“I don’t fully understand Father’s feelings, but you must have had your reasons. Adult circumstances.”
At Liria’s words, Classid smiled faintly and said.
“Yes, I’ve been thinking of my daughter as too much of a child. When you’re so smart and mature…”
“But sometimes you need to consider a child’s circumstances too. When Father closed off his heart and tried to distance himself from me, it did hurt a little.”
Liria recalled her hurt feelings and lightly expressed her grievance.
“I understand. I won’t do that again.”
“Hehe. That’s good enough for me.”
Liria snuggled comfortably into her father’s embrace, something she hadn’t done in a very long time.
Nestled in Classid’s arms, Liria suddenly felt.
‘Has Father finally opened his heart to me?’
A wave of emotion surged through her, and even in her heart mana core, something bubbled and rippled.
Considering how her heart had been in turmoil all day, something was definitely changing.
‘I need to check the magic book.’
However, Classid seemed intent on staying by Liria’s side all day and showed no signs of leaving.
“Father, don’t you need to return to the banquet hall?”
“There’s no need. It’s already late at night, so don’t worry about the family meeting anymore. Your duty today is to rest well.”
“Yes…”
Classid tucked the blanket up to Liria’s neck and said.
“You don’t need to attend tomorrow’s family meeting either. After experiencing such a big incident today… it’s dangerous.”
“…Ah! What happened to that maid and the coachman?”
Classid answered with a troubled expression.
“During the investigation to find out who instructed them…”
Perhaps unable to tell the truth that they died during t*rture, Classid seemed to be carefully choosing his words.
“It was an unfamiliar face. Actually, I was curious about who was behind it, so I followed along…”
Liria’s voice became small, afraid she might get scolded.
“From now on, you must never act alone in such situations. Use me. I’ll always be waiting within reach of your voice, your hands. Understand?”
But Classid comforted her gently.
“I understand. I’ll definitely call for you first, Father.”
“Sleep well.”
“You too, Father.”
Classid wanted to kiss the forehead of the child waving her hand, but feeling somewhat embarrassed, he placed a teddy bear on the bed and left.
After closing the door to Liria’s room, unexpectedly, several people were waiting in a line.
The Duke, Emmett, Director Suleiman, and even Eugene.
It seemed they had all rushed over, concerned about Liria.
They had decided not to inform the collateral line about this incident.
If it were an act from within the direct line, it would reveal a crack, exposing a weakness.
Even if it was committed by someone from the collateral line, they needed to catch the real culprit after securing definitive evidence.
“…Liria is safe with no injuries. It might get noisy, so please leave now.”
Classid said, looking directly at his father, the Duke.
“Is she really alright?”
“Yes.”
After answering briefly, Classid turned his gaze to Eugene, who was sitting upright in front of the adults.
“Eugene? What brings you here…?”
Though he had softened a bit toward the child, the strong aura emanating from Classid’s entire body made Eugene stiffen.
“Ah… I was wondering if Li-Liria was okay.”
“You seem to have heard that answer just now. She’s safe, so you can go now.”
“Yes, I wanted to deliver what Liria asked for.”
“Let me have it, young master.”
As Marit gently responded, Eugene took out some tea leaves from his pocket and handed them over.
“What is that?”
When Classid asked sharply, Liria peeked her head out from inside the room.
“Father, I asked brother Eugene to get those for me. I heard they have family tea time every day… and I was curious.”
Hearing his daughter’s words, Classid thought he should create tea time starting tomorrow, but with a deliberately stern expression, he said.
“Liria, weren’t you supposed to be sleeping?”
“…Yes, I’ll go back in. But why is everyone here?”
“Ahem.”
“…I wish you a speedy recovery. You should eat well and regain your strength.”
“I’m glad you’re safe, Miss Liria.”
“Liria, you shouldn’t be sick.”
Seeing Liria with her eyes wide open, everyone added a word.
From her grandfather clearing his throat while feigning indifference, to Emmett clenching his fist in support, the always relaxed Director Suleiman, and the kind, concerned Eugene.
‘They came because they were worried about me.’
Somehow, it warmed her heart.
“It’s getting late, so everyone should return now. Liria, go back to sleep too.”
At Classid’s dismissal, everyone except the Duke left, and Liria returned to her bed.
Kiki also seemed to have fallen into a deep sleep.
Snore.
She needed to summon the magic book to check, but she was so drained that she couldn’t even gather mana.
“This won’t work. Let’s just sleep for now.”
Liria quickly fell asleep from exhaustion.

***

Biting her lip, Ibnis paced around the room several times.
Her large eyes were filled with anxiety and impatience.
It had been this way since she heard that the maid who delivered the perfume bottle to Liria had been captured.
She hadn’t expected things to escalate like this.
She had simply wanted to teach Liria a lesson.
Now, hearing that someone involved in the incident had died, her heart pounded with fear.
Belita, watching Ibnis with narrowed eyes, flipped a card.
She was playing a card game with her maid.
“You’re being a bit restless. Sit down quietly.”
“…Wh-what if it’s revealed that you and I planned this?”
“What are you talking about? I know nothing about it. The maid and coachman who planned this all died during t*rture.”
“…B-but someone might have seen, there might be evidence…”
“There’s nothing like that, Ibnis. Don’t worry about anything and go get some sleep.”
“…Lady Belita, but…”
“Tomorrow, you need to go to the banquet hall as if nothing happened. Can you do that?”
When Ibnis nodded, Belita comforted the child moderately.
She was about to send her away if she started crying because that would be truly annoying, but Ibnis didn’t act that troublesome.
Consideration for Ibnis’s family, the Sielté House, also played a big part.
The official she had previously enticed had been pushed out from the central government to the far south, so she also needed another connection with the imperial family.
With Classid’s return, even a simple task had ended in failure.
Moreover, the power of the key that Liria had demonstrated, while not impressive, seemed quite useful.
What if that wasn’t all?
“…It’s strangely irritating.”
Belita threw down the cards she was holding and downed her glass.

***

Classid and the Duke moved to the office. They had matters to discuss in private.
Classid’s gaze was quite serious and resolute.
“Father. No, I formally request Your Grace, Duke Roberg. Please approve strengthening the guards within the Duke’s castle by two levels and deploying shields.”
“…Classid.”
Shields were powerful barriers that nullified all offensive magic.
It was an excessive measure, almost like entering a semi-combat state.
But right now, Classid couldn’t see anything else.
For Liria’s safety, he was ready to do anything.