“How dare you…… insult me, you half-breed?”

His shoulders trembled as he thought of Cardien, who had made such a decision.

Of course, it was true that he had overreacted by trying to physically assault Vincent on the spot.

If that hand had properly reached Vincent, he would have been indignant about this treatment, but not unjustly so.

But that hand never reached Vincent.

Wigen’s brows furrowed.

“That tutor……”

Her name was certainly Livia Pellington.

‘Even if Mercedes were to lose its master, you would never get your hands on it. So don’t indulge in such gut-wrenching greed.’

Wigen held his breath as he recalled those amber eyes that had gleamed brightly, seemingly knowing everything.

Whether Livia Pellington actually knew something or had simply made a lucky guess, he couldn’t tell, but one thing was certain.

If left alone, she would eventually become an obstacle to his plans.

His instinct, which had protected Mercedes all this time, told him so.

‘That woman…… must be dealt with.’

It was just as Wigen was firming his resolve.

Knock knock.

Startled by the sudden knocking sound, Wigen turned around.

Creeeeak…

The tightly closed door opened with a slow friction sound.

Soon, a silhouette appeared beyond the door.

The northern annex barely let in sunlight, so the corridor was deeply shadowed.

The silhouette was buried in darkness, its face invisible.

“Who is it?”

At Wigen’s voice, the silhouette in the darkness stirred.

Despite not seeing the face, Wigen seemed to know the identity of the silhouette and clicked his tongue before speaking.

“I personally visited this place because you failed to report on time. The Duke’s movements……”

Wigen shook his head and spoke again.

“Now is not the time for that. I will give you a new order.”

The silhouette seemed to pause at the word ‘mission.’

Wigen spoke in a cold voice toward the silhouette.

“The tutor here.”

“……”

“Dispose of Livia Pellington.”

A cruel smile bloomed on Wigen’s lips as he issued the order.

***

It’s been a while since I’ve been on this road.’

I thought as I looked at the row of trees lining the street.

When I first walked this path, the trees were lush with green leaves, but now they had all fallen with the arrival of winter.

‘Actually, has it really been that long?’

It hadn’t even been a month since my last visit here.

Nevertheless, it felt like a long time ago because of everything that had happened in between.

As I walked, lost in thought, a massive building came into view.

A building with an impressive presence reminiscent of a grand cathedral.

I climbed the stairs and stopped in front of the large door.

Then I spoke with a smiling face.

“It’s been a while. Have you been well?”

“Yes, it has been some time since you visited.”

“Yes, haha…… I’ve been a bit busy……”

I had become close enough to exchange casual greetings with the stiff doorkeeper knight.

That meant I had visited this place frequently.

After showing my entry pass, I stepped into the library.

A thought suddenly occurred to me that the inside of the library seemed detached from reality.

Regardless of the season outside, the library maintained the same atmosphere.

Perhaps it was because the humidity and temperature were always kept the same for the preservation of books.

The faint smell of old paper probably contributed as well.

After briefly concluding my musings, I spoke.

And then…….

“Mr. Lemon, you can come out now. I came knowing everything.”

My voice, neither loud nor soft, spread throughout the interior.

Soon after.

“Haha, my. I was planning to surprise you, but that’s a shame.”

A man with platinum blonde hair and lemon-colored eyes emerged from behind a bookshelf with a sly smile.

Quickly reaching me, he greeted me with a kiss on the back of my hand in a fluid motion.

“It’s been a while, Miss Livia. Have you been well?”

Not surprised by his behavior, I pulled my hand away and answered.

“You would know that better than I would, Mr. Lemon.”

“Haha……”

His unapologetic laughter was almost annoying.

“I heard from the butler. You’ve been reinstated.”

At my words, Lemon quietly smiled with his eyes.

On the day of the baptism ceremony, when I asked Lemon in the carriage if I should visit the rune shop to find him, he told me not to worry.

‘I happened to ask Winston.’

‘That man has been reinstated as a library archivist in recognition of his service in protecting Your Grace and the tutor.’

-was the answer I received.

“Why didn’t you say anything when you were reinstated earlier?”

Even if we weren’t close enough to regularly exchange greetings and news, he should have had something to tell me.

When I questioned him with a doubtful expression, Lemon answered with a gentle smile.

“I’ve been hearing about Miss Livia from time to time. I was just a bit busy with other matters.”

“Other matters?”

“Celebel Nadil. Didn’t you ask me to look into him?”

“Ah……”

I opened my eyes wide.

Right, I had asked him to look into Celebel Nadil.

Lemon continued in a soft voice.

“While looking into him, I found several interesting things. I was so caught up in investigating those that I didn’t get a chance to contact you first.”

I looked at him with a tense face and asked.

“What did you find out?”

However, instead of answering, Lemon quietly looked at me and then said in a calm voice.

“I don’t mind, but it might be uncomfortable for you, Miss Livia, so shall we sit down first?”

“Ah……”

Only then did I realize I had been too hasty.

I had so many questions for Lemon that I had unconsciously become impatient.

Relaxing my shoulders, I slowly moved to the desk.

Sitting across from each other in a sunny spot, I returned to the main topic.

“Now, please tell me, Mr. Lemon. Did you find out anything about Celebel Nadil?”

Then Lemon asked in a gentle manner.

“Miss Livia, do you remember the information I told you last time? About the orphanage that the High Priest is privately operating.”

I nodded.

How could I forget?

An unregistered orphanage secretly operated by the High Priest.

Suspicious by anyone’s standards.

“I found something interesting.”

“Something interesting?”

“Celebel Nadil, Jeffrey Cuspert, and the newly appointed theology professor Gillex Barcel. These three people have something in common. Can you guess what it is?”

Lemon asked with a sly face, his tone as if he was posing a quiz.

I stared at him blankly.

Suddenly, a premonition flashed through my mind.

I slowly parted my lips.

“…Could they all be from the same orphanage?”

“Correct. Here’s your prize.”

Lemon extended his hand, urging me to hold out mine.

When I hesitantly extended my hand, Lemon placed something on my palm with a tap.

“This is……”

Small and round, pale yellow.

“A lemon candy. Surely you don’t dislike lemon candy too?”

Lemon pretended to cry, saying he would be hurt if that were the case.

When I first visited the guild, he must have taken to heart my answer that I disliked lemons when he asked if I liked them.

I gave a hollow laugh.

And shook my head slightly.

“I don’t dislike it.”

Not that I particularly like it either.

“I’ll enjoy it.”

I unwrapped the thin paper and popped the lemon candy into my mouth.

As Lemon said, a subtle sourness was followed by the sweetness of sugar.

It was just an ordinary lemon candy, nothing special, but the sweet and sour taste seemed to clear my complicated thoughts a bit.

“It’s delicious.”

“I’m glad you like it. I can send you more if you want.”

“Ah, no. This is enough.”

Lemon lowered his eyes regretfully and murmured.

“I see. Can’t be helped. Well, listen as you eat.”

Nod.

As I nodded, Lemon smiled slightly and continued.

“As you guessed, the three of them are from that unregistered orphanage. Not only that, but there are quite a few officials in the Empire who are from that orphanage. In the Imperial Palace, the Imperial Academy, and throughout the Temple.”

“……It’s like they’re trying to devour the Empire.”

“That might not be wrong. And that man who attacked the temple.”

Could it be…….

When I looked at him with trembling eyes, Lemon smiled brightly.

But there wasn’t a trace of humor in his lemon-colored eyes.