With me sulking behind a screen, the conversation between the Perdia couple continued.

 “So, what were you punishing her for?”

“I just hoped she would reflect on her recklessness, even in dangerous situations.”

 “That’s for her to decide for herself.”

“In that case, are you implying Elodie did well? To remain in a burning, demon-infested mansion?”

 The conversation paused.

The two exchanged aggressive glances, as if ready to devour each other.

  “Your Grace doesn’t know much about Lili.”

 “What?”

“Lili is quite stubborn.”

…Huh? Suddenly, a curse towards me? While I was perplexed at receiving an unexpected scolding, the duchess corrected herself with a different expression.

 “Well, I guess you could say she has strong convictions.”

 “I am well aware that Elodie is stubborn.”

However, Duke Perdia admitted, without finding any worth to correct the duchess about my stubbornness.

 Unbeknownst to them, I was watching with narrowed eyes as the two continued their conversation.

“If that’s Elodie’s choice, shouldn’t you listen to why she did it rather than giving her punishment outright?”

 “Because I don’t want her to act recklessly again the next time she is in a similar situation.”

 “Well, I don’t know if she’ll do what you want. I think she’ll probably do what she thinks is right…….”

The Duchess, her words blurring, glanced over at me, smiled seductively, and added. 

“In that regard, she resembles my dear husband.”

Hiccup! Perhaps surprised by her bringing up such a sensitive topic, started hiccuping for no apparent reason.

 Her and Duke Perdia’s eyes landed on me at the same time.

 I smiled as innocently as I could.

 “Ahaha.”

 ‘Please continue your conversation. I’m just a screen.’

Then, the two, following my lead, shifted their attention away from me and resumed their conversation, glaring at each other.

 “That’s why Lili is having a hard time with you, Your Grace, because you habitually try to shut her up whenever a topic comes up that you don’t like with such a scary face.”

Hiccup! It sounded like an oblivious hiccup.

 Fortunately, neither of them looked back at me this time.

The Duke of Perdia clicked his tongue in annoyance and gave a short warning.

 “Enough.”

 “If you’re going to make that scary face and block your ears whenever an unpleasant topic comes up, it must be hard for Your Grace, isn’t it?”

“…Themis Perdia.”

 “Did you think calling me by my first name would scare me?”

The Duchess blatantly sneered at the Duke of Perdia. The Duke’s golden eyes narrowed in disapproval. 

 “What do you want me to do?”

 “I’m not suggesting anything.”

She laughed, and the duke crossed his arms and stared at her wordlessly.

 Shivering…

I, still in between them, remained tensed in fear.

 “Themis Perdia.”

 “Why do you call me by my name? Yes, Your Grace, the great Sylvester Duke of Perdia, tell me.”

 “Stop it.”

 “Stop what?”

And so, the marital quarrel began.

Hiccup……. 

‘How long do I have to endure this?’

I wish they could fight without involving me.

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***

The marital quarrel seemed to subside.

“Sigh…”

It seemed like a headache. Well, it’s understandable.

Every time he spoke, his wife mocked and rebutted him. I trembled and tried to breathe as quietly as possible.

“Both of you, get out.”

Suppressing the urge to burst into a smile at the Duke’s command, I barely managed to hold back.

‘Finally, an escape!’

I quickly lowered my arm and stood up abruptly from my position.

 No matter how soft the carpet was, staying in the same position for a long time with my knees on it made my limbs numb.

Unintentionally staggering, I caught the surprised gaze of Duke Perdia, who reached out to me before I could regain my balance.

 But before he could reach me, I quickly regained my balance, and he withdrew his hand.

I chuckled gracefully, offering an excuse.

“Oh, my legs were just a bit numb…”

“Enough of this; let’s go, Lili. It’s better not to get close to heartless beings without blood or tears.”

The Duchess pulled me towards the door.

 “Ha, Themi-.”

Bang! The door closed loudly, cutting off Duke Perdia’s voice calling the Duchess.

Is it okay to leave like this? Looking at the firmly closed door, I felt indecisive, but the Duchess called me.

“Lili? Come on.”

“Yes!”

I promptly followed the Duchess.

I didn’t understand what happened. Since the Duchess seemed a bit stronger, it seemed wise to stick with her for now.

I used to think the strongest person in Perdia was the Duke, but I learned an incredible truth: it was actually the Duchess.

Earlier, my limbs were cramping up, but as I walked through the corridor, the discomfort gradually subsided. While walking side by side, the Duchess suddenly asked a question.

 “Don’t you miss your real dad?”

 “My real dad?”

 “Yes. The Duke of Severes.”

 “As a matter of fact…… I saw his face the other day when I went to Count Hicklemeyer’s invitation.”

My words caught her off guard, and she looked down at me with a quizzical look on her face. 

 “Oh, yes. You’ve already met him.”

 “Yes.”

The Duchess, seemingly lost in thought, didn’t speak to me any further. Click-clack, tap-tap. For a while, only the sound of our footsteps echoed in the corridor.

When I glanced at the Duchess, she charmingly smiled at me and said.

“You can stare at me directly, Lili.”

