No matter how much I thought about it, there was not a single reason why he would like me. The more I thought about it, the more it gave me a headache, so I just gave up trying to figure it out.

“Oh, I don’t know.”

Yes, does a person need a reason to like another person? The important thing was that he liked me. Whether it was as a romantic interest or just as a human being, I couldn’t tell yet.

With Iscallion absent now, I had to somehow use this opportunity to redefine my relationship with Gined.

‘It felt somewhat unsettling to make a move on a minor.’

Suddenly, I felt a wave of self-loathing.

The way I was scheming to gain favor from various men made me look like…

‘A player.’

But I quickly shook my head.

Being a player was a term reserved for someone who had the ability to gain favor from multiple people simultaneously.

『Our fishing ground is open for business.』

Even if I shouted my lungs out in front of a collapsing fishing ground, it would be meaningless if no fish came in.

To describe my act of looking at fish outside my domain, the term ‘snorkeling’ was more appropriate than ‘player.’

‘I’ve been snorkeling for over half a year….’

How nice it would be to have an advisor to give me clear advice at times like this.

Human relationships had long been shattered, and even those whom I had maintained friendships with gradually drifted away while I was chasing after male leads.

I couldn’t carelessly talk in front of Seren, who had a loose tongue, and tarnish Gined’s honor.

‘Well, it’s not like I don’t have any advisors at all.’

Though unreliable, I had Janet.

I subtly called her and asked.

“What do you think, Janet? Do you think Gined has opened his heart to me?”

I expected her to say yes, but surprisingly, her answer was not very encouraging.

“Well, I’m not sure.”

“What? No? He even said I wasn’t a bother and that he wasn’t busy.”

“He probably just didn’t have anything to do that day. Didn’t he give you a transcribed scripture as a gift for your birthday? What kind of man gives such a gift to a woman he likes?”

“Well, that could mean he wants to study the scriptures together, right?”

“That’s exactly my point. People call that kind of relationship study partners, not lovers.”

Her blunt words left me speechless. I had been quite confident, so her answer was even more disappointing.

“Then, what about the Holy Knights you’ve been involved with?”

Janet chuckled meaningfully at my question.

“Holy Knights are men, after all. Imagine what a man who has been celibate all his life would do if he desired a woman.”

I recalled the original story.

How did Gined act when he fell in love with Lina?

After running away with Lina, he was constantly injured while evading the pursuit of the Holy See. And Lina, to heal him…

My blushing face answered for me.

“Just as you guessed, Master. The men who have lived a life of celibacy become incredibly aggressive due to a compensatory psychology, far more than ordinary men.”

“Uh… What are you buying?”

When I asked back in disbelief, Janet looked at me with contempt.

“The conclusion is that you can’t be sure with just a few words.”

“Then how about making a bold move and seeing how he reacts?”

“With your clumsy skills? Give it up. Right now, you couldn’t even tempt Roengreen, let alone the balding Michael.”

“Wait, isn’t that too harsh?”

“Am I wrong?”

“You’re right….”

I quickly agreed.

She, who could make men her slaves with just a glance, would obviously know more than me, who had only clung pathetically to one man for ten years, ending in a broken engagement.

Janet pointed to Shahar.

“No need to be discouraged. You have Lord Shahar by your side. Isn’t he adorable with his slightly flattened shape? There’s no stone more perfect in this world.”

“Our Shahar is quite perfect.”

I looked at the coal decorated with diamonds and ribbons with satisfaction. He seemed cuter by the day.

‘They say it’s over when you find them cute.’

“What decoration will you add today? How about a golden bell?”

Janet suggested slyly.

“Hmm, then it would be good to add cat ears as well.”

I was soon engrossed in choosing decorations for Shahar, forgetting all about Gined.

So I didn’t notice Janet’s sigh of relief.

***

The Dronay Duchy was a family that had expanded its power based on a vast granary area in the southern part of the empire.

It was harvest season, but news came that the people’s sentiments were uneasy due to a severe famine this year. As a result, my parents had to urgently go down to the duchy.

“It’s hard to leave you alone during such times, especially with Leon also away.”

“Don’t worry. Am I a child?”

“You’ll always be a baby in our eyes. If you’re too scared to be alone, call Sir Roengreen.”

“Inviting a man into the house when you’re not here? And a priest at that?”

“How nice would it be? With a priest in the house, you can go to confession and study the scriptures.”

“Exactly. Did you think we were suggesting tarnishing Roengreen’s reputation?”

“…I’ll handle it myself.”

“We trust you, daughter.”

What exactly they trusted me with, I had no idea.

They left the mansion after repeatedly urging me to call a man if I felt unsafe. Though it was doubtful that any crazy thief would target the heavily guarded ducal mansion.

In the end, a man did enter the mansion.

“It’s been a really long time since I’ve had micaea tea. As expected, wealthy families are different.”

Michalis, seated carelessly on the sofa in the parlor, stirred his tea with a sugar stick.

“How did you get in?”

“They let me in when I said I was your friend? I was formally invited.”

Michalis pointed outside the door. Seren, who had no business there but was loitering around, was visible.

Of course, with his overwhelming attractiveness as a transcendent being, Michalis was exceptionally handsome. But if she knew he was a vampire, she wouldn’t be wandering around with such a lovestruck face.

‘Hopefully, the mansion doesn’t turn into a vampire den.’

I thought of Janet, who must be in a deep sleep in the basement. Then I wondered how Michalis would predict my relationship with Gined. After all, vampires were second only to incubi in the art of seduction.

“Hey, Michalis. You’ve lived a long time, so you must know a thing or two about love, right?”

“Love? Why? Are you seeing someone?”

“Well, it’s not exactly seeing someone, but we’re getting to know each other.”

“Wasn’t his name Leon? I heard that tall, handsome boy left. Is it not over yet?”

“Leon is just a cute younger brother.”

Of course, I had never considered Iscallion merely as a younger brother.

But I was a noble with social dignity.

‘I can’t admit I failed to seduce a minor.’

“Oh? Then another man?”

Michalis’s red eyes sparkled with interest.

I lowered my voice so Seren couldn’t hear and explained the situation with Gined.

“…So that’s roughly what happened. What do you think?”

Unlike Janet, Michalis had a much more positive reaction.

“It’s not bad.”

“But Janet says that when a holy knight falls in love, they become more aggressive.”

“Her opinion isn’t always right. Why do you trust her words so much?”

“Because Janet has extensive experience with over a thousand holy knights. She surely knows more about men than I do.”

“But what you want to know is Roengreen’s heart, not those thousand holy knights, right? It’s up to you whose words you believe, but generally, men understand other men’s hearts better.”

His last words left a significant impact on me. I realized that I had never tried to understand the male leads’ hearts from a man’s perspective.

Before I knew it, I was leaning in, fully focused on Michalis’s words.

“Then, is there no way to understand a man’s heart?”

“Hmm. It’s a bit difficult. A holy knight… It’s certainly not a typical profession.”

“Please, help me. This is quite important. It’s not just for selfish reasons. I’ll reward you generously.”

“I don’t need a reward. As long as it’s interesting. But it might be a bit dangerous, are you okay with that?”

“As long as I don’t die.”

I was prepared. Besides, what situation could be more dangerous than this? Before I knew it, early October had already passed.

There were only five months left until the set deadline. However, I hadn’t even gone on a proper date, let alone found true love.