“Well, I’m not entirely sure yet.”

“I’ll raise my hand to predict that those two will enter as partners.”

“Me too!”

Everyone nodded in agreement with Letie’s gentle smile. In this group, her pairing with Kiriel seemed to have become as much of a foregone conclusion as the protagonists’ pairing.

‘Even though things have gone a bit off track, even the female lead is taking the sub male lead and supporting character pairing for granted……’

Kana could only manage a hollow laugh, half resigned.

The gathering ended after more light conversation.

* * *

As soon as she arrived at the mansion, the communication crystal she habitually took out lit up.

‘It’s Kiriel.’

She checked the code and accepted the contact.

“Lord Kiriel, what’s the matter?”

— Something came up. Is the greenhouse gathering over?

“Yes, I just arrived at the mansion.”

— Then could you wait a moment? I’ll come to you.

“Ah, yes.”

The communication crystal disconnected. Shortly after, Kiriel appeared before her. He waved lightly with an affable smile.

“I’m here.”

“Yes.”

While Kana returned his greeting, she felt strange about getting increasingly used to Kiriel suddenly appearing through teleportation magic.

Noticing her vacant green eyes that seemed to be staring into the distance, he deliberately used a playful tone to snap her out of it.

“Miss Kana, why are you wearing such a dazed expression?”

“I’m just tired from all the chatting earlier. It’s nothing.”

“Well, that’s good then……”

Kiriel trailed off while carefully examining her face. Kana changed the subject with a subtle smile.

“Ah, didn’t you say you had something to discuss?”

“Right. It’s about the winter banquet.”

“Let’s go inside to talk.”

“Okay.”

Kana led him inside. As soon as they entered, Lena hurriedly approached.

“Miss, a guest has arrived…… Oh? You’re with the Tower Master.”

“We met out front because we had something to discuss. But who’s this visitor you mentioned? I don’t remember making any appointments. And I haven’t received any visit request letters either.”

“Ah, that……”

Just as Lena was about to answer while reading the atmosphere, the female protagonist’s brother slowly walked out from behind.

“It’s me, Lady Round.”

“Young Duke Serade.”

Kiriel’s gaze turned sharp. Dain swept back his red hair, similar to Letie’s, and responded stiffly.

“I spoke to Lady Round, yet the Tower Master answers in her place.”

“We’re together.”

A tense atmosphere hung between them. Kana rubbed her throbbing forehead.

‘No, why did the female lead’s brother come here? More importantly, why are they having a power struggle in someone else’s house……’

[Our contractor seems quite popular.]

‘Well, this is the kind of popularity I’d rather not have.’

[Is there a supporting character with fatal charm here?]

‘……Don’t tease me, Celia.’

Kana gently rubbed her goosebump-covered arms. While watching men’s battle of nerves over a woman would be interesting as a spectator, it was headache-inducing as the person involved.

As she sighed at the clear laughter of the wind spirit seeping into the pure pearl bead of her necklace, she stepped between the two men.

When their gazes naturally turned to her, she calmly sorted out the situation while clapping her hands.

“Both of you, please calm down. As you can see, Lord Kiriel is my guest. First of all, Young Duke Serade, I haven’t made any appointments with you, so why have you come to visit?”

“It’s about the winter banquet partner request.”

“Don’t tell me you came to make that request to me?”

“That’s right.”

Dain admitted it nonchalantly. Genuinely dumbfounded, Kana unconsciously asked back.

“Why?”

“Just because. I thought of you.”

“……”

She couldn’t understand his true intentions at all. Kana, rarely at a loss for words, could only blink. Kiriel gently pulled her closer and retorted sarcastically.

“Unfortunately, why don’t you look for someone else? I’m planning to ask Kana.”

“You’ve only thought about it, but haven’t received an answer yet, have you?”

“First of all, I have no intention of accepting Young Duke Serade’s escort. I suggest you look for someone else.”

Kana openly pushed away the female protagonist’s brother, ending the men’s battle of nerves. Dain’s eyebrows rose.

“Why?”

“Does a refusal need a reason? It’s my choice. Anyway, if that was your business, please leave. It’s uncomfortable when you suddenly visit without prior notice. Visit request letters aren’t just paper decorations.”

Kana responded firmly with an upright posture. Having to explain basic courtesy made her feel dejected in many ways. Dain’s face slightly distorted after being flatly rejected.

“……You weren’t like this with Letie. You’re quite cold despite your gentle appearance.”

“That’s because she’s my friend. Besides, she’s not someone who would commit such rudeness in the first place. There’s no comparison.”

