I carefully sat down on the sofa while watching his reaction, and soon after, the servants entered the reception room with simple finger foods and black tea.

Frill seemed to observe the strange atmosphere flowing in the reception room, then after arranging everything on the table, quietly left. 

 The Crown Prince was the first to speak. 

 “The reason I asked to meet you today is because of the fire incident that occurred on the hill behind Marquis Masipacius’s mansion.” 

 I nodded while trying to hide my startled feelings.

Somehow, he looked at me with an expression that said ‘I know everything~’, but I deliberately avoided his gaze, pretending not to notice. 

 But……

Your Highness the Crown Prince……

Why do you feel so familiar…? 

 I was turning away from him, deeply thinking about whether I had seen him before he visited the Marquis’s mansion, but the information that flashed through my mind was completely different. 

 「Suddenly manifesting the blessing of fire? Does that make any sense?」

I frowned at this memory of unknown origin.

Then the Crown Prince spoke again. 

 “Are you feeling unwell? If so, I can call for a physician right now……”

“Ah, no, I’m fine.” 

 The Crown Prince tilted his head while looking at me, then handed me a document. 

 “The fire on the hill will be reported to His Majesty the Emperor as having been extinguished thanks to Lady Masipacius’s wisdom. After all, since it could have developed into a national disaster, we must report it to His Majesty.”

“Ah… but I didn’t do much.”

“Yes, I heard. That you called someone who could use the blessing of water. However, we cannot report information about an unknown person to His Majesty……” 

 I nodded at his words. 

 “Then this matter is concluded.” 

 With that, the Crown Prince said his business was finished and picked up the book that had fallen on the floor, the one I had hit his head with. 

 “But…… if it was just about this, it could have been handled with documents……” 

 When I carefully spoke to him, he nodded in agreement. 

 “I just wanted to see the lady face to face without any obstacles.” 

 Teacher?

What could this mean? 

 At the Crown Prince’s sudden attack…… no, statement, I quickly shifted my gaze that had been fixed on him to somewhere else.

He seemed completely unbothered by my behavior and kept looking at me with a smile on his face. 

 After repeatedly sneaking glances at him and then looking away, I decided to change the subject.

While looking around earnestly for something to change the topic to, I pointed at the book I had hit the Crown Prince with. 

 “Have…… have you read this book?”

When I picked up the book the Crown Prince had retrieved and spoke, he looked alternately between the book and me, seemingly flustered by my obvious intention, then slowly shook his head.

I gave him a forced but energetic smile. 

 “But this book is written in the ancient demon race language, can you read the ancient demon race language?” 

 At his question, I had an ‘oh no’ moment but nodded with a neutral expression.

He looked at me with surprised eyes. 

 “The ancient demon race language is famous for being difficult to learn even when taught by specialist professors at the academy, so how……” 

 I gave him an embarrassed smile at his words. 

 “Though it’s nothing compared to the imperial palace library, our mansion’s library is quite large and has many different kinds of books. I love reading, so from reading various books……” 

 He looked surprised at my words and again alternately looked between the book I was holding and me.

Being one of the people who knew that the Masipacius family’s business was doing better than anyone else’s in the empire, he naturally seemed to think they must have provided me with a tutor. 

 “So you’ve studied the ancient demon race language enough to read this book by yourself…?” 

 I nodded again with an embarrassed expression.

Thinking another awkward silence might fall, I quickly opened my mouth toward the Crown Prince who was looking at me with surprised eyes. 

 “That book also describes the lifestyle of the ancient demon race. While the ancient demon race language is known as good knowledge to have among nobles, there isn’t much information about their lifestyle, so I found it very interesting to read.” 

 At that, the Crown Prince nodded and then called Frill who was standing outside. 

 “Tell them to lend these books including that one and other books related to the ancient demon race to Lady Rowenloa, and have them delivered to the mansion’s maid when she returns.” 

 I quickly waved my hands at his words. 

 “Oh no, that’s alright.”

“As you said, books related to the ancient demon race are hard to find outside this imperial palace.” 

 After hearing his words, I just stared at the books on the bookshelf with a troubled expression, unable to answer for a while. 

 Borrowing those books would be really grateful from my position……

But I can’t have the mansion’s servants return items personally lent by the Crown Prince……

Which means I would have to come to the imperial palace again to return these books and express my gratitude……

I don’t want that…! 

