At first, the Kuno Trading Head feigned ignorance and refused to talk. But under relentless pressure and a threatening aura, he finally produced a document bearing the Tower Master’s seal. 

A magical seal – one that could not be forged. 

“I have seen it with my own eyes. The Tower Master’s magic seal was on the contract with the Kuno Trade Head.”

Kylance’s hardened expression twisted strangely. 

“Ha… That arrogant man guaranteed a noble’s debt.”

Kylance muttered and let out a cold, bitter laugh. His fears had come true. 

Aster Magicos – it was clear now that Ariel held a special place in his heart. 

He wasn’t the kind of man to show pity or extend kindness to fleeting acquaintances. 

Born into royalty and rising to the position of Tower Master, Aster had always regarded everyone as beneath him. 

He was far too exalted to empathise with the misfortunes of others. 

The Tower Master was widely regarded as the most skilled in history, but he was also notorious for being the most ruthless. 

For someone like him to guarantee a debt without a compelling reason? It was absurd enough to make even a passing dog laugh. 

If the Tower Master had casually handed over a million Krangs to the Merchant Head, it would have been less worrying. Such an act would have signalled that their connection was insignificant, drawn a clear line and avoided any further involvement. 

But that wasn’t the choice he made. 

Despite having the means to resolve the matter immediately, he deliberately chose to take on the onerous responsibility of acting as guarantor. 

Instead of simply paying off the debt, he became a powerful pillar of support for Ariel. 

This was the same man who had turned his back on his own family because they were inconvenient. But now he stepped forward to protect her. 

To the Tower Master, Ariel was clearly of far greater importance than Kylance had ever imagined. 

But what exactly was the nature of their relationship? 

As far as he knew, Ariel had no connection with the Tower Master. 

She had never kept secrets from him. If she had any connection to the Tower Master, she would have told him. Yet not once had he heard the Tower Master’s name pass her lips. 

Could it be that their relationship had grown closer in a single day? 

He knew it was a ridiculous notion, but the thought that there might be some bond between them, unknown to him, filled him with a sickening unease. The wave of twisted emotions was impossible to contain. 

Kylance’s grip tightened around the pen in his hand until it finally cracked under the pressure. 

The jagged edge of the broken pen cut into his palm, and crimson drops fell steadily, staining the desk beneath him. 

Deryl’s eyes widened in shock at the sight of the blood pooling on the papers. 

“Your Highness!” 

As Deryl turned to call for the butler, Kylance raised his other hand and gestured for him to stop. 

“It’s nothing. Don’t make a fuss.” 

Kylance grabbed a handkerchief from the corner of the desk and quickly wrapped it around his injured hand. 

“But, Your Highness…” 

“Deryl.” 

“Yes, Your Highness.” 

“Stop watching the Tower Master. There’s no need to watch the Marquis of Blante’s household either.” 

“What? Are you sure it’s safe to leave the Tower Master unchecked? Even if we ignore the Marquis of Blante, if he has entered the realm with bad intentions under a hidden identity…” 

Surprised by the unexpected order, Deryl hesitated before carefully voicing his concerns. But Kylance interrupted him firmly. 

“If he were really up to something, he wouldn’t have revealed his identity to me so openly yesterday. I don’t believe he entered the Empire with malicious intent.” 

As Kylance tightened the handkerchief around his hand to stop the bleeding, he spoke with unwavering conviction. 

“Perhaps he came across Ariel by chance… and decided to help her. I don’t know the reason, but it’s enough to know that the Tower Master’s intention to help her is sincere.”

Now only my decision remains. 

Kylance’s voice was heavy as he spoke the last words. 

Deryl felt a wave of questions rise in his throat as he saw the deep despair in Kylance’s eyes. 

What kind of decision could cause such hopelessness in his eyes? 

But Deryl was Kylance’s loyal knight and it was not his place to ask questions. His duty was simply to obey orders. 

“Understood, Your Highness.” 

Deryl bowed and left the office, leaving Kylance to rise from his chair. 

He stared at the bloodstains on his hand for a moment, his expression unreadable, before turning to the window, his gaze fixed on the world beyond. 

The sky had darkened before he noticed. Unlike the turmoil in his heart, the night was clear, not a cloud in sight. Somehow this clarity was irritating, and just as he lowered his eyes to escape it, the gates of the Grand Duke’s estate opened. 

A lone carriage rolled into the grounds and came to a halt as Lowell stepped out. His steps were unusually slow and heavy, a stark contrast to his usual manner. 

It was then that Kylance knew. The visit to the Marquis of Blante’s household had not gone well. 

With the Tower Master as her guarantor, she had no reason to take his money. It was no longer needed. 

