While Delia was stretching her tired legs one at a time under her long dress, not quite stretching…

Just as she extended her right leg straight out, she suddenly realized she had accidentally kicked something.

Before she could confirm what her foot had hit, Niol spoke kindly.

“You must have been very uncomfortable, Miss Averbit. Seeing as you kicked my leg like that.”

Kaiel added.

“I told you to let go. Let go.”

“Hahaha……”

Taking advantage of the break in their atmosphere, Delia finally removed Niol’s hand. Since he hadn’t been holding on with much force to begin with, she was able to break free easily.

Slipping out from between them, Delia spoke softly.

“Grand Duke, His Highness wasn’t holding me tightly at all, please don’t be angry. And Your Highness, thank you so much for escorting me this far. I’m sorry, but may I take my leave now?”

Niol listened leisurely to what she was saying, then nodded once as if in agreement. He asked with a smile.

“Would you extend your hand for a moment?”

When Delia, who had been about to turn around and leave, held out her hand with a puzzled expression, Niol’s long hand covered hers and then lifted away. On her hand where he had let go lay a single colorful candy.

“See you again, Delia.”

She could vaguely feel Kaiel’s body tensing beside her as she quickly bowed to Niol.

“Take care, Your Highness.”

Only after Niol had walked away with leisurely steps did Delia look up at Kaiel.

“Grand Duke?”

“……Name.”

His voice was a bit lower than usual. Delia clapped her hands together and said.

“Right, you told me to call you by name! Don’t worry, I’ll call you to your heart’s content. Kaiel.”

“Who’s worried.”

At his response of turning his head away sharply, Delia felt the urge to call his name several more times.

“Kaiel.”

As always, his response came.

“Yeah.”

“Kaiel!”

“Yeah.”

“Kaiel, Kaiel, Kaiel!”

Kaiel said with an impassive expression.

“Stop.”

They began walking somewhere like that. Since they hadn’t yet confirmed Lady Rant’s improved condition, they needed to stay at the imperial palace for a few more days.

“Where are we going?”

“The auxiliary palace.”

Being the imperial palace, there would be more than enough auxiliary palaces prepared for visitors. He always used only the minimum number of servants when visiting, and often didn’t use servants at all.

So the auxiliary palace would probably be quite empty.

“Kaiel, Kaiel. In this vast palace where I don’t have any close friends, surely you’re not planning to have me use a separate room?”

After thinking for a moment, Kaiel said.

“No.”

“What do you mean ‘no’ when I haven’t even asked anything? What do you think I was going to say?”

“……”

Kaiel looked at her and spoke again.

“Fine. Say it again.”

Delia also repeated what she was going to say.

“How about sharing a room?”

“No.”

His voice maintained the same volume and pitch.

“Boring.”

Delia spoke in a sulky voice.

Though she said that, how could it be boring? Delia greatly enjoyed these light conversations with him.

When she chuckled, Kaiel asked seriously.

“Why are you laughing?”

“Because I’m happy.”

Kaiel looked down at Delia laughing joyfully, then turned his head away after a moment.

“Childish.”

Perhaps the impact of first meeting Niol was greater than expected, but Delia was glad to see Kaiel again even though they had only been apart briefly.

Most of the disappointment she had felt toward him during the day had dissipated.

He was right.

Lady Rant’s health hadn’t fully recovered yet, and it was still uncertain whether the antidote had worked properly — it was too early to rejoice without knowing.

‘If Lady Rant really gets better, he might give me a word of praise then.’

As they arrived at the front of the auxiliary palace, Delia slowly rubbed her hungry stomach. After today’s hard work, it felt like she needed a hearty meal.

Delia took a deep breath and said.

“Kaiel, are you hungry?”

At her question, Kaiel was about to open his mouth to say ‘no,’ but she was faster.

“I’m hungry.”

Following that, Kaiel changed what he was going to say and answered.

“Yes, I’m hungry.”

This was basically at the level of ‘the answer is set, so respond accordingly,’ but a warm and hearty meal was essential after a tough schedule.

Food power!

Suddenly remembering the Korean food she used to eat before entering the novel, Delia thought about possibly cooking for Kaiel, Lisa, and Ian herself if she got the chance.

Even Mt. Kumgang is best viewed after a meal, and even ghosts look better after eating!

