“I definitely made a mistake earlier.”

“Are you admitting your fault? You?”

“I was just thinking about it myself.”

Calliphe said with frustration.

“I tried to get it over with quickly while Noah wasn’t watching, but that guy made such a fuss about being hurt. Next time, I won’t give him time to whine.”

“That’s not the mistake I meant— never mind.”

Calliphe was still the same as ever.

An annoying and troublesome existence.

That’s why he tried to ignore her every time, but she always managed to make him angry.

She wasn’t worth dealing with.

As Lynen was about to turn away after checking on the child one last time, Calliphe spoke.

“Thanks for pointing it out. I’ll try to be more nimble.”

“…You call that trying?”

“Of course? I’m going to raise our child in a healthy and proper way.”

Ignore it. Just as Lynen was turning away without responding.

“Like me.”

“……!”

Lynen’s body, which had turned away, spun back halfway around.

“Are you in your right mind? Look at yourself first.”

“This is the conclusion after looking at myself.”

“Then it was a waste of effort.”

“Isn’t this conversation the real waste?”

“You’re taking on a child with such a casual attitude!”

“Your standards are too high!”

“You’re too low!”

As Calliphe and Lynen’s auras heated up like a tiger and dragon.

“Are you fighting?”

A whimpering voice cut in.

The two beasts froze at the sight of those large green eyes looking up at them.

“Is it because of me…?”

“……?!”

No, what is this about!

Panicked, Calliphe tried not to appear flustered as she spoke.

“Fighting? Who? Me? No way. Right, Lynen?”

As she said this, she secretly kicked Lynen’s shin with her leg while Noah wasn’t looking.

Lynen, who had been frowning, tried to act natural when Noah’s dejected gaze turned to him.

After all, the child was not at fault.

“We did have a difference of opinion. But it’s definitely not because of you.”

“Really?”

Both of them nodded simultaneously.

“Then will you make up?”

“No.”

Lynen shook his head firmly.

Making up? He had never even considered that possible with Calliphe Offensa.

“I don’t want to hear empty words.”

“Empty words? What do you take me for.”

Calliphe put her hands on her hips and stood with an attitude.

“Since it’s come to this, I’ll apologize properly.”

“Apologize, huh.”

Lynen crossed his arms.

“Let’s hear if you even know the meaning of an apology.”

“……”

“What are you waiting for? Go ahead.”

Calliphe mouthed ‘this jerk’ silently.

She glared at Lynen, then swallowed her anger with a sigh. Then she acknowledged her fault more calmly.

“I know I’ve been really annoying. I also know you’ve shown chivalry by putting up with me dozens of times.”

“It wasn’t just annoying enough to put it that mildly. And the reason I put up with you wasn’t chivalry. I just ignored you to avoid wasting time.”

“…Do you really need to correct those facts right now?”

“Weren’t you apologizing? Can’t even handle this much?”

Ugh. She had nothing to say.

‘I would’ve cursed at him the moment I saw him. So he has been quite patient…’

Calliphe said dejectedly.

“Anyway, I’m sorry. Really.”

“……”

“I promise I won’t cling to you anymore.”

“How can I believe that?”

“Do you need some kind of proof? Should I prove it with my body?”

“W-what?”

Calliphe’s eyes suddenly lit up like a cat that caught its chance.

Then she immediately spread both arms.

“How about a reconciliation hug?”

“……”

“Let’s hug each other once.”

Lynen, who instantly turned cold, stepped back sharply.

“Don’t come near me.”

“Just close your eyes and once.”

“Don’t touch my body.”

“What’s with that look? You’re seeing me as some pervert. You think I want to do this?”

“If you don’t want to do it. Did someone threaten you?”

“Something… like that?”

What kind of nonsensical answer is that? Lynen looked at her with pity.

Finally, Calliphe’s face turned red.

“No, I really have a reason for this… forget it, forget it. What would you know. Ugh, d*mn quest……”

“……”

Calliphe muttering incomprehensible things to herself.

Lynen instantly felt tired.

But the child was looking at him with pitiful eyes.

“……”

If he turned away now, it would seem like they really did fight because of him.

