“…Could it be that you’re asking for a hug?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Kiriel nodded, smiling brightly. The refreshing and clear smile on his handsome face seemed far from his supposed prickly setting.

Kana struggled to gather her scattered thoughts and managed to speak.

“Um, would that be helpful for you, Lord Kiriel?”

“Of course. It gives me strength.”

“…I see.”

She fell into contemplation as she looked at him, his eyes twinkling with inner expectation.

‘Hmm, since he’ll be working hard to resolve the situation, should I just give him a quick hug and send him on his way?’

The scales in her mind tipped to one side after swaying back and forth. Kana hesitantly took a step closer to him.

Sensing what was about to happen, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly. She carefully embraced him with the intention of offering encouragement.

Kiriel hugged her back as she entered his arms. He gently patted her back and whispered softly.

“Thank you so much, Miss Kana.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Wow, I didn’t know a simple hug could make me feel this good.”

Kiriel murmured unconsciously, wearing a satisfied smile. He felt his past self, who had scoffed at others praising hugs, was narrow-minded.

‘What’s this?’

It felt more comfortable and cozy than she had expected. Kana startled and broke the embrace.

His hands, now without a place to go, floundered in the air before slowly lowering. Kiriel wore a regretful expression, like someone who had just lost a precious jewel right in front of them.

“…Ah.”

“Ahem, please return safely.”

“Yes, see you next time.”

Kiriel glanced at Kana longingly, then sighed and used teleportation magic. His figure vanished instantly.

* * *

She returned to her room and, in a somewhat dazed state, washed up and changed clothes. Meanwhile, Celia also emerged from the pure pearl bead of the necklace.

The wind spirit, sitting on the bed, carefully spoke as she watched her contractor repeatedly rubbing her face.

[Kana, I didn’t say anything earlier because the situation was busy and complicated… but what are you planning to do from now on?]

‘My work? Or Kiriel?’

Kana slowly raised her head from her hands and gazed at her beloved partner. The spirit’s round eyes blinked slowly.

[Both.]

‘Regardless of the situation, I’ll continue my work as usual. When Alderaan visits tomorrow, I’ll inform him and discuss it too. He’s a colleague who entered with me after all.’

[Then what about Kiriel?]

‘…Honestly, it’s difficult.’

Kana smiled bitterly, not hiding her troubled expression. Although she didn’t show it much in front of Kiriel, her feelings were complicated, mixed with various emotions.

The words calling her pretty and lovely, and even the final hug. All the situations today were a series of shocks. Celia calmly hit the core of the issue.

[Are you going to give your heart to him?]

‘…If possible, I should go in a direction where I don’t.’

[Because he’s someone who will end up with the female lead, and it’s a relationship that will end when you exit?]

‘Yes, this is predetermined, isn’t it? Besides, I got involved with a sub male lead before, wouldn’t it be foolish to repeat the same mistake?’

Kana smiled weakly, self-deprecatingly. Celia recalled the situation she had observed from the pure pearl bead.

[But isn’t the situation quite different this time? He seems different from the main characters we’ve seen so far.]

‘Certainly, just looking at what he showed today, it’s hard to think he’ll fall for Letie. But what if that situation itself is an error? Even if it’s sincere, won’t the setting interfere later or hold him back?’

[…Kana.]

The spirit sent a worried gaze towards her contractor, who was showing unstable emotions. Kana revealed her inner thoughts in a calm voice.

‘Honestly, I’m anxious. The goal is still far away, but I’m afraid of getting swept up in momentary emotions and suffering.’

[…Ah.]

‘It would be sad if I give my heart only for things to return to their natural course. Regardless of the situation, once I exit, we won’t be able to meet again. This is why I can’t purely be happy even when I receive affection in relationships with characters.’

Kana brushed her hair back, wearing a resigned expression. The wind spirit, sending a sympathetic gaze to her contractor, withdrew without probing further.

[I understand our contractor’s intention. As you told him, you plan to continue as usual and observe, right?]

‘Yes.’

Kana nodded seriously. She lightly slapped her cheeks with both hands to steady her heart, which was showing slight cracks.

Celia silently sent a faint breeze to her contractor.

* * *

The next morning. Having barely slept all night, Kana shut herself in her room in a low state.

After expending so much mental energy during the Founding Festival episode, she planned to rest and do nothing for at least a day.

‘It’s fortunate that I have the spirit’s energy, at least.’

She slowly took a deep breath, feeling the faint presence of spirit energy.

