“Yes! How thoughtful he is…! He said taking care of the saintess’s family is for the Empire’s benefit, so there’s no need to feel burdened… isn’t he truly generous?”

Laura’s eyes shone devoutly, as if thinking of the noblest man in the world. She already worshiped Lexion, and now this incident seemed to have made her regard him as a sacred existence.

“He even gave us a mansion that can’t be compared to where we lived before! He also introduced a renowned doctor to the Madam. He cares for you so much…!”

“How did he know about our family situation…?”

“I don’t know that, but… he must have found out by chance. He’s such a considerate person……”

‘That’s called background investigation. It’s usually scary.’

Estelle had an uncomfortable expression.

‘No, it was hard to say such servile things, but maybe this turned out well……’

He wasn’t the type to bestow favors without expecting something in return, but perhaps he felt some guilt over her near-death experience. Whatever the reason, the outcome was good.

“His Highness the Crown Prince must like you!”

Laura put forward an absurd hypothesis. It was such a ridiculous statement that a scornful laugh escaped from Estelle’s lips.

“How did you come to that conclusion?”

“Men are always nice to women they like!”

Estelle sneered, recalling her past imprisonment by him.

“Yes… he was surprisingly nice to me.”

Seeing her expression close to mockery, Laura defended him as if to refute her.

“Oh my! Miss! It’s true, I tell you! How attentively His Highness took care of you!”

“Laura… you’ve been thoroughly enchanted by him.”

“You admire His Highness too, don’t you, Miss! Since things have turned out this way, I hope the best for both of you! The love between a Guardian and a saintess… isn’t it so romantic?”

“What romance? Why have you become so sentimental while I haven’t seen you?”

Perhaps due to the low fever, Estelle’s head spun, and she frowned as she lay her weary body back down.

“I’m tired. I want to sleep.”

“Oh my! Look at me, you must be very exhausted? I’m sorry. Sleep more. If you need anything, ring the bell.”

[…sleep more.]

Just as she was about to close her eyelids, a familiar voice echoed in Estelle’s ear. She called out to Laura, who was about to leave.

“Did you take care of me all day?”

“Pardon?”

“I’m asking if you stayed by my side until late at night, Laura.”

“Ah… well……”

Standing at the doorway, Laura avoided Estelle’s gaze with an awkward expression.

“It’s okay, tell me.”

“I… I didn’t tell you because I thought you might be embarrassed… His Highness nursed you until morning. He even fed you medicine personally……”

“How did he give me medicine… Ah, never mind, I understand. You can go.”

“Yes, Miss. Rest well.”

‘What the……”

Estelle closed her eyes and recalled the touch she had felt in the darkness. The cool hand that had gently caressed her amid the burning pain. It was a tenderness so careful and gentle that she had thought it was an illusion.

‘How annoying.’

She didn’t want to think about anything. Soon, she emptied her mind and fell into a deep sleep.

* * *

In the office with a long, antique chandelier.

Lexion, who had been sitting at his desk with his head bowed, busily moving a pen with a blue feather, raised his gaze due to the sudden visitor.

The visitor, who had arrived without scheduling an appointment, opened the door without hesitation after a brief knock, as if that single sound had granted permission for everything. The red eyes looking at him naturally revealed undisguised displeasure.

“Duke, you come and go in the imperial palace as if it were your own home. I said to visit comfortably, not to ignore courtesy… Perhaps the title of Duke is still too burdensome for the Duke of Alexis. If you lack the proper qualities, should I teach you?”

Jeff, standing before Lexion, opened his mouth with an expression that said, ‘I don’t care what you say.’

“I’ve come to take the Saintess away.”

“……”

Lexion stared at him for a moment, then put down his pen with a dull thud.

“I haven’t even heard your greeting yet. Not content with rudely barging into my office, you won’t even show basic courtesy to the Crown Prince of a nation?”

Jeff reluctantly offered a greeting with an insincere face. Though it was a courtesy barely worth giving. Lexion snickered as if it were pathetic and opened his mouth.

