One month later.

Though I’d been back in Baha Balm for two days, my wounds hadn’t healed. I was still confined to bedrest.

*Haaah…* This nostalgic feeling—it’s just like how I spent those three years.

“Young Master, your tea.”

“Thanks, Morana.”

Morana then stood quietly by my side.

Outside the room, Doria gritted her teeth, watching this tender scene.

*Why?! How could this happen?! My Brother Sas has been stolen?!*

The thought nearly made Doria faint.

A month ago, I returned to Baha Balm with the caravan.

Mentu had already told the welcoming crowd everything that happened to me.

Alto, Doria, and Chining were horrified. As for Barzak?

He just gave me a look that said, *“You’re tougher than you look,”* making me break out in a cold sweat.

Doria immediately climbed into my carriage to check on me.

That’s when she saw a girl tending to me.

At first, she didn’t understand…

But days later, she finally pried the truth from me.

“Ohhh, Morana? She’s family.”

“Eh?! Family?!”

*Family means wife means rival.*

Doria instantly marked Morana as an enemy.

Still, one thing nagged at her.

After Morana left to clean the house, Doria slipped into my room.

“Haa~ Alone with Brother Sas~ Mwah, so blissful! N-no! I have questions!”

“Brother Sas…”

“Hmm?”

“Don’t you know Morana’s from the Barbaric Wastelands?”

Few knew of that place—but *Doria, Keeper of Knowledge* wasn’t nicknamed for nothing. She knew its secrets well.

A continent untouched by the Uler Empire. Untamed. Undeveloped.

Its people were called barbarians.

Silver hair. Beast-like crimson eyes. Unmistakable traits of their kind.

“The Barbaric Wastelands…”

When Morana told her story, it sounded like a paradise. *Is that really a wasteland?*

I’d imagined desolation.

“Brother Sas really swept her off her feet without knowing a thing.”

“Swept her off—”

“Well… she probably won’t harm you.”

*She already has.*

“The barbarians are a famed warrior race.”

“…”

My expression twisted strangely.

*A warrior race?!*

That petite frame? Impossible!

…Though when she pinned me down, straddled me, and stabbed me repeatedly—her strength *was* terrifying.

*If Morana gets angry, am I in mortal danger?!*

“Uh, Doria… are barbarians quick to anger?”

“Brother Sas, temperaments vary by person, not bloodline.”

*Right. What was I worrying about?*

Doria glanced around like a thief.

When she confirmed no one was near—

*Alone! Now’s my chance!*

She crept onto my bed and lay beside me.

“…Doria?”

“Just let me stay close for a little while~”

“Sigh. Just… don’t move.”

Feeling the soft warmth of the girl beside me, my heart skipped—but! *Sas’s Ultimate Technique: Poker Face!*

Doria clearly wanted to see me flustered. My calm expression visibly disappointed her.

*Wait—Doria, your hands!*

Before I knew it, she’d pressed her body against mine. Her face drew closer, breath quickening, fingers tracing my chest.

“Miss Doria. Restrain yourself.”

Morana materialized beside the bed.

Expressionless, she lifted Doria off me with one hand.

*There it is! Warrior race mode!*

She carried Doria out of the room.

*Peace at last.*

…This bedrest felt different from those three years ago.