“You have a hasty temperament, Duke. Just because the place is inadequate doesn’t mean manners should be lacking as well.”

An unpleasant fellow no matter when she saw him. Cecil frowned. Hector praised him as a brother he was proud of, but she had always found him uncomfortable.

His blood-like eyes that seemed full of malice were like that, and his expression, which made it impossible to know what he was thinking, was also disagreeable.

The special ability users were all people she didn’t want to be involved with, but Lexion de Herais was a nightmare among them that she didn’t want to be entangled with even in dreams.

Perhaps that’s why. The brothers were so starkly contrasted that she kept finding herself drawn to Hector, who was transparent and pure.

To have feelings for the brother of such a man…… Cecil frowned again.

“Are we on such good terms to exchange pleasant conversation? I’ve come a long way. I hope the steps I took haven’t been in vain.”

No sooner had she finished speaking than Lexion showed a sardonic smile.

‘Does he… know something?’

Cecil found his appearance very unsettling.

“So Duke Biastes can joke too. This is my first time here as well, but I already like this place. They say that a space full of warmth colors people, and it seems to have melted your heart too, which is nice to see.”

“Please speak so I can understand.”

Hmm, Lexion kept silent for a moment, vibrating his thick Adam’s apple. He stared at Cecil with observant eyes.

“Here are the two apple ciders you ordered.”

The employee placed glasses between them with a friendly greeting. Like the droplets flowing on the surface of the glass, cold sweat ran down Cecil’s spine.

‘Damn it.’

Cecil firmly crossed her arms and leaned back against the chair, but that action seemed more like a defensive measure to distance herself from him in any way possible.

Lexion, who had opened the curtain to the play of exploration, remained silent for a long time. No conversation passed between them. They only exchanged glances.

A suffocating battle of wills was taking place in one corner of the boisterous tavern, but no one seemed to notice.

As the drama reached its climax and Cecil’s anxiety rippled like it might overflow from her glass, Lexion broke the suffocating silence at an appropriate time and opened his mouth.

“I didn’t know the Baron’s mansion was far from the capital.”

‘As I thought… he found out!’

Cecil closed her eyes tightly and then opened them. She tried to maintain her composure and spoke.

“…Do I need the imperial permission for wherever I eat and whatever I do?”

“No, absolutely not. The imperial family doesn’t place restrictions on your food, clothing, or shelter.”

Lexion denied her words with a friendly smile. However, as he continued to speak, that smile disappeared without a trace.

“However, it might be a problem if your lies irritate my nerves.”

“I haven’t lied.”

“Duke Biastes… even now, you’re spewing falsehoods with that wicked tongue.”

“I never said I was coming from my territory.”

Lexion chuckled as if he found her contemptible.

“See? You already like this place, Duke Biastes. You, who were so blunt, are now playing word games with me.”

“I’ve been staying in the capital to socialize since it’s been a long time since I attended social circles.”

“It seems the Duke, who even missed the founding festival, has decided to become a new person.”

“Your Highness, your interrogating manner is extremely unpleasant. Let me make it clear that it’s none of your business whom I meet.”

“Cecil Biastes.”

Lexion subtly stroked the smooth glass with his fingertips.

“Then, let me also make it clear. You should be careful because your ‘socializing’ activities appear different to my eyes. So as not to be misunderstood as inciting impure groups and opposing the imperial will.”

“That’s paranoia…… I had no other intentions.”

“You are in a position to preserve peace more than anyone else. That is your reason for existence and the direction you should move forward.”

“……”

“Let me be more explicit. Neutrality is not one of many paths given to you, but the only path. I want House Biastes to be where it rightfully belongs.”

Cecil snorted, dumbfounded.

“This is ridiculous. Since when did my love life become a national event serious enough to implicate my entire house?”

“If that love affair could disturb the Empire, it’s certainly worth discussing. Or is love just an excuse, and you actually want a pretext to rebel against the Empire?”

“Your Highness, you are crossing the line.”

