"Why?"
Kassandra frowned.
"I didn't do anything. Why is his poison calming down?"
Little Flame nearly rolled its eyes.
Ever since coming to the human world, its master had started thinking like a human.
Sometimes that wasn't a compliment.
"Princess, have you forgotten who you are?"
Kassandra blinked.
"You are an Ancient Phoenix."
Little Flame's voice carried a hint of pride.
"The ruler of flames."
"The blood flowing through your veins is one of the most powerful forces in existence."
Kassandra looked down at Ryan.
"Every vampire would risk their life for a single drop of your blood."
"But Ryan isn't a vampire."
She shook her head.
"If I gave him my blood, he might explode from the power."
Little Flame couldn't even argue with that.
The possibility existed.
Kassandra looked at Ryan again.
His face was growing paler.
The cold energy around him continued spreading.
"What should I do?"
For the first time, worry appeared in her voice.
"He's getting colder."
Little Flame thought for a moment.
Then it spoke.
"I have an idea."
"What?"
"Take off his shirt."
Kassandra stared at the necklace.
"Have you gone crazy?"
"What are you thinking, Princess?"
Little Flame sounded offended.
"The Cold Poison is freezing his body from the inside."
It continued.
"Your flames carry life energy."
"Direct contact will allow you to transfer warmth more effectively."
"Oh."
Kassandra immediately understood.
"I thought you meant something else."
Little Flame sighed.
"Of course you did."
A few moments later, Kassandra carefully removed Ryan's suit jacket and loosened his shirt.
The freezing energy surrounding him became even clearer.
Frost had begun forming along his skin.
Kassandra placed her hand against his chest.
Warm golden light appeared around her fingers.
A gentle heat spread through the room.
The frost slowly began to melt.
Ryan's breathing gradually steadied.
"It worked."
Kassandra smiled.
Little Flame sounded relieved.
"Of course it worked."
The golden light continued flowing into Ryan's body.
For the first time in years, the Cold Poison retreated peacefully instead of fighting back.
Kassandra looked at the unconscious man.
"You're really troublesome, Boss."
A small smile appeared on her face.
"If you wake up, you'd better give me a raise."
Little Flame laughed.
"There she is."
"The same old Princess Phoenix."
"What are you doing?"
Ryan's cold voice suddenly echoed through the office.
Kassandra jumped.
"Boss!"
Ryan slowly opened his eyes.
The first thing he noticed was Kassandra's hand resting against his chest.
The second thing he noticed was that several buttons of his shirt were undone.
His expression darkened.
"I asked what you were doing."
Kassandra immediately withdrew her hand.
"Oh, you're awake."
Ryan sat up.
"Why is my shirt unbuttoned?"
His eyes narrowed.
"And why were your hands on me?"
Kassandra nearly choked.
"What kind of question is that?"
Ryan waited.
Kassandra pointed at him.
"You fainted."
Ryan remained silent.
"You were freezing."
Still silent.
"So I helped you."
Ryan raised an eyebrow.
"By taking off my clothes?"
Inside her mind, Kassandra wanted to scream.
What a block-headed human.
If I wanted to take advantage of you, would I do it while you were unconscious?
She forced a smile.
"Boss, nothing happened."
Ryan crossed his arms.
"Then explain."
"You were freezing."
"So?"
"I was trying to warm you up."
Little Flame immediately interrupted.
Princess, that's not how humans treat a cold.
When humans are cold, they usually wear more clothes.
Kassandra froze.
Shut up.
How am I supposed to know these things?
I've never taken care of a sick person before.
Little Flame sighed.
Fair point.
Ryan watched her strange expression.
"Why do you look guilty?"
"I don't!"
"You do."
"I don't."
Ryan stared.
Kassandra stared back.
An awkward silence filled the room.
Finally—
"Believe me, Boss."
Her voice became serious
"I didn't do anything weird."
Ryan studied her face.
For some reason,he believed her
More importantly,the cold poison had completely calmed down
That had never happened before.
Not even Alexander's medicine could achieve such a result.
Yet somehow...
Kassandra had done it.
Ryan looked at her quietly.
"Fine."
Kassandra immediately relaxed.
"You believe me?"
"For now."
Kassandra almost rolled her eyes.
Ryan adjusted his shirt.
"Since you saved me..."
His gaze landed on her.
"What reward do you want?"
Kassandra blinked.
"A reward?"
"Yes."
Her eyes immediately lit up.
Ryan suddenly had a bad feeling.
Meanwhile, a completely different question echoed through his mind.
His investigator couldn't find anything about her.
Her background made no sense.
And somehow...
She could calm the Cold Poison.
Ryan stared at her.
Who exactly are you, Kassandra?
"A reward?"
Kassandra's eyes immediately lit up.
Ryan suddenly felt uneasy.
That expression couldn't possibly mean anything good.
"Yes," he replied. "A reward."
"Anything?"
Ryan nodded.
Kassandra smiled.
A bright, genuine smile.
For some reason, Ryan found himself staring at it.
"Well..."
She rubbed her hands together.
"I want..."
Ryan waited.
Money?
Jewelry?
A luxury apartment?
A car?
"Food."
Silence.
Ryan blinked.
"...What?"
Kassandra straightened in her seat.
"I want food."
Ryan stared at her.
Kassandra stared back.
Neither spoke.
Finally—
"Food?"
"Yes, Boss."
Ryan couldn't believe what he was hearing.
Of all the things she could have asked for...
Food?
Kassandra suddenly became embarrassed.
"Ah..."
She scratched her cheek.
"I guess I got carried away."
Her shoulders dropped.
"You probably won't agree."
Ryan looked at her.
For the first time, she genuinely looked disappointed.
Not because she couldn't get money.
Not because she couldn't get jewelry.
Because she thought she wouldn't get food.
Ryan almost laughed.
Almost.
"Is that really what you want?"
Kassandra nodded immediately.
"Yes."
Ryan shook his head.
This woman was unbelievable.
"Fine."
Kassandra's eyes widened.
"Really?"
Ryan stood up and picked up his suit jacket.
"Let's go."
For a moment, Kassandra couldn't process his words.
Then—
"Really?!"
Ryan glanced at her.
A smile had already appeared on her face.
A smile so bright that it made the entire office feel warmer.
Something strange stirred in his chest.
Another side of Kassandra.
Another side he had never seen before.
And somehow he wanted to see more .
"Boss."
"What?"
"Can I order anything I want?"
Yes, Ryan agreed, is not like he can't afford it,