Kiriel tousled his hair with his hand as he looked at Kana’s serious green eyes.

“…Miss Kana, you are quite decisive.”

“Of course. Ignoring the help I received is not only against my principles, but there’s also a saying that continued kindness is mistaken for a right. I don’t want to mistake your kindness for my right.”

Kana answered clearly, looking straight at him. Her mysterious purple eyes trembled slightly.

She firmly nailed her point to Kiriel, who was rarely left speechless by shock, his lips just moving without sound.

“So please, don’t hesitate and let me know in advance.”

Her intention was simply to prevent any troublesome matters from arising later, but Kiriel took it quite impressively. He responded with a mischievous smile, waving his index finger side to side.

“Well, I can’t think of anything right now. I’ll tell you the price other than the five high-grade magic stones later.”

“…What?”

“Can’t I store it and demand it later?”

“Oh, well. Go ahead.”

Kana nodded, feeling a bit uneasy.

‘He wouldn’t unreasonably demand me to help him get together with the female lead later, would he?’

She was anxious because she had seen sub male leads making such demands in other novels. That was a request she couldn’t fulfill even if she died and came back to life.

Kiriel Curtis was a ‘sub’ male lead. The female lead was destined to be with the male lead.

While she was seriously contemplating alone, Kiriel wore a faint smile. Kana quickly added words as she looked at him, unable to guess his true intentions.

“Just make sure your request is within what I can handle. No matter how much you ask, I can’t do what’s beyond my abilities.”

“I understand.”

Kiriel replied lazily and sipped his tea. Kana silently stroked the handle of her teacup. He slowly put down his teacup and stared at her sharply.

“But Miss Kana, are you going to leave that knight as he is?”

“Sir Colin?”

“Yes.”

“He’s done well so far, and it would be a waste to dismiss him for an unexpected accident. Our family doesn’t have many talents like him. He has skills, loyalty, and is diligent.”

Kiriel closed his mouth at Kana’s cold and realistic answer. The Curtis family and the Round family had a significant difference in background, befitting major characters and supporting roles, and the gap extended to the talents they possessed.

Kiriel scrutinized her calm face.

“I thought you were being lenient, but I was wrong.”

“Since I’m here in place of my parents, I should judge similarly to them. Besides, he is likely to work harder to make up for his mistake.”

Kiriel agreed with her rational response. Kana clapped her hands and cheerfully changed the subject.

“Oh, I almost forgot to mention this. Lord Kiriel, I’ll take you to the Hail family tomorrow.”

“What?”

Kiriel’s eyebrows furrowed. Kana smiled softly.

“Think of it as a small favor. I’ll stay at the villa for family matters, but Lord Kiriel has other business, right?”

“I…”

Before Kiriel could finish his sentence, Kana’s communication device blinked. She checked it. It was Evie’s code. She wondered why the usually passive and quiet Evie had contacted her first.

“Oh, excuse me for a moment.”

Kana asked for his understanding and took the call. A radiant smile spread across her face like a painting.

“Oh my, Miss Evie. What brings you to contact me?”

— Well, the painting is finished.

Evie’s voice, coming from the communication device, was full of excitement. Kana glanced at Kiriel, who was quietly drinking tea, and remembered the promise at the exhibition. She asked lively.

“Oh, the ‘painting’ you said you’d gift me back then?”

— Yes! If it’s alright with you, I’d like to give it to you while having tea together this week.

“…Ah.”

Kana sighed awkwardly, her lips moving. Considering Evie’s character, it was a very courageous proposal, and she felt sorry to refuse.

She was very generous to supporting characters in similar situations. Especially if that supporting character had a good personality, it went without saying.

— Why? What’s wrong?

“Oh dear, what should I do? I’m currently in the west for family matters.”

Kana answered in a troubled voice, fiddling with the handle of her teacup. Evie asked in surprise.

— The west? Is it because of the mine?

“Yes. I came to check it out, but an incident occurred, so I’ll be staying longer than expected. Even at the shortest, it will take about a week.”

— Oh my, Miss Kana, are you alright?

As expected of someone with a gentle nature, Evie expressed concern for her first. Even though she was a character in a novel, her personality was endearing and likable. Kana’s eyes curved into a smile.

“Yes, fortunately, I’m perfectly fine.”

— Hmm, if there’s work to be done, it can’t be helped. I was going to suggest having tea time together and maybe even going flower viewing soon…

Evie’s voice trailed off, filled with regret. Kana apologized again.

“I’m sorry, Miss Evie. Let’s do it together next time.”

— Alright. Then let’s have tea time when you’re available, Miss Kana. I’ll give you the painting then.

