‘The Duke of Perdia’s face must be worth seeing.’

Moreover, Belissa Kreundel couldn’t betray him from the start. She had been modified so that she couldn’t even think of such a thing.

Gabe, having dismissed his suspicions about Belissa, stood up from his seat with a scraping sound.

“……That’s enough. Since it’s already over, we should execute the next plan.”

“What kind of plan is it?”

“Well. I have so many plans laid out that I can’t point to just one.”

First, he needed to make contact with the Irkala Order and tally up the rift situation.

Irkala and her group of followers were quite a good card to play.

Of course, from Irkala’s perspective, Gabe was just another follower or a pawn to be used, but that was all part of his intention.

Other than that, if there was something he could do right away……

‘Ah, yes, there was that.’

He had a card to throw Severes, one of the 4, no, now 5 great families he needed to overcome to achieve his ultimate goal, into chaos.

“It’s about time for the seeds I planted earlier to sprout.”

Belissa closely watched Gabe, who was smiling as if in a good mood.

***

I sighed deeply, rubbing my forehead.

“This is troublesome. Very troublesome……”

What’s troublesome?

Dad’s overprotection is just too much!

After returning to the mansion following the magic tower battle, Dad suggested that it would be better if I didn’t go out for a while.

In fact, it was more like a demand than a suggestion.

I managed to visit the Perdia mansion by begging to check if Jansi was okay.

Since then, I haven’t been able to take a single step out of Severes.

I told Raeyan I would come to see him, but I couldn’t find any time at all.

The most I could do was secretly tell him through the communication magic tool that it would be difficult to meet for a while.

Even purifying Leon had to be postponed indefinitely.

Of course, I wasn’t surprised that this would happen.

After all, I had practically displayed public affection during the magic tower battle for everyone to see.

Martha, who stuck to my side from the moment I opened my eyes until I closed them, watching me closely, exclaimed bluntly.

“It’s only natural after causing such a big incident!”

This traitor, bribed by Dad for what he calls protection but reads as surveillance, has a lot to say……!

“Martha. Whose side are you on anyway?”

“I like handsome and rich people, so I’m on His Grace the Duke of Severes’ side!”

“I’m rich too!”

“But you’re not handsome, young lady!”

“Ugh.”

Even Martha isn’t on my side…..

As I was shaking with a sense of betrayal, Greed in the sealing stone cheerfully shouted.

[I’m on your side!]

‘Wow, I’m sincerely very grateful. Though it’s not helpful at all.’

Besides Martha’s surveillance, Dad also tried to spend as much time with me as possible.

He even said this out of the blue during tea time.

“It’s too early for romance, Elodie.”

“But I’m an adult?”

“It hasn’t even been a year since I woke up. To me, Elodie is still just a baby, and to talk about marriage……”

You’re counting from when you woke up?

At this rate, I’ll be getting permission to date when I’m 40.

‘Raeyan and I aren’t even in that kind of relationship to begin with.’

Of course, I could understand why others misunderstood. Even I sometimes get confused when I see Raeyan’s blind gaze.

But that was a kind of imprinting.

He just follows me because he thinks I saved him from his miserable past.

Raeyan is mistaken right now.

My existence might feel significant to him now, but if his world becomes a bit wider than it is now, he should be able to break free from those feelings.

It’s fortunate that there’s no problem with that side of things since we made a large quantity of the Emperor’s antidote in advance.

Because of that, I could only get news about Raeyan through the newspapers.

It was easy to know his recent situation because stories about Raeyan were plastered all over the newspapers almost every day.

He seemed to be having busy days in various ways.

His popularity soared due to this magic tower battle, and all sorts of followers appeared.

‘Should I call him Your Grace now?’

I could also frequently find stories about Jansi in those newspaper articles.

Content about how the Perdia heir lost control and went berserk, unable to manage the power of his ability.

But what was strange was people’s reactions to those articles.

On my way back from visiting Jansi, I overheard a group of people talking, and the content was quite something.

“A weakness in a person who seemed flawless, how exciting.”

“I want to protect him……”

“Kugh, I want to embrace him.”

Instead, Jansi’s popularity increased……?

Apparently, his pained appearance with reddened eyes stimulated people’s protective instincts.

It was an important event that showed how perverted the world’s people can be.

Of course, there would be people who criticize him, but it was quite interesting that there were also those who didn’t.

As days passed like that, today.

Gretel, who has been busy with the family’s new business lately, visited Severes.

Dad gladly allowed the invitation since she’s my only female friend.

“These days, whenever you go out, all you hear are stories about Lord Raeyan and Lady Elodie.”

“Haha……”

“After all, there’s talk that he’ll soon become one of the 5 great families. Lord Raeyan is at the center of attention.”

The nobles were already interested in Mercenary King Ian, but learning that he was actually a descendant of Vietan seemed to have piqued their curiosity even more.

It was then, as I was casually chatting with Gretel after such a long time.

Gretel narrowed her eyes as she glanced at someone watching us from a distance.

“Ah, that person…… I feel like I’ve seen them somewhere. Who is it?”

“Oh, that’s my attendant. Pavo Dorus. You know him too, Gretel.”

