Kanto’s reaction was indifferent. Whether it was or not, Kiriel was lost in thought, then absentmindedly blurted out.

“Is it because I answered ‘no’ back then? Somehow, it kept bothering me.”

“Pardon? What are you talking about?”

“It’s about what happened when we went boating last time. Miss Kana asked if I liked her, and I denied it.”

Kiriel recalled the conversation they had that night. He answered impulsively to the sudden, straightforward question, but upon calm reflection, something felt off.

Originally, Kiriel had a clear distinction between like and dislike. To him, Kana was clearly someone he liked.

‘Why did I feel like I had to deny it back then?’

Kiriel’s complexion darkened. It felt as if an invisible hand was subtly binding his mouth. He was feeling a sense of discord in the setting without even realizing it. If Kana had known, she would have been horrified, saying it not only added a variable but also caused a major problem, making people troubled.

While he was deeply troubled, Kanto, who was at a loss for words, had his eyes shaking violently.

It was shocking that, firstly, the other party noticed and tested the waters first, and secondly, his superior missed the opportunity.

Barely holding onto his flying mind, he managed to open his mouth.

“Did you really?”

“Yes.”

Kiriel nodded slowly. Kanto recalled how his superior had been particularly proactive regarding that lady. Out of curiosity, he asked directly.

“Didn’t you have feelings for Lady Round?”

“Hmm, I think I do… but why is my mind so complicated?”

Feeling restless, Kiriel roughly ran his fingers through his hair. Even though he always had a clear stance on what he liked and disliked, Kana was difficult. She wasn’t someone to be discussed lightly.

Seeing his superior so indecisive, Kanto couldn’t help but feel frustrated. Scratching the back of his head, he hesitated before speaking openly.

“Love is originally like that. Personally, I think it’s a complicated and profound emotion. Anyway, hang in there.”

“Love?”

Kiriel, surprised, questioned back, doubting his ears. Embarrassed by his superior’s sensitive reaction, Kanto blinked and asked again.

“Well, isn’t it?”

“…Nonsense.”

Mumbling to himself, Kiriel’s eyes were vacant. He had always thought he couldn’t understand those who were obsessed with love. Even when he saw examples around him or became the recipient of someone’s affection.

Why would anyone cling to someone else and be swayed by their trivial actions?

He remembered scoffing, thinking they should care about themselves instead.

“…Me? With Miss Kana?”

His voice, which is usually confident, was slightly trembling. Observing his superior’s complexion, Kanto firmly pointed out.

“Everyone thinks so. You treated Lady Round particularly well. You interacted with her often and gave her gifts. Normally, you would have rejected those things, but you accepted them just for her.”

“That was because of her uniqueness and the comfortable feeling when talking to her…”

Kiriel trailed off. The Tower Master Kanto knew wasn’t someone who would show kindness for such trivial reasons. Shaking his finger left and right, Kanto firmly replied.

“If it were just for those reasons, you wouldn’t have been uncomfortable when she was with another man.”

“…Hmm.”

Kiriel’s usually neat forehead wrinkled.

Kanto clicked his tongue. No matter how smart a person was in magic and other matters, love seemed to be an exception. It might be more so because it was the first time he was entangled in it while living his self-satisfied life.

To prevent any future issues and to help someone he’s close to, Kanto kindly advised.

“If you can’t get a sense of it, try seeing her in a state that objectively seems completely wrong. If she still looks cute no matter how disheveled she is, that’s love.”

“Miss Kana is always so prepared that she wouldn’t show a disheveled appearance.”

Kiriel imagined Kana, who always maintained a neat appearance and was thoroughly prepared.

Even when he saw her at the inn at night to hear about the monster hunting festival, wasn’t she still well-groomed? He couldn’t imagine her being untidy.

“There’s no perfect person in the world. Well, if that’s hard, you’ll have to reflect on your feelings while staying close to her.”

“…Alright.”

Kiriel pondered over Kanto’s words. The fact that he was firmly imprinting words he would usually dismiss meant he was already acknowledging it, but he didn’t realize it.

Watching his superior settle down a bit, Kanto took out a bundle of documents from his pocket at an appropriate moment and spoke.

