In that tone, there was a trembling he didn’t even dare to admit.

Selene patted her own face.

She looked up at him with a puzzled expression: "Nonsense! Why else would I go through the trouble of bringing him back?"

Her voice regained some vitality.

"But you, you’re acting really strange."

She stared at him, and her gaze suddenly became sharp.

"Didn’t you always tell me about what he ate today, how long he trained? But now, whenever I ask, you just brush it off with a few words, and when I don’t ask, you’re as silent as a mute."

Her brows furrowed tighter and tighter, as the little doubt in her heart quickly expanded.

"You... you’re not giving him a hard time, are you?"

As her voice fell, the only sound left in the corridor was the rustling of the curtains in the wind.

The air solidified.

Time seemed to freeze at that moment.

Caleb didn’t speak, pressing down so hard it was suffocating.

His lips were slightly pursed, brows slightly knitted, his gaze lowered.

That suffocating atmosphere enveloped the whole room, making one almost feel breathless.

"No."

Another bout of dead silence.

Even the wind outside the window retreated quietly.

Finally, he lifted his eyes, his gaze resting on her, his throat as if blocked by something.

The light that usually shone in those green eyes was now dim and lifeless.

His fingertips trembled slightly, as if wanting to speak, but the emotions were stuck in his throat.

"Female Master... what if... I transfer him back?"

Her eyes instantly brightened: "Sure! Can he come back tonight?"

"He’s all alone in there, surely bullied by those Terrestrial Beastmen. We Marine Beastmen are already looked down upon, if he’s wronged, he doesn’t even have anyone to talk to, and I manage that little pond for him every day. When can he finally come home?"

Her speech sped up, carrying a hint of concern, her gaze unconsciously drifting into the distance.

Caleb looked down, unconsciously rubbing his knuckles with his fingertips.

This was the first time he’d heard her care so much about someone.

For all these years, she’s been cold to everyone.

Even to him, who’d been by her side since childhood, she rarely showed warmth.

But now, she actually opened up for another man, her tone gentle.

Unfortunately, that person wasn’t him.

It felt like his heart was being slowly cut open by a dull knife, the pain not sharp but constant.

The bitterness spread from his chest to his limbs, making him nearly unable to stand steady.

Caleb’s green eyes lost their usual light, wilting, filled with fatigue, and he softly asked: "Female Master, did you punish Heath and the others today?"

He ran back as soon as he heard the news.

It wasn’t surprising that those two got punished, but Heath Langdon was usually the most well-behaved, why would he be punished with them?

Various possibilities quickly flashed through his mind.

Was there a mistake in the mission?

Or was it something they said?

Or perhaps, something happened while he wasn’t there, something he didn’t know about?

Selene glanced at him, nodding lightly.

That glance was short, but carried scrutiny.

"Oh, and you too."

Caleb: ...

His whole body went stiff, pupils slightly shrinking, for a moment he didn’t know how to respond.

His chest felt like it had been suddenly struck by something, aching deeply.

"What did we do wrong?"

He finally found his voice, hoarse.

He didn’t ask further, assuming she was in a bad mood again, as before.

After all, she was always unpredictable, sometimes turning her back quicker than flipping a book.

He had long learned to endure, to remain silent, to quietly clean up the aftermath after her outburst.

"Just received an order from Your Majesty, we must deliver the goods for you within three days."

His voice regained some calmness, but it was still tinged with fatigue.

He knew that this matter was unavoidable.

Even if it went against his true will.

Before, he didn’t know what to send, now he understood.

But he didn’t want to fight with Selene over it.

But this is an order directly from the Empress, he could only comply.

He once naively thought that those tasks were just ordinary resource allocations.

Until he saw with his own eyes what was hidden in those shipments.

It was contraband that shouldn’t appear here.

If exposed, it would stir up a storm of blood.

Selene couldn’t be bothered to pay attention to him, speaking would be useless.

She turned towards the window, her back straight, her posture cold.

A soldier loyal from a young age, how could he betray his belief for her?

In his eyes, duty always outweighed personal feelings.

In his heart, the orders of the Empress were above everything else.

She never expected him to defy orders for her, nor hoped that he would stand by her side.

"No time, I need to rest."

Her tone indifferent, not turning back, only raising her hand to rub her temples.

Upon finishing her words she wanted to walk past him, but was grabbed by the arm, his eyes swirling with unreadable emotions.

"Are you upset?"

His voice was low and hoarse, almost asking the question right by her ear.

She suddenly flung her hand, breaking free, and looked at him coldly.

"If it were you, would you be happy?"

"Trying to cut ties just now, and now turning to force me to work? How can there be such good fortune? If you have the guts, kill me now."

Selene sneered.

When she said this, her tone was resolute.

She no longer hoped for him to understand her situation, nor hoped he would feel any guilt.

She just wanted him to understand.

She was not a pushover to be manipulated at will, much less a tool to be used at their discretion.

She truly wanted to roll her eyes.

Face as thick as a wall.

Just having a falling out, and already rushing her to work?

She almost couldn’t control her emotions, the nameless fire inside surging upwards.

Just moments ago, things were like a drawn sword, tense enough to explode.

In the blink of an eye, they’re acting as if it’s natural for her to execute the mission?

She could hardly believe her own ears.

What is this?

Falling out one moment, and the next expecting her to willingly bow her head to work?

Such shamelessness, only certain people could pull it off.

She pressed her lips tightly, resisting the urge to roll her eyes.

Yet the sarcasm in her heart had already reached a peak.

Not even a mention of compensation?

She furrowed her brow, her gaze chilled.

Not mentioning even the most basic of rewards, was she just free labor in their eyes?

Or was she born to serve them?

She wasn’t a charity, nor anyone’s accessory.

But these people?

Not even willing to say "thank you," let alone offering real compensation.

She wasn’t greedy, but she wouldn’t be exploited for free.

It’s not like she was bored enough to volunteer as their laborer.

If they lacked even this basic respect.

Why would she waste time here listening to these pretentious orders?

Previously, she’d thought she could use her Golden Finger to spice up the side quests, but just as the flames ignited, they were extinguished.

She had naively believed that, with her special abilities.

Perhaps she could carve out her own path in the complex situation.

She fantasized, even if she couldn’t control the main line.

At least she could fight for some leverage on the side quests, maybe even create some turning points.

But reality slapped her hard.

Her attempts had barely begun, her flame of hope just lit, only to be ruthlessly snuffed out.

No explanation, no warning.

Only cold suppression and complete negation.