In terms of business importance too. And it’s prejudiced to think appearance and personality must match. She swallowed those words and waved her hand dismissively. Kiriel, who had been watching, naturally added.

“Young Duke Serade, it’s unsightly to persist when a lady has refused. Why don’t you leave like a gentleman?”

“……Lady Round, don’t tell me you’re planning to accept the Tower Master’s escort?”

“Yes.”

At her immediate answer, Dain hesitated a little before leaving. After the situation was resolved, Kana gestured to Kiriel.

“We’ve been delayed by an unexpected situation. Let’s go to the reception room quickly.”

“……Okay.”

They entered the reception room and sat facing each other. After Lena set down teacups in front of each of them and withdrew, he started with an awkward laugh.

“Ah, my business was revealed ahead of time by chance.”

“You mean the winter banquet partner request?”

“Yes.”

Nodding at her question, Kiriel asked with a smiling eyes to confirm.

“You’ll go with me, right?”

“Of course.”

She readily accepted. Her industry friend had a cover partner planned, and considering the events that would unfold at the winter banquet, it was safer to stay with someone strong.

Of course, the fact that her heart leaned more towards him than others also played a part.

Kiriel asked with sparkling eyes and an excited voice.

“How should we match colors?”

“Hmm, how about navy blue? With dark sapphire and pearl accessories.”

“Great.”

He truly liked everything, not just saying it. Kiriel smiled broadly while imagining Kana in a navy blue dress with pearl and sapphire accessories.

After discussing clothes and accessories, they had refreshments. In the quiet atmosphere, Kiriel muttered curiously.

“By the way, I wonder why Young Duke Serade came looking for you?”

“Right. Given that he mentioned Lady Letie, perhaps he was planning to use me as bait to get closer to his sister?”

“Surely not.”

“Or maybe he saw me as a suitable shield partner.”

“……Miss Kana, you’re making too many tactical assumptions.”

Kiriel shook his head while looking at her serious face. Kana shrugged and calmly replied.

“But if it’s not that, I don’t understand. We barely have any connection and our relationship is ambiguous, so there’s no reason to specifically request me as a partner.”

“Maybe because you’re too charming. Enough to attract even that rigid fellow.”

“Ah, I’d rather pass on that.”

Kana shook her head in disgust.

Her attitude of putting up walls against those she hadn’t let inside her boundaries remained consistent. Kiriel, thinking she would never get close to Dain no matter how friendly she was with Letie, burst into refreshing laughter.

“Why are you laughing like that?”

Kana blinked in confusion. Instead of answering, he briefly wrote on the back of her hand resting on the table. Because I like it. After confirming the content, she flinched slightly.

“……Ah.”

“Well, it’s inevitable to feel good just seeing someone who’s favorable.”

“I see. By the way, it seems that the strange restriction still hasn’t been lifted.”

Kana deliberately changed the subject while twirling the ends of her hair with her finger. Kiriel answered glibly while grinning.

“As you can see. So until we find a solution, please interpret ‘favorable’ as the words I wrote on your palm.”

“I had roughly guessed the meaning, but you’re really nailing it down.”

She showed a complicated expression while massaging her temple. Kiriel fidgeted with a teaspoon before putting it down.

“Because I felt you would forever pretend not to know if I didn’t say it directly.”

“You know me well.”

“Of course. You’re someone I care about and pay attention to more than magic.”

It was a surprising statement considering Kiriel’s setting. Suddenly, he stood up and approached her side.

While Kana was wondering, a tiara appeared in his empty hand. With diamonds at the center and emerald decorations added, it gave off an elegant feeling.

He placed the tiara on her head just like that. It suited her exactly as he had imagined. Kiriel clapped his hands with a broad smile.

“Wow, it really suits you well.”

“This is……”

Kana wore a dazed expression in front of his excited demeanor.

“I saw it while looking for jewels to engrave magic circles and thought of you. Of course, I know you don’t often wear tiaras as hair accessories, but isn’t this much okay?”

“Ah, yes. Thank you.”

“No need. The tiara just found its rightful owner. Would you like to see for yourself?”

When Kiriel snapped his fingers, suddenly a round mirror appeared and stopped in front of her. Kana carefully touched the tiara while looking at her reflection in the mirror.

“……It’s beautiful.”

“Right? I’m glad you like it too.”

“I’ll treasure it.”

“Okay.”

Kiriel smiled as he made the mirror disappear again.

They ended their meeting after exchanging light conversation in a gentle atmosphere.