Charlie’s eccentric behavior continued afterwards.

Eventually, it reached the point where she sat staring at the Wilkins camp.

“Wilkins……”

Charlie muttered, biting her nails.

Why did Louis Foster have to be Luke?

No, why did he have to kill Kieran, whom Noel cherished?

“F*ck……”

“……!”

Luke, who was guarding Charlie nearby, flinched and shrank back in surprise.

Hector didn’t stop Charlie.

He knew the reason for her low spirits was because of Luke.

However, she only watched the Wilkins family without showing any particular behavior or causing problems.

And on the other hand, Hector didn’t mind it much.

[We’re all family, aren’t we?]

Unaware of how her words had affected Hector, Charlie continued to stare at the Wilkins camp.

‘Noel shouldn’t come.’

* * *

“Um… Commander.”

Meanwhile, inside Kieran’s tent.

One of the knights, who was bringing tea, hesitated before speaking.

“About that woman from the Hunt family wearing the robe.”

Kieran’s fingertips paused as she was checking the next patrol list. She knew they were referring to Charlie.

“What is it?”

Kieran said, keeping her gaze fixed on the list. Beside her was a pile of documents that needed to be reviewed.

[I’m tired after using my power.]

Since arriving at the camp, Noel had locked himself in his tent, using the excuse that he had used his ability.

Therefore, the overall management and organization of the knights fell entirely to Kieran.

[I’m tired after traveling such a long distance.]

The situation was similar right after the expedition.

But this time, he had completely let go of his responsibilities.

With the increased workload, Kieran was barely able to participate in patrols.

“She appeared again today.”

The knight whispered in a low voice, seemingly worried Charlie might overhear.

Only then did Kieran’s eyes leave the documents. The knight looked utterly terrified.

“I wonder if she’s seeking revenge for losing the card last time.”

“That’s unlikely.”

When she said she was hungry and cleared her seat, when she offered Kieran refreshments. Charlie’s kindness was nothing short of sincere.

Almost to the point of being excessive.

Charlie treated Kieran as if they were old acquaintances.

Perhaps that’s why.

Despite the unfamiliar kindness from a stranger, Kieran didn’t feel any aversion. If anything, it was closer to fondness.

The sight of her struggling with her short arms to spread out the mat was especially cute.

A faint smile spread across Kieran’s lips as she recalled Charlie.

“The Grand Duke has already personally told me not to mind. Besides, isn’t she the kind person who helped us before?”

“Well, that’s true, but……”

“Make sure you explain it well so the other members don’t misunderstand.”

“The members are already getting agitated. They’re already afraid of the Hunt Knights because of the troll incident, and now she’s glaring at us all day……”

“She’s just looking, that’s all.”

Just as Kieran was about to turn her gaze away again,

“It would be fine if she was just looking. But she’s muttering with a fierce expression, like she’s casting dark magic.”

“What?”

* * *

In the end, Kieran headed towards Charlie.

“Oh my, Dame Kieran.”

Charlie greeted Kieran cheerfully, as if she had never been cursing earlier.

At this sight, Luke felt chills run down his spine.

“What a coincidence to meet you here like this.”

Charlie emphasized the word ‘coincidence’ as she looked up at Kieran, who was taller than her.

“……”

It was a situation that anyone would find hard to call a coincidence.

Moreover, Charlie had been staring intently at Kieran from afar, seemingly daring her to come over.

“Have you… been well?”

“I’ve been doing well, thanks to you.”

Although it was clearly the same smile as before, why did it feel so wicked now? Kieran instinctively hesitated.

Then her eyes met with Luke’s, who was standing next to Charlie.

[It seems the vice commander of the Hunt family has changed.]

‘I wonder if he was punished for the previous incident.’

Kieran kept being bothered by Luke.

[It seems the Wilkins family can either turn back time or… even bring back the dead.]

There was a bite to Luke’s words.

Not only that, but his anger towards her and the Wilkins family seemed to have deepened.

“……”

As expected, when Luke saw Kieran, he turned his face away abruptly.

His golden eyes were still filled with hatred.

Kieran let out a short breath and said,

“Thanks to the Hunt family dealing with the troll, my knights and I have been able to stay safe.”

Kieran bowed her head politely towards Charlie and Luke.

“Thank you once again.”

“……!”

For a moment, Luke looked at Kieran in surprise.

Not missing this, Charlie raised her voice.

“What did you say? You’re thankful that the Hunt Knights dealt with the troll?!”