Realizing that I was caught sneaking glances, my cheeks turned red. I fidgeted with my fingers and expressed what I wanted to say.

“Thank you, Your Grace.”

“Hmm? For what?”

“For coming here so openly today to support me. Actually, I’ve always been grateful whenever you supported me before.”

Since the day I approached the Duchess first, she had consistently stood by my side whenever something happened.

In a place I once considered desolate, having someone who sided with me was a great comfort.

The Duchess tilted her head and looked at me silently, then smiled and said.

 “It’s just that I like small and cute things.”

“Huh? Small and cute things?”

“Yes. For example… a daughter rather than a big and stern son.”

Surprised by her unexpected words, I widened my eyes. The Duchess’s long fingers brushed aside my disheveled hair.

 “I know I can’t be your mother, but I want to be someone you can count on.”

 “…….”

“Rest well, Lili.”

Before I knew it, we were in front of my bedroom.

***

 So much had happened.

I dragged my tired body and finally finished bathing, changing into my pajamas.

 I flopped down on my bed and felt like I was going to live. 

[Sigh….]

Hearing a sigh from out of nowhere, I quickly pulled the sealstone out of my clothes and looked down at it.

 “Greed?”

 [Ugh].

 “What’s going on, do you know how worried I was when you weren’t talking to me earlier?”

[I suddenly got sleepy, so I took a nap.]

For someone claiming to have taken a nap, the voice sounded tired.

 Worried, I grabbed the sealing stone and called out to Greed. 

 “Greed, why don’t you come out of the seal stone?”

Poof.

 Greed’s ears and tail drooped as he landed on the floor beneath the bed.

 Although it usually seemed annoying, seeing it like this made me feel a bit bad.

 “Come here.”

Sitting on the bed, I gently tapped my knees, and Greed cautiously climbed up.

I carefully petted Greed, who seemed drained of energy.

I lifted his four legs, played with his ears, and even gently touched his nose, but Greed seemed annoyed, shaking its head as if it found it troublesome.

“Is there something bothering you? Are you in pain?”

[No.]

“Did Gabe Jenade do something to you?”

[What’s that? No.]

Even though it said no, the strangely listless voice bothered me.

 “Do you want a snack? Should I ask Martha to bring something?”

 [No thanks].

“Aren’t you hungry? How about we read a gem catalog, it’s been a while?”

[It’s okay…]

“You don’t seem okay.”

Do foxes get fever too? I placed a hand on its forehead in a futile attempt to gauge the temperature.

 The golden eyes of Greed glared at me.

 [You know].

 “Yes.”

[Why are you worrying about me, even though I’m a sin?]

I replied nonchalantly. 

 “Well. Because I care.”

I was well aware that Greed was one of the Seven Sins that had led to the destruction of the past world.

I also knew that despite its cute appearance, it was a creation of the god Irkala and could hurt me at any moment.

 However, being together almost every day for 24 hours, it was inevitable that I’d develop some attachment.

 No matter what sin it was, how could I not worry about it when it hurt? I had half-heartedly violated Raeyan’s warning not to give it my heart.

Greed, who had been staring at me, lowered his ears again.

[Don’t worry about a sin like me…]

Why is he suddenly like this? Is puberty hitting now?

Even though it claimed to have slept, Greed quickly fell into a doze. At that moment, a response came through the communication magic tool, which had been silent for a while.

 Looking at the unfamiliar code, I quickly realized who the sender was.

As I hurriedly connected the communication, a calm and firm voice was heard.

[This is Leon Kreundel.]

“It’s Elodie. You got it right without any confusion, huh? How is it? Easy, isn’t it?”

[Thanks to the excellent teacher.]

The paradoxical praise with a nonchalant voice somehow made me burst into laughter.

“You’re good at flattery too.”

[Did it sound like flattery?]

“Considering His Grace wouldn’t easily praise others like that.”

[You seem to know a lot about me.]

Due to my vague knowledge of Duke Kreundel’s personality from the original story, I unintentionally acted familiar. Since it would be troublesome if the relationship I had just built with Duke Kreundel worsened, I quickly apologized.

“Oh, I’m sorry if it made you uncomfortable.”

[No, it just surprised me unexpectedly.]

“No, I’ll be more careful.”

It’s probably better to distinguish between work and personal matters. When I drew the line, the Duke didn’t bring up the subject again.

[…Is the injury from earlier okay? I’ve been concerned.]

“Yes. His Imperial Highness the First Prince treated me right away. Was there no trouble during the investigation?”

[No. They conducted a formal investigation and I returned immediately.]

Duke Kreundel, like me, was asked a few questions and was quickly released.

‘What about Raeyan?’

I was thinking that as soon as I was done communicating with Duke Kreundel, I should get in touch with him.

 Suddenly, the Duke of Kreundel called out to me.

 [Lady. May I ask you a question?]

 “Of course.”

 [The man you were with earlier].

 “With me? You mean Ian the mercenary?”

 [No. I mean the man You were with on the balcony].

 “Ah.”

The guy I was with on the balcony was Gabe Jenade.

I thought no one had seen us together, but apparently, that wasn’t the case.

Then Duke Kreundel asked me.

[Do you know him?]

His voice was almost aggressive.