Ryan asked her incredulously. Rachel understood his reaction.

“You know I’ve been looking for the Tears of Licorice, right?”

Ryan recalled their conversation in the Magic Tower Master’s office.

“Yes. That transparent jewel you mentioned.”

“Right. While researching to find that jewel, I discovered this by chance.”

“Could you tell me exactly what you discovered?”

Ryan asked, turning to Rachel.

Rachel let out a small sigh before speaking.

“About what Duke Bermund has been searching for.”

Ryan’s puzzled gaze fixed on Rachel. She briefly considered how much she should tell him.

If left alone, the imperial capital would fall into chaos due to Duke Bermund’s rebellion.

Since she already knew this, Rachel could arrange for her family and those close to her to escape when the time came.

If she were thinking purely selfishly, that would be sufficient.

But Rachel chose not to do that.

From the moment she told Ryan to be suspicious of Duke Bermund, she had already involved herself in what was to come. And above all, Rachel knew Ryan was a good person.

A kind and gentle person who had brought back Viola’s smile when she was in despair. Someone who was demonstrating his capabilities as Crown Prince without difficulty.

Beyond Duke Bermund’s rebellion, Ryan would become an excellent monarch.

Having made her decision, Rachel spoke.

“Can you promise not to find what I’m about to say absurd?”

At Rachel’s question, Ryan stared at her in bewilderment. Rachel wore quite a serious expression. Curious about what she was going to say, Ryan nodded in agreement.

“That’s an odd question. If I didn’t believe you, I wouldn’t have started investigating in the first place.”

The fact that Ryan was already investigating based on Rachel’s word showed he had decided to trust her. Realizing this, Rachel continued.

“The item Duke Bermund is searching for is a jewel containing the sealed demon Creon.”

“Demon… Creon?”

“Yes. Have you heard of it?”

At Rachel’s question, Ryan fell into thought. Then, belatedly remembering that the name appeared in ancient history studies, he frowned.

“You mean the Time Demon Creon.”

“Yes, that’s right. They say if you obtain that jewel and contract with Creon, you can regress through time as many times as you want, to a point you set.”

Rachel deliberately concealed that she possessed the necklace, just in case. Though Ryan would likely discover it soon enough during his investigation, she judged there was no need to reveal that she was both the owner and contractor of the Time Demon Creon right now.

“Is that true? You can turn back time?”

Ryan asked incredulously.

It wasn’t unreasonable for him to be skeptical about being able to turn back time repeatedly.

Many mages had attempted to manipulate time, but none had succeeded so far.

Even if someone had, no one but the person involved would know about it.

And now to hear that contracting with the legendary Time Demon Creon would allow time regression.

“Well, that’s what I heard, but whether it’s true or not…”

Rachel deliberately trailed off, pretending not to know.

Ryan belatedly adopted an apologetic expression.

“Whether the information about Demon Creon is true or not, Duke Bermund is searching for it, correct?”

“Yes. Why do you think Duke Bermund wants to obtain the Time Demon Creon? For time travel?”

Ryan couldn’t answer. He too had his suspicions.

“Surely not. Duke Bermund wouldn’t try to reverse time for simple reasons. But no matter how I think about it, it’s hard to imagine what Duke Bermund might regret or want. Wealth, power, popularity—he has everything. So what could he possibly want?”

There was only one thing in the Empire better than what Duke Bermund already possessed.

“So you think he’s after the imperial throne.”

“Yes, exactly. It’s not an unreasonable assumption, is it?”

Ryan remained silent for a moment. Rachel maintained her silence as well, allowing Ryan time to organize his thoughts.

“I see. I understand. However, I’ll need to investigate this further myself.”

Rachel understood Ryan’s caution. As Crown Prince, he couldn’t act rashly based solely on her word.

Finally, Rachel and Ryan arrived at the Pluret mansion.

“Thank you for escorting me.”

Rachel gave Ryan a slight bow. Ryan smiled at her and spoke.

“Not at all. Please go in and rest. I hope we’ll have another opportunity to meet.”

Rachel entered the mansion after hearing Ryan’s farewell.