Even if he’d never see the child again, there was no need to leave unnecessary scars.

Finally, Lynen sighed.

“…A hug is difficult, but a handshake.”

“Huh? Really?”

Instead of answering, Lynen extended his hand.

After hesitating for a moment, Calliphe soon firmly grasped his hand.

A delicate hand that was hard to believe had grabbed countless people’s hair.

It felt strange to hold that hand so properly like this.

But.

‘She’s still too different from me.’

He still had no desire to get close to her.

“I didn’t expect you to accept the reconciliation.”

“Don’t misunderstand. This isn’t complete reconciliation or forgiveness. It’s just……”

Lynen’s trailing gaze turned toward Noah who was standing quietly.

It meant he was taking a step back for the child’s sake.

Calliphe was secretly impressed.

To be considerate of a child he just met so they wouldn’t get hurt. And it was a child being cared for by someone he despised.

Indeed, he was a man worth Calliphe’s obsession.

But.

‘We really don’t match.’

He’s incredibly handsome and has a great body, but we really don’t match.

Unaware of what the two were thinking.

Clap clap clap.

Only Noah sent small applause with eyes full of joy and hope.

The two quickly withdrew their hands at the same time.

“Anyway, my feelings for you haven’t changed so don’t worry.”

“I’ll remember that.”

“Then I’ll go first. Come on, Noah.”

“……okay.”

Before following Calliphe out, Noah looked back at Lynen several times with lingering eyes.

Finally, the two disappeared.

Lynen felt slightly amazed as he looked at the space where Calliphe had been.

To end a conversation so peacefully with that Calliphe Offensa.

Of course, whether she would keep her word remained to be seen.

“Phewww.”

That’s when the shop owner who had been hiding came out from behind the sofa.

“I apologize for showing you such an unseemly sight, Your Grace.”

“It’s fine. I should apologize for barging in suddenly.”

“Oh, no, no. Not at all.”

The shop owner bowed even deeper, not knowing how to react to Duke Ortega’s politeness even to those below him.

“By the way, who purchased the Legend 25 Years that was in stock?”

“Ah, about that.”

Normally, he would have kept quiet about customer privacy.

But the person before him was an Imperial Duke.

And not just any duke, but the head of House Ortega, renowned for their swordsmanship and knighthood.

“Lady Calliphe Offensa who just left purchased it.”

On Baron Rotten’s tab, that is.

“Calliphe Offensa…? Why did she want it?”

“I’m not sure about the reason. I merely procured the item she was looking for…”

“……”

Calliphe wasn’t known for her expertise in alcohol.

There would be no reason for her to specially order a drink that only enthusiasts sought.

Even if there was such a reason, the timing of their search for the same item was concerning.

‘I need to confirm what her purpose is.’

Returning straight to his mansion, Lynen ordered his subordinate to keep an eye on Calliphe’s movements.

Raul, the special unit captain who had followed his lord to the capital, narrowed his eyes.

“My lord, are you planning to have Lady Offensa followed?”

“Yes.”

“You didn’t misspeak about Lady Offensa doing the following?”

“Yes.”

“……”

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“It’s nothing.”

Raul accepted the order with a strangely unsettled expression. This made Lynen feel oddly unsettled as well.

Perhaps he’s been influenced by hanging around Heron, the vice-captain, too much.

Anyway, Raul contacted him via communication stone late the next afternoon.

—My lord. Lady Offensa is on the move. But it’s suspicious how she switched to a common carriage.

“Which direction?”

—The Sack district.

The Sack district was one of the commoner areas located on the outskirts of the capital. It was a place with more complicated streets and worse security than other commoner areas, and…

‘A place where you can meet illegal traders.’

There was definitely something going on.

Was Calliphe’s behavior at the shop all an act?

Lynen took out a small earring from his drawer and put it on one ear.

It was a cognitive interference magical tool that made one’s face appear extremely ordinary and blurry to others.

At the same time, Lynen’s black hair turned silver from the tips.

‘If Calliphe Offensa is planning something dangerous…’

He immediately followed after Calliphe.

‘I’ll handle it myself.’