Kelsior had thought that Siscreek Castle was nothing more than an insignificant, abandoned fortress left to decay long ago.

But she was wrong. Siscreek Castle wasn’t just some old, forgotten place. Even from a distance, its grandeur evoked memories of its former glory.

She was certain that if her father had ever visited Siscreek Castle even once, he would never have handed it over to Callius Maxis.

“Whistle—”

At the sound of Damian’s whistle, the falcon that had flown far away turned sharply and descended.

When the falcon landed on Damian’s outstretched arm, he staggered slightly.

“Birds are all the same—troublesome.”

“But they’re necessary, aren’t they?”

The well-trained falcon clicked its beak aggressively. Its head moved this way and that, like a broken wind-up toy.

Kelsior disliked all birds.

She wouldn’t even send a simple carrier pigeon herself. Knowing this, Damian kept the falcon as far away from her as possible.

“It’ll need to be very hungry. Hungry enough to snatch up any carrier pigeon flying out of Siscreek immediately.”

“Of course.”

Damian’s immediate response pleased Kelsior.

Kelsior didn’t trust Leticia or Callius Maxis at the moment.

If there were even the slightest sign that their visit to Siscreek was being reported somewhere, she needed to act immediately. A well-trained falcon was one of the simplest solutions.

As Kelsior tugged on the reins, her horse pawed the ground. It was a modest movement, with not even a single escort knight accompanying her.

Kelsior trusted Damian, but above all, she trusted herself.

Now it was time to see with her own eyes what was happening there.

“Hyah!”

At her spirited shout, the horse reared up on its hind legs and charged forward. The force of its gallop was reminiscent of a cavalry charge.

—

Siscreek Castle, awaiting Kelsior’s arrival, was quiet, but unusually tense.

Nora knew exactly who the guest arriving at the castle was.

The thought of the sole princess of Metherdea coming to Siscreek made her sweat profusely, her hands growing cold.

If the princess found even one thing displeasing, Nora felt it would all be her fault.

“Are you alright, Nora?”

“Of course! Why wouldn’t I be? But what about you, my lady? You should be the one who’s alright!”

Despite Nora’s anxious fussing, Leticia remained as calm as ever.

“I’m fine.”

“Well, that’s a relief, but…”

Leticia was gazing far off at the entrance to the castle.

“She’s here.”

“Pardon? Oh my, you’re right. She’s already here! What should I do? I must go prepare immediately…”

“I’ll be fine, so go ahead, Nora.”

As soon as Nora hurriedly left, Leticia turned her attention to the two riders galloping fiercely toward the castle.

The two riders were mere specks in the distance but grew larger until their faces could be faintly discerned.

Kelsior Metherdea.

Unfortunately, her face bore such a striking resemblance to Mathias’s that they could almost be mistaken for twins.

This resemblance had been an unchanging, lifelong source of tension between the two.

Still, if Leticia were to list all the ways Kelsior was better than Mathias, she could name hundreds.

Though they looked alike, Kelsior, at least, didn’t resort to underhanded tricks to express her desires.

At least, not so far.

“I’m thinking of going out to greet her.”

“Alright.”

With the door open, he took a step inside.

At this point, the two of them no longer needed permission to enter each other’s rooms.

Asking for permission every time had become a waste of time.

“Are you nervous?”

“A little.”

Leticia answered honestly.

In truth, she was more than a little nervous.

“From what I see, you have nothing to worry about.”

“Why do you think so?”

“At the very least, you know exactly what the princess wants.”

There was no reason for the princess to play games or hide her intentions.

“Besides, from my perspective, you and the princess have a lot in common.”

“Me?”

That was something Leticia had never heard before.

Surprised, she immediately looked up at him.

“For one, you share a common enemy.”

“And?”

“…You both need me.”

“And?”

Was that all? Leticia couldn’t understand what he meant by saying that.

“…Anyway, that’s all I meant.”

His answer was lackluster.

Leticia didn’t take his words seriously, assuming he had said them carelessly to ease her nerves.

He stood there dressed as if he had just stepped out of the capital. His perfectly tailored formal attire was flawless, as always.

“Why are you staring at me like that?”

He checked his outfit, concerned, as if something might have been out of place.

“It suits you.”

He stopped adjusting his clothes and looked at her.

“When did you start thinking that?”

He asked as if it were an important matter.

It was an odd question, but Leticia answered honestly. It was easier to be truthful now than it would be when facing Kelsior.

“I thought so the first time I saw you.”

It was the truth, without any lies or exaggeration.

Even in the chaos of being dragged out of solitary confinement, she had vividly remembered his words and face. Even then, his black knight’s uniform had seemed like a second skin.

“So you can say things like that.”

“Of course.”

Leticia found it surprising that she was even exchanging such banter with him.

By now, Kelsior and Damian Gorset, the Viscount, were nearly upon them. It was time for the two of them to head downstairs to greet their guests.

“Aren’t you going?”

Callius stood by the window, unmoving, as if rooted to the spot.

“You go ahead. I’ll be down soon enough.”

Leticia nodded and stepped out into the hallway first.

—

Left alone in the room, Callius fixed his gaze on Kelsior and Damian as they rode toward the castle.

He raised a hand to his face, rubbing it dry. The pressure he applied left a dull ache in his jaw.

“She’s not the same person.”

He repeated the words like a mantra.

He thought he had engraved those words into his very bones, yet it still wasn’t enough.

Moments of doubt like this proved it.

In the distance, the messenger from Siscreek seemed to escort the two riders as they approached.

Callius struck the balcony railing once, as if trying to snap himself out of it.

“Get it together.”

He repeated the words several times, as if trying to remind himself of what he needed to do.

He had to go down soon. He couldn’t leave Leticia to face them alone.

Taking one last deep breath, Callius finally moved.

—

“The castle is beautiful, Lord Maxis.”

“You flatter me.”

Viscount Damian Gorset was both boisterous and courteous. Perhaps because of this, Callius seemed more composed than usual.

Not that he had ever been wild or unrestrained, but still—

‘He seems relaxed.’

It was as if he had hidden his sharp edges, knowing that Damian, being who he was, wouldn’t treat him rudely.

“How’s life in Siscreek? Or is that a silly question?”

Kelsior’s blue eyes scanned Leticia’s face thoroughly, even in the dim light of the fireplace.

“It’s not bad. Surprisingly so.”

“Well, that’s good to hear. Why do you think that is? Is there a reason?”

Kelsior’s expression turned sly, though not in a malicious way.

She acted as if she were greeting a distant cousin she hadn’t seen in years.

Leticia didn’t understand why, but she found herself relaxing despite herself.

“Maybe it’s because I’ve distanced myself from bad memories.”

When Leticia said that, both Damian and Callius, who had been discussing the castle’s architecture, turned their attention to her.

“Right. That makes sense. I wasn’t thinking.”

Kelsior easily admitted her mistake.

She downed the whiskey in her hand in one gulp and set the glass down.

“I’d like to speak privately for a moment.”

Without even glancing at Callius, Kelsior made her request.

“Then would you show me around the castle, Lord Maxis?”

Damian asked with a friendly smile.

Callius silently exchanged glances with Leticia, as if seeking her approval.

Leticia nodded, answering his unspoken question.

Once the two men had left, Kelsior spoke.

“I know the look in a man’s eyes when they shine.”