“Yes. I’ll keep my heart fluttering until I can see the painting with you, Miss Evie.”

— Oh, Miss Kana. Don’t overdo it… I hope the issue that arose gets resolved smoothly.

“Thank you.”

Kiriel watched her with narrowed eyes as her expressions changed vividly. Kana ended the communication and clapped her hands.

“Haha, the call ended up being longer than expected. Let’s continue our conversation.”

Contrary to her wish, Kiriel twisted his lips slightly and bluntly asked.

“Are you close with that lady?”

“Of course. Miss Evie is a good person.”

“Then what about me?”

Kana rested her chin on her hand, feeling quite flustered by his direct gaze. Seeing his purple eyes sparkling with anticipation, it seemed the answer was already determined. Given his high status, hearing something unpleasant would surely sour his mood.

‘Why is he asking me this?’

While inwardly grumbling, Kana maintained her smile and gave the answer he wanted to hear.

“Ah, of course, Lord Kiriel is a good person too.”

“It doesn’t sound very convincing, more like a forced answer.”

Kiriel tapped his teaspoon, hitting the mark.

‘He’s sharp.’

Kana sighed inwardly and kept smiling soullessly.

“Oh my, how could I possibly do that in front of the Master of the Magic Tower? It must be your imagination.”

“Alright.”

Fortunately, Kiriel let it go. Kana couldn’t tell if he was joking or just probing her, so she stayed silent. Kiriel put down his teaspoon and bluntly asked.

“Miss Kana, do you want to go flower viewing?”

“Yes. It’s the perfect time for it, but it’s a shame because of work.”

There’s a reason why they say ‘the social season is in full bloom.’ Everyone would probably be out to see the flowers. Kana sighed deeply, feeling bitter about working diligently even in the novel.

Seeing her looking dejected, Kiriel impulsively suggested.

“Then how about going to the south with me tomorrow to see the flowers?”

“Pardon?”

Kana’s eyes widened. Kiriel responded nonchalantly.

“I know a good place.”

“It’s not about the place, but the south?”

“We can just use teleportation magic to go there quickly. You’re not going to be staring at the mine all day, are you?”

Kiriel coaxed her gently. Playing during work hours is always the most enjoyable and thrilling. Kana was momentarily tempted by his words but hesitated.

“That’s true, but… what about the matter with the Hail family?”

“It’s okay to go slowly. Oh, right, didn’t you say you’d take me there?”

“I did.”

“How about going to the Hail estate together in a week? Even a superficial tour would be beneficial for a spirit summoner like you, Miss Kana.”

Kiriel openly suggested with a grin. He seemed unusually excited. Kana blinked slowly.

‘Kiriel Curtis, you’re really serious about magic and spirits. Seeing this, it seems there’s no issue with his character setting.’

Before falling for the female lead, he was characterized as an obsessive mage who devoted all his attention to his areas of interest. It was a natural phenomenon.

However, there was something unsettling about Kiriel’s proposal. If she were going alone, it would be one thing, but continuing to accompany him alone was another matter. Kana cautiously began to speak.

“Flower viewing and going to the Hail family together. I appreciate the offer, but…”

“Then what if I charge it as partial compensation?”

Kiriel cunningly utilized the compensation he was supposed to receive, leaving room to make additional requests later.

Honestly, compared to the help she received, his request was quite trivial. So, she accepted his choice of words and agreed.

“Alright. I’ll accept that proposal.”

“It’s nice to have a mutual understanding.”

“Don’t mention it.”

They finished their discussion while drinking tea and talked about the schedule. Since it was something they both agreed on, the decision was made quickly. Kana left to give him some rest.

* * *

The next morning. Kana asked Colin to thoroughly inspect the mine and chose a light outing dress from the extra dresses in the villa.

The previous day, she had hinted to Lena that she would be going flower viewing with Kiriel, and Lena had supported her by packing some simple snacks.

“Miss, have a good time.”

“…Um, considering what happened yesterday, is it alright to go out for a bit?”

Kana hesitated, holding a basket woven from thin wooden strips on her arm. Lena clenched her fists and passionately spoke with sparkling eyes.

“Of course! I heard from Sir Colin that you also exerted yourself yesterday. I actually recommend flower viewing for your mental and physical stability.”

“Thank you, Lena. Thanks to you, I feel energized.”

Kana’s lips curved into a smile at the maid’s kind consideration. Lena smiled brightly and encouraged her.

“Don’t mention it. Ms Popin and the knights said they would thoroughly inspect the mine, so enjoy flower viewing with the Master of the Magic Tower and come back slowly.”

“Alright.”

Kana left the maid who was seeing her off and headed to the guest room.