I raised my arm high and held the hair tie in front of Ilian. He bent slightly at the waist to examine it closely.

“What’s this, my lady?”

“Have you seen this before?”

“Is it something I should recognize?”

Ilian looked perplexed, seemingly encountering the object for the first time. Of course, being well-practiced in concealing his emotions, he might have been pretending not to know.

“Just so we’re clear, lying means instant death.”

“I know. But I truly have never seen this before.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

Ilian nodded firmly. Seeing him so definitive in his response, it appeared he genuinely didn’t recognize the item.

I lowered my arm. The velvet texture felt soft against my palm.

“That’s fine then. I was just checking.”

“Hmm. Does this have something to do with Death Gorge? Given your talk of instant death?”

I glanced sidelong at Ilian, who had perceptively hit the mark with his guess. Ilian grinned and shrugged his shoulders.

“Just intuition.”

“That intuition might get you killed someday.”

“You’re particularly harsh today. Why? Do you know who this belongs to?”

“…”

“And perhaps you discovered that someone you trusted is the owner?”

I pressed my lips tightly together at Ilian’s words. He hesitated for a moment, seemingly surprised that his guess had been accurate.

He slightly furrowed his brow. A smile played across his lips as he looked at me.

“Whatever the situation may be, people who plan schemes don’t usually handle things so carelessly, do they?”

“Are you trying to comfort me?”

“No, just… The person who came looking for me that day didn’t seem the type to be so sloppy. The atmosphere was rather heavy, actually.”

“Do you know what they looked like?”

“If I knew that, I would have drawn a portrait by now, wouldn’t I? But I do know this much—it was a man.”

“Someone who practices black magic could easily change their appearance. That’s not particularly helpful.”

“Is that so? But there’s one thing they can’t change.”

“What?”

“The magical sense.”

“Magical sense?”

Magic has a sense? This was a concept I’d never heard before.

Ilian smiled knowingly and explained.

“It’s a concept frequently used by alchemists. The sense of magic. Alchemists typically create artifacts, but they also make tools for magicians when needed.”

“And?”

“But a tool that suits one magician won’t necessarily suit another. That’s why alchemists refer to each magician’s magical characteristics as their ‘magical sense.'”

“…”

“Simply put, it’s like a human’s appearance. Most magicians don’t pay attention to this. They just need to utilize their inherent magical power for maximum effect. But we’re different—we need to create tools tailored to magicians’ requirements, so we’re extremely sensitive to their magical sense.”

“So you’re saying that if the person who hired you were to use magic in front of you, you could recognize them?”

“Theoretically, yes. But unless they’re foolish, would they use magic in a situation where you or I are present?”

“They might. Perhaps not in front of me, but in front of you.”

“That’s not right—I’m on your side now.”

I snorted at Ilian’s words.

“Since when were you on my side?”

“Well, I am now, aren’t I?”

Somehow he seemed more glib than when we first met. Perhaps I’d been too accommodating. His attitude had changed subtly, especially after the recent festival.

‘Did he have some change of heart?’

As long as he didn’t harm me, it wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. Actually…

I lifted my chin slightly and stared at Ilian. He smiled pleasantly under my gaze.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Are you truly on my side?”

Ilian paused at my question. Soon, however, he smiled mischievously and spoke.

“Hmm. I was, but somehow I feel like you’re about to ask me to do something more, which suddenly makes me not want to be on your side.”

“Stop talking nonsense. Can you detect this ‘magical sense’ even after the magic has been used?”

“For a few minutes, perhaps. But it usually disappears as soon as the magical effect ends.”

“Then…”

I fell into thought for a moment. Soon, I turned to Ilian and asked.

“Want to try something interesting tomorrow?”

Ilian looked at my face and seemed to detect something unsettling, his expression becoming slightly ambiguous. Nevertheless, he soon nodded with a gentle smile.

“Well, I’ll give it a try. Though I’m not sure what it is.”

