Soft music filled the air, and the banquet hall, illuminated by brilliant lights and adorned with fresh flowers, was breathtakingly beautiful.

As the gathering welcomed the knights’ return, it was prepared on an unprecedented scale, satisfying everyone present.

The elaborate decorations, plentiful food, fine wine, and exquisite desserts were a rare sight in Cliff, leaving guests thoroughly indulged. Yet, despite all this, the atmosphere in the hall was far from lively.

True to the informal nature of the people of Cliff, there was a low hum of chatter, but the usual exuberant mood was absent.

An awkward tension lingered in the air, save for the main table, where a uniquely calm atmosphere prevailed.

Seated at the main table were the grand duke and grand duchess, Caleb’s lover Elena and Chase Marquis, Elena’s former lover and an ardent suitor. The peculiar composition of this group had become the spectacle of the evening.

Half of those present watched with a mix of tension, wondering if heated words or even a brawl might erupt. The other half observed with curiosity, eager to catch snippets of their conversation.

“What’s with that dynamic?”

“I know, right? If you didn’t know better, you’d think Caleb and Elena were a couple and the marquis was paired with Her Grace.”

“Don’t be ridiculous! Watch your mouth, unless you want to drink a full jug of Cliff’s Tears.”

Though they rebuked the outspoken Helman, even those criticizing him couldn’t deny the underlying truth.

Outwardly, the atmosphere at the main table didn’t seem bad. Conversations flowed, and from time to time, a clear, bell-like laugh escaped from the group.

It was the laughter of the grand duchess, whose tears and seclusion in her chambers had worried the knights for days.

“Truly, Your Grace. It would mean so much if you visited my estate just once.”

“Marquis Chase, I appreciate the sentiment, but Cliff is quite far from your domain. I cannot leave the castle.”

“This is less a personal invitation and more of a business proposal.”

“…Oh?”

“Didn’t I tell you? I want to handle the distribution of Cliff’s Tears. Since Cliff is somewhat isolated, no matter how good the product is, it must face significant distribution challenges. My estate is located exactly halfway between the capital and Cliff. You’ll understand once you see it for yourself.”

“Hearing you say that does pique my curiosity. I’ve been struggling with distribution routes myself…”

Clink. The sudden sound of a wine glass being set down startled Astrid, making her shoulders flinch and tremble.

“Oh my, are you all right, Your Grace?”

“…Ah, I’m fine, My Lord.”

It was only then that Astrid’s gaze flickered briefly to Caleb’s stiffened expression. Caleb, looking highly uncomfortable, tapped the table with his fingers in a tense rhythm.

“Caleb, are you feeling unwell?”

Only twenty minutes had passed since they had arrived at the banquet. This was the first time Astrid had properly looked at Caleb.

“If I am unwell, what do you plan to do about it?”

Caleb’s brusque tone made Astrid pause momentarily before she instinctively reached out to touch his forehead.

“…!”

Caleb flinched and leaned back sharply, causing Astrid’s hand to awkwardly flail through empty air.

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

Glancing briefly at Elena’s face, Astrid bit her lip and lowered her head. Caleb’s thick, bold eyebrows twitched in response.

“…!”

“Your Grace, if you’re feeling unwell, perhaps you should retire to your chambers and rest. I didn’t realize, as I was too engrossed in my conversation with the lady. It’s been a while since I’ve spoken with someone so knowledgeable and eloquent. Time truly flew by.”

Chase spoke while staring directly at Caleb, his tone brazen and without a trace of hesitation. Caleb’s fist hovered over the table, trembling as though he might slam it down.

“Caleb, let it go. We can’t ruin a banquet Her Grace has gone to such trouble to prepare,” Elena interjected in a gentle voice. Reluctantly, Caleb loosened his grip. Although his expression remained sour, he simply downed his wine in quick succession without causing any further scene.

“Her Grace and the marquis seem to be enjoying yourselves.”

“…!”

Elena’s eyes danced with amusement as they flicked between Astrid and Chase. Caleb frowned slightly, but Astrid was too tense to notice.

The atmosphere was growing increasingly strange, and she found herself on edge.

“I’d heard the rumors, but to think she’d be so beautiful, wise, and warm! It’s no wonder the conversation is delightful. That’s not strange at all, is it?” Chase responded smoothly.

His words erased the faint warmth in Elena’s gaze, leaving only a cold chill in their place. The previously soft atmosphere froze over in an instant.

***

That evening’s banquet ended as if they were walking on thin ice, the mood teetering dangerously throughout.

Caleb wore an unhidden scowl, Elena’s expression was unreadable, and Astrid, caught between the two, was so uneasy she could barely eat.

The only one who remained completely composed was Chase. Whether he was truly unaware of the tense atmosphere or simply pretending not to notice was anyone’s guess.

