“In your past before the regression, why did I just sit there like an idiot? If we were such close friends. The fact that I didn’t help you when you were struggling and just let it happen… I can’t accept that.”

“No, you were a great help to me! I told you.”

“The comfort and encouragement you mentioned? This might sound childish, but I’m the head of House Alexis. Besides such help, there must have been many other ways I could have rescued you.”

Estelle grabbed Jeff’s hand.

“Jeff! You helped me in many ways. Really! The story is too long to tell it all. I’ll tell you slowly later.”

“……”

Her flustered words seemed strange somewhere, but Jeff, distracted by the warmth touching his hand, nodded like a fool.

By now, the sun had set outside the window, and the carriage stopped in front of an inn that Estelle had pointed out on the map. It was quite a luxurious building for an inn in the mountains. She had remembered it being under construction and was half-doubtful, but it had been completed that very day, which was good timing. The owner also seemed surprised by the arrival of the first guests earlier than expected.

Estelle stood on her tiptoes and whispered in Jeff’s ear.

“I’m glad. I was worried… I didn’t want to go to that inn where I got food poisoning again. There, bugs crawled on my body while I slept. As big as my palm!”

Jeff looked at her with eyes that said he found her adorable, then tried to pay for the room. However, Estelle tilted her head with a puzzled expression.

“Are we using separate rooms?”

“Huh?”

When Jeff didn’t understand, Estelle made an “Ah” sound and explained to him.

“In the past, I shared a room with you.”

“…What?”

“You don’t have to hide it. You hate sleeping alone because of your grandfather, right?”

“Grandfather……?”

“You already told me everything. That’s why we shared a room before.”

Estelle’s eyes were full of trust, and Jeff was confused.

“Um… why?”

“You were alone when your grandfather passed away, weren’t you? So you said that whenever you sleep, you’re reminded of that day, and sleeping with me makes you feel at ease. It’s okay, no need to stand on ceremony. I want to be of help to you like this at least. I found out a bit late before, but the situation is different now. Let’s share a room like before, and I can perform purification too.”

After making this storm-like statement, Estelle patted Jeff’s waist out of habit and went up to the room they had been shown to first.

“……”

Jeff stood frozen like a wooden block, blankly staring at her disappearing figure.

‘I suffered from such a neurosis?’

Could the future have changed as she said? But as he remembered, his grandfather had passed away in the morning, surrounded by family and retainers in a solemn atmosphere. He had only been alone with his grandfather the night before.

Even the timeline didn’t match. Estelle’s regression point was already after his grandfather had passed away.

‘There seems to be… some tremendous misunderstanding…..’

Jeff, belatedly coming to his senses, stepped on the wooden staircase to the second floor. Grabbing the doorknob, Jeff thought he should speak honestly since he didn’t want to deceive her.

“Estelle, I have something to say… gasp!”

In that instant, the scene that caught his eye completely froze Jeff’s thoughts.

“Jeff, I can’t see myself, so……”

Estelle’s dress had slipped halfway down and was hanging on her wrists. She was waving her hand around her lower back.

“I think one of the buttons is stuck.”

She looked at her reflection in the mirror from various angles, tried once more, and then, perhaps finding it bothersome, requested his help.

“Could you undo it for me?”

“……”

When Estelle turned her head and their gazes directly collided, Jeff, who had been standing frozen, seemed to regain his senses and shuddered violently.

Belatedly, he quickly fixed his eyes on the floor. Nevertheless, the glimpse of her exposed white skin lingered in his vision like a brand burned into his eyes.

What is this distance? Is she seducing me now….. Is this friend not that friend?

All sorts of stray thoughts pounded his head, but Jeff tried to maintain his composure.

“Estelle, it would be better if we use separate rooms. It’s still uncomfortable……”

Jeff, who had unconsciously reverted to formal speech due to the shock, quickly closed the door with a bang and left as if his feet were on fire.

* * *

Lexion was busily moving his pen adorned with a peacock feather. Just as he was writing a reply to a petition requesting tax reductions due to successive disasters, there was a knock, and Peter walked in with a bright smile.

“……”

Lexion’s eyes narrowed slightly. This was because his friend’s face was full of mischief. He rose from his chair. Feeling thirsty, he ordered his aide to bring tea and sat down on the reception sofa.

