“…By Viscount Magnus, do you mean that mage favored by the late Emperor?”

“That’s right. He seemed to have been holed up in his territory for a while, but for some reason, I heard he recently came back to the capital.”

Liandry paused briefly and gauged Noel’s reaction.

“Speaking of which. Noel, I’d like you to conduct the investigation together with Viscount Magnus.”

“…Why me of all people?”

“Who else but you could I trust with such a task?”

Liandry smiled bitterly.

Noel fell silent for a moment.

To be honest, it wasn’t a request he was particularly keen on.

If it had been anyone else, he would have refused without a moment’s hesitation.

But the person asking was the Emperor of the Empire and a long-time friend he had watched over.

“…Alright. Then, I’ll get in touch with Viscount Magnus.”

After a moment of contemplation, Noel nodded with a sigh.

Finally seeming relieved, Liandry faced him with a bright smile.

“Thank you. You really are my friend.”

“This is the last time I’m granting Your Majesty’s request. From now on, please resolve matters on your own.”

“I understand. I’ll make sure to repay this favor someday.”

With that brief exchange, the two men stood up.

Noel left the drawing room, casually ignoring Liandry’s invitation to come visit again anytime.

“…Looks like I’ll be busy for a while.”

Noel muttered lowly as he stepped into the corridor.

The first thing that came to mind after receiving Liandry’s request was Yvette’s face.

If he became busy, naturally, the time he could spend with Yvette would decrease.

‘Just in case, it might be better to meet her in advance before I get busy.’

At this thought that suddenly occurred to him, Noel unconsciously stopped in his tracks.

‘…Since when did I start caring for that woman like this?’

Noel let out a hollow laugh as he ran his hand over his face.

Initially, when he proposed engagement to Yvette, it was to keep her close and observe her.

Even his unusually kind behavior towards her was closer to bait thrown to understand her true intentions.

But at some point, that bait was becoming a part of his daily life.

‘Unlike me, I’ve become quite soft.’

Noel chuckled and started walking again.

Just then.

Someone walking from the opposite direction spotted him and called out in a friendly voice.

“My, if it isn’t Duke Averon I see here.”

“…Viscount Magnus.”

Noel raised an eyebrow at the unexpected encounter.

Viscount Magnus appeared to be a thin man in his early twenties.

One peculiar thing about him was that half of his face was covered by a mask.

“Did Your Grace also receive a summons from His Majesty?”

Viscount Magnus addressed Noel in a friendly manner. His yellowish gaze scanned Noel up and down.

In contrast, Noel maintained a cool, expressionless demeanor.

“I’m just returning from His Majesty’s presence.”

“Ah. Then you must have heard the news as well.”

Whatever it was, Viscount Magnus kept smiling as if greatly pleased.

“If I’m correct, it seems we’ll be seeing each other often from now on. How about we get closer on this occasion?”

Viscount Magnus smiled subtly and extended his hand to Noel.

However, instead of taking his hand, Noel coldly turned his back.

“I have a prior engagement, so I’ll be going now. Farewell.”

With those words, Noel brushed past Viscount Magnus.

Watching Noel’s retreating figure disappear in the distance, Viscount Magnus lowered his hand.

The face that had been smiling until just now sank terribly.

“…Like father, like son. Such an arrogant bunch.”

Mere mortals, with nothing to their name but a title and flesh.

He muttered to himself, running a hand through his hair.

A dark shadow flickered in his yellow eyes.

Contrary to appearances, Viscount Magnus was close to sixty years old.

He had succeeded in reversing his external appearance to look younger, but as a side effect, half of his face had become hideously distorted.

People who knew his former appearance called him a monster and kept their distance.

Even after most of those people had died, the infamous reputation of being a monster did not easily disappear.

The only reason he could live without being too cautious was because he had been favored by the previous Emperor.

But now that the previous Emperor was dead, he was no different from a stray dog.

The nobles called him a monster and kept their distance, and the current Emperor was wary of his abilities.

Perhaps the moment he lost his value, his head might fly off.

‘Of course, I don’t intend to let that happen so easily.’

Viscount Magnus stared at the spot where Noel had disappeared for a long time before turning away.

The eyes hidden behind the mask gleamed dangerously.

***

“Count! What kind of dress do you like?”

“Well, I’m not sure about other things, but I’d like it to be comfortable. I don’t like anything cumbersome when walking.”

“Then, we should avoid types with too much lace or heavy ones.”

During the carriage ride, Philia diligently took notes of Yvette’s words.

She seemed to be brimming with enthusiasm at the thought of clothes for her mistress.

While Philia was busy writing, Yvette glanced out the window.

The rattling carriage had already entered the city.

‘Huh?’

Yvette was about to turn her head but stopped abruptly.

It was because she spotted a familiar face.

“…Oh? Isn’t that Duke Averon over there?”

Philia, who seemed to have seen the same thing, shouted loudly and pointed out the window.

Then, Noel, dressed up and walking with Sid, came into view.

Perhaps they were out on business, as both had serious expressions and seemed to be discussing something.

“Shouldn’t you go and greet him quickly? He’s your fiancé, Count.”

Philia said in an excited voice. However, Yvette hesitated to step forward.

Was it because this was their first encounter since the jeweler’s? Somehow, she felt awkward about approaching first.

“Um, is that really necessary? Noel looks busy too.”

As she hesitated, Philia widened her eyes as if to say, “What are you talking about?”

“He’s not just anyone, he’s your fiancé. You should at least greet him before leaving!”

“But…”

It was at that moment.

As the carriage that had been moving smoothly came to a stop, Philia’s gasp of “Oh!” could be heard.

Wondering what was happening, Yvette turned her head and flinched as soon as she looked out the window.

Noel, who had somehow approached nearby, was staring directly at her.

***

Inside the café filled with guests engaged in friendly conversation.

Yvette sat facing Noel with a single cake between them.

The perceptive Philia excused herself, saying she’d go to the market while they were out, and Sid volunteered to be her porter and followed her.

Thus, only Yvette and Noel were left alone.

“What brings you to town?”

Noel was the first to break the silence that had fallen between them.

Whether he hadn’t slept well the night before, a faint trace of fatigue was evident on his face.

“I came out shopping. What about you, Noel? What are you doing in town?”

“I also had something to buy around here.”

Noel answered smoothly, then posed another question to Yvette.

“What did you come to buy?”

“I came to buy dresses. It seems I’ll have many parties to attend soon.”

Yvette answered indifferently, then narrowed her eyes as she looked at Noel.