Despite their thorough inspection, they found nothing unusual. Kana maintained a natural smile as she responded to the host’s words.

“It’s an honor to be Elina’s first guests. We’ll enjoy the meal.”

“Yes.”

They all began eating. Only the women exchanged compliments about the food and engaged in pleasant conversation while praising each other. Kiriel quietly watched Kana as she chatted vivaciously.

Elina tilted her head and spoke up.

“Kiriel is still quite reserved. Come to think of it, I rarely see him speaking even normally.”

“Ah, my husband is naturally quiet, especially when he’s focused on jewelry crafting or work. But he’s caring and good to me, so he’s wonderful to live with.”

Kana leaned forward and smoothly covered for him. She deliberately added this supplementary setting to minimize his speaking, considering his usual lifestyle and manner of speech.

Her light brown hair, tied to the side, slipped down. Kiriel naturally caught his beloved’s hair. Kana straightened up and glanced at him.

“Thank you, Kiriel.”

“Don’t mention it.”

His lips curved into a gentle smile. Watching their affectionate atmosphere, Elina suddenly recalled her own married life. She smiled faintly and nodded.

“Indeed, a husband who works diligently and treats his wife well is the best.”

“Of course.”

Kana agreed with a soft smile. Silence fell between them. Seeing Elina’s slightly darkened expression, Kana carefully probed.

“Miss Elina, do you perhaps have something troubling you?”

“……Was it that obvious?”

“Yes. But if you’re uncomfortable, you don’t have to talk about it.”

Kana was considerate of the female protagonist who had suffered greatly because of her husband. Drawing strength from her kind neighbor, Elina hesitantly began to speak.

“Well, this is about someone I know, and I’m curious what you both think……”

Usually, such stories were about the person themselves. Kana exchanged glances with Kiriel and waited patiently.

Taking a slow deep breath, Elina began telling her own story with appropriate modifications.

It was about a couple who married due to a childhood engagement. Though the wife loved her husband and tried to adjust, they kept missing each other. The story continued at length about a wife working hard alone, surrounding people who ignored her, and a capable but indifferent and cold husband.

No matter how you looked at it, from any angle, it seemed to be the protagonists’ story.

It was more detailed than the shabby synopsis of ‘Flower of Aidel’ that had been planted in their minds.

Unlike Kana, who listened calmly due to her familiarity with such work, Kiriel frowned at the husband’s attitude in the story.

After struggling to finish her story, Elina carefully watched the neighboring couple’s expressions and asked cautiously.

“What do you think about this couple?”

“First, I feel sorry for the wife who must have suffered greatly. And the husband seems like complete trash, doesn’t he?”

“Is… is it that bad?”

Elina flinched at the unexpectedly negative response. Kana answered honestly with a composed expression.

“Yes. They’re spouses but worse than strangers. Even just being on cold terms would be frustrating enough, but he’s piling on so much suffering……”

“Well, even if he was too busy working to pay attention……”

It was something she had heard repeatedly hammered into her ears while at Duke Dekrom’s mansion. That the Madam should be understanding because the Duke was always busy. Elina fidgeted with her fingers.

Just as Kana was about to speak words of comfort, Kiriel, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, cut in with a snort.

“I don’t understand. A high noble who supposedly rules a region alone is that incompetent? It’s contradictory to call someone capable when they can’t properly manage their subordinates and let their family discipline fall into chaos.”

“……Mr. Kiriel?”

Her blue eyes widened and trembled violently at his scathing words. The image of the proud and arrogant nobles she had seen during her time as the Duchess of Dekrom briefly overlapped with his appearance.

‘Well, Kiriel was originally from a high noble line in his original world. Plus, since he’s someone who recognizes responsibility and handles work skillfully, he must have found it especially absurd.’

While Kana was lost in thought, Kiriel coldly added more words.

“If he didn’t know, he’s stupid and incompetent, and if he knew and still acted that way, he’s either negligent or abusive. Given that he withstands pressure from surrounding nobles well and maintains his power firmly, the latter is more likely.”

“……Ah.”

Elina’s lips just trembled. Though she had fled because she couldn’t endure to the point of forcefully letting go of her feelings of love, having it properly confirmed through another’s words made her heart ache.

While her heart shook violently, his words continued calmly.

“Even in a political marriage without love and with the wife’s conditions lacking, once you become spouses, you should take good care of each other. When the wife is making an effort first, matching that effort and maintaining her dignity and authority in front of servants and retainers isn’t even difficult.”

