“Does it mean I can advise Lord Cedric to stay away from Lady Ronia without any problem?”

“That’s right. But if you block my way, you’ll have to be prepared for that.”

After all, Cedric said he liked that Arne was a villainess. In the end, it’s Cedric who makes the decisions.

Arne locked eyes with Warren. Suddenly, Arne’s red eyes flickered, changing the atmosphere.

“What I said about liking Sir Warren is because of your loyalty towards Lord Cedric. So, if anyone towards Lord Cedric……”

Arne’s red eyes flickered again after a pause. Warren couldn’t take his eyes off them.

Because what was contained in those eyes was sincerity.

“Carefully watch whether someone habitually lies, betrays trust, or hurts enough to tear the heart to shreds.”

Arne tapped Warren’s chest right above his heart with her index finger.

It was a very small movement, but Warren felt as though he was chained, unable to move even a step.

It was dignity. As if it was natural for her to command Warren.

Warren could only nod, enchanted.

Then, as if nothing had happened, Arne’s lips spread into an innocent smile, thinking of the remaining macarons.

“Thank you. I won’t forget your loyalty.”

“……”

Warren was momentarily speechless.

‘Loyalty?’

Everyone had said Warren was too sensitive whenever he harbored doubts, asking why he unnecessarily caused trouble.

They didn’t appreciate how much he loved and wanted to protect Cedric and the Grand Duchy of Renigrad.

Upon arriving at the capital, Warren immediately sought out society news alone to understand the political situation.

If death in the north meant battling monsters, in the capital, a single word could lead to being accused of treason and death.

Cedric had no interest in society news, and other knights found salons and clubs embarrassing, so shouldn’t he be the one to move?

‘To think that Lady Ronia understood my feelings that even long-time knights didn’t.’

Warren opened his twitching lips.

“I will take it upon myself to escort you when you return to the Ronia Duchy.”

The Knight Commander kicked Warren again.

Warren was as prickly as he was sensitive and doubtful; it wasn’t in his nature to offer kindness first.

“What are you thinking?”

Despite the commander’s question, Warren still looked at Lady Ronia.

“Would you allow me?”

Warren waited for Arne’s answer. Of course, it didn’t mean he trusted her right away.

She was willful, her reputation wasn’t good, and she lacked a background of her noble status.

However, he thought that maybe she genuinely cared for Cedric, at least.

‘I just thought it needed more investigation. It’s definitely not because I liked her, definitely not.’

“Would you give me the opportunity to make amends for my rudeness?”

Knight Commander Lux opened his mouth wide in shock.

‘Was that guy capable of saying such things?’

“I permit it.”

“Thank you.”

Warren, having expressed his respect, politely stepped back. Not only the Knight Commander found himself unable to close his mouth at this sight.

“What’s going on, Commander?”

“How did both Shatir and Warren, the noisiest ones, become so docile?”

“That’s what I’d like to know.”

The Knight Commander glanced towards Cedric.

Cedric, who was observing the situation with his arms crossed, seemed intrigued.

“…Take good care of the lady.”

Once Cedric gave his permission, the commander blinked.

Warren was stubborn, but Cedric’s stubbornness was not to be underestimated either.

Thus, when those two clashed, the knights’ order never had a quiet day. Mediating between them was always the role of the commander, Lux.

“It ended so peacefully. It doesn’t make sense.”

Arne tilted her head in confusion as she saw the commander looking moved by the scene.

Then, a woman with a robust figure, Theresa, came running from afar, shouting.

“Miss! You were right! Selindefirin was the answer! It seems Miss Serena’s illness is getting better!”

Cedric’s pupils slowly dilated. The commander couldn’t shut his mouth.

“Miss Serena’s illness is getting better?”

A slow smile formed on Arne’s lips.

‘Really, if her illness gets better, Cedric promised to grant a wish, perhaps?’

And she could increase the number of days she could meet him under the pretext of asking for support for her business guild.

Maybe his engagement between Cedric and Amelia wouldn’t happen at all.

Arne looked at Cedric, who was frozen in surprise.

There were rumors that Cedric had become rapidly desolate and cynical after Amelia’s betrayal.

Arne didn’t hate that Cedric was treating her kindly like now.

No, she liked it.

She wanted to stop hearing cryptic words like ‘only before death’ or receiving not even a single letter after their first night, like in her previous life.

‘Maybe he won’t have to marry out of revenge for Amelia and Kale’s affair?’

Maybe it’s okay to marry more peacefully, if they’re going to marry anyway.

Maybe if they look carefully, it’s entirely possible without Cedric getting hurt.