“It is you who has crossed the line by plotting behind the scenes with nobles to pressure the imperial family. Duke Biastes, that is precisely what we call the signs of treason.”

Treason? Cecil glared with cold eyes, grinding her teeth. Was this vicious man threatening her now! Trying to eliminate her family just like he had worked on the former Grand Duke of Yustian?

“What slander are you making……!”

“Is House Biastes truly planning to divide the Empire?”

Cecil, unable to contain her anger, slammed the table.

“I only love him as I love Valois!”

As the tavern patrons’ eyes gathered at her outcry, Cecil bit her lip and barely managed to calm her fury.

“It’s too harsh to imprison him in the palace like a criminal just because he spoke nonsense once……!”

“……”

Lexion wore a bored expression as he smelled the fresh and tangy scent of fruit pulp at his nose.

A man chirping about love. Really, what a perfectly matched pair they were.

Cecil’s feelings for Hector were deeper than he had thought. Enough to get excited over a simple psychological game.

A very interesting and amusing reaction. And dangerous.

“Please release him. Haven’t I waited long enough already!”

With all her cards revealed, Cecil suppressed her temper and pleaded with Lexion.

“How could I release my brother who was imprisoned by the Emperor’s imperial order?”

This cunning viper. Cecil glared murderously at the bastard who had provided the biggest impetus for Hector’s imprisonment. It had happened because he had encouraged the Emperor’s petty heart.

“I have no intention whatsoever of marrying Hector. I swear to God, I’ll just continue to meet him quietly like now.”

“Well… the human heart is so treacherous that I cannot be certain.”

The person who viewed her union with Hector most threateningly would be Lexion, not the Emperor. He was making this petty challenge because he feared his position as Crown Prince might be shaken.

“What are you telling me to do?”

“Duke Biastes, isn’t the world full of men? There must be a line of suitable groom candidates for you, so why are you trying to put my brother in danger?”

“……”

Cecil tightly gripped the white tablecloth hidden under the table. Her heart sank at the realization that the knife he was pointing was aimed not only at her but also at Hector.

“The aroma is pleasant.”

Lexion traced the cross-section of the glass containing apple cider and smiled subtly.

“However, I think it looks good when people take what suits them. Rather than hastening one’s death by putting one’s mouth to the wrong thing out of mere curiosity. Indeed, I find myself more drawn to rich wine than this cider.”

Lexion slowly pushed his glass toward Cecil. The opaque yellow liquid in the glass rippled slightly in response to his gesture. She felt as if the glass of alcohol he offered was like poison.

“I don’t mind if you drink it, but don’t tarnish the dignity of Biastes.”

Lexion rose from his seat, deliberately pressed down once on Cecil’s right shoulder, and left the tavern.

“……”

Left alone, Cecil stared at the two glasses in front of her. In her amber eyes, silent anger was swirling.

* * *

Rustle rustle.

Estelle looked up at the tree branches swaying in the moisture-laden wind. She sighed quietly and removed her shoes, which had become uncomfortable from the muddy water. The once voluminous dress hem clung to her calves like tears from the dark clouds falling from the sky.

As an unidentifiable stench rose strongly from the soil, Estelle frowned. Just as in the past, it was a forest permeated with an unpleasantly cold energy.

“Kyaaaaaaaaa!”

Despite the blood-curdling screech coming from nearby, Estelle calmly took out a candy. It was one of the snacks she had purchased in the village she had visited a few days ago. Though it was the most edible among them, the round candy had such a strong salty taste despite its sweet name on the box that she had to spit it out after rolling it in her mouth a few times.

“Saintess! Please get inside the carriage!”

From a distance, the coachman shouted toward Estelle with an anxious face. However, Estelle, perched on a rock, shook her head.

“It’s fine!”

“…What?”

“I said it’s fine!”

“Saintess!”

The coachman flung open the carriage door and gestured urgently toward Estelle, but she had no intention of moving and averted her gaze.

“I’ll have to come out anyway……”

Estelle mumbled quietly and then yawned. She appeared extremely peaceful for someone witnessing something in the Black Forest, which made even knights tremble with fear.