‘Liriel Curtis was skilled in mental magic. Is it that kind of thing that needs to be confirmed through her? But Kiriel has high magic resistance, so it shouldn’t apply to him.’

No matter how much I speculated internally, I couldn’t figure out the main purpose. Her lips slowly parted.

“Um, it’s not something dangerous, right?”

“I wouldn’t ask you to do something like that, Kana.”

Kiriel denied it, startled. After some thought, Kana accepted his proposal.

“Alright. Then please let me know after you arrange the schedule.”

“Got it. Aren’t you going to ask more details?”

Kiriel, who had planned to use partial compensation if necessary, was puzzled by her unexpectedly compliant attitude. Kana looked at him directly and answered calmly.

“No, because I trust you, Lord Kiriel.”

“……”

“Anyway, it’s something we’ll find out when the three of us gather.”

“Okay, I’ll contact you once the schedule is set.”

“Please do.”

Having finished his business, Kiriel suddenly disappeared using teleportation magic.

‘The Curtis siblings usually meet for official business in the story, so this is probably more like an official matter disguised as a private confirmation, right?’

The only private matter unrelated to magic they had discussed was related to the female protagonist. Kana put aside her worries and thoughts about Kiriel.

* * *

Not long after arranging the schedule, the day to meet the Curtis siblings arrived. Having completed her preparations to go out, Kana stepped outside the mansion to wait for Kiriel.

“Since we’re meeting at Lord Kiriel’s private residence anyway, wouldn’t it be easier if I just visited on my own without making you come and go?”

“Oh, Miss Kana. Since I invited you, it wouldn’t be right to make you come by yourself.”

“Alright. Do as you wish.”

The conversation they had while arranging the schedule flashed through her mind. Although Kiriel’s intention was to spend more time with her, Kana thought he was just maintaining his dignity.

Soon, a carriage with the Curtis family crest arrived. Kiriel stepped out of the carriage and extended his hand to Kana.

“Miss Kana, let’s go.”

“Yes.”

Kana boarded the carriage while receiving his escort. As she sat facing him, she casually began the conversation.

“I thought you’d use teleportation magic to move quickly, so I’m surprised the carriage came.”

“That’s efficient, but it’s a situation where we need to be seen.”

Kiriel made up an excuse on the spot without blinking an eye. Kana, understanding it as the sub male lead’s way of saving face, accepted it and moved on.

“Oh, I see. Then is Lord Liriel Curtis waiting at the residence?”

“Yes.”

After his answer, they spent the rest of the carriage ride in silence until they arrived at Kiriel’s private residence. Following his guidance, Kana moved to the drawing room of the residence.

Upon entering the drawing room, Liriel, who had been yawning lazily, lifted her head to look at them. Kiriel led Kana to sit opposite his sister and spoke.

“Sis, I’ve brought Miss Kana.”

“Yes, I see.”

Liriel nodded absentmindedly. Kana rolled her eyes before greeting politely.

“Hello, Lord Liriel Curtis. It’s been a while since the imperial banquet.”

“Welcome, Lady Round. Kiriel didn’t force you to come, did he?”

Liriel’s voice was softer when addressing Kana than when speaking to her brother. Kiriel raised an eyebrow.

“…We clearly scheduled this.”

“Haha, no. I agreed to come.”

Kana gently intervened to prevent any potential conflict between the siblings. Liriel, pleased by her words, ignored her brother’s raised lips and praised Kana.

“Lady Round is very generous.”

“You flatter me.”

“So, do you know what we’re doing here?”

“No.”

Kana shook her head. Liriel blinked in disbelief before scolding her brother.

“What, Kiriel? You brought her without explaining properly? I told you not to act so selfishly.”

“Ah, calm down. I didn’t ask for an explanation because it seemed like something to experience firsthand rather than hear about.”

Kana raised both palms, diffusing the tense atmosphere. Kiriel, uncharacteristically at a loss for words, remained silent.

Liriel alternated her gaze between the two before nodding.

“Well, if the person involved says so, I’ll let it go. To explain briefly, we’re checking if you’re under any mental magic or curses, Lady.”

“…Pardon? Mental magic and curses?”

Kana’s voice involuntarily rose. In the past, she had been unfortunately involved with the villain faction in a novel, but she was now clearly part of the protagonist faction.

‘I wasn’t even assigned a role with such elements… why? If the life of a supporting character is a curse, I’d understand.’

Besides, supporting characters were inherently resistant to mental abilities. Without strong mental fortitude, they couldn’t endure the repetitive scenarios and would avoid entering the novel, leading to their disappearance.

