“Rachel, what’s wrong with you?”

Viola whispered, glancing nervously at the Duke as Rachel challenged him.

Rachel gave Viola a brief look before turning her attention back to Duke Bermund.

Just as she prepared to explain herself, Duke Bermund interjected between the two women.

“No, Lady Hestein. It seems I said something unnecessary to Lady Pluret.”

Duke Bermund stopped Viola with a bitter smile.

“I’ll take my leave now, so please continue your conversation comfortably.”

Before Viola could say it was fine, he finished his greeting and left.

Watching the Duke’s retreating figure, Viola turned to Rachel with a worried expression.

“Rachel, that wasn’t like you at all. Did something happen between you and Duke Bermund? Or did something really happen during the subjugation mission…?”

Viola asked in a cautious voice. Rachel shook her head to dismiss Viola’s concerns.

“No. Nothing happened. And that needed to be said. Duke Bermund spoke rudely first. I’m not interested in the Tower Master position at all, yet he arbitrarily mentioned me being a candidate. How could I become a Tower Master candidate when Edward is right there? And that’s your brother’s position anyway.”

“That’s true, but…”

Rachel felt uncomfortable with Viola glancing at her like she were looking at a stranger.

But she fully understood that it couldn’t be helped.

The Rachel that Viola knew no longer existed.

Only the Rachel whose emotions had worn down from exhaustion after repeated regressions remained.

She should have gone back when there was an issue with Tervan.

Rachel regretted it inwardly.

She hadn’t come to the banquet to show this side of herself.

If she hadn’t come, things wouldn’t have become this complicated.

Seeing regret bloom on Rachel’s face, Viola slumped her shoulders.

“I’m sorry, Rachel. I guess I said something unnecessary.”

Hearing Viola’s weak voice, Rachel sighed imperceptibly.

“No, it’s fine. Let’s not talk about this anymore. It’s a rare banquet, we should just enjoy it.”

When Rachel spoke with a smile, Viola nodded. Then she suddenly looked around.

“Why isn’t Tervan here yet? Didn’t you say you met him earlier?”

“I did meet him… Maybe he has something to take care of?”

“Something to take care of? Didn’t you talk about anything earlier?”

“No, we didn’t.”

“I see…”

Viola glanced at Rachel, trying to read her expression.

“I was joking earlier, but did you two really fight?”

Viola looked up at Rachel with concern. Her tense appearance resembled a dejected rabbit.

Rachel chuckled and shook her head.

“I told you we didn’t.”

“That’s good then.”

Viola reluctantly accepted her answer.

Just then, the servant guarding the entrance announced loudly.

“His Imperial Majesty the Emperor! His Highness the Crown Prince!”

After the announcement of the Emperor and Crown Prince’s entrance, fanfare sounded loudly.

Everyone’s attention turned to the Emperor and Crown Prince walking through the entrance.

All the nobles in the banquet hall bowed their heads respectfully toward the Emperor.

“Rise.”

The Emperor continued with a satisfied expression as he confirmed the nobles raising their heads.

“I truly appreciate your attendance at today’s banquet. As you all know, this banquet was hosted to express gratitude to those who successfully subjugated the Witch’s Forest. I extend my thanks to them for eliminating the fear of the Empire’s citizens. Thank you.”

As the Emperor finished speaking, the nobles applauded in unison. The sound of clapping filled the quiet banquet hall.

“And at this gathering, we have a special guest who made great contributions to the subjugation team.”

People began to stir. Rachel felt the gazes of those who had participated in the subjugation team converging on her.

“Would you come forward, Lady Rachel Pluret?”

As they had guessed, the Emperor called Rachel’s name.

Not only those who had participated in the subjugation team but everyone else turned to look at her.

Rachel didn’t particularly want the attention, but as a count’s daughter, she couldn’t ignore the Emperor’s call, so she smiled awkwardly.

“Viola, could you hold my glass? I’ll be right back.”

“Sure. Go ahead.”

Viola took the glass Rachel handed to her.

As Rachel reluctantly made her way to the podium, people around her made way.

“I greet Your Imperial Majesty.”

She arrived at the podium and greeted the Emperor respectfully.

“Rise.”

