Bolstered by Odin’s strong encouragement, I lifted my chin while maintaining an aloof expression.

“This is Odin.”

The man, who had been squinting one eye slightly as if surprised by my arrogant manner, immediately broke into a broad smile.

“Odin! Isn’t that too grand a name for a lion? Haha, I’ve heard you still have no memories, so let me introduce myself again. I am Gavin Caleb, the director of December Center.”

When the name Caleb came from his lips, I almost faltered but quickly swallowed my surprise and smiled calmly.

“I see.”

“This is my son, Anton Caleb, the center’s accountant. And this is the program coordinator…”

As the introductions continued, I exchanged greetings with everyone while alternately examining Gavin and his son Anton.

Only those who’ve tried being arrogant know how to do it properly. Sigh. Feeling nervous, I hugged Odin tightly, and he thumped my arm encouragingly while resting his chin on it.

“I’ll guide you to my office.”

“I’d like to see the facilities first.”

“Hahaha. Yes, we’ll do that.”

Despite my haughty attitude, both men laughed heartily without concern, but after hearing Celli’s words, I felt uncomfortable, like having a fish bone stuck in my throat.

“Is this the dining hall?”

The large kitchen looked clean with neatly arranged tableware on long tables lined up in rows.

However, upon closer inspection, the cooking utensils were all so worn out they should have been discarded long ago.

The people working inside bowed respectfully.

“Those who have completed rehabilitation and wish to be employed here are working.”

“What about their wages?”

“Ah. We’re proceeding as Your Highness agreed, haha.”

As I agreed?

Nodding vaguely at this increasingly unsettling answer, I continued touring the physical therapy room, psychological counseling area, and center farm.

Again, the visible areas seemed clean and orderly, but looking deeper, the tools, facilities, and the entire center were dilapidated.

Each time I moved to a new location and actively examined every corner, I could feel Gavin and Anton scrutinizing me with strange glances.

I tried to ignore their gazes while thoroughly inspecting the center. The complete absence of dust was the only commendable aspect.

“You’ve now seen everything, Your Highness.”

When Gavin stopped walking and turned to face me, I took a quiet deep breath to suppress my tension.

“Keep your words brief. Maintain a relaxed expression.”

Following Odin’s advice, I nodded and looked at Gavin with deliberately arrogant eyes.

“Now take me to your office.”

“Yes, as you wish.”

After keenly studying my face, Gavin smiled gently and politely guided me.

As we entered a corridor, I noticed dramatically different lighting from before.

He seemed to have arranged his office in the best location.

“Joseph and Medlin, wait here.”

Upon reaching the office, I stopped at the door and spoke.

I saw Joseph slightly furrow his brow and press his lips firmly at my words.

This was because Carlo had told him not to leave me alone.

Instead of speaking further, I looked at him with an even sterner face.

If I had placed these people at December, it meant we had some kind of relationship.

They wouldn’t freely discuss that relationship in front of Joseph or Medlin.

So I needed to enter alone.

“…Understood.”

Joseph, who had been watching me, finally answered and stepped back.

I entered the center director’s office, leaving behind Medlin’s surprised face.

“……”

According to Celli, they ruled the center like gods, and indeed, entering the office made everything clear.

“Nice office.”

“You flatter me.”

Gavin guided me to a sofa amid expensive wooden furniture and elegant statues scattered throughout the office.

Everything gleamed, and most items were either the latest models or polished to a shine.

It was the complete opposite of the other facilities filled with outdated equipment.

The staff hurriedly prepared tea and snacks for us to enjoy.

“Was your carriage ride here difficult?”

“Not really.”

“How surprised I was to receive word of your visit. It’s an honor to welcome such an esteemed person to this humble place.”

“It doesn’t look humble at all.”

“Haha, you speak with such wit. This is practically the most shabby institution among those established by the Hedegen family in St. Berte. Didn’t you notice?”

Gavin, after seating me in the place of honor, sat on the sofa alongside his son, Anton.

“Your Highness, I must tell you. The budget is woefully inadequate for operating this enormous center. I’ve heard you’ve been increasing your activities lately. Would you consider extending that goodwill to us as well?”

“…Goodwill?”

“Yes, indeed. Many wish to enter, but our center’s budget is limited. It’s unfortunate we cannot help more people.”

Gavin watched me carefully with a rather troubled expression.

“You would agree, wouldn’t you, Your Highness?”

He finished speaking and smiled slyly.

Joseph stood at the door with a stiff face before looking out the window.

Without Carlo beside her, the Grand Duchess immediately changed her demeanor and treated everyone she encountered with disdain.

The center director and staff were all flustered when dealing with her, and he had witnessed it clearly with his own eyes.