Cedric slowly took Arne’s trembling hand.

“Lady, your hand is trembling. Are you okay?”

Pulled from her thoughts by Cedric’s question, Arne noticed her shaking hand.

‘When did my hand start trembling? I feel like my body is trembling too.’

Theresa’s eyes widened as she saw Arne’s trembling hand.

“But why are you sweating so much in the meantime?”

“Maybe because of the horse riding competition.”

“Horse riding competition?”

Theresa’s suspicious gaze turned towards Cedric.

“Sweating cold and trembling hands are symptoms that appear when mana drops significantly! You let the lady participate in a horse riding competition?”

As Theresa looked around for something to grab, Arne held her back.

“I asked for it! Cedric tried to stop me.”

“Is that so? A proper walk can be helpful.”

‘It wasn’t just the level of a walk…’

But Arne wasn’t oblivious enough to spit out words that would stir trouble.

Seeing Arne checking her reaction, Theresa softened her heart.

Theresa was particularly sympathetic towards patients who neither recognized nor expressed their pain.

Those accustomed to pain often have been suffering for a very long time.

“Do you mind if we go in and take a look?”

When Arne nodded, Theresa gestured to Cedric.

Then, Cedric effortlessly lifted Arne into his arms.

It was a motion too practiced to have been done only once or twice.

At that moment, Arne realized how Cedric had noticed her condition even faster than she had herself.

‘Serena must be very sick. And Cedric has always taken care of her.’

When their eyes met, Cedric, realizing his actions belatedly, spoke up.

“You must have been surprised. I should have asked first, but it became a habit from taking care of Serena.”

“It’s okay. Rather…”

Arne looked into Cedric’s eyes. Her clear eyes slowly blinked.

“Thank you. I’ve had several mana surges, but this is the first time I’ve received treatment like this.”

“……”

Cedric and Theresa were silent for a while.

Cedric was the first to break the silence.

“It’s the least I could do. I was the one who caused the lady harm due to my mistake.”

* * *

Theresa quickly checked on Arne, voicing her concerns.

“Miss, what I did was only first aid. It wasn’t a thorough examination, so I can’t be sure of the exact state of your body.”

“I’m sorry. I’ll be more careful in the future.”

As Theresa’s scolding seemed to drag on, Arne quickly gave the answer Theresa wanted to hear.

But Theresa’s scolding did not stop.

Her words continued non-stop after they returned to Cedric’s room.

“Mana surge is not my specialty, so we need to bring a mage to know your exact condition.”

“Don’t worry too much. Cedric said he would call a mage.”

“You should also meet the young master at least once a week to fully replenish your mana.”

“May I visit this place?”

Since it wasn’t Arne’s decision to make, she looked at Cedric.

“Whenever the lady is in urgent need, feel free to come. On weekends, I’ll mostly be at the manor due to knight training.”

“Thank you.”

A bright smile spread across Arne’s lips. Seeing Cedric every weekend was a significant progress.

‘First, we need to meet to become closer.’

Cedric flicked his lips at Arne’s sparkling gaze.

“I didn’t have the chance to say this due to the circumstances, but thank you, Lady Ronia. Serena’s disease is known to be incurable, so it was difficult to find medicine.”

Theresa chimed in on Cedric’s words.

“The only herbs from the Grand Duke of Renigrad’s herb garden showed a slight effect, so we’ve been living according to what that old Grand Duke said. Now we can finally take a breather.”

“Grandma.”

Cedric’s stern expression made Theresa pout her lips.

“I wish the young master could live more like others his age. Because of that, the young master even considered following through with an engagement he didn’t want.”

“Grandma!”

“Hmph.”

Theresa snorted and left the room after taking extra care of Arne’s medicine.

When they were left alone, Cedric ran his hand through his hair.

“It was noisy. I apologize, lady.”

“It’s okay.”

“And really, thank you. I will support the business guild as the lady requested. If there’s anything else you desire, feel free to ask.”

“Anything?”

Arne looked at Cedric with wide eyes.

“Marry me…”

“That would be difficult.”

​​”No, I haven’t finished speaking yet!”

Arne clenched her fists tightly as if feeling wronged.

“If you’re not going to be engaged to Amelia, then do it with me!”

Cedric raised an eyebrow.

“Lady, how old are you this year?”

“Twenty.”

“Have you had your coming-of-age ceremony?”

“No.”

“What about your debutante ball?”

“……No.”

Arne blinked nervously as Cedric’s expression grew colder.

“If you haven’t had your coming-of-age ceremony or debutante ball, then it’s difficult.”

“Why is that? I am clearly an adult.”