“Miss Kana, you’re so kind.”

“You flatter me.”

They exchanged words, flattering each other.

Kana suddenly realized that the painting didn’t have a title. She asked Evie, who was smiling brightly,

“What’s the title?”

“‘Spring Day in the Garden.’”

“It’s a fitting name.”

They quietly looked at the painting. Evie glanced at her and cautiously began to speak.

“Miss Kana, this painting is for exhibition and decoration, so I can’t give it to you… but if it’s alright, may I gift you another painting?”

“Oh my, if you’re willing to give it to me, I’d be honored to accept. It would be a privilege.”

Kana’s eyes sparkled as she grabbed her hand tightly. Evie blushed slightly out of embarrassment and slowly nodded.

The two sat on chairs placed in the space where the paintings were hung and chatted away. Mostly, Evie would talk about the paintings while Kana listened attentively and occasionally added a word or two.

Thanks to the smooth flow of their conversation, time passed quickly. Evie checked the time with her pocket watch and clicked her tongue regretfully.

“Oh my, it’s already time…”

“We should probably head out now.”

“Indeed. Time flies when I’m talking with you, Miss Kana.”

“Maybe it’s because our views are similar.”

The two came out together, creating a harmonious atmosphere. Other guests were arriving from a distance. Evie looked at the staff greeting the guests and then spoke to Kana.

“Miss Kana, it looks like I’ll be busy now.”

“Of course, as the host of the exhibition. We spent some personal time together earlier, so I’m fine.”

“Thank you for understanding. I hope you enjoy the rest of the exhibition.”

“Yes.”

Kana waved to Evie, who was walking away briskly.

There were no special episodes at the exhibition hall. At most, Letie and the second prince, disguised using a magical tool, passed by each other? It wasn’t a situation where she needed to step in.

‘I have the tickets, so I might as well look around at more paintings before heading back.’

Kana exchanged light greetings with the young ladies she encountered and leisurely moved alone, appreciating the paintings. As expected from the artists sponsored by Evie, there were many paintings with bright, delicate, or unique styles.

Kana stopped abruptly in front of one painting.

In a field full of blooming wildflowers, an earth spirit stood steadfast like a rock, a butterfly-shaped fire spirit gently perched on a large flower, and bird-shaped wind and water spirits flew in the sky.

Kana lowered her gaze to check the title of the painting.

‘〈Energy of Nature〉. A fitting title.’

As a spirit summoner, it was a painting that caught her eye. She stood there for a long time, staring intently at the painting, when a familiar voice reached her ears.

“Miss Kana, are you staring at the painting for so long because it depicts spirits?”

Kana turned around. It was Kiriel, dressed in his typical mage attire. He wasn’t someone who would usually take the time to come see paintings. Her eyes curved into crescents.

“Of course, Lord Kiriel. I guess I can’t help being a spirit summoner. My eyes are naturally drawn to it.”

“I thought you had turned into a rock because you weren’t moving at all.”

Kiriel, uncharacteristically, made a joke. Kana playfully responded.

“Oh my, if I really turned into a rock, wouldn’t I be able to make a contract with an earth spirit?”

“Shouldn’t you focus on properly handling the spirits you already have?”

“…I know.”

Kana sighed as she looked at him, who had turned serious and prickly, unable to take the joke. It was Kiriel who broke the silence that had settled between them.

“Miss Kana, what brings you to see the paintings?”

“I was invited by Miss Evie, the host. I also enjoy looking at paintings.”

Kana waved the ticket she was holding. Kiriel tilted his head in curiosity.

“That’s unexpected. I didn’t know you were interested in paintings.”

“That’s what I should be saying. What brings you here, Lord Kiriel?”

Kana was genuinely curious. In the original scene where the two protagonists briefly met, the sub male lead, the Master of the Magic Tower, did not appear.

If the sequence of events got messed up, it could be troublesome. She generally didn’t like variables, even if they were manageable.

‘This is a hassle. Should I hold him here if necessary?’

Just as Kana was thinking that, Kiriel, who was quite flustered, answered awkwardly.

“I just… decided to come.”

“Oh, I see.”

It wasn’t unusual for someone as whimsical as him. Kana accepted this and clapped her hands.

“Lord Kiriel, why don’t you join me in looking around?”

“What?”

“We both came alone, so it would be nice to look around together.”

Of course, it was nonsense. She always preferred being alone. Kana smiled sweetly, making a polite suggestion to prevent any disruption to her tasks. Unaware of her true intentions, Kiriel readily agreed.

“Sure.”

