“……So what are you trying to say?” I asked, trying to make sense of Ains’ sudden offer to guide the mana within me.

Was he genuinely offering help? It could certainly be interpreted that way. However, I was already training with Master Cesare to manage my unruly mana. Today, I had finally learned to feel it.

This wasn’t due to any exceptional talent of mine; rather, I had been consistently absorbing high-purity mana stones to combat Trintz disease.

What I needed now wasn’t Ains’ assistance but further training to overcome this illness on my own.

“I can help stabilize your mana. You don’t need to rely on anyone else,” Ains said confidently, as if he expected me to cling to his offer like a lifeline.

But his words didn’t resonate with me. I no longer felt a desperate need for his help.

“Duke Graham, I appreciate your concern, but I don’t need any help,” I replied firmly.

“Why? Do you understand your current condition? Your mana could go berserk at any moment. Even if you’re learning from Master Cesare, what will you do if your mana goes out of control right now? You know that mana stones and suppressants are only temporary fixes, don’t you?”

Ains, who had been expressionless, frowned in disbelief and pressed me further.

“Handling mana isn’t something just anyone can do, especially not in a short time. So……”

“Whether it’s something anyone can do or not, or whether it can be done quickly, is irrelevant to you, Duke. Even if it’s an offer of help, I don’t want to accept it.”

We were now strangers. No, we might have become worse than strangers.

“I’ll handle the aftermath on my own, so please don’t worry about it and just leave. I’m a bit tired from my mana training.”

Continuing this conversation felt impossible. Ains wasn’t willing to back down, and neither was I. To end this, one of us had to decisively turn away, and I realized that person had to be me.

“It seems I couldn’t provide the answer you wanted despite coming here. Take care.”

I unilaterally ended the conversation with Ains. Before he could respond, I turned and walked back inside the gate.

Fortunately, I didn’t hear any footsteps behind me, indicating he didn’t follow.

As soon as I entered the main building, I heard the front door close behind me. Only then did the tension in my body begin to ease.

“Are you alright?” Rivet asked, rushing over to support me as I staggered.

“I’m fine, just a bit exhausted. Thank you for your concern,” I said, smiling as I gently pushed her support away.

“Please let me know if you need anything,” she replied.

“Okay, I will.”

Regaining my balance, I climbed the stairs to my bedroom, feeling the need for some rest.

As I ascended and passed a window, I glanced outside. Ains was still standing at the gate, staring at the main building with an unreadable expression.

It’s not like I would go back down just because he was there…

After a moment’s thought, I turned away and entered my bedroom.

Practicing mana during the day, serving tea to Master Cesare, and encountering Ains all at once was overwhelming for someone with my still fragile physical strength.

I asked Rivet to wake me after a while and lay down on the bed, closing my eyes.

Even after Cecilia went inside, Ains remained rooted in place, the image of her cold back lingering in his mind.

Since learning about Cecilia’s illness and Master Cesare’s frequent visits to treat her, Ains hadn’t had a peaceful night’s sleep. Moreover, he couldn’t shake the memory of Master Cesare placing a hand on her shoulder after her mana practice.

That physical contact had nothing to do with training, which meant Master Cesare had intentionally touched Cecilia.

Every night, Ains was haunted by the image of Master Cesare teaching Cecilia to feel mana beyond the iron fence.

He couldn’t understand why Master Cesare kept intruding on his thoughts. Normally, when meeting him as the head of the Graham Trading Company, Ains felt indifferent. But since that day, a burning emotion surged within him whenever he thought of him.

This feeling resembled the anger he felt when Cecilia was with Viscount Moldovan, but it was different. With Moldovan, he didn’t feel the same intense rage.

If it was simply jealousy over someone being close to Cecilia, what differentiated this situation from the other?

Ains pondered these emotions all night. Although his understanding wasn’t perfect, he could roughly categorize his feelings into three points.

First, he didn’t like anyone being by Cecilia’s side.

Second, Viscount Moldovan was just a cheap rookie who exploited noblewomen.

Third, Master Cesare was not.

It was almost laughable that he still harbored feelings for Cecilia after their divorce, yet his emotional state was not something to be dismissed lightly.

Every night, Cecilia’s image filled his mind, and every morning, he felt her absence. However, Ains didn’t consider this love; he thought it was merely lingering feelings for someone who had been part of his life for over a decade. It was natural to feel emptiness when someone you saw daily was gone. And discovering that someone else was getting closer to her only fueled his anger.

Those around Ains sensed this was a form of self-rationalization but chose not to comment to avoid offending him.

Consequently, Ains decided to see Cecilia directly, hoping to quell the emotions that plagued him daily. But had he known his plan would unravel so miserably, he wouldn’t have come.

“Duke, why don’t you go back now?” his aide, Jackson, suggested cautiously.

Jackson believed that Cecilia, having already entered the mansion, wouldn’t return to see Ains. Waiting at the gate for someone who wouldn’t come back wasn’t good for Ains’ dignity and was particularly rude to Cecilia.

“……”

However, Ains stood firm, showing no signs of leaving, as if he intended to wait there until Cecilia came out.

Jackson sighed inwardly, thinking of the unfinished business for the trading company. To him, Ains appeared to be experiencing a failed romance.

He knew that Ains was just now coming to terms with his emotions, having taken Cecilia’s presence for granted and neglecting her, only to realize his feelings now that she was gone.

But telling this to the proud Ains could lead to unpredictable consequences.

It would be better if he could realize his emotions on his own……

In the end, Jackson couldn’t even speak to him properly and took a step back. He might have to stand there for half a day.

But fortunately, Ains turned around in less than half an hour.

“Let’s go.”

Ains said in a voice devoid of any strength. Jackson glanced at Ains and bowed his head.

“Yes, understood.”

Ains’ face was still expressionless. But Jackson couldn’t shake the feeling that something had broken inside those indifferent eyes.