It was an extraordinary performance.

Upon closer inspection, the magical beasts that appeared on stage looked rather crude.

However, thanks to the dazzling special effects created using countless magic stones, every battle felt thrilling and realistic.

The actors portraying the labyrinth hunters moved somewhat awkwardly.

Yet the special effects made even their clumsy movements appear desperate, powerful, and heroic.

The red-haired actress playing Lesta performed flawlessly from beginning to end.

After the fierce battle came to an end…

A man emerged from the labyrinth and was greeted by thunderous applause.

Behind him walked a woman in silence, a massive sword resting across her back.

When one of the knights who had fought alongside her asked,

“That man is taking all the glory. Are you really alright with that?”

She simply smiled and replied,

“No one died, did they? Isn’t that enough?”

The moment those words were spoken…

Cheers and quiet sobs echoed throughout the theater.

‘Did I really say something like that?’

Lesta couldn’t understand why everyone was so moved by such ordinary words.

It was embarrassing.

The praise and admiration directed at the woman on stage made her feel as though it were directed at her.

Her skin tingled with discomfort.

She absentmindedly rubbed the back of her neck.

Then, out of the corner of her eye, she spotted Eldrian and turned to look at him.

He was watching the stage with complete concentration.

‘He already knows this story.’

‘So why is he watching it so intently?’

His unwavering focus made her feel as though he was studying her rather than watching the performance.

This made her feel even more self-conscious than before.

As if sensing her gaze, Eldrian turned his head.

Even in the darkness of the theatre, his violet eyes shone with remarkable clarity.

The corners of his mouth turned up in a gentle smile.

Without making a sound, he mouthed the words.

‘You’re amazing.’

Lesta blinked.

Then she quickly looked away.

Her cheeks burned.

Just as they had when he had told her she was beautiful in the carriage.

***

Even after the play had ended and the audience began filing out of the theater, Lesta and Eldrian remained quietly in their seats.

Lesta’s keen hearing caught every conversation as the audience left.

“That was incredible.”

“The battles were so exciting. Do people really fight like that inside labyrinths?”

“The other day, I heard a certain lord sent his knights into a labyrinth, and only half of them made it back. If labyrinths were really as easy as they looked in the play, no one would have died. The real thing must be much worse.”

“But that cowardly man… you know, the one pretending to be the real hero? Somehow he just… No, never mind.”

“You mean Dominic Blackwood?”

“Oh? You thought so too? I don’t know… it probably isn’t, but it really felt like they were taking a jab at Young Lord Blackwood.”

“It’s politics, that’s all. I heard this play originated in the Marquis of Isden’s territory. Everyone knows House Isden and House Blackwood don’t get along.”

“Even so… don’t you think openly mocking the Young Lord of House Blackwood like this could lead to serious trouble?”

“Oh, come now. Surely House Blackwood isn’t going to start a war over a play. They’re always talking about preserving peace in the Empire.”

One stage play was not enough to win over public opinion.

But this was only the beginning.

Once news of the events in the Marquis of Isden’s labyrinth had spread throughout the Empire, people would remember the play.

They would remember it.

Only once everyone in the audience had left did Lesta and Eldrian finally rise from their seats.

As they quietly made their way out of the theatre, Lesta suddenly stopped and turned her head.

A large, broad-shouldered man was standing beside one of the theatre’s pillars.

“Nel!”

When she saw Nestor, a bright smile spread across Lesta’s face, stirring an inexplicable irritation within Eldrian.

It took him only a moment to realize what it was.

Jealousy.

Letting out a quiet, self-mocking laugh, he followed Lesta.

Seeing her stop in front of Nestor without embracing him, Eldrian felt relieved.

Then he found himself dumbfounded.

In the space of a few heartbeats, he had experienced a rollercoaster of emotions.

‘So this is why people say love makes fools of us.’

His feelings kept surging up without warning, giving him no chance to sort them out.

No wonder people in love looked like fools.

“What brings you here?”

“I came to deliver some news.”

Nestor’s gaze shifted to Eldrian.

‘Get rid of him.’

The meaning behind that look was unmistakable.

Eldrian felt a flicker of irritation.

But Lesta’s next words immediately lifted his spirits.

“I don’t keep secrets from the Young Duke. You can say it in front of him.”

‘…Love really does make fools of people.’

Just a few simple words…

And he found himself absurdly pleased.

Smiling pleasantly at Nestor, who made no effort to hide his displeasure, Eldrian said,

“What? Do you think I’m going to run around telling everyone?”

Nestor stared at him silently for a long moment before finally looking away.

“Then let’s at least talk somewhere else.”

***

The moment they entered Castle Sunray, they found Leonel and Amaranth waiting for them.

