Come to think of it, Deborah hadn’t once glanced at her father, only focusing on me.

“…….”

An uncomfortable silence passed.

Shailyn glanced at Benjamin, who was quietly watching the two before turning away slowly.

I considered stopping Benjamin from leaving without a word, but…

‘Let him go.’

Dain quietly met my eyes and shook his head, so I stayed silent.

No matter how composed Deborah acted, she couldn’t hide her red eyes and dried tear stains.

6. The Hospital Visit is Too Much

Following the physician’s orders for complete rest, I started my bed-bound life.

And Deborah really did visit every day. Dain also became a regular visitor, following his sister.

The two of them bickered in my room daily. More accurately, Deborah was always picking on Dain.

“Ugh, you smell like sweat. Are you crazy, brother? You came here without washing!”

“Hahaha, training ran a bit late today. But do I really smell that bad? I can’t tell.”

Dain sniffed his clothes, puzzled.

Deborah wrinkled her pretty face in annoyance, saying that people usually can’t smell their own odor.

Then, when she met my eyes, she smiled bashfully, embarrassed.

Having opened her heart to me completely, she transformed from a haughty cat into an affectionate puppy.

Visiting me from morning, chatting away, made me feel proud, like I had been acknowledged as her owner…

“Sister, isn’t it stuffy being in your room all the time? Is there anything you want to do once you’re better?”

Failing to send Dain away, Deborah came over and asked.

Dain also approached and said, “Yeah, let’s do something together.”

“Don’t butt in.”

“Can I add a fork?”

“Oh, come on!”

Seeing the siblings about to start bickering again, I hurriedly spoke up.

“A party! I want to go to a party with Deborah. I’ve never been to one with my sister.”

“Oh right, sister, you said you wanted to go to a party with me? Great!”

Deborah readily agreed.

Great, that’s half the mission conditions set.

“Oh, sounds fun. I want to go too. Do you have a specific party in mind?”

Dain showed interest, and I hesitantly spoke up.

“Well, if possible, I’d like to attend a big party… like one at a Duke’s residence.”

“Really? Perfect timing, there’s a party at Duke Celsior’s residence next week.”

“Really?”

While I was delighted by Dain’s words, Deborah looked displeased.

“Isn’t that the one hosted by the Duke’s daughter? I don’t really like her.”

“Huh? Why?”

“She’s really annoying.”

Deborah frowned deeply, seeming to dislike her even more than she disliked me.

But since another mission condition was attending a party at a Duke’s level or higher, I had to go there.

“I’ve never been to such a party, so I’d like to go… Could you come with me, Deborah?”

“Uh? Uhh…”

When I clasped my hands and pleaded, Deborah hesitated, looking troubled.

After a moment, she spoke.

“…Ah, okay. If you want, I’ll get the invitation.”

“Thank you, Deborah.”

Expressing my joy by shaking Deborah’s hands, Dain leaned in with sparkling eyes.

“Deb, will you get one for me too?”

“You’re not invited, brother.”

“Hahaha, guess I’ll have to get my own.”

Dain laughed heartily.

And so, we agreed to attend the party at Duke Celsior’s residence together.

The next day, in the afternoon.

Having achieved the mission condition on my own, I was relaxing when Paul informed me.

“Miss, you have a visitor.”

“A visitor? Who?”

I tilted my head, thinking there was no one who would visit me, and was surprised by the answer.

“It’s the Tower Master. Shall I let him come up?”

“What?! Uh, yes!”

Recalling his hair that shone golden under natural light, I quickly agreed.

While Paul went to fetch him, I checked my appearance in the mirror.

Just as I draped a lace shawl over my pajamas and reclined on the bed,

Knock, knock.

There was a knock at the door.

“Come in.”

The door opened carefully, revealing the Tower Master in a neatly worn black mage uniform.

Wow, he really has that decadent cat look.

Buttoned up to the neck, he even had an added aura of restraint. I was captivated by his appearance, then belatedly greeted him as our eyes met.

“Ahem. Hello, Tower Master.”

“…Are you feeling well?”

The Tower Master asked, oddly lowering his gaze.

Strange, why does it seem like I see droopy cat ears over his ash-tinged golden hair?

“Yes, I’m fine. What brings you here?”

“I came to apologize.”

“Apologize?”

“Yes. I’m sorry. It was my oversight that caused you harm.”

The Tower Master approached the bed and bowed politely.

I waved my hands in surprise.

“Huh? Oh, no.”

“No, it’s my fault. I should have thoroughly checked before the test… I’m truly sorry. I don’t know how to make it up to you.”

A look of guilt lingered on his slender and sharp face.

Though I heard the Tower made a mistake by placing a golem, it wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t followed Deborah into the maze.

Yet he came to apologize like this.

‘Hmm, among all the blondes I’ve seen, he seems to have the best character.’

Narrowing my eyes, I tried to access information about him.

— Ding!

【Name: Chester

Age: 21

Occupation: Tower Master】

Huh, that’s it?

Unlike other characters where future aspirations or weaknesses appeared, the Tower Master’s profile was simple.

【Information on this character is restricted.】

Why, does he have some secret…?!

The Tower Master, watching me lost in thought with my arms crossed, spoke.

“You seem tired, so I’ll take my leave.”

“Ah, wait!”

I hurriedly grabbed his clothes.

I almost slipped off the bed, but fortunately, the Tower Master caught me.

“Are you okay? Be careful.”

Surprisingly, he had a sweet scent like fruit.

His face, seen up close, was astonishingly delicate. His skin was so nice.

I found myself staring at him and then quickly regained my composure.

“Thank you. If you still feel sorry, why not stay and chat with me?”

Since the information was restricted, I planned to learn through conversation.

His mysterious turquoise eyes widened slightly, perhaps surprised by the suggestion.

The Tower Master slowly nodded to my anxious waiting.

“I don’t know if that will repay my wrong, but alright.”

Oh yes!

Suppressing a grin, I beamed.

From now on, I’ll thoroughly investigate if this man is a potential male lead!

As he sat in the chair beside the bed, I boldly spoke.

“Um, I have many questions for you, Tower Master, may I ask?”

“Yes, feel free.”

“Have you been injured around the plaza recently?”

I asked lightly to see if he was the hint’s owner.

His previously calm face subtly twisted.

“…Why do you ask? I have not been injured there.”

“Oh, I see…”

His reaction seemed uncomfortable and displeased, making me awkward.

Did he think I wished for him to be hurt or something?

Sensing the awkward atmosphere, I quickly moved to the next question.

“Oh, then do you know my cousin? Dain Diart, I was curious if you’re acquainted.”

“I’ve only heard of the young duke’s name, I don’t know him well.”

The Tower Master replied stiffly.

Hmm, seems like the target of the first hint was the Crown Prince.

He looked like a protagonist with a deep story, but there were no hints matching the Tower Master, which was disappointing.

Will it come up later?

Afterward, we only engaged in small talk and had tea before he stood up to leave.

I walked out to see him off, stepping outside my room for the first time in a while.

Heading towards the central entrance, I suddenly remembered to ask.

“So, how did Deborah’s entrance exam go?”

“Oh, that’s—.”

Just then.

“I heard you were sick, so I came to see.”

A familiar voice interrupted the Tower Master.

Turning my head, an unexpected person stood with one leg casually propped.

His sharp golden eyes scanned us, then lingered on me.

“You seem perfectly fine.”

Crown Prince Linus’s lips curled slightly.