“…This is why I can only believe everyone is being deceived.”

At Joseph’s meaningful words, Medlin looked at him with wide eyes.

Joseph frowned and glanced at Medlin.

“Don’t you think so?”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m talking about the Grand Duchess.”

Medlin firmly closed her mouth at Joseph’s irritated complaint, then spoke with an expressionless face.

“…You seem to have forgotten to address her as ‘Her Highness.'”

“How does it seem to you, Lady Medlin? You’ve been watching closely, so you must know better.”

“I don’t understand what you’re trying to hear.”

“Didn’t you see earlier? That expression making everyone uncomfortable. She deliberately toured all the facilities, making people nervous.”

“She must have her reasons.”

“Since that day, I can’t help thinking everyone is being deceived.”

“Is the Grand Duke someone who would be deceived by anyone?”

Joseph sighed and turned his head.

“I believe His Highness wouldn’t be. But it’s true the Grand Duchess is quite beautiful.”

“Is His Highness someone who would be swayed by appearances?”

“From what I’ve seen, absolutely not… That’s why I’m even more frustrated.”

“…Perhaps you should go cool your head nearby. I’ll stay here.”

Medlin pointed to the garden beyond the glass window.

However, he simply shook his head and remained at his post.

“Well?”

When I didn’t show much agreement and answered, Gavin looked at me with narrowed eyes.

“…We thought you came to discuss the budget.”

“Was that the message sent?”

“Not exactly, but that’s usually why you visited.”

“Are you saying that when you asked for a budget increase, I approved it?”

“You may not remember due to your memory loss, but if you’re asking, yes, that’s what happened. Your Highness always accepted our opinions. After all, it was all about helping those in need.”

“……”

“You were very compassionate then.”

For a moment, I thought Gavin’s eyes looked challenging.

“Insolent bastard!”

Odin must have felt it too, as he immediately rose in fury.

Gavin glanced at Odin with his fur standing on end and curled his lips as if finding it quite amusing.

“You weren’t someone who kept such a young lion either.”

“……”

“Nor were you someone who treated us carelessly.”

“Is my current self disappointing?”

“How dare we say such a thing?”

Gavin fiddled with his teacup and slowly began speaking, as if bestowing a great favor.

“You may not know this, but all that budget isn’t entirely used by us.”

“Then?”

“It went to Your Highness’s father, Count Azanie.”

At the mention of Count Azanie, I nearly dropped Odin.

Gavin rose from his seat and approached me, as if he had been waiting for this moment.

“It was Your Highness who placed us here. Ah, of course, thanks to Count Azanie’s consideration.”

“……”

“We simply settled here and did as he instructed. The same applies to the budget.”

“……”

“Do you understand the situation a bit better now?”

He came right up to the chair where I was sitting, stopped, then leaned forward and pointedly gripped the armrest.

Gavin’s eyes, now inches from mine, blazed wickedly like a demon’s.

“So our earnings, as ordered by you, the Grand Duchess, come from the residents. Well, since business is a bit slow, we’re thinking of raising the price.”

The Caleb family had sent all the budget funds to Count Azanie. And they had been living luxuriously by taking money from those who could pay more, instead of helping the truly needy who wanted to enter the center.

“…All this time, Your Highness has been protecting these activities. You understand what I’m saying, don’t you? If you reduce the budget or give different directions than before. Yes, what choice would we have? We would have to report to Count Azanie. That’s what Your Highness feared most.”

“……”

“Ah! And it was also Your Highness who ordered us to create double ledgers so the Grand Duke’s subordinates couldn’t verify them.”

“……”

“It means we’re all in the same boat, and no one is without sin.”

He was saying it was impossible for me to seek change now.

They had clearly prepared these words from the moment they saw me looking around the facilities with a critical eye.

Gavin smiled triumphantly, confident I would never reveal this with my own mouth.

“You might want to ask for help now, but we know. No one from the Hedegen family will help Your Highness. Even the commander of the royal guards who came with you doesn’t seem to trust you. If we’re discovered, we’ll simply say we were following Your Highness’s orders.”

His words weren’t wrong.

Joseph did harbor antipathy toward me. Moreover, if he learned of this, he might turn away from me.

“What do you say? Will you approve the budget now?”

He thr*st the budget proposal right under my nose, believing I couldn’t ask anyone for help.

“That won’t happen.”

As I stared directly into Gavin’s eyes and tore the paper to shreds, his eyes bulged in shock.

“Did you just tear up the budget proposal sent by Count Azanie? How dare you!?”

As he raised his hand as if to strike me, Odin firmly gripped my arm.

Though terror prevented me from speaking, I managed to open my mouth and shouted:

“Joseph… Joseph!”