“Have you confused the date, Duke? As I understand, there are still days remaining.”

“That’s only when the Saintess’s situation is intact. The Saintess has suffered great harm under Your Highness’s protection, and we agreed that if it’s determined that she cannot be protected from a Guardian who poses a risk, we can claim the right to escort her without completing the days.”

“Ha……”

Lexion let out a laugh of disbelief. Damn it, was there no such thing as a secret in this imperial palace? Despite maintaining strict security, news had reached the east.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about, Duke.”

“I came knowing everything, so there’s no use in denying it.”

“Hmm… you came knowing?”

Lexion rested his chin on his hand and lazily made a sound in his throat. He looked like a predator with prey right before his eyes.

“I’m curious how a Duke far away knows about a matter that’s being treated as the utmost secret even within the imperial palace.”

“The maid attending to Miss Estelle is from my territory, and I happened to exchange greetings with her before and kept in contact, which is how I heard the unfortunate news.”

Lexion’s mouth curved into an obvious sneer as he laughed dejectedly.

“You say interesting things. Despite claiming to be free of prejudice, you speak as if you’re close friends with a maid you met once. If you’re going to make excuses, at least make them plausible enough for me to pretend to believe.”

Lexion leaned deeply against the chair’s backrest with a mischievous gesture.

“You should be honest like before and admit your insolent actions. To come here after doing such things… I wonder if it’s admirable courage or foolishness……”

Jeff looked straight at Lexion.

“I don’t understand what Your Highness is saying.”

“It seems you’re more talented at denial than I am.”

“I need to see if the Saintess is safe.”

“It seems you want to confirm what you’ve done personally.”

“What……”

“The timing is quite appropriate. As if… you appeared right on cue. Ha, how can I not be suspicious?”

“Are you saying I harmed the Saintess? Your Highness is making groundless accusations without evidence.”

“Jeff Alexis.”

Lexion was still smiling, but his voice was not just cold—it was eerily ominous.

“You should leave while I’m still being lenient. I’m generously showing mercy for the rudeness you committed last time. Would it be right for tragedy to befall Alphion when it hasn’t been long since welcoming a new duke?”

“…I just want to confirm that the Saintess is safe. This is a reasonable request.”

“If my memory serves me correctly, the consent of at least two Guardians would be required.”

“Are you saying I should discuss with other dukes a matter that the imperial palace is handling as top secret? I’ve refrained from speaking and came directly to Your Highness out of consideration for your position.”

“……”

How dare he… this upstart brat. Lexion’s expression hardened.

“Do as you please. If you want to spread it around, how could I stop you? However, you must be prepared to take responsibility for the consequences.”

It was a threat filled with arrogance, as if saying, ‘Do you really think you can stand against me?’ As Jeff hesitated at the openly displayed killing intent, Lexion smiled coldly.

“How much longer must I engage in this unnecessary conversation with you, Duke?”

“If I cannot take her away… I’ll at least check if she’s alright before I leave.”

Jeff, with an anxious face, relented somewhat. As expected. Lexion lowered his gaze and picked up a document.

“You may leave now. You must have had a difficult journey, so I’ll permit you to stay for a day.”

“That……”

Lexion cut off Jeff’s words sharply, as if there was nothing more to hear.

“Duke, do not test my patience any further in my ‘territory.'”

A subtle silence fell. Although Lexion wasn’t looking at him, an intense battle of nerves was taking place between the two men. The atmosphere was such that a fight could break out at any moment.

“……”

Jeff clenched his fists tightly, then slowly relaxed them. After remaining silent, he maintained his silence with thoughtful eyes before lightly nodding.

“Your Highness is right. She would eventually come to me if I just waited, so it seems I’ve made an unnecessary visit. I appreciate your hospitality, but I’ll return to my territory.”

Lexion watched Jeff’s retreating back, tapped his pen tip, and then spoke.

“You should conduct yourself properly. Remember this. I’m not the type to give second chances.”

“……”

Jeff, who had stopped with his hand on the doorknob, remained motionless. He left the room without showing any reaction.