Kylance turned away from the window, preparing to meet Lowell, who would soon be arriving at his office. 

And to hear Ariel’s answer. 

He believed her answer would finally put an end to his wavering resolve. 

“What did Ariel say when she said no?” 

When Lowell finally entered the office, Kylance heard her answer. 

“She told you never to bother with the Marquis of Blante’s household again. She made it clear that she did not need Your Highness’s help and drew the line firmly.” 

“…I see.” 

A faint, bitter smile played on Kylance’s lips at the expected reply. 

But the weight in his chest tightened painfully, his heart aching with an unrelenting heaviness. Silently, he forced himself to suppress it. 

This fear was nothing more than a fleeting attachment – one that would eventually dissipate. 

Gradually, his thoughts became clearer, more focused. He could now strengthen his resolve and get on with what needed to be done. 

Lowell watched Kylance with growing unease. In over ten years of service, he had never seen his master in such a fragile state. 

It was as if a part of him had broken. 

What worried Lowell even more was that Kylance didn’t seem to realise it himself. 

As he watched the distorted, bitter smile on Kylance’s face, Lowell’s expression hardened with determination. 

He had decided to broach the subject of reconciliation with Lady Blante. 

He knew. He knew that to say such things was to cross a line. And he also knew that his Master would never forgive anyone who dared cross that line. 

But… if things continued like this, something catastrophic seemed inevitable. 

For his master. And for Lady Blante. 

“Your Highness…” 

As Lowell opened his mouth to speak, it was as if the wheel of fate had already begun to turn, for Kylance spoke first and gave his order. 

“Lowell, I will meet His Majesty the day after tomorrow. Send a message to the palace tomorrow. And… proceed with the engagement to the household of the Marquis of Bayern.” 

“…” 

“Announce it widely – make sure the whole Empire knows of the engagement between the Grand Duke’s household and that of the Marquis of Bayern. Leave no room for anyone not to know.” 

Lowell’s expression faltered, his eyes wavered. He understood only too well who this announcement was intended for – exactly who it was intended to reach. 

Lady Blante. 

For a moment, Lowell couldn’t help but remember Ariel’s worn and fragile expression. 

If she were to hear this news, it would surely break her even more. And his master no doubt knew this only too well. 

So why? Why go to such lengths? 

But the words in Lowell’s throat never left his lips. He couldn’t speak, not when his gaze was locked with Kylance’s unflinching eyes. 

In those pitch-black depths lay a storm of despair and madness, fixed upon him with unwavering intensity. 

His master had already made his choice. And once Kylance had decided to act, there was no turning back – no matter what dangers lay ahead, even if death itself loomed. 

And his master always emerged victorious. Every decision Kylance had made had proven to be the right one in the end. 

This time would be no exception… surely. 

Yes, no matter what happened to Lady Blante… as long as Kylance came out unscathed, that was all that mattered. 

His master was Kylance, not Lady Blante. 

With that thought, Lowell suppressed the heavy unease that weighed on him and bowed his head. 

“Understood. I will carry out your orders.” 

As he left the office, he silently wished once more that at the end of this road, the only one to break would be Lady Blante. 

Lowell walked away, unaware of what he had missed. 

Blood still trickled from Kylance’s hand. 

The hastily bandaged wound had reopened, and crimson streaks now pooled on the ground beneath him. 

Later, Lowell would rue the day. He would curse himself for not noticing the injury, convinced that if he had, the tragedy that followed could have been prevented. 

—

“Haa…” 

Ariel sighed heavily. 

‘Ariel, I can hardly believe that your father would… commit treason. But the evidence is incontrovertible, isn’t it? Perhaps I have misjudged him. Either way, I don’t know anything about this, so I’d appreciate it if you didn’t involve me.’ 

‘Lady Blante, I’m grateful for the Marquis’ kindness in the past, but I can’t get involved in a case of treason. Especially when the evidence is a letter in the Marquis’s own handwriting. Besides, I’m just a count with a small border estate – I doubt I’d be much help to you. I’m sorry.’ 

‘It is true that the Marquis’ case has unfolded far too suddenly, but treason is no trivial charge. To seek the truth after the Marquis’ death would be far too dangerous. Lady Blante, be realistic. The Blante family is a founding house, and even holds the late Emperor’s sword. Furthermore, the Marquis insisted on his innocence to the end and took his own life. His Majesty is unlikely to destroy the Blante family completely. It’s best to let this matter fade quietly and focus on building a future instead.’

‘Or perhaps you could turn to His Highness, the Grand Duke, for help? But… is your relationship with him really over?’ 

Ariel rested her throbbing head gently against the wall of the carriage, her thoughts running in circles.