“Peter.”

Lexion, who had been handling even trivial matters personally, seemed stiff as he leaned deeply against the plush sofa backrest.

“What brings you here?”

Peter snickered and tossed a newspaper onto the table.

“I came to personally deliver some interesting news.”

Lexion’s red eyes scanned the phrases printed on the newspaper page.

「Beautiful love blooming at the Tehis River! Lady Arcis who shook the heart of Duke Alexis!」

「Let’s uncover the secret of the Saintess who captures the hearts of Guardians with every step she takes!」

「What is the power of purification that even conquered Duke Alexis?」

Peter watched Lexion’s face with curious eyes, but he wore an expression that showed not just a lack of interest but boredom. When the expected reaction didn’t come, Peter grew impatient, picked up the newspaper again, and cleared his throat.

“People at the scene reported witnessing such tender emotions swirling between the two that even Goddess Verdi would find it difficult to intervene. Lady Arcis, unable to contain her affection, ‘tightly’ embraced Duke Alexis in front of everyone and shed tears of joy……”

While listening to Peter’s recitation, Lexion crossed his legs in an arrogant posture and pointed to one of the teas his aide was holding. It was a dark red tea with a bitter yet subtly sweet taste that was appealing.

“In response, Duke Alexis also held her close, drawing admiration from those around them. Duke Alexis even went so far as to carry his beloved in his arms like he was protecting her and left the scene.”

Peter, emphasizing certain words, continued speaking while occasionally glancing at Lexion’s face for any changes in expression.

“The first meeting between Duke Alexis and Lady Arcis is presumed to have occurred before the manifestation of the Saintess’s power, and they appear to have maintained their relationship steadily. Their love seems to have been nurtured in secret due to the disparity between their houses, and there are quite a few witness accounts from the past as well. While the Crown Prince, who had been rumored to have a liaison with Lady Arcis, maintains his silence, according to his close associates, it is clear that the Crown Prince felt attracted to Lady Arcis……”

Peter’s plan to provoke Lexion lost its momentum due to Lexion’s consistently indifferent attitude.

“What’s with that bland reaction? How boring.”

Would that complacent look plastered on his face only disappear if the Empire were on the brink of destruction? Peter, recalling how he had been severely scolded by his father for a favor Lexion had asked, gave him a resentful look.

Lexion, raising his teacup, smirked.

“Was I supposed to entertain you?”

“Didn’t you say you were going to marry the Saintess? Are you really not bothered that she’s being completely taken away by another man?”

Lexion raised his eyebrows as if he had heard the most absurd joke.

“Taken away?”

“Well, with all this commotion, aren’t they getting along well together?”

Lexion looked at Peter with eyes that regarded him as a pitiful, pathetic child. As far as he could judge, it was certain that Peter remained at the level of a boy not only in soul but also in intellect.

“Has the press ever based their words on facts? What they spout is nothing more than third-rate fiction stringing together sensational material. They’re just bastards faithful to the basic principles of consumption.”

“It doesn’t seem completely wrong though?”

“After seeing all the articles about me in the newspapers, you still say that?”

“……”

Recalling the newspaper articles that praised Lexion like a saint, Peter’s mouth sank inward. It was quite a plausible inference. But Peter had evidence.

“No, they really did embrace each other! My acquaintance actually saw it! He’s not the type to lie! It’s true!”

“……”

Lexion elegantly took a few more sips of tea and then set down his cup. His relaxed demeanor didn’t resemble the madman who had asked to borrow a villa to chase after the Saintess, which made Peter look at him curiously.

“What’s with that confidence? Everyone at the scene witnessed it! Are you saying they all collectively hallucinated or something?!”

“That might be right.”

It was difficult to find even a fragment of jealousy-like emotion on Lexion’s face as he readily agreed.

“Aren’t you bothered at all? Any normal man would have his blood boiling!”

“What does that matter.”

“…What? Even if you claim not to have feelings for the Saintess, aren’t you angry that she’s about to be taken right before your eyes by another man?”

“Peter.”

Lexion smiled brightly enough to illuminate his surroundings.

“I’m not lacking in anything compared to that Alexis brat.”