It wasn’t until the afternoon that Liria was able to meet Eugene that day.

“Our Eugene has come down with a terrible cold and fever. Liria, please just visit him briefly.”

At Aunt Dana’s words, Liria opened her eyes wide.

“A cold and fever when it’s almost summer?”

“I know, strange isn’t it.”

Eugene, lying in bed, looked paler than usual and showed little sign of happiness at seeing Liria.

“Eugene. Are you in a lot of pain?”

“Oh, Liria. No, not really.”

“That’s not true. Your face is completely white as paper.”

When Liria spoke worriedly, Eugene quietly shook his head.

“I’m fine… Why did you come, Liria?”

“Oh, today was the first day of the new term for heir training. I was worried when I didn’t see you.”

“…Oh, that was today.”

“You didn’t know?”

“No. I’ve been… sick with fever and sleeping so much that I lost track of time.”

“I see. By the way, I told my maid to feed and give water to your dog!”

“Ah, my Ruby!”

Eugene sat up abruptly.

“So the dog’s name is Ruby. Ruby seemed fine, except for being a bit tired and thirsty. You must have been really out of it to not even take care of your beloved dog.”

At Liria’s words, Eugene’s expression darkened considerably.

“…Yes. Liria, thank you so much. For coming and for taking care of Ruby.”

“Oh, it’s nothing! Get well soon and come visit my palace next time. Okay?”

“Yes. I definitely will.”

Eugene smiled brightly for the first time, but somehow, his smile wasn’t the same as before.

“But apart from being sick, you don’t look well. Is there something bothering you?”

However, Eugene weakly shook his head.

“No, nothing.”

“Then is something difficult happening?”

“…That’s not it either. I just don’t feel well physically.”

“Listen. If you ever need my help with anything, make sure to let me know. Okay?”

“Yes. Thank you, Liria.”

“Hehe, you’re always taking care of me, too. Oh, right, guess what? I’m on the same team as Conrad and his fiancée, Lady Sielte.”

“Really? That’s a shame. You should have been on my team.”

“I know, right? Don’t worry. You’re in a team with the nice twins from House Pershu.”

“Thanks for letting me know.”

“Yes, Eugene, get well soon so we can go for a walk with Ruby. I have a friend I want to introduce you to.”

“Sure, I’m curious about this friend.”

She wanted to show him Kiki who was in her bag right now, but if her aunt found out, she might faint.

“I was feeling down, but your visit has cheered me up.”

“Of course I had to come when you weren’t there! You were really looking forward to the heir training, weren’t you?”

“Yes, I was.”

Eugene’s smile disappeared as he gently stroked Liria’s head.

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing.”

Clearly, something was happening, but it was difficult to know his true feelings.

At that moment, Liria looked into his eyes and said.

“Eugene, what are you thinking right now?”

In that instant, along with a ripple of mana, the same words echoed in Liria’s mind.

⟨Eugene, what are you thinking right now?⟩

“…Hmm? I was thinking that I want to get better soon so I can visit Liria’s palace and see my Ruby.”

“If you miss Ruby, couldn’t you bring her here?”

“Ah, my father dislikes dogs…”

“I see.”

When the word ‘father’ came up, Eugene’s face rapidly darkened.

‘…I have a bad feeling about this.’

Last time, too, at Benjamin’s words, Eugene had shown an anxious yet obedient attitude.

Perhaps the reason Eugene had left Roberg in the past was because of his father.

While Liria was thinking this, Aunt Dana came in.

“Liria, I think our Eugene needs to rest now…”

“…Yes, goodbye. Eugene, rest well and get better soon!”

Liria felt somewhat uncomfortable with her aunt’s attitude of trying to send her away quickly.

She also looked anxious, as if hiding something.

‘They’re both different from usual. Something is definitely happening. I need to keep a close eye on this.’

Liria made a mental note.

And then…

‘I wonder what Aunt Dana is thinking…’

Liria deliberately thought about her aunt’s mind.

However, unlike with Eugene, there was no sound echoing in her mind, nor any change in her mana heart.

‘Nothing happened this time?’

Liria tilted her head in doubt as she looked up at Dana.

“Liria? What’s wrong?”

“Oh, nothing!”

“Alright, take care.”

Since Dana personally opened the door for her, Liria quickly left and returned to her room.

Sitting on her bed, she immediately summoned the key of power and the book.

Kiki came out of the bag on his own, climbed onto Liria’s lap, and stared intently at the thoughtful Liria.

“Peep peep, kyuu?”

“When I recited words related to Eugene’s mind earlier, there was definitely a response. But with my aunt, there wasn’t?”

“Peep!”

“It seems it doesn’t work on everyone.”

There had been no change in the book or key when she had wanted to know the minds of Marit, Yuphi, or Head Maid Anna.

Kiki jumped up and down in place, as if telling her to check the magic book that was emitting light.

“Yes, I understand.”

Rustle.

The magic book sparkled and revealed Eugene’s state of mind.

[The subject’s heart is opening. (17/99)]

“Wow, as expected of Eugene!”

Liria hugged Kiki tightly in joy.

Fortunately, Eugene’s heart was in the process of opening.

She had been worried because he had seemed so depressed, as if his heart was closed.

This meant that Eugene’s heart was still okay. That, at least, was hopeful.

Plus, although 99 times seemed like a lot, she’d already filled a decent number, so it didn’t seem like a difficult condition.

“But you know, Kiki, what’s the criteria for being selected as a ‘subject’?”

“Peep peep?”

There must be some specific criteria for being selected as a ‘subject’.

So far, she had found four subjects: her father Classid, her grandfather the Duke of Roberg, the key spirit Kiki, and her cousin Eugene.

Did ‘subject’ mean someone close to her, the key’s owner?

“No, that doesn’t seem right.”

Liria shook her head vigorously.

Yuphi and Marit were also very close and precious to Liria, but they weren’t subjects.

It’s not simply about close relationships.

When she realized this, the magic book glowed and turned to the next page.

“Huh? Is there another change?”

[Find the last subject.

To obtain a new key, you must fulfill the hearts of three out of the five subjects.]

“…Oh? So there are five subjects in total, and I just need to find the last one? And I need to fulfill the hearts of three of them.”

While Liria blinked her large eyes, four pages were added to the magic book in sequence.

[1. Classid von Roberg]

The subject’s heart is firmly locked.

♡Condition Locked♡ (Can be unlocked when the Key of Heart is obtained.)

[2. Vladimir von Roberg]

The subject’s heart is opening.

Deal for the Family (2/4)

Caution: Failing, laziness, weakness, missing heir training, business failure

[3. Key Spirit Kirkiel]

The subject’s heart is opening.

Obtain quality jerky (0/1000)

Caution: Wearing a leash

[4. Eugene von Roberg]

The subject’s heart is opening.

Sincere compliments (17/99)

Caution: Lying

The pages revealed specific methods to gain the favor of all subjects except Classid.

This was fortunate. Now, she knew how to gain the favor of her grandfather and Eugene. The day to obtain a new key wasn’t far off.

She had been at a loss about how to obtain the key, but now she could finally see some light.

With the cautions listed for each, it seemed like she could achieve her goal quickly if she did well.

After examining the four pages, Liria tilted her head.

‘Hmm, come to think of it, these four have something in common.’