[Was it wise to tell him about me?]

As soon as she crossed the wide garden and entered the mansion, Creon, who had been silent until then, asked Rachel worriedly.

‘Why do you think that?’

[Because I’m not sure how much you can trust that human.]

Rachel realized what Creon was worried about and smiled.

She had told Ryan that Edward was someone she could rely on, but realistically, the being she trusted most was Creon, who had traveled back in time with her for so long.

[Besides, as he investigates, he’ll discover that I’m bound to you. That will put you in danger.]

‘…I suppose so.’

Rachel thought of both Ryan and Duke Bermund.

If Ryan were to target Creon like Duke Bermund did, Rachel would find herself in a dangerous situation.

But Rachel wasn’t particularly concerned.

‘I still have more chances anyway. You’re contracted to me now.’

There was a reason for Rachel’s nonchalance.

She was the official contractor of the Time Demon Creon.

Even if someone stole the necklace containing Creon from her, the contract wouldn’t change. Not unless both contracting parties—Creon and Rachel—agreed to terminate it.

Besides, if necessary, she could turn back time, so Rachel didn’t need to worry about threats from Duke Bermund or Ryan.

“My lady!”

Just as Rachel was about to climb the central staircase, Catrin ran toward her with a bright smile.

Perhaps because of Catrin’s appearance, Creon didn’t say anything more.

“Did you have a good outing? You must be tired. I saw you crossing the garden and came running, but I think I was too late.”

Hearing Catrin’s dejected voice, Rachel smiled.

“No, I was just walking faster because I wanted to rest quickly.”

Rachel patted Catrin’s shoulder lightly. Catrin’s face brightened.

“I’ve already asked for your bath to be prepared so you can wash right away. Hurry and wash up so you can rest!”

“All right.”

Rachel followed Catrin to the bathroom. Flower petals floated in the bathtub filled with warm water. A sweet fragrance wafted gently through the bathroom.

Even with exceptional magical abilities, meeting too many people and experiencing too many situations in one day quickly became exhausting.

At least soaking in warm water gave her the feeling that her fatigue was being washed away.

[Rachel, you need to be more wary of humans.]

‘Why again?’

Just when she thought she might finally get some rest, Rachel questioned Creon’s continued warnings.

[Do you have any idea how anxious I was when you offered to give me to that Bermund fellow, or when you mentioned me to the Crown Prince?]

At the voice full of complaints, Rachel pressed her lips together.

[You think it’s fine because you have more chances? Do you really think so?]

Creon’s tone was tinged with hurt. And even more than that, it was mixed with deep concern for Rachel.

Rachel knew what feelings prompted Creon’s advice, so she couldn’t argue back.

[Even if you’ve grown accustomed to death, I wish you’d realize that you haven’t grown accustomed to pain.]

‘…I’m sorry. It’s hard for me, but it must be hard for you to watch too.’

[…As long as you understand. Be more careful from now on.]

‘I will.’

Rachel smiled softly at Creon’s disgruntled snort.

“Did something good happen?”

Catrin asked, noticing Rachel’s smile. It was the most natural and gentle smile she had shown yesterday or today, so Catrin looked at her with a hint of expectation.

Rachel wasn’t unaware of Catrin’s expectations, so after a moment’s hesitation, she spoke.

“Catrin, have I changed a lot from before?”

Catrin considered how to answer, then nodded.

“Yes.”

“I see. Do you think Mother and Father feel that way too?”

“Hmm, they don’t seem to have noticed yet, but they might realize it soon, don’t you think?”

“I suppose so.”

Rachel wondered if she should try to maintain her former self at least in front of her parents.

She felt she couldn’t bear it if even her parents looked at her strangely, let alone Catrin, Viola, or Tervan.

“My lady, you were really shocked by what happened in the Witch’s Forest, weren’t you?”

Catrin asked, making an educated guess.

“…”

“I can’t begin to imagine what happened to you there, but please don’t worry. You have the master and mistress, and the young lady too. And me as well.”

Though Catrin didn’t know the circumstances, Rachel found deep comfort in her words.

“Yes. I will.”