Unlike Leonel, who greeted Nestor with an easy smile—

“Hello, Nestol. We meet again.”

—Amaranth immediately linked arms with Lesta.

“So? How was the play? Would you recommend it to me?”

Lesta hesitated before answering.

“Well… it was just… a little embarrassing.”

For some reason, Nestor frowned at her reply.

Meanwhile, Leonel’s smile only deepened.

Amaranth burst into laughter.

“I can imagine. Watching a play based on your own life must be incredibly embarrassing. I’ll go see it tomorrow and tell you what I think. Let’s chat about it afterward.”

“Alright. I’d like that.”

Nestor’s expression gradually darkened.

Leonel gently cupped Nestor’s cheek.

“Nestol, do something about that look on your face. My little sister has a soft heart. If you keep glaring like that, you’ll frighten her.”

“What are you talking about, Leo? When have I ever done that? It’s nice to meet you, Nestor. Leo told me you might come. He was right—you really are huge.”

Nestor gave a slight bow.

Without warning, Leonel grabbed a fistful of his hair and yanked his head down.

“Lower.”

“More, Nestol.”

“Leo!”

Eldrian and Amaranth shouted at the same time.

Leonel flashed an innocent smile and released his grip.

After straightening up, Nestor brushed his hair back and replied indifferently,

“It’s fine.”

“I’m sorry, Nestor. He’s not usually like this.”

Eldrian didn’t particularly like Nestor.

Even so…

What Leonel had just done was undeniably rude.

Nestor looked at the young duke, who was apologizing sincerely to a mere mercenary, and said nothing.

Then he answered once again.

“It’s fine.”

Meanwhile, Amaranth was busy scolding Leonel.

“What on earth was that? Have you lost your mind? If you’re going to behave like this, then leave.”

Meanwhile, Lesta glared at Leonel.

They had fought alongside each other countless times before.

Even so, he still made her feel uneasy.

Seeing him treat Nestor so disrespectfully made her feel even more uneasy around him.

She felt even more uneasy around him.

As if sensing her gaze, Leonel turned towards her and gave her a playful wink.

His carefree attitude, as though none of it mattered in the slightest, irritated her.

‘Should I kill him?’

If Leonel hadn’t been a member of House Sunray…

She would have.

His disrespect toward her friend was one thing.

But someone as unreadable as Leonel was the kind of person who was better off dead.

‘It would be much easier if I just killed him.’

Then, suddenly, she realised something.

For the first time in a long time…

She had felt genuine killing intent towards someone who wasn’t a Blackwood.

There had been a time when such thoughts came naturally.

Whenever someone crossed her or got in her way, her first instinct was to think they would be better off dead.

The one who had taught her to suppress those impulses…

Ernel.

Whenever the urge to kill surfaced, she reminded herself that somewhere in the world, there might be someone who cherished that person as deeply as she had cherished Ernel.

And so she restrained herself.

This was why Lesta only killed those who had repeatedly tried to assassinate her.

Or those who trafficked slaves.

The desire to kill still flickered within her.

But she never drew her sword.

Then, somewhere along the way…

That desire began to fade.

It wasn’t because no one provoked her.

Even after she arrived in the ducal capital of House Sunray, there were still people who irritated her.

Even so…

She no longer wanted to kill them.

‘Ever since I came here…’

Except when she saw Dominic inside the labyrinth.

Everyone else had just been a nuisance.

A nuisance.

He was not someone she had ever wanted dead.

This unfamiliar feeling left her feeling confused.

She no longer wanted to kill people.

She wasn’t sure whether that was a good thing.

Or a bad thing?

“Well then, shall we continue this in the reception room?”

Eldrian stepped in, bringing the situation to a close.

“Ara, could you have some tea prepared? And Leonel… go somewhere else and think about what you’ve done.”

Lesta followed Eldrian into the reception room with Nestor.

A short while later, a maid entered, set down the tea, and quietly withdrew.

Eldrian looked at Nestor.

“Nestor, let me apologize once again for my brother’s behavior.”

“…Alright.”

An awkward silence settled over the room.

At last, Lesta broke it.

“Did something happen?”

“Something happened in the capital.”

Nestor glanced at Eldrian.

His expression clearly asked,

‘Are you certain you want me to say this in front of him?’

Lesta gave a small nod.

“You can speak freely.”

“Serena Eilune was arrested on charges of treason.”

“When?”

“About ten days ago.”

“Hmm…”

Lesta tilted her head slightly.

Eldrian had no idea who Serena Eilune was.

He also didn’t understand why her treasonous arrest was important.

Even so…

He remained silent, letting the two of them continue their conversation.

After a moment, Lesta finally spoke.