He was a truly inscrutable man.

“Then, shall I assume you’ll invite me to the laboratory tomorrow, Your Grace?”

“Well, I’d like to, but…”

Astrid hesitated, sneaking a glance at Caleb. Chase chuckled softly, resting his chin on one hand as he gazed at her.

“Are you concerned about His Grace’s opinion? Why? All I wish to discuss is business. I’d like to hear more about the production process of Cliff’s Tears.”

“Opinion? Marquis Chase, it’s not that! It’s just…”

Caleb’s treatment of Chase throughout the meal had been dismissive, and Astrid had no idea how to smooth over the situation. She shot Caleb a pleading look.

‘Please agree. Quickly!’

But Caleb feigned deafness, stubbornly avoiding her gaze.

‘This is a beneficial business opportunity for Cliff! How can he act so childishly…?’

Astrid stared at him incredulously. It was clear Caleb had no intention of cooperating.

“Astrid has prior engagements with me tomorrow. So, it seems…” Caleb began, furrowing his brows as he prepared to decline.

“Wait! Caleb, didn’t you agree to go hunting with me tomorrow?” Elena interrupted sharply, cutting him off.

“…”

Caleb sighed deeply, setting his fork and knife down with a loud clatter. His actions were neither dignified as a host nor befitting a noble or knight.

“Is that so? Then I suppose everyone has their own plans,” Chase concluded, his tone calm and final.

In that moment, Elena’s piercing gaze locked onto Chase. Noticing, he lifted one corner of his mouth into a subtle smirk.

“Well then, Marquis Chase, how about we meet for tea tomorrow morning? Since His Grace and Elena will be out hunting, I can’t very well leave a guest of Cliff to fend for himself,” Astrid said plainly.

Her words froze not only Caleb and Elena but also the knights and servants eavesdropping nearby.

It was as if she had cast a spell over them all.

***

“What? Each going their separate ways?”

Caleb’s furious grip crumpled the pages of the book, leaving them in utter disarray. Unable to sleep, he had worked up a sweat in the training grounds, only to find it insufficient and eventually turned to the library.

The pages, which had been resisting for some time, were now completely mangled, the text barely legible.

If Elkan saw this, he would be outraged. Most of the books in Caleb’s library were rare treasures Elkan had spent exorbitant amounts importing from overseas. But Caleb couldn’t care less about Elkan’s collection.

His mind was consumed by the image of Astrid, sweetly smiling and chirping like a lark, and Marquis Chase, who had leaned in to whisper something secretively in her ear.

Astrid, now fully grown, had been the undisputed centerpiece of tonight’s banquet.

Under the glittering chandeliers, her face radiated even more brightly. Her delicate features were perfectly arranged, her graceful neckline exposed, and her arms, slender and supple like a dancer’s, accentuated her beauty.

Above all, her eloquence as the host, refined manners, warm smile, and perfect etiquette made her stand out even more.

Unfortunately, human nature wasn’t much different from one person to the next. Chase couldn’t take his eyes off her the entire evening.

‘That lunatic dares…!’

Forget the contract—Caleb wanted to tell Elena to drag that lunatic out of his castle immediately. Of course, Elena would comply without hesitation. Whether Chase lived or died, she’d ensure he was removed from the premises.

‘…And then she’d demand a share of the mana stone mine as stipulated in the contract.’

During the recent monster subjugation, Caleb and his knights had faced a grave crisis. When Elena responded to the call for aid, she saved Caleb’s life—and demanded a share of the mana stone mine as the price for it.

“One-third? Have you lost your mind? I’d understand one-tenth.”

“Really? Then, in honor of our friendship, I won’t demand payment for saving your life. But my mercenary group and I will leave immediately.”

“What are you talking about? If you leave now, the knights will be in danger—”

“That’s your problem, not mine. I’ve waived the life-saving fee. Asking for more for free is a bit much, don’t you think?”

“…Ha.”

“Unless you’d prefer to offer something else.”

“What would that be?”

“Nothing too difficult. Just handle one person.”

“…What are you talking about?”

“There’s someone. A lunatic, to be precise.”

He shouldn’t have signed that contract. But back then, he had no choice.

Elena claimed that to deceive the cunning Chase, they needed to fool everyone. That part didn’t bother him much, but keeping it a secret even from Astrid weighed heavily on him. After all, he couldn’t afford to lose a third of the mine’s shares.

He had thought it was unavoidable. But now that things were unfolding, it wasn’t as simple as he had imagined. Watching Chase hover around Astrid throughout the banquet, whispering to her, Caleb felt a powerful urge to abandon everything.

‘…Should I just kill him?’

Caleb seriously contemplated this option, thinking it might be the better course of action.