“You won’t be bored. I have some explanations I heard from Miss Evie during our conversation.”

Kana led the way, and Kiriel followed, both of them ready to explore the exhibition together.

Kana pointed to her head with her finger and stepped forward confidently. Kiriel involuntarily let out a low laugh. As his lips curved into a smile, his handsome face shone even brighter. She glanced at him lightly.

“Do you find me amusing?”

“No.”

Kiriel quickly shook his head.

Kana skillfully guided him while avoiding the paths of the protagonists. Using the conversational skills she had honed as a supporting character, she talked about the paintings and engaged in small talk, all without interrupting his appreciation.

Kiriel gazed at the paintings for a while before suddenly snapping his fingers. He had cast a spell to prevent their conversation from being overheard. He slowly began to speak.

“Miss Kana, have you been busy lately? It’s been hard to catch you at the Round estate.”

“Not as much as you, Lord Kiriel, but yes. If you need to see me, you should contact me first instead of just showing up. Isn’t that why we exchanged communication codes?”

There was a sharpness to Kana’s words. She had always disliked it when male protagonists or sub male leads intruded into private spaces or acted as they pleased without consent.

If it were villains, she could at least understand because they were acting according to their roles. But it was uncomfortable when characters set up as friendly to the protagonist behaved like that.

Kiriel, uncharacteristically, hesitated and then stepped back.

“I thought it was okay since you didn’t say anything. I’ll be more careful from now on.”

“Alright.”

Kana accepted it plainly.

‘Well, someone like Kiriel probably never heard anything bad said to him. Everyone must have been cautious or flattering in front of him. If he had a decent personality to match his handsome face, it would be nice.’

His appearance, like a golden-haired prince from a children’s fairy tale, seemed wasted. At least he wasn’t being arrogant about it. For a prickly sub male lead, he had a decent attitude.

Kana glanced around and began to speak.

“By the way, did you use a soundproofing spell?”

“Yes. Miss Kana, you’ve used it before too, haven’t you?”

The intensity in his gaze as it touched her face was unmistakable, clearly recalling the incident on the terrace. There was a peculiar tension in the air. Kana smoothly responded without any agitation.

“Yes. I tried to mimic it with spirit summoning, but… I’m still inexperienced, so the success rate is unstable.”

“Really? Well, if you’ve succeeded even once, you’ll be able to improve quickly.”

“Since the Master of the Magic Tower says so, I believe it. I hope I can manage it soon.”

Kana ended the conversation naturally with a gentle smile. They walked slowly, silently appreciating the paintings.

In the distance, a woman with red hair quickly passed by.

‘Richard left first, and Letie is going back too. I’ve seen enough paintings, so maybe I should head back as well.’

With the protagonists gone, there was no chance of Kiriel disrupting any scenes. While Kana was timing her exit, he calmly began to speak.

“Miss Kana, I heard you attended Countess Dearon’s salon.”

“Yes, it was a good experience. Ah, if there’s a problem with something I said there…”

Before Kana could finish her sentence, Kiriel hurriedly asked.

“What did you say?”

“I told them that if they had complaints about my partner at the imperial banquet, they should take it up with the Master of the Magic Tower, not me.”

Kana shrugged as she honestly confessed.

To raise his romantic interest level, it would be better to show a willingness to resolve such matters on her own. But she had no intention of doing that. She preferred taking the easier route when working, so she had openly hinted at it to him.

Kiriel’s well-defined brows furrowed. He asked with evident discomfort.

“Who complained about it?”

“The young ladies from the south. Of course, I made it clear that it was a decision made in consultation with Lord Kiriel, and handled it well.”

Kiriel’s eyes narrowed. He disliked it when people he had no relationship with used his name to act presumptuously. His voice naturally turned cold.

“Which families’ young ladies were they?”

“First and foremost, the young lady from the Cotton family.”

Kana mentioned the families of the southern young ladies who had been particularly troublesome, including Margareta. Since they had attacked her first and could cause more trouble in the future, it was better to suppress them a bit.

‘Tsk, if Kiriel didn’t know, it means they really didn’t say anything to him.’

While Kana felt a renewed sense of disdain, Kiriel closed and then opened his eyes. A chill passed through his mysterious purple eyes.

“I’ll remember that.”

It meant he would remember them to avoid them in the future. Their actions, intended to get closer to him and the Curtis family, had backfired.

Kana was quietly satisfied without showing it. As the atmosphere grew tense, Kiriel subtly changed the subject.

“Oh, by the way, I had something to ask. Miss Kana, do you enjoy watching plays?”