“Yes.”

As Rachel raised her head, the Emperor turned to look at the others. Rachel also turned with the Emperor to face the nobles gathered in the banquet hall.

“This is Lady Rachel Pluret. She saved the subjugation team from crisis twice and defeated the witch. She is truly the hero of this mission. I ask everyone to give her a big round of applause.”

Once again, applause echoed through the banquet hall. Rachel bowed slightly to them with an embarrassed feeling.

“Well then, Lady Pluret, I wish to reward you for your great service, but is there anything you need? If so, I will do my best to provide it for you.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty. But I am content with what I have been given.”

If she were to be precise, what she needed was rest.

Twenty-six regressions and twenty-seven lives.

All this time, she had worked tirelessly to save Tervan.

Finally, she had saved Tervan Sanchez as she had wished.

It was a success achieved through repeated deaths for the sake of regression, but contrary to what she had thought, she wasn’t happy.

Rather, she felt a sense of liberation, like heavy shackles had been removed from her ankles, along with a bit of emptiness filling her chest.

She just wanted to rest now.

Because even the obligation that had bound her was gone.

[Then Rachel Pluret, what do you have left?]

Creon, who clearly looked into Rachel’s heart, suddenly asked her.

‘Be quiet.’

Rachel responded inwardly to Creon’s words while noticing the Emperor looking down at her with admiration.

“Skilled and humble… Count Pluret has raised his daughter well. In that case, I shall grant you one request.”

“I am honored.”

When Rachel bowed her head in response, the Emperor nodded with a smile. Then he turned his gaze back to the nobles.

“Now, I hope everyone enjoys this banquet.”

“Long live the Emperor.”

Only after everyone had finished greeting the Emperor did the banquet resume.

The orchestra, which had paused, began playing again, and the nobles gathered in groups to enjoy the banquet in their own ways.

Rachel also returned to her original spot after finishing her greetings with the Emperor. Tervan was already there beside Viola.

Viola handed the glass back to Rachel.

“Why did you come in so late?”

Rachel asked Tervan casually while tilting the wine glass she had received from Viola, as if nothing had happened. He awkwardly opened his mouth.

“I had something to take care of.”

“Oh, really?”

That was the end of their conversation.

Rachel quickly lost interest in Tervan and shifted her gaze to the people enjoying the banquet.

Instead, she inwardly pondered Creon’s words while watching people.

‘What’s left for me?’

The fact that Tervan, who should have died, survived?

Back when she was infatuated with Tervan, saving him was her only purpose.

But now that she had saved him, the feelings she had for Tervan had grown cold within her.

However, that didn’t mean she wanted compensation from Tervan for saving his life.

She couldn’t possibly tell Tervan now that he needed to pay a price because she had saved him.

While Rachel was lost in thought, Viola stood with her lips tightly sealed, observing both Rachel and Tervan.

To Viola, Rachel, whom she had known for over ten years, felt very unfamiliar and awkward today.

Ever since returning from the monster subjugation team, Rachel had been emanating a cold and heartless atmosphere.

In fact, she had become less talkative, and the frequency of her smiles had also decreased.

Whenever there was a banquet or ball, they would always chat and laugh together, but now she seemed like a different person.

Moreover, her magic skills had improved to an unapproachable level without anyone noticing.

Viola carefully bit her lower lip before turning to look at Tervan.

Tervan seemed to share similar thoughts with Viola, as he watched Rachel’s profile with a concerned expression.

“Tervan.”

When Viola called him, Tervan turned his head to look at her.

Looking at his puzzled expression, Viola gave him a coy smile.

“Would you like to go out and dance?”

“No, I’m not really in the mood today…”

“You won’t dance?”

Viola asked with a dejected voice, slumping her shoulders in disappointment. Tervan made a troubled expression.

“No, I will.”

Tervan’s answer immediately brightened Viola’s expression. Rachel briefly glanced at the two of them.

“Then Rachel, we’ll be back.”

“Sure. Have fun.”

At Rachel’s plain response, Viola pressed her lips together. Then she pulled Tervan’s hand and walked to the center of the banquet hall.

The two faced each other and greeted each other lightly. Then they naturally moved closer to each other and began to dance.