“Oh, right, I almost forgot to mention it due to the situation, but I got information about the assailant incident through the family’s informant. Will you check it now?”

“Yes. Give it to me.”

Kiriel took the bundle of documents and carefully reviewed them. Although detailed, it was mostly as he had expected. His face crumpled after reading the documents.

“Tsk, as expected, they’re cutting off the tail.”

“Tower Master, what will you do?”

“First, I need to give a strong warning about touching me and Miss Kana. Not only to the small fry identified as the culprit but also to the person hiding behind them.”

What if something had happened to Kana at that moment? Just imagining it made his heart ache. He couldn’t forgive it. Kiriel’s eyes darkened as he clenched his fist tightly.

Kanto respectfully replied as he took back the bundle of documents.

“Then I’ll convey and handle it that way.”

“Yes.”

As soon as Kiriel nodded, there was a knock on the office door. He raised his eyebrows and asked.

“What’s the matter?”

“Tower Master, the Second Prince is here to see you. He said you’d understand if I mentioned ‘that incident.’ What should I do?”

“Guide him to my office.”

“Understood.”

The mage at the door soon brought Richard, who had his hood pulled low. After fulfilling his role, the mage left immediately.

Kiriel stood up and personally guided him to the sofa.

“Greetings, Second Prince. It’s a bit messy as I was working, but please have a seat on the sofa.”

“Tower Master, sorry for coming without notice during your busy time.”

Richard sat on the sofa and took off his hood. Kanto served tea and placed it in front of him. Kiriel shook his head as he sat across from him.

“No problem. You came about the assault incident, right?”

“Yes.”

Richard nodded seriously. Kiriel clapped his hands and welcomed him.

“You came at the perfect time. I was also planning to visit you as I obtained some information through my own channels.”

“Quick as always.”

Richard was impressed. Kiriel paused briefly before getting straight to the point.

“So, did you find anything? The identified person seemed too incompetent to be anything but a distraction.”

“As we suspected, it seems related to my brother. It’s hard to confront him directly, but he seems anxious lately, showing some gaps… If we gather evidence, we might be able to strike.”

Richard’s blue eyes darkened. He casually mentioned a rather dangerous topic while sipping his tea. Kiriel responded indifferently.

“That’s for you to handle, Your Highness. I plan to apply pressure on everyone involved in ‘that incident,’ regardless of their support, without involving the neutral Tower.”

“I plan to do the same.”

Richard was grateful just to have the help of a capable mage. They put their heads together and discussed their responses to the assailants.

After the discussion, Kiriel subtly probed Richard.

“By the way, where did the information about the meeting leak from?”

“As we suspected last time, it was leaked through the illegitimate daughter of the Serade family. Lady Letie cooperated with the young duke of Serade to warn them and clean up the informants.”

Richard recalled his conversations with Letie. He admired her responsible handling of the situation.

On the other hand, Kiriel, who had no particular interest in Letie, first noticed the chaotic internal affairs of the Serade family.

“As expected. I sent a protest letter holding the host accountable, but their handling was quicker than expected.”

“Oh, Lady Letie mentioned that the letter helped persuade her family.”

“I see.”

Kiriel clicked his tongue. He couldn’t view the Serade family positively. They were all terrible, except for Letie, who had a decent level of etiquette despite her bad reputation in society.

‘Come to think of it, Miss Kana has a surprisingly good eye.’

Again, Kiriel was impressed by Kana, who actively approached Letie, bypassing Cordelia and Dain.

It was possible because she was on the protagonist’s side, but he had no way of knowing that.

Meanwhile, Richard, carrying Letie’s worries, who was working hard, gently consoled the Tower Master.

“You have the right to be upset as you were innocently involved. Lady Letie will likely compensate you and Lady Round sincerely once the situation is resolved.”

“Yes.”

Kiriel nodded. After a brief conversation, Richard left.

* * *

Kana received a letter and a brilliantly shining opal brooch from Letie. She instinctively felt it was related to the boating assault incident.

‘Letie handled it safely. Kiriel and Richard must have cooperated well to help.’

Kana carefully placed the brooch in a jewelry box and unfolded the letter.