Agreeing without even knowing what it was? I grumbled inwardly but continued speaking.

And after I finished explaining my plan…

“Are you serious, my lady?”

Ilian wore a subtle expression.

“Yes, I’m serious. No matter how I think about it, sticking with just one plan until the end doesn’t suit my nature.”

“But even so…”

“Stop arguing and do what you’re told. Just so you know, now that you’ve heard my plan, there’s no backing out.”

Ilian pressed his fingers to his brow at my words. Soon, however, he sighed helplessly.

“Well, I’ll try my best.”

“It’s not about trying—you must succeed.”

With those words, I lifted my chin slightly.

* * *

The hunting competition was held on a bright, sunny afternoon. Sela not only provided me with a parasol but also made me wear a thin protective overcoat.

Though it would be unnecessary once I entered the forest’s shade, I decided to quietly accept her thoughtfulness.

“Greetings to Her Highness the Princess.”

Having deliberately arrived a bit early, not all the nobles had gathered yet.

I nodded to Marquis Adler, Marquis Aneroze, and Duke Shart as they greeted me.

Soon my gaze fell on Sever, who stood some distance away. Beside him stood a black horse with an elegant mane, presumably for today’s hunt.

“Your Highness.”

Sever bowed his head slightly toward me. The sudden memory of the red hair tie flashed through my mind, making me feel strange. I moved on without acknowledging him.

I sat down in the chair prepared for me.

Just as I was about to drink the juice Sela handed me, a boisterous voice suddenly rang out from behind.

“Esht! It’s been so long! How adorably cute you are!”

And predictably, the voice belonged to Duke Elvierts, one of today’s invited guests.

Before he even finished speaking, he strode directly to me.

I managed a somewhat tepid smile. Either failing to notice my expression or having grown accustomed to it, Duke Elvierts continued with sparkling eyes.

“Today this old man will catch a wild boar for Esht to eat!”

“…Please maintain your dignity. And there are no wild boars in the forest. Even if there were, why would I want to eat one?”

Duke Elvierts, however, seemed completely unfazed.

He even patted my shoulder heartily while laughing boisterously, leaving me no choice but to smile awkwardly.

“By the way, where is Estria?”

“Ah, Mother will be here soon.”

“Surely that good-for-nothing isn’t coming today?”

“Which good-for-nothing?”

“Your father! To me, he’s a good-for-nothing! He dared to take your mother away. Oh, not that my Esht isn’t pretty, just… Anyway, your father is a good-for-nothing!”

I inwardly applauded Duke Elvierts’ boldness in calling Lerrhagen a good-for-nothing.

However, before I could respond, a reaction came from elsewhere.

“My, if the Lord participates in the hunt, I suppose I should give up on winning.”

I turned my head toward the source of the voice.

There stood Duke Delmen, approaching us with a relaxed expression.

Soon, he stood before me, bowed his head slightly, and spoke.

“Greetings to Her Highness the Princess.”

I responded to his appearance with a disinterested murmur. Duke Delmen, seemingly unbothered, maintained his smile and addressed Duke Elvierts.

“It’s been a while, Duke Elvierts. I heard you came to the capital, but why haven’t you shown your face at the Senate meeting?”

“This old man is nearly retirement age—why would I rush to attend meetings immediately upon arriving in the capital? If His Majesty has orders for Elvierts, he will issue them directly. Besides, it’s not particularly good form for imperial relatives to be too involved in central affairs.”

“Indeed, Duke Elvierts is wise. I too thought I should pay you a visit someday, but I’ve been overwhelmed with official duties.”

“Hmph. Anyone listening would think you single-handedly manage all of Arsis’s affairs. This old man was once the Senate president too. What excuses! You simply didn’t want to come, did you?”

Duke Delmen’s face contorted at Duke Elvierts’ words.

Although they held the same rank of Duke, Elvierts was both an imperial relative and had years of experience, making him someone most nobles deferred to.

I inwardly laughed at the expression that crossed Duke Delmen’s face.