The only time I was affected by mental abilities was when I had to pretend to be under their influence in a situation where my role in the novel required it.

As thoughts swirled in her mind, Liriel gently reassured her.

“Yes. It won’t be harmful to you, Lady. It’s not such a serious matter, so don’t be too scared.”

“Wait a moment. I don’t particularly mind checking if I’m under such magic… but may I ask how this situation came about?”

“Why do you think?”

Liriel’s gaze shifted to her brother. Kana’s eyes followed hers. Kiriel, looking embarrassed, fiddled with the ends of his hair. Kana narrowed her eyes.

“So, Lord Kiriel suggested that I might seem like I’m under such magic?”

“Well, to be precise, he wondered if he was affected and was curious if Lady Round was okay.”

Liriel wrapped an appropriate reason around her brother’s noticeably quiet demeanor. Kana touched her chin and slowly spoke.

“That’s quite a serious issue. But I haven’t felt anything unusual in my daily life.”

“Really? You seem perfectly fine to me, too, though I haven’t examined you closely.”

Liriel shrugged. Upon their first meeting, she had glanced over Lady Kana Round, who appeared perfectly fine. She wasn’t someone who had cast or was affected by such magic.

‘No, what’s happening to the sub male lead, who is supposed to be the Tower Master? He’s supposed to be strong in both offense and defense with magic.’

Although her star rating hadn’t dropped, Kana, feeling a sense of urgency and concern for him, leaned toward Kiriel, ignoring Liriel’s scrutinizing gaze.

“Lord Kiriel, is your condition serious?”

“I, well…”

Kiriel, caught off guard by her sudden closeness and the subtle, fresh scent that reached his nose, momentarily lost his composure.

The frown on Kana’s straight brow deepened as the end of his sentence trailed off. Quickly composing her expression, she gazed at him with calm eyes and spoke gently.

“Take a deep breath and speak slowly. You might feel embarrassed to show this side of yourself because you’re carrying a lot on your shoulders, but whatever it is, it’s not Lord Kiriel’s fault.”

“Ah, y-yes. That’s right.”

Kiriel took a deep breath in bewilderment and nodded. Liriel, who was observing the situation, silently shook her head. As expected, the problem was her stammering brother, regardless of mental magic or whatever.

Kana took her eyes off him, who was in a rather poor state, and looked at Liriel.

“Lord Liriel Curtis, is Lord Kiriel’s problem related to me?”

“Well, it’s not your fault, but I suppose it’s somewhat related.”

“…What kind of factor could it be?”

Kana, feeling unnecessarily anxious, swallowed hard. Liriel hesitated a bit before blurting out the key words.

“Let’s say dreams and state of mind.”

“Pardon?”

Kana tilted her head at the unfriendly explanation. Kiriel, with a face burning red, stopped his sister’s words.

“Sister! That’s enough.”

“Why, are you embarrassed?”

“Let’s skip the small talk and do the status check. Miss Kana, myself, and you, sister, are all busy people.”

Kiriel, who had barely calmed his emotions, glossed over the situation. Liriel clicked her tongue, finding it boring.

“How dull. Aren’t you curious, Miss Kana?”

“Well, I’d rather not know about excessively personal matters.”

“You really are as straightforward as I’ve heard. If that’s what you both want, alright. Let’s examine right away.”

Liriel’s expression turned serious as she finished speaking. She proceeded with the examination step by step using magical tools and spells. Kana diligently complied along with Kiriel.

After finishing everything, Liriel brushed back her hair and announced the results.

“To conclude, there’s nothing particularly wrong with either of you.”

“Phew, I was worried, but that’s a relief.”

Kana let out a sigh of relief, while Kiriel remained silent, looking down at the analysis results and magical tools.

No matter how much he sensed something strange and uncomfortable, it was natural that it didn’t show up in the results. After all, ordinary characters in the story don’t find problems related to supporting role players.

Liriel, leaving her brother who was scrutinizing the results alone, blurted out to Kana.

“Lady Round, you were really unexpected.”

“Pardon?”

“Even considering that you’re a spirit summoner, and unlike Kiriel who has high magic resistance, your mental strength is quite solid. It would be difficult for most people to interfere with or penetrate your mind.”

Liriel was genuinely impressed. On the surface, Kana seemed to have a faint yet distinct presence while being utterly ordinary. It was hard to see her as someone with such strong mental fortitude.

Of course, it was because she was a supporting role player, but Kana pretended to be surprised and covered her mouth with her hand.

“Oh, really?”