Hysterion’s low murmuring voice was very tempting.

Not that I was going to fall for that temptation.

In the first place, I became a home tutor not because I had any intention for this profession, but because it was the only way to get into Mercedes.

Even if I were to quit being Vincent’s home tutor, I wouldn’t become someone else’s home tutor.

I didn’t want to leave any unnecessary room for misunderstanding.

I opened my lips towards Hysterion.

However, the voice came from somewhere else.

“It’s not returning.”

The owner of the voice was Cardien.

“Hm?”

Hysterion looked at Cardien with puzzled eyes.

I also looked up at Cardien, wondering what he meant.

Cardien was quietly staring at Hysterion.

No emotion could be felt from his purple eyes.

However, his voice that leaked out was heavily sunken.

As Hysterion seemed completely clueless, Cardien continued with a displeased expression.

“The Tutor has never been a person of the Imperial family, so it’s not returning. The Tutor is a person of Mercedes.”

“……”

I blankly looked up at Cardien.

There was no wavering in his purple eyes as he stared directly at Hysterion.

As naturally as calling water water and the sky sky, Cardien said it was only natural that I was a person of Mercedes.

“Ah.”

Hysterion, who belatedly understood the meaning of Cardien’s words, showed a surprised expression.

Eventually, his gaze turned to me.

A look that seemed to ask if things had progressed this far between us.

But you know, Mr. Male Lead.

‘I’m the most surprised.’

I never expected Cardien to say such things.

Of course, it’s true that our relationship has rapidly grown closer recently.

‘How should I put it.’

Simply getting closer in a relationship and being recognized as ‘Mercedes’ were on completely different levels.

For Cardien, Mercedes was his everything.

To the point where he was so cautious that he wouldn’t readily keep anyone by his side.

But his statement just now meant that I was allowed to stand by his side.

‘Wow, this feels really strange.’

It felt like I was truly recognized by him, and it made me feel oddly ticklish inside.

Hysterion still looked at Cardien and me with a surprised expression, then soon nodded with a smirk.

“I see. Then there’s nothing I can do. But in the end, the choice is Miss Pellington’s, so if you ever change your mind, feel free to come. You’ll be warmly welcomed.”

At his words, I looked at him for a moment and then bowed my head.

“Thank you for thinking highly of me, Your Highness.”

“……”

I could feel Cardien’s intense gaze on my back.

No, I understand what you’re thinking, but please listen to people until the end.

“However……”

I raised my head and met Hysterion’s eyes.

And I smiled lightly.

A slight change flickered in Hysterion’s eyes as he looked at me.

“Mercedes will be my first and last. There won’t be anything after that.”

“……How resolute. I’m hurt.”

Hysterion showed a disappointed smile as if he really meant it.

But I know him well.

The Hysterion I know is not the kind of person who would be hurt by something like this.

Because he hides his true cold face behind that friendly smile.

“You’re lucky, Duke. To have such a reliable home tutor by your side.”

“……You talk too much. Is the Crown Prince that free?”

“Haha, I’m not that free. I was just about to go in anyway. May Thelia’s blessings be with both of you.”

“What an unfitting farewell.”

“We’re in a temple. When in a temple, one should follow the temple’s customs.”

Hysterion laughed cheerfully and returned to the hall with his guards.

I bowed my head towards him and then raised it with a sigh.

‘Wow……”

The baptism ceremony hadn’t even started yet, but I felt mentally exhausted as if a storm had just passed.

Being caught between Cardien and Hysterion’s battle of wills was not something a commoner like me could endure.

Still, it wasn’t an entirely difficult time.

‘Because I learned that Cardien has acknowledged me.’

I turned to Cardien with a grin.

When Cardien made a ‘what’ expression, I poked him and said,

“I didn’t know Your Grace thought of me that highly.”

“……You’re one to talk. Saying Mercedes is your first and last.”

Cardien said that and quietly stared at me.

I nodded.

“I meant those words.”

Although I spoke more resolutely to not leave any room for Hysterion, all those words I said were sincere.

“I have no intention of entering any other family after leaving Mercedes.”

The implication behind these words was also that he didn’t need to worry about me leaking Mercedes’ information anywhere else.

I thought these words would instill trust in Cardien.

However, contrary to my expectations, his eyes, which had been filled with warmth, suddenly froze cold.

Confused by the sudden change, I just blinked my eyes, and he spoke in a cold voice.

“……Looking at it, you seem like a person who’s just waiting for the day to leave.”

“What?”

What’s this all of a sudden?

As I just stared at him with surprised eyes, Cardien moved his lips.

“Just what are you……”

Then, after glaring at me intently, he suddenly turned around and went inside, leaving me alone.

No…

‘What on earth is this about?’

He’s not a teenager going through puberty, I don’t understand why his mood suddenly turned bad.

‘Is it because of what I said?’

About leaving Mercedes?

‘But that’s already scheduled to happen.’

Although Cardien acknowledged me as a person of Mercedes, it doesn’t mean I can become a complete person of Mercedes.

As long as I’m Vincent’s home tutor, I’m an outsider who will have to leave someday.

That’s something both I and Cardien know.

‘Is it really something to get so angry about?’

It’s not like anyone wants to leave because they want to.

And it’s not about right now, but something far in the future.

I pouted my lips for no reason.

The excited mood plummeted in an instant.

Thinking it’s quite a talent to make someone’s mood go up and down like this, I hurriedly followed Cardien.

Before entering the hall that had become even more crowded, I stopped for a moment and looked back.

The scene of a quiet corridor without a single person.

Only the soft moonlight faintly illuminates the darkness.

‘It still feels familiar somehow…’

Where have I seen this before?

I tilted my head in confusion, then quickly came to my senses and hurried to follow Cardien, blending into the crowd.

***

Fortunately, Cardien was waiting for me, standing just a few steps away.

I sneaked up to his side.

Cardien didn’t even glance at me.

“Um, Your Grace.”

“……”

There was no answer.

I sighed inwardly.

This stubborn guy!

But what can I do? The powerless have to accommodate.

“I think you’re misunderstanding something, but I don’t want to leave Mercedes either.”

Then Cardien looked at me.

I leaned against the wall and continued.

“But I’m not Mercedes. Even though I don’t have a family……”

I tried to smile at him.

Cardien’s eyes widened slightly.

“I know how to separate personal and professional matters.”

No matter how precious it is, no matter how enjoyable life at Mercedes is, it doesn’t mean I can be a person who can stay there.

“……”

“That’s all it was. It’s not that I’m only thinking about the day I’ll leave or that I don’t cherish Mercedes.”

Cardien silently stares at me.

Just as he was about to say something, opening his lips.

“It’s the Saint!”

At someone’s shout, I flinched and turned my head.

Indeed, someone was walking onto the platform.

There were three silhouettes.

As they came into the light, their figures became clearly visible.

One was a familiar face.

‘Eden Aquilium…..’

Although I’ve seen him once before, seeing him here felt strange.

I turned my head to the opposite side.

It was an ordinary-looking middle-aged man with brown hair and brown eyes.

I recognized him immediately.

‘……High Priest Kalbinur……’

The reason I could recognize him immediately despite seeing his face for the first time was simple.

In such an official setting, apart from Eden who is a guard, only the High Priest has the qualification to stand beside the Saint.

Lastly, I looked at the woman standing in the center of the two.

Even though her face was covered with a long priest’s robe and a white veil, I could immediately recognize her identity just by her small and frail figure.

The female protagonist of this world’s <Everyone Loves Only the Saint> and.

‘Saint Celestina.’