.

...

Rustling sounds drifted in...

Only darkness filled my vision...

More rustling...

Hands moved over my clothes...

Still rustling...

*Undressing me?*

No... that didn’t feel right...

My awareness sharpened...

A cloth blindfold covered my eyes.

My hair felt damp.

The fabric against my skin was different—lighter.

Those hands were *dressing* me. The final touches came: a knot tied at my chest.

"W-Who...?" My voice shook.

*What happened while I was out?*

"Don’t worry. It’s me."

That familiar, cool, delicate voice—Eunice.

After securing the knot, her hands left me. Soft footsteps retreated.

*She’s leaving?*

"Alright. Remove the blindfold yourself."

"...Okay."

I reached behind my head, untied the knot, and pulled the cloth away.

The room came into focus. I sat up on the bed. My clothes had been changed—from the dark, mysterious dress to a bright, cheerful yellow sundress. The sleeves now bared most of my arms, losing their Gothic Lolita style. The hemline was shorter.

I still wore stockings—pure white ones—but paired with the shorter skirt, they created that tantalizing strip of skin known as the "absolute territory," drawing every eye. My long hair was damp from a recent bath.

I walked to the mirror. The reflection looked like a wealthy noble’s daughter: radiant, elegant, untouchable.

"...Violet brought this dress. She insisted you wear it."

Eunice’s voice came from behind me.

I turned. She sat at the room’s small table. I walked over and took the chair opposite her, my emotions tangled.

"Eunice... I lost consciousness because you knocked me out?"

"Yes. It was the best solution I could think of." Her expression remained neutral.

I understood. She’d always guarded her body fiercely. Though partners by circumstance, a wall stood between us.

*This is all we’ll ever be.*

Two people bound only by a body-swap curse.

I could understand her need to protect herself, yet a quiet ache settled in my chest.

"Next time... could you warn me first?"

I felt that exclusion keenly.

This sadness... did it mean I’d truly grown fond of this girl? The first person I met in this world. The one who killed me...

*But why?*

That constant sense of unease from my old life had vanished. Was it because of this hazy, uncertain feeling?

This confusing emotion—real or imagined—I couldn’t face it.

As someone utterly clueless in love, I stood no chance of winning Eunice’s affection.

I remembered my near-invisibility back home and shook my head inwardly.

*Probably just loneliness talking.*

Though I also felt protective toward the pitiful Violet...

But what good was mere fondness? Weren’t guys supposed to fall for anyone pretty?

*Yeah. This is just late-blooming adolescent restlessness. Nothing special.*

My resilient heart quickly shook off the gloom.

*My sole goal now is getting my body back. That’s all.*