“……”

The gazes of the Hunt Knights gathered behind Charlie all turned towards Kieran at once.

As the flustered Kieran unconsciously took a step back,

“I don’t think I’m the one who should receive the thanks.”

Charlie grabbed Kieran’s hand.

“Why don’t you do it directly?”

“What?!”

“Since we’ve met by chance like this, why don’t we have some tea as well?”

Kieran felt a chill run down her spine at the sight of Charlie’s wide eyes and forced smile.

“Ah, no, that’s……”

“Why not? You said you were grateful for the help.”

“Well… I just remembered I have something urgent to do……”

Kieran stammered in bewilderment.

Charlie paid no attention and pulled on their joined hands.

“Even if you have to go, surely you can spare time for one cup of tea?”

* * *

“……”

Charlie and Kieran were sitting face to face in Hector’s tent.

Diagonally across from them sat Hector, who had joined at the mention of tea, and Leon, who had been called in for being a fellow commander.

“……”

The coffee, which tasted unusually bitter, slid down Kieran’s throat.

“The Wilkins duchy is in the south, right?”

Charlie said.

At that moment, Luke gritted his teeth.

But he soon lowered his eyes after receiving Hector’s chilling gaze.

Kieran, who had been observing the situation, carefully answered.

“Yes……”

“I heard there’s no winter in the south, is that true?”

“Yes……”

“Then is it summer all year round?”

Despite the short answers, Charlie kept smiling and encouraging conversation.

“Well……”

It wasn’t that Kieran was intentionally giving curt responses.

She was naturally a person of few words, and she simply couldn’t think of anything else to say.

She was also tense because of Hector’s presence.

However, knowing she couldn’t keep answering with just ‘yes’, Kieran carefully chose her words.

“……While the climate is generally mild, spring and autumn do exist.”

“It must be perfect as a resort.”

“Yes, I’ve heard many people visit for that reason.”

“Which place is the best?”

“I know that the islands in the Delphia region are famous for honeymoons, and Bartz National Park is well-known for its recreational forests.”

“Islands are indeed the best for honeymoons. It sounds romantic just hearing about it.”

Charlie responded to Kieran’s words almost mechanically.

It was then that,

“Name.”

A low, deep voice cut across the table.

Hector stared directly at the bewildered Kieran and asked again.

“The island’s name.”

Kieran hurriedly corrected her posture and bowed her head as she answered.

“It’s Chatori Island, Your Grace.”

“……”

Why is he suddenly asking about the island’s name?

Charlie glanced at Hector and then changed the subject as if it was nothing.

“Which place does Dame Kieran like the most?”

Kieran hesitated.

Charlie quietly waited for Kieran while sipping her coffee.

After a short while,

Kieran’s head tilted slightly, filled with embarrassment.

“Actually, I… don’t know much about the south as I haven’t been there often.”

“Oh, is that so?”

“Yes, I was born and raised in the imperial capital… I’ve only been there for work purposes.”

“It would be nice if you could enjoy a vacation while on a business trip. Don’t they give you business trip holidays?”

“I’m not sure what a business trip holiday is……”

“You’ve traveled a long way, right? It’s like you’ve lost your after-work hours. So naturally, you should get at least a day or two of vacation.”

Kieran’s lips curved into a smile at Charlie’s quite serious expression.

“I’ll have to do that next time.”

“Of course, and usually you shouldn’t wait for them to offer such things. You should ask for it first.”

“Yes.”

“So, how do you manage the knights?”

“……!”

The atmosphere suddenly turned cold at Charlie’s question.

The training and management of the knights were top secret.

Especially between the ducal families.

Kieran looked down at the coffee placed in front of her.

[I remembered you said you preferred coffee over tea last time, so I’m not sure if this will suit your taste.]

Kieran couldn’t even remember saying such a thing.

But it was true that she preferred coffee over tea.

Strong black coffee without sugar, just like the one in front of her.

‘She must have just asked out of curiosity.’

There was no malice or ulterior motive visible in those large eyes.

Kieran’s eyes, which had been fixed on Charlie, moved quickly.

Hector was calmly savoring his tea, and Leon was putting a handful of sugar cubes into his coffee.

Luke kept his head bowed.

‘I must have been oversensitive.’

After taking a moment to collect herself, Kieran spoke in a gentle tone.

“The knights in the duchy and the imperial capital are managed separately. As for other information, since it’s a family matter……”

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

In fact, Charlie asked while already knowing the answer.

Due to the covenant, the dukes, including Hector, cannot stay in their own duchies.