Chapter 1
Jingle, jangle—
In the wind that heralds summer, the sign hanging in front of the store swayed.
“Rara’s Convenience Store.”
My name in Korea was ‘Jin Sora’, but after transmigrating into this novel, my name is now ‘Estira’. My store in this romance fantasy world was named after myself, created from the last syllables of both names.
As a result of adapting and applying all the systems of a Korean convenience store to this romance fantasy world…
I achieved great success!
Thanks to the flattery skills I honed while working at a convenience store franchise in Korea, I was able to establish a foothold even in the fiercely competitive capital city market.
The convenience store foods I personally made were selling like hotcakes.
“Everyone says it seems to give them strength they didn’t have before, or something like that?”
Convenience store sales are increasing every month, and the outlook is very good.
Looking at the sign, I grinned.
My heart swelled with the joy of having achieved my dream of setting up a successful convenience store, even if it was in another world.
The taste of success, achieved after fifteen years of blood, sweat and tears since the transmigration!
“Sweet, oh so sweet.”
If things continue like this, I will gather my target funds within five years and with that money, my final life goal was to buy an immigration visa and emigrate to a country unrelated to this novel.
But then…
Just as I believed my future would only be sunny……
Suddenly, dark clouds loomed.
***
“Welcome!”
Jingle—
The bell on the entrance door swung roughly.
The man who suddenly entered the convenience store came straight toward me.
Maybe because of his long legs, it didn’t take him long to reach me.
“Are you looking for something?”
“Right here.”
“Pardon?”
“It’s right in front of my eyes.”
His gaze was fixed directly on me. As I took a step to the right, his gaze tenaciously followed.
‘Me? Am I the item he’s looking for?’
Some crazy guy……
Since he seems to be a high noble, better bow my head first.
“I’m sorry, dear customer. I’m not an item for sale…”
Then, a chilly voice settled on my crown.
“Don’t you remember me?”
His question put me to the test. A new problem customer, or do I genuinely not remember him?
My bright customer-service smile began to tremble slightly.
This man stood in front of me, insisting on staying put until I remembered him.
“Uh……”
As I voiced out, dumbfounded, the man slumped his shoulders. It felt like I could see his mood visually drop, as if a tail had been tucked between his legs.
“I’m hurt.”
“I’m sorry, dear customer. I…”
Just as I was about to apologize again, my eyes flew open at the unfamiliar yet familiar form of address flowing from the man’s lips.
“Master.”
What…?
At the same time, my perfect hundred-point customer-service smile crumbled to pieces.
Because that was a form of address I had been certain I would never hear again.
With a sense of disbelief, I slowly raised my head.
The man flung off the robe that had been covering his face.
“……”
“Was it not enough to sell me off and live well? Did you go so far as to forget me completely?”
The customer before my eyes began speaking politely, just like he had on any ordinary day long ago.
While he had grown much taller and his face had changed so much it was unrecognizable, he still emitted a strong presence.
Why was his tone exactly the same as back then?
“Did you treat me well from the start just for the reward money?”
That, that’s not just because of the reward, there were several reasons… Avoiding a death flag, escaping your obsession… among other things…?
But, I should set it straight.
I never treated you well, did I? That’s unfair.
Unable to speak, eyes quivering, I watched as the man began to unbutton his shirt one by one.
“Well, that doesn’t matter anymore.”
Then, the man who had pulled on his shirt revealed his firm chest.
“My one and only master is still you, Estira.”
On his chest… there was still the slave brand I believed he must have removed.
My pupils dilated in shock.
Because… in the original story, as soon as the male lead returned to the Dukedom, he had pressed a red-hot iron onto the brand himself.
My mouth slowly fell open.
“You bought me, didn’t you? You must take responsibility to the very end.”
The son of the mighty Duke Ragnar, who could command even the Emperor if he wished, slowly knelt before me. He then carefully took my chilled fingers and kissed the tips.
“Like back then, we can share one blanket.”
It felt as though we had returned to the days when this man was my slave.
“And spend the night together too.”
My heart dropped to the floor as the intense scent of his obsession flowed from his red eyes, gazing up at me.
‘Wasn’t I supposed to be safe from the male lead’s obsession?’
I thought he had finally forgotten me after I exchanged him for the reward money and ran away!
I had been abroad to prevent any unexpected obsession, and he hadn’t even tried to find me!
‘What exactly went wrong?’
I had to revisit the blurry memories of five years ago, when we had shared a blanket and spent nights together.
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