Witt watched Kaelxi suddenly burst into tears, feeling utterly at a loss.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I shouldn't have asked like that."

Witt tried to hug Kaelxi, but she nimbly dodged him.

"Still trying to take advantage of me? Not a chance!"

Kaelxi was prepared. She wouldn't let Witt touch her freely anymore.

Between men, there was no such intimacy. She wasn't into guys anyway!

Witt stared blankly as Kaelxi avoided his hug. He felt the distance between them grow.

"It must be because I saw her naked. I'm such a pervert!"

"Yesterday, I carried her on my back, held her hand... She must hate me by now."

"She's so afraid of pain, yet she saved me with her blood. And I keep hurting her!"

"I'm such a monster!"

Kaelxi didn't know Witt's thoughts, but saw his guilt deepening.

Was he this fragile?

He endured severe injuries, yet cracked under a simple trick?

Kaelxi worried she might drive him into depression. She didn't see him as a boyfriend, but as a friend.

So, with her big eyes reddened from rubbing and an innocent look, she said, "I didn't know they'd say such things about me just to provoke you."

Seeing Kaelxi's slightly red-rimmed eyes, Witt felt a pang of sympathy but also relief.

"Good thing it wasn't because of me. That's good, that's good."

"No, that's terrible! How dare they slander such a kind girl! And they made Kaelxi cry!"

"Actually, it's good she wasn't hurt by them."

"So is it good or bad?"

Witt's mind was in chaos.

He asked cautiously, "Then why did they want to provoke me?"

"Every mine slave was whole before they were beaten into submission."

"They couldn't resist; they were slowly tamed."

"But you're different, Witt. You're tall and strong."

Witt felt praised. His heart bloomed with joy.

Since his father's death, no one had praised him.

"So you're most likely to rebel because you have the strength."

"They think you'll become a troublemaker. They target what you cherish to crush your spirit, making you too afraid to rebel."

Witt nodded but felt uneasy. Why focus only on Kaelxi?

He frowned and started, "Kaelxi, I think you're right, but—"

He was interrupted.

"Witt, do you know why I work for them?"

Witt was more curious why kind Kaelxi served despicable mine owners.

"They threatened me. If I don't trick people, they'll slaughter West District beggars. They'll kill me, my grandma, and all our neighbors."

"They're nobles. No one will seek justice for us."

"I'm so scared. I'm really so scared."

"I've always hoped for a hero to save me!"

Kaelxi lowered her head, covered her face, and cried, squeezing out tears.

"Those bastards deserve to die!" Witt thought viciously.

He felt he'd been too gentle. He should have crushed their bones from palm to shoulder, delighting in their screams.

He should have split their legs, sliced flesh piece by piece, cut off their filthy organs, stuffed them into their mouths, and forced them to swallow.

The more Witt thought, the more he felt he'd been too merciful. His expression grew grotesque.

Kaelxi peeked through her fingers. Seeing his terrifying face, she thought he still doubted her.

"Damn it, is it really coming to this?" Kaelxi made one last attempt.

She lowered her hands, forced a sad smile.

"Witt, do you still not believe me?"

Tears glistened in her eyes. Her smile added tragic beauty.

Witt's heart wrenched. The words "I believe you" stuck in his throat.

Kaelxi was frantic. Why wouldn't this idiot Witt speak?

Slowly, she unbuttoned her first button, then the second, revealing her snow-white neck and shoulders.

"Mr. Witt, you can examine my body to see if they defiled me."

"Just like in the bathroom earlier."

Kaelxi's ears drooped. Tears streamed down as she prepared to unbutton the third.

She was genuinely crying, humiliated.

Selling herself to a man willingly!

What if she stripped completely and he still didn't believe her?

Or was he waiting for this moment?

What a terrifyingly calculating guy!

Just then, Witt punched himself hard in the face.

Blood splattered onto Kaelxi's bedsheets.

Witt wasn't silent on purpose. Her "Mr. Witt" made him feel distant.

Something choked his throat. His nose tingled.

He wanted to say, "Kaelxi, I'm sorry, I'm a bastard!"

But no sound came out.

When overwhelmed with grief, words fail.

He realized: if Kaelxi undressed further, their relationship might shatter.

That kind, beautiful, pure, noble angel-like Kaelxi, who loved everyone, would leave him.

All because of his stupidity. Why doubt her?

Why!

Witt punched himself again, calming slightly.

He slowly hugged Kaelxi. This time, she didn't resist.

They held tightly. Witt's chin touched her shoulder, lips near her pointed ear.

"Kaelxi, I believe you. I know I'm a bastard, but please forgive me..."

"Witt, it's okay. I forgive you."

Kaelxi's gentleness left the boy completely smitten.

Held tightly, Kaelxi thought, "I'm the real bastard here, Witt."

"But, innocent virgin, so easy to fool, hehehe."

One lie requires another to cover it; the truth will surface.

Kaelxi didn't realize this yet.