Yuri, after parting ways with Titiana, sat in Yujin’s room with a sullen expression.

Caught off guard while having breakfast, Yujin glanced at his younger brother, who sat with his arms crossed, and frowned.

“Why do you look so displeased?”

“What do you mean?”

Even his response sounded like he was seeking attention.

Yujin sighed and set down his spoon. The oatmeal porridge, meant for patients, wasn’t appealing to him anyway.

“You always smile and tease people, but today you don’t have your usual ease.”

“I didn’t know you were so interested in me, dear brother.”

Yuri smirked but then let his smile fade, as if it wasn’t amusing at all.

‘I don’t even know why I’m here in the first place.’

Yuri sighed deeply, still with his arms crossed. He couldn’t understand why it had felt so awkward to look at Titiana just a moment ago.

‘But the more we talked, the more I wanted to ask what had happened.’

It was clear there was a secret, and he resented Titiana for not telling him.

‘Am I really that untrustworthy?’

This was a worry Yuri had never faced before in his life.

While Yuri grappled with the realization that there were things he couldn’t do, Yujin asked about Titiana, adding to his woes.

“Where’s Titi?”

In truth, it was all because of this guy in front of him. Yuri replied in a sharp voice.

“Call her Titiana.”

Yujin shrugged and asked incredulously.

“…….Is he a child?”

“Hmph.”

Yuri knew he was being childish, but he couldn’t stop himself. That’s why he had stepped away from Titiana for a while.

‘It’s better to take some time than to ruin our relationship with a careless word.’

Besides, Yujin had things to attend to as well.

“I told her we should go our separate ways today so I could examine your magic circle more closely. There’s no reason for trouble in her hometown.”

“True, but still.”

Yujin seemed uneasy. Annoyed that Yujin was concerned about Titiana, Yuri hastily urged him to take off his shirt.

“I want to get back to Titi soon, so show me the magic circle again. You’ve never actually used magic, right?”

Yujin obediently unbuttoned his shirt and showed his chest as he answered.

“How could I?”

“That’s true.”

Yuri knew better than anyone that Yujin lacked talent as a mage.

Yuri narrowed his eyes and examined the magic circle. As his mana flowed into it, the circle glowed with a dazzling golden light.

The magic circle was so intricate and complex that it wasn’t the work of an ordinary mage.

‘I don’t remember casting such a spell.’

What on earth was going on?

Yuri’s expression grew increasingly grim. Yujin tilted his head in confusion.

“What kind of magic is it that makes you so angry?”

“I’m not sure, so I won’t say.”

Although he answered curtly, Yuri had already figured out what kind of magic it was.

‘Magic related to time.’

But only a handful of people in this country could perform such magic, and among them, Yuri Esrenche was the most likely culprit.

‘But it’s not me.’

And the magic circle was with Yujin and Titiana, not the caster, Yuri.

‘What does this mean?’

Still, Yuri asked cautiously. Maybe he wanted confirmation that it wasn’t him.

“Have you been in contact with a mage of my caliber recently?”

“There are quite a few mages coming and going at the palace, but…”

“So, none of them were on my level. I guess that’s not common.”

“Did you ask just to brag?”

“Bragging is for those who have nothing. I don’t need to do that.”

But the questioning yielded nothing. Yuri scratched his head and muttered to himself.

“Is it really me? Did I do it? But why would I?”

Yujin quietly buttoned his shirt while watching the confused Yuri. His calm demeanor only irritated Yuri more.

‘He’s the only one at ease.’

Yet he didn’t want to reveal that he shared the magic circle with Titiana.

‘Oh, what is this feeling?’

Yuri ruffled his hair again. Then, as if checking for formality, he asked in a half-hearted tone.

“When did your headaches begin?”

“Recently.”

“So, when exactly?”

“I’m not sure.”

Yujin paused, as if trying to remember, but the growing brightness in his eyes made it clear he had recalled something.

Yuri’s expression turned serious.

“Don’t tell me… you’re going to say it started when you met Titi, are you?”

“…”

Yujin didn’t reply. But in this case, his silence was confirmation.

Yuri stomped his heel on the floor.

“Oh, seriously!”

He really disliked situations like this, where everything about Yujin and Titiana’s story seemed to align perfectly, as if it were fate, which irritated him.

‘Fate! Who came up with such a ridiculous word?’

As Yuri fumed, he noticed Yujin staring at him blankly and snapped at him.

“What?”

“Aren’t you the one who’s supposed to be in pain?”

“…I know I look strange without you having to say it.”

He hadn’t expected to find himself in such a foolish situation. Yuri, who had been grumbling to himself, let out a long sigh and leaned back in his chair.

“Sigh.”

Yujin looked at his brother with a very suspicious gaze and asked, “Don’t you need to investigate further?”

“There’s nothing significant in this magic circle.”

“You talk as if there’s another magic circle.”

“…”

“Is that true?”

Judging by Yuri’s agitation, it seemed there was someone connected to the magic circle, someone quite important to him.

Yujin pondered seriously and said, “A magic that could involve both me and someone else…”

“Enough.”

Yuri cut Yujin off, as if to stop him from thinking any further. Then, looking anxious, he bit his nails.

‘Why didn’t Titi tell me about this from the start? Does she not trust me?’

A sudden wave of resentment towards her rose, but he quickly shook his head.

‘No, magic isn’t something you can just talk about with anyone. It’s not like we’ve known each other since childhood.’

As he thought carefully, he naturally recalled the first time he met Titiana.

‘Come to think of it, Titi mistook me for someone else and greeted me warmly. So…’

She had definitely called him this.

‘Master’

A name that always appeared when Titiana reminisced about the past.

‘She said he was a man who ran a tavern. And he gave her the building deed.’

He should have been suspicious of this “Master” ever since she had a building deed identical to his. There was surely a connection to Yuri himself.

‘The most likely person right now is…’

Yuri’s gaze shifted to Yujin. He shook his head again.

‘Let’s not jump to conclusions. Nothing is certain in this situation. I have no choice but to ask Titi.’

But what if Titiana didn’t answer?

‘…I’m scared.’

Yuri bit his lip.

‘This is the first time I’ve felt this way. The fear of being rejected by someone.’

The person he cherished might not feel the same way about him.

It’s a truth that applies to everyone, but it hadn’t been obvious to Yuri Esrenche until now.

Everyone loved him without much effort on his part.

As Yuri stared down at the floor with dry eyes, Yujin broke the awkward silence.

“Thanks for yesterday. And it’s true that I didn’t know how to use that potion. It was my fault for turning my back on you and running away when you asked for help… Yes, that was my fault. I’m sorry.”

For the first time, Yujin bowed his head to Yuri. It was an apology he had never received, even when they were younger and more immature.

When you receive an apology, you’re supposed to say, “It’s okay.” But the brothers, who had never really fought or reconciled properly, just stood there awkwardly, unable to continue the conversation.

Yuri awkwardly rubbed his chin. Then, a beat late, he asked Yujin, “…Is Sabina still bothering you?”

His tone had softened considerably from the one he used to mock Yujin for following Sabina’s every word. Noticing this change, Yujin’s eyes widened, then responded with a faint smile.

“Only recently have I started to resist a little. It’s all thanks to Miss Titiana.”

For some reason, hearing Titiana’s name from Yujin’s mouth irritated him. Yuri growled like a guard dog.

“Don’t talk about Titi.”

“Are you really a kid?”

Yujin shook his head in disbelief. Despite everything, he was indeed more mature than Yuri.