“……You’re right.”

That was what she had constantly wished for during her stay at Duke Dekrom’s mansion. Elina’s eyelashes and the corners of her mouth trembled. She looked about to burst into tears.

Kana lowered her hand under the table and tapped his forearm while giving him a look. Only then did Kiriel startle and change the subject.

“Well, at least the wife did her best. If the husband had conducted himself properly, she wouldn’t have faced such persecution within the family.”

“……Yes.”

Elina’s face contorted slightly as she struggled to answer, then her eyes reddened and tears finally rolled down her cheeks.

Their mouths automatically closed, at a loss as they watched her cry quietly and sorrowfully.

Having unintentionally made the female protagonist cry, Kiriel awkwardly fidgeted in an uncharacteristic manner while watching Kana’s reaction. She sent him a look saying it was fine, then moved to sit across from the female protagonist and gently patted her back.

Elina wiped her tears with the end of her sleeve and struggled to speak.

“I’m sorry for showing such an unpleasant sight. I didn’t mean to ruin the mood……”

“It’s alright. I hope you can compose yourself well. The person in the story must feel reassured to have a friend who cries for them as if it were their own situation.”

“……Yes, thank you for comforting me.”

Elina smiled faintly, feeling warmth she hadn’t experienced in a long time. Kana took out a handkerchief from her pocket and gently wiped the remaining tears from the female protagonist’s face.

“Miss Elina, I hope your friend takes care of their own happiness first and shakes off these negative feelings.”

“Yes.”

Elina’s expression relaxed considerably. The subdued atmosphere returned to normal. The female protagonist and the two naturally ignored the sense of dissonance they felt with each other.

* * *

After finishing dinner, Kana and Kiriel properly said goodbye to Elina and returned to their setting’s home. They briefly took care of their tasks and went to the bedroom, each lying down on their own bed.

Pale moonlight came through the window of the dim room, settling on their faces and bodies. Kiriel, who was shifting slightly, broke the quiet atmosphere.

“Kana, I’m sorry. I made a mistake earlier. I tried to stay quiet as promised, but listening to that was so frustrating that words just came out automatically.”

“I completely understand that feeling. Anyway, the situation was handled well, so it’s fine.”

Kana, who had been lying straight, turned her body towards him and chuckled. Having felt similar emotions during her days as a novice, she found his honest attitude somewhat cute.

Kiriel also naturally turned to his side to face her.

“Yeah. Thanks to you, for handling it skillfully.”

“It’s nothing special.”

She brushed it off casually. Kiriel blinked slowly. His handsome face, shadowed by moonlight, showed a complex and subtle atmosphere. Kana blurted out without thinking.

“You look rather troubled.”

“A bit.”

“Is it because of the female protagonist’s story?”

“Yeah. She said it was about someone she knew, but it was her own story, right?”

“Of course.”

Kana immediately affirmed. Kiriel ruffled his hair and slowly opened his mouth.

“According to the information, she eventually reunites with the husband who made her suffer. Why go back after struggling so hard to escape to another country?”

“Because the female protagonist loves the male protagonist. She still has some lingering feelings, and when the man who was so cold suddenly desperately pursues her, she wavers. Honestly, I don’t understand it either…… but well, if the person involved is happy, that’s what matters.”

While everyone said they followed the story for the satisfaction of seeing the regretful male protagonist, it hadn’t matched her taste as a reader. Unlike the indifferent Kana, Kiriel sent an interested look.

“What aspects don’t you understand?”

“The part about believing him when he begs and regrets after what he did. The story will obviously have a happy ending, but if the male protagonist slips up, similar problems could arise again. People aren’t something you can fix and reuse.”

He should have at least maintained the basics instead of doing things he’d regret in the first place.

While no one is without mistakes, the male protagonist of ‘Flower of Aidel’ had quite heavy karma.

‘Honestly, if Elina were my friend in a situation without this mission, I would have strongly advised against getting back together.’

Kana gripped the blanket then released it. Kiriel clicked his tongue and agreed.

“True, he should have treated her well while he had her, instead of realizing her value and trying to hold onto her after she left.”

“Exactly. I also don’t like how the female protagonist’s wounds and hardships are glossed over. Even if it was someone I loved deeply, I would be so put off that I wouldn’t even look at them.”

Kana snorted while cynically agreeing.

Kiriel suddenly recalled the first time he watched a play with her. Her attitude was consistent then and now. He was startled and asked.

“……Have I ever made any big mistakes with you, Kana?”