I have been looking forward to only this day.

Finally, at last! The invitation to that secret and extravagant party is in my hands.

I can finally enter that mysterious social venue, rumored to be accessible only to those who have completed their coming-of-age ceremony according to the laws of the Arterion Empire.

Watching you head off to that ballroom first just because you were born a mere three months before me made my insides burn until they were nothing but ash.

Jealousy surged to the top of my head, but what could I do?

Damn it, you only think of me as your 'best friend.' But I'm not the type to just sit here and mope!

What kind of great sacrifices do the protagonists in romance novels make for the ones they love?

I intended to show that same devotion—no, something much more explosive.

As the first step of my plan, I already held a potion in my hand designed to trigger a rut. Humming to myself, I walked boldly into the ballroom with my invitation.

Putting on the cute rabbit mask they handed out at the entrance gave me a strange surge of confidence.

'I can feel the fighting spirit!!'

Before charging into the fray to track your scent, I did a final check in front of the mirror.

Hair isn't messy, clothes are perfect, okay! Most importantly, I thoroughly hid my pheromones by generously spraying the powerful neutralizer I prepared in advance.

Everything was ready.

In the distance, I saw you shining, surrounded by a crowd as always. Seeing the young ladies and noblemen hovering around you like butterflies made my lips pout involuntarily, but I took a deep breath and composed myself.

I smoothly snatched a glass of cognac—the sweet apple-scented kind you like best. And in a split second when no one was looking, I poured in the contents of the vial I had hidden in my coat.

'Here, I prepared this for you.'

I muttered quietly to myself and handed you the glass with an eye-smile behind my mask. You downed the pale orange liquid in one go without a hint of suspicion.

Watching your pretty Adam's apple move as you swallowed, I cheered inwardly.

The effect was immediate. As your face flushed, your gaze blurred, and your body began to stagger, I seized the moment to fiercely drive away the annoying pests surrounding you.

Supporting you as you breathed heavily and lost focus, I successfully led you into the warmest, coziest room I had prepared beforehand!

Ha, success at last! Let's burn it up tonight!

And so, that fantastic and sweet night I had envisioned hundreds of times in my head passed by.

The next morning, I woke up feeling wonderful, wrapped in a languidness and a sensation I couldn't quite put into words.

With a wide grin on my face, I reached out to feel the spot next to me where last night's warmth should remain.

But all my fingertips touched was a cold, empty sheet.

Startled, I snapped my eyes open to find myself alone in the room. Only the messy traces of yesterday remained; your silhouette was nowhere to be found.

"Wh... this crazy bastard?!"

How dare he run away and leave me all alone in this big bed! Where on earth did the guy who was so desperate for me last night disappear to!

Blood rushed to my head in a mix of betrayal and absurdity.

I'm not letting this go, seriously. Go ahead, try to run. I'll chase you to the ends of the earth and make sure you pay the full price for my damn 'devotion'!!!