Duke Bermund hesitated for a moment at the unexpected answer.

“What did you just say?”

He had certainly judged that Rachel would accept his proposal.

As Creon’s contractor, she would need information about the Tears of Licorice. Duke Bermund himself had once coveted Creon’s power and had thoroughly investigated the Tears of Licorice.

However, despite mobilizing his wealth and manpower, information about the Tears of Licorice remained elusive for some reason.

The memoir was what he had eventually obtained.

As Duke Bermund had initially told Rachel, the memoir didn’t contain detailed information. This was natural since its author had never found the Tears of Licorice either.

But the memoir’s owner had meticulously recorded all their research about the Tears of Licorice.

Undoubtedly, seeing the memoir would be helpful. Duke Bermund had deliberated extensively before offering the memoir to Rachel.

He couldn’t help but consider the possibility that she might take the memoir without agreeing to regress time.

Yet Rachel had rejected the Duke’s proposal. Duke Bermund wondered if she truly understood the situation.

“Are you saying you’re rejecting my proposal?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Rachel answered without hesitation.

“Don’t you want the memoir? As you can see, it’s definitely authentic.”

Duke Bermund picked up the memoir from the table and held it up for Rachel to see. Rachel glanced briefly at the memoir before returning her gaze to Bermund.

“I know. Didn’t I just say so? I confirmed it with Creon.”

“Then how can you refuse? Could it be… you’ve already found the Tears of Licorice?”

He frowned, seemingly unable to comprehend her decision.

Rachel took in his expression before shaking her head.

“No. I’m still searching.”

“Then why on earth!”

The Duke’s voice rose. Despite his threatening attitude, Rachel answered his question without the slightest agitation.

“If the memoir’s author could find certain information, I can find it too. It will take time, but I’ll manage.”

“With this, you could shorten that time. Why take the long way around?”

Rachel quietly gazed into Duke Bermund’s eyes. She could see his red irises trembling in her field of vision.

“As you know, I have plenty of time. Enough that I don’t need to take shortcuts.”

Her textbook answer confused Duke Bermund even more.

Watching his reaction, Rachel crossed her arms and tilted her head.

“You probably think I’m talking nonsense.”

“……”

Though no answer came, Rachel knew well that he was affirming her statement.

“But this is the only answer I can give you.”

“……”

Duke Bermund silently observed Rachel. He didn’t believe she had rejected his proposal thoughtlessly. There must be a clear reason for her response.

And he quickly realized that reason. Rachel had understood his intentions.

“…I see.”

Unable to probe further, Duke Bermund forced a smile and replied, “It’s unfortunate, but this isn’t something I can force upon you, so it can’t be helped.”

Duke Bermund handed the memoir back to his butler and nodded compliantly.

“Thank you for understanding. Then, if it’s alright, I’d like to return now.”

“I’ll have a carriage prepared.”

“Thank you.”

Duke Bermund instructed a servant to prepare a carriage. After the servant promptly left, only a subtle atmosphere remained in the reception room.

“This is disappointing. I truly thought I was making Lady Pluret a rather good offer.”

“I find it regrettable too. I’m curious about what information it contains. I suppose what you know comes from the contents of that memoir.”

“That’s correct.”

“Since the memoir was written by someone close to the contractor rather than the contractor themselves, it might contain information unknown to contractors. I’d like to see its contents, but I’m not desperate enough yet.”

Rachel finished speaking with a slight smile.

“Then perhaps a day will come when you are desperate.”

“Not yet, but who knows.”

Duke Bermund nodded at Rachel’s response.

“Very well. If you change your mind in the future, please come to me. For Lady Pluret, I’ll always make time.”

“Thank you.”

While they were conversing, the servant returned to the reception room.

“It seems the carriage is ready. I’ll escort you outside.”

“No, that’s not necessary. You’ve already made time for me despite your busy schedule. I should at least return on my own.”

“Not at all. You’re my guest. How could I neglect a guest?”

“……”

Duke Bermund rose from his seat, approached Rachel, and extended his hand.

In the end, Rachel couldn’t refuse his courtesy and took his hand as she stood up.

“Shall we go?”

Just as when she arrived at the mansion, the Duke began guiding Rachel to the main entrance of the residence.

“It bothers me that you’re leaving so soon after arriving.”

“No, I apologize for coming so suddenly. I can’t stay long.”

With each step she took, the gazes of the Duke’s employees slowly followed her.

Though aware of the eyes trailing her, Rachel pretended not to notice and responded to Duke Bermund’s small talk.

By the time the two reached the main entrance, the Pluret family carriage was already waiting.

“Then I’ll be going now.”

“It was a pleasure meeting you today.”

“Likewise.”

Rachel finished her brief reply and boarded the carriage. Only after the carriage began moving did Rachel drop the smile from her face.

Duke Bermund remained an uncomfortable presence to deal with. She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. As she had discussed with Duke Bermund earlier, refusing the memoir was indeed regrettable.

But Rachel couldn’t choose to regress time right now.

What Duke Bermund was aiming for was her death, which would come as a side effect of her regression. To travel back in time, she too had to endure death.

That was how she would move from this timeline to the next.

While Rachel would have technically reversed time, in the existing timeline, she would simply be dead. For Duke Bermund, who desired the imperial throne, Rachel’s existence—with her knowledge of the future—would be extremely threatening.

Especially since Rachel not only frequently met with Ryan but had also become an imperial mage. This meant Rachel was likely to side with the imperial family.

She had become someone Duke Bermund had to eliminate to proceed with his plans without obstacles. However, he couldn’t carelessly make a move against her.

Now that it was revealed she had killed Witch Sara in the Witch’s Forest, Duke Bermund had to be extremely cautious. So he came up with the idea of using the memoir to urge her to regress time.

At first, Rachel couldn’t understand why Duke Bermund had proposed she regress time, but once she realized that regression inevitably required her death and that only her death would remain in the current timeline, all her questions were answered.

[We overlooked something so obvious to us.]

Creon spoke to Rachel as she organized the overall situation in her mind.

‘You’re right.’

[We should be careful since we don’t know what that Bermund Duke will do next.]

‘Indeed.’

After replying, Rachel shifted her gaze to look out the window.

Until now, Duke Bermund hadn’t made any moves against her because he thought he could persuade her, but what would happen next was uncertain.

After all, she would be the biggest variable in Duke Bermund’s plans.

‘Creon.’

Rachel hesitantly addressed Creon after her thoughts reached this point.

[What?]

‘…I’m sorry.’

At her apology, Creon responded with a puzzled voice.

[What are you sorry for?]

‘Reading the memoir would have been a great help in finding the Tears of Licorice.’

Rachel genuinely felt sorry for Creon. He had been a friend who had given her tremendous help, yet when an opportunity arose to get what her friend wanted, she had kicked it away.

[It’s fine. I didn’t like that Bermund Duke anyway, and I like it even less when he tries to do something good. Don’t worry about it. Besides, I believe you’ll find it for me no matter what.]

Creon’s voice was filled with trust.

Rachel, grateful yet apologetic, smiled silently in response.