I PRETENDED TO BE “D.E.A.D” TO TEST THE LOYALTY OF MY SHY HOUSEKEEPER — BUT WHAT I DISCOVERED… WAS DEEPER THAN MY HEART COULD HANDLE.

If I knew how much…
I value it.”

And then—

My heart began to pound.

Not because of pain…
but because of it.

I couldn’t take it anymore.
I didn’t want to see her break because of my lie.

So, slowly,
I opened my eyes.

THE IMPACT THAT LEFT HER SILENT

Me: “L-Lina…?”
Lina (backing up, stumbling): “S-Lord? Is he alive?! He’s alive!”

She ran away—
embarrassed, trembling, with a red face,
as if she was going to faint.

Me: “Lina! Wait!”

I caught up with her in the kitchen.
She was leaning on the refrigerator,
holding her chest, panting.

Me: “I’m sorry… I shouldn’t have done this.”
Lina: “Lord… why did you deceive me?”
Me: “I wanted to know if you were… real.”
Lina: “I’m real, sir.
I’m human.
It hurts. It scared me.
And yes… I have feelings.”

I looked at her.

Me: “What… feelings?”
Lina (closing her eyes, turning around):
“The feeling that… I don’t want to lose it.”