Though expressing it this way made her feel a bit gloomy, she was determined to prepare Kaiel’s last supper herself.

Thinking about food made her stomach growl, so Delia took out the candy she had been holding.

Just as she was about to eat something sweet to get some sugar…

“Don’t eat it.”

Kaiel said while eyeing the candy in her hand.

“Don’t eat that.”

His tone was quite stern, making Delia almost suspect the candy might be poisoned for a moment. But Niol wouldn’t do that.

“Why not?”

After a while, Kaiel’s answer came.

“Go in and eat dinner. Don’t spoil your appetite.”

It was an insignificant reason. Delia laughed saying what’s the big deal and popped the candy into her mouth. A sweet apple flavor filled her mouth.

“It’s just delicious.”

Kaiel didn’t mention the candy anymore.

When they entered the auxiliary palace, servants and maids busily welcomed them.

It didn’t take long for Delia to realize that the auxiliary palace where she would stay for a few days was the palace where Kaiel used to stay when he was at the imperial palace.

Except for the unfamiliar air, everything from the carpets, wallpaper, to the overall calm and dark atmosphere resembled somewhere else.

‘This is exactly like the interior of Tranade Castle!’

This auxiliary palace, which perfectly reflected its master’s taste, was where Kaiel had stayed from his childhood until he left to take up the commander position on the battlefield.

Despite him leaving for Tranade with no plans to return, this palace had been maintained exactly as it was when he was here for years.

‘Ashlene.’

In the original work, Ashlene cherished and loved both brothers until the end, embracing them. Having grown up remembering the joyful memories and affection that young Niol and Kaiel had given her, she prayed for the reconciliation of the two brothers until just before she lost her life to the Floren army.

Remembering Ashlene’s gentle voice, Delia felt complicated.

In the original work, because Ashlene passed away first, she didn’t have to see Kaiel kill Niol.

But now it was different.

When Delia kills Kaiel, Ashlene would have to accept Kaiel’s death with her own eyes and ears while still alive.

The mission given by the system was simply to kill one villain directly, but considering others who would be hurt or affected by it, it was by no means a simple task.

The weight of such a mission was something that Delia herself had to bear.

‘Karma, it’s karma. All this because I missed one plausibility score!’

Delia now felt like her mood would instantly plummet and rise again whenever she thought about her mission.

“……Kaiel.”

With all strength drained from her body, Delia trudged along.

“I lost my appetite. Maybe it’s because of that candy earlier that spoiled my appetite.”

Delia muttered that she should have listened to him.

Kaiel, regardless of her suddenly deflated state, took her to the dining room and seated her in a chair.

“I know you’ll end up eating. Eat before it gets cold.”

And that evening, the listless researcher, as the Grand Duke had said, cleaned up all the dishes prepared in the dining room.

The good news from Dr. Lambert came three days later.

During that time, Delia stayed at the auxiliary palace, spending time meeting with Ashlene who occasionally sought her out, walking in the garden, and generally avoiding Niol.

Not that the Crown Prince would be easily seen just anywhere in the palace anyway.

The three days passed peacefully without any particular incidents. Thanks to Kaiel and Niol’s fight, the plausibility score had exceeded 120 points, so there was no need to worry about penalties.

Meanwhile, Kaiel was often away from the auxiliary palace, presumably busy handling matters related to Sheriton.

Just as things were about to get boring, Dr. Lambert came looking for her.

“Lady Rant’s condition is improving remarkably. Her rough breathing has stabilized, and her slow heart rate has increased quite a bit. Miss, you are truly amazing!”

For several days, Dr. Lambert had been singing Delia’s praises as if he had discovered an outstanding top disciple. His talk had spread so much that a new atmosphere began to circulate within the imperial palace.

Lady Rant’s illness, which no one could cure, has improved! Finally, there are signs of recovery!

Those who were genuinely happy about this amazing news sent large and small gifts to the front of the lady’s palace as wishes for her recovery.

Among them were gifts sent by Ashlene and Niol.

Delia, who had come to check on Lady Rant’s condition, was looking at the various gifts.

She suddenly spotted one box among the numerous gifts and opened her eyes wide.

‘What’s this?’

It wasn’t the gift itself that surprised her. Rather, the name of the sender caught her eye.

‘This is……’

The sender’s name written on it was none other than Delia’s own name!