 How much time had passed? Frill was carefully watching from behind the Crown Prince, and the Crown Prince was looking at me with a somewhat displeased expression. 

 “Perhaps you’re worried about having to visit the imperial palace again to return the books……” 

 The Crown Prince accurately guessed exactly what I was worried about, as if reading my mind.

I was startled and looked at his expression before quickly shaking my head. 

 “How could I have such an arrogant thought? Absolutely not.” 

 At my words, the Crown Prince just raised his eyebrows while maintaining his displeased smile. 

 “It’s just that…… I’m worried about borrowing such precious books…… If I were to damage them somehow, that would be a serious problem.” 

 Hearing my words, the Crown Prince’s expression softened and he nodded as if it made sense.

I inwardly cheered at coming up with such a good excuse. 

 However, this wasn’t a good excuse.

Rather, it made things more complicated. 

 “In that case, you can come to the imperial palace regularly from now on to read books related to the ancient demon race.” 

 This guy really……

Just because the imperial palace is comfortable for him, does he think it’s comfortable for me too…… 

 I forced my lips to curl up at his words. 

 “Me…… coming to the imperial palace…… regularly……” 

 The Crown Prince’s words toward my hesitation were fatal. 

 “Hmm? I thought you said earlier that visiting the imperial palace wasn’t uncomfortable, or was that my imagination?” 

 Finally, I nodded while having to swallow this bitter pill.

Then he stood up from the sofa with a satisfied expression and clapped his hands. 

 “Well then, shall we leave now?” 

 With that, he extended his hand to me who was still sitting on the sofa.

Not being used to such kindness, I just stared blankly at his hand. 

 Of course, my mind was very complicated. 

 Is the Crown Prince being this kind because he likes me?

Perhaps he’s recognizing my excellent intellect and casting me as a future talent to work at the imperial palace?

No, but what if he’s testing me?

What if this is the Crown Prince’s scheme to uncover the dirty side of the Masipacius family? 

 As I kept thinking hard while just staring at the Crown Prince’s hand, Frill came behind me and whispered quietly, unable to watch anymore. 

 “Miss Rowenloa, his hand! Take His Highness the Crown Prince’s hand!” 

 Startled to attention by her voice, I placed my hand on top of the Crown Prince’s with a thud.

What……

I felt my face turning red with embarrassment at myself for putting my hand on the Crown Prince’s like a dog giving its paw to a person. 

 But the Crown Prince, seemingly not flustered at all, pulled my hand and lifted me from the sofa.

Then he caught my body with his as I was about to fall forward. 

 I’m done for. 

 Mother……

I just body-slammed His Highness the Crown Prince……

I’m dead now. 

 After taking a small step back to quickly separate from the Crown Prince while squeezing my eyes shut, I carefully raised my head to see the Crown Prince looking down at me with a smiling expression. 

 “Shall we go then?” 

 I could only nod with my reddened face. 

 If I were to share my impressions of seeing the Crown Prince up close……

Should I say it confirmed that the circulating rumors were true?

I could realize once again that he was someone who truly suited the description of a pure white beautiful man. 

 ***

 The place the Crown Prince took me to was a garden located slightly behind the Crown Prince’s palace. 

 “Let’s walk along this path.” 

 As we walked along the garden path, the Crown Prince introduced me to the origins and stories related to the decorations that caught our eyes occasionally, so the walking time wasn’t awkward.

After walking like that for about 10 minutes, we arrived at a temple located within the imperial palace. 

 “Actually, this is the place I really wanted to show you. I’ve heard that most ladies want to see the imperial palace temple……” 

 I smiled at the Crown Prince in gratitude. 

 Right, I wanted to see it.

Because this is where that being lives – whether demon or god – who turned back my time. 

 —Demon? How hurtful to hear that. 

 Just then, as I was looking around the temple, a mysterious voice suddenly rang in my head.

When I stopped in my tracks, startled, the Crown Prince checked on my condition, asking what was wrong. 

 —You’ve come here earlier than expected. That means your life is changing significantly. Thanks to that, many gods have been complaining lately about why they’re not showing scenes hinting at what happens later. 

 I finally collapsed right there as my head kept buzzing with a ringing sensation.