“Ah, so it’s him!”

It was none other than Pavo Dorus, who couldn’t have been saved during the last kidnapping incident if it weren’t for Gretel.

Suddenly hearing his name mentioned, Pavo’s face turned bright red and he averted his gaze.

“How are things with him these days?”

“It’s quiet for now. I’m not sure what will happen in the future though.”

After all, his rogue tendencies don’t just disappear right away.

[Right. That guy looks like he’s about to cause trouble soon.]

‘Agreed.’

***

All members of the Black Ravine Beast Subjugation Team return alive.

It was an unprecedented result for a subjugation team that had never been achieved before.

Not only the team leader, who was known as the sole survivor, but all the returning team members unanimously attributed the success of this subjugation to Raeyan.

“If it weren’t for him, we would have all died in the rift.”

“Sob, he’s the savior of my life……”

Through interviews with some team members, it became known that Raeyan and the team had entered the rift and returned alive.

Except for those retiring, all team members pledged their loyalty to Raeyan as if by agreement.

To honor his achievements, the bedridden Emperor personally ordered a celebratory banquet for his reinstatement.

A banquet rivaling the founding celebration was planned under the imperial lead.

Invitations from the imperial family arrived at all houses within the empire.

Of course, an invitation also came to Severes.

Dad placed the invitation on the table with a displeased look.

“Elodie. Are you thinking of going?”

“Of course, we should go. It’s a banquet personally ordered by His Majesty the Emperor.”

“……I understand.”

Even Dad couldn’t stop me from attending a banquet hosted by the Emperor.

Judging by the look of determination in his eyes, it seemed he was planning to stick close to me throughout the banquet to prevent any conversation with Raeyan.

‘I’m sorry, Dad, but I need to meet Raeyan secretly at this banquet.’

Raeyan could manipulate darkness and shadows.

If I could just be alone for a moment, Raeyan would come to meet me, hidden in the shadows.

As I decided on my dress and accessories to match the hastily set banquet date, the D-day finally arrived.

Escorted by Dad, we arrived at the imperial palace’s banquet hall, and the herald announced loudly.

“His Grace the Duke of Severes and Lady Severes!”

As soon as we entered, people from Perdia flocked towards us as if they had been waiting.

Dad, noticing this, quickly made his move.

“We should start with a dance first.”

“……Yes.”

It seemed I was destined to dance endlessly today, caught up in Dad’s competition.

I could feel Duke Perdia glaring at Dad with fiery eyes from a distance.

My nape felt hot as well.

After dancing about five songs, I pretended my legs were hurting and stepped back.

“I think I need to rest a bit! May I go to the lounge?”

Dad glanced at where Duke Perdia was. Fortunately, the Duke was talking with another noble.

“Go ahead. But come right back.”

Dad was being extra cautious, worried I might meet Raeyan.

“Of course! I’ll be back quickly.”

With a bright smile to reassure Dad, I hurried towards the lounge.

To meet that very Raeyan.

I felt guilty about deceiving Dad, but I had no choice.

‘It’s fine as long as I don’t get caught, right?’

Finding an empty lounge, I checked that the corridor was clear and quickly locked the door.

And the moment I turned around-.

“Ah, you startled me!”

As expected, Raeyan was there, having followed me hidden in the shadows.

“It’s been a while, Raeyan.”

“Yes. It’s been a while, Elodie.”

As the guest of honor at today’s banquet and soon-to-be Duke of the new 5th great family, Raeyan’s attire was even more splendid than usual.

“Do you like it?”

“Hm? Mmm. It suits you well.”

It suited him so well that it felt real that the position of Duke of Vietan was originally Raeyan’s.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t make time to visit you first as I said I would.”

“It’s alright. We’ve met now.”

Looking up at the calm Raeyan, I smiled brightly.

“We have a lot of catching up to do, don’t we?”

We hadn’t had a chance to talk quietly like this since Raeyan suddenly left for the Black Ravine.

He said he’d tell me everything that happened when he returned, so now it was time to hear that story.

“I was actually hurt. You could have told me beforehand that you were going to the Black Ravine.”

“I couldn’t tell you because I was worried you’d be concerned.”

“I would have been less worried if you had told me. Do you know how shocked I was when I found out through the news that Raeyan was in the Black Ravine?”

“……I’m ashamed.”

Raeyan awkwardly avoided my gaze.

Seeing his remorseful appearance, my heart softened a little. My interrogation continued.

“So why did you go to the Black Ravine?”

“I made a promise with the Emperor.”

“A promise?”

“He said if I completed the Black Ravine subjugation and returned, he would acknowledge the achievement and reinstate Vietan.”

If he promised, does that mean Raeyan asked the Emperor for reinstatement first?

I tilted my head and asked again.

“What made you change your mind suddenly? You said you weren’t interested in reinstatement before.”

He silently gazed at me without answering.

In the subtle silence that followed, Raeyan was the first to speak.

“……There was only one thing I wanted.”

He took a step closer.

Because we were already close, the gap between us was less than a hand’s width.

“To stand proudly before you.”

Then, lifting my hand, Raeyan kissed my palm.