Meanwhile, Lena brought the tea, light desserts, and newspapers that she had requested. Kana sipped her tea while quickly skimming through the newspapers.

As she had expected, the contents were mainly about the Founding Festival, with the accident at the monster slaying demonstration dominating the front pages.

‘Eventually, after some time passes and the circumstances of the incident are revealed, public opinion will turn around… but still, those involved will have a hard time. Kiriel too.’

She folded the newspaper with an indifferent expression and tossed it onto a corner of her desk.

As she finished her tea and dessert plate and was stretching, Lena came in with a thick blue bouquet and a small box.

“A gift for you, Miss!”

“Suddenly? What’s with the flowers? Just put them down… Wait a minute! These look like blue manabells?”

Kana, who was about to dismiss it casually, was startled and examined the flowers carefully.

The mysterious and dreamy blue color, the beautiful bell-shaped flowers, even the faint lingering mana — there was no doubt these were the rare and expensive blue manabells.

Lena’s hands, which had simply thought they were pretty flowers, trembled.

“Th-these are blue manabells? I’ve never seen them in my life.”

“I’ve only seen them in books. Who sent 300 of these rare and expensive flowers?”

Though she said this, Kana immediately guessed who the sender was.

‘It must be Kiriel.’

Originally, he would have given these to the female protagonist, but for some reason, she received them first.

Kana first took only the small box. Lena, carefully holding the bouquet to avoid dropping it, asked,

“Miss, what should we do with these blue manabells?”

“Put a few in a vase, and arrange the rest nicely in my room.”

“Yes!”

While Lena efficiently carried out the task, Kana opened the box. A letter and a top-grade spirit stone shimmering with vibrant colors caught her eye.

When she unfolded the letter, it said it was a return gift for the flowers. Kana blinked blankly and unconsciously muttered to herself,

“No, who gives a return gift like this for just two wildflowers?”

“Miss?”

“It’s nothing.”

Kana replied nonchalantly as she closed the box.

‘I guess I should contact Kiriel briefly before meeting Alderaan.’

After Lena left, she turned on the communication device and contacted Kiriel. She would have understood if he didn’t answer given how busy he must be, but he picked up immediately.

“Lord Kiriel, I’m sorry for contacting you when you must be busy.”

— It’s fine. I’m actually happy to receive a call from you first, Miss Kana. What’s the matter?

In fact, Kiriel’s mood improved upon hearing her voice while he was working in frustration. Kana carefully began speaking as she heard his excited voice.

“About the blue manabells and top-grade spirit stone you gifted…”

— Ah, did you receive them well?

Kiriel brightened. Kana nodded and replied.

“Yes. But I think you might have given too much.”

— Really? I think it’s the opposite. I actually reduced the amount since you said too many flowers would be burdensome last time.

“That may be true, but these aren’t ordinary flowers, they’re blue manabells.”

Kana put her hand to her forehead as she heard his matter-of-fact tone. But Kiriel, who had simply remembered what she said before and gifted accordingly, remained confident.

— So what? You said you liked practical things, so I just chose flowers that could be used for various purposes.

“I see.”

It was a simple but touching approach. As Kana felt an unfamiliar feeling, Kiriel continued casually.

— I’m giving them as I please, so don’t feel burdened. Do you like the gifts at least?

“…Yes.”

— Then that’s enough.

“Thank you. Has yesterday’s incident been resolved well?”

— The square in the southern street has been cleaned up thoroughly, and we’re investigating the cause and those involved. It probably won’t take too long.

Kiriel’s voice sounded quite chilly. In ‘Fake Saint,’ this incident became a small catalyst for beating up the mage who was instigated by the First Prince and considering supporting the Second Prince, so there was no need to say more.

Instead of adding more about the incident, she calmly showed consideration for him.

“The public opinion seems quite harsh. There might not be many who openly criticize you to your face, but you should avoid reading the newspapers for a while.”

— Are you worrying about me now? How kind of you.

“Honestly, it’s filled with such provocative words that even I, who’s not directly involved, found it unpleasant to read.”

Kana clicked her tongue and sighed.

— I am Kiriel Curtis. I’m not someone who would be shaken or tarnished by such words.

His voice was filled with firm confidence. It was something he could say because he was well aware of his own excellence. Kana chuckled.

“I knew you would say that.”

— Ah, but thank you anyway.

“You’re welcome.”

After exchanging brief greetings with him, Kana turned off the communication device and tidied up her appearance. It was almost time for her industry friend to arrive.

She moved to the reception room in advance, prepared tea, and waited. Not long after, Alderaan arrived.