Rachel stepped closer to the railing after coming out to the terrace with Ryan. A cool breeze brushed against her neck.

When she shivered, Ryan hurriedly removed his jacket and draped it over her shoulders. Feeling the warmth covering her shoulders, she looked up at him.

“The wind is still cold. You’d better keep this on to avoid catching a cold.”

“Thank you, Ryan.”

Rachel expressed her gratitude for his kindness. Ryan responded with a gentle smile to ensure she didn’t feel burdened.

“It seems we’ve met most of the people on the list… How did it go?”

Rachel hesitated briefly at Ryan’s question.

“Nothing.”

“Nothing? You mean the culprit isn’t in this hall?”

“If my assessment is correct.”

“But how can that be? Didn’t we select all the mages within the system whom you’re acquainted with?”

“We did.”

Rachel felt just as frustrated answering.

The mana properties she had sensed from the attackers were definitely familiar. This meant she had encountered the owner of that mana at least once before. Yet strangely, she couldn’t find the same mana signature at this banquet.

“Could someone have been omitted from the list?”

Rachel shook her head at Ryan’s question.

“No. Everyone on my selected list is present.”

“…I see. Then what could this mean?”

“We should try approaching this from a different angle.”

“How?”

“I’ll think about it and let you know.”

“Yes. I’ll also consider if there might be another method.”

Their conversation paused, and silence settled between them for a moment.

From the garden came the sound of insects chirping, while from inside the hall, people’s laughter and conversations mingled faintly with the sweet orchestral music.

Ryan stole a glance at Rachel. She had placed both hands on the railing and was staring straight ahead, seemingly lost in thought. The slowly blowing wind gently brushed her loose strands of hair. The sight appeared so sacred that Ryan couldn’t help but be captivated by her.

Perhaps because of the wind, she briefly furrowed her brow before suddenly turning to look at Ryan.

“Ryan?”

Ryan snapped back to reality when Rachel mentioned his name.

“I’m sorry. I keep finding myself looking at you…”

Ryan reflexively turned away from her and covered his face with his right hand. He knew his flushed face shouldn’t be fully exposed to her. It was surely bright red by now.

Moreover, his heartbeat was so rough that his earlobes were throbbing. He carefully checked to see if Rachel might hear his pounding heart.

Fortunately or unfortunately, Rachel didn’t seem to pay much attention to such reactions. Ryan let out a small sigh of relief, took a discreet deep breath, and smiled bitterly.

Despite having already confessed to her once and being rejected, proposing friendship was the best decision he’d made in his life. If they hadn’t remained friends, he wouldn’t have been able to stand so naturally beside her like this.

Yet he couldn’t shake off the bitter feeling. It was essentially confirmation that they couldn’t become anything more than friends.

Even though he had fallen for her again, like now, he could do nothing about it because she didn’t love him.

Ryan himself knew better than anyone that confessing again would be futile—she wouldn’t give him a chance. She might even leave because she found him burdensome.

Just thinking about that made Ryan feel devastated and miserable.

“By the way, has Duke Bermund shown any movement lately?” Rachel suddenly asked Ryan.

Since she had rejected the Duke’s proposal, it was about time for him to make another move. She thought Ryan, who had been monitoring Duke Bermund’s activities based on her advice, might know about his next actions.

“He hasn’t shown any particular movement yet. Whether he’s being cautious or planning a greater scheme that we’re unaware of, there’s no way to know.”

“It would be good to watch his movements more closely from now on.”

Ryan turned to look at Rachel, noting her resolute tone.

“Do you have a reason to be so certain?”

Rachel almost instinctively answered yes.

At this point, everyone except Duke Bermund was still unaware of her secret. She had used a fake necklace she had prepared in advance to avoid suspicious glances, and she judged that Duke Bermund wouldn’t go around spreading information about Creon to others.

“No, I’m not certain. But he’s not the type to remain quiet like this forever, is he? Besides, Ryan, you know well what the Duke wants.”

“True, that’s right.”

Ryan quickly understood.

It had been puzzling that Duke Bermund, who had his eyes on the imperial throne, had shown no movement for a whole month already.

Ryan wondered if the Duke had noticed that he was being watched closely, but then again, if he had noticed, wouldn’t it make more sense for him to expedite his plans? It would be more advantageous for Duke Bermund to aim for the throne before Ryan became aware and made more preparations.

“I received reports that you’ve met with Duke Bermund several times recently. Did anything happen during those meetings? I heard you even visited his mansion…”

Ryan suddenly recalled what his aide had reported to him.

The Duke had been making unusually frequent attempts to contact Rachel recently. Not knowing his true purpose, Ryan couldn’t help but find such behavior suspicious and concerning.

Rachel frowned slightly, wondering how to answer.

“Nothing special happened. He made me some offers, but I expressed my refusal.”

Despite knowing it might seem strange, Rachel gave a vague answer.

“So he did approach you.”

Ryan interpreted Rachel’s words in his own way—that Duke Bermund had tried to bring Rachel to his side.

Even in Ryan’s eyes, Rachel was sufficiently attractive. This remained true even setting aside romantic feelings.

A rising star who had distinguished herself after the monster subjugation. Someone who had even been mentioned as a candidate for Magic Tower Master. It would be more strange if no one coveted her.

Moreover, given his ambitions for the throne, it was only natural for the Duke to try recruiting such an outstanding talent.

Yet strangely, hearing this fact made Ryan’s emotions surge.

What if Rachel had accepted Duke Bermund’s proposal? Then she wouldn’t have remained by his side. He had almost lost her without even knowing it.

While this realization angered him, he felt deeply relieved that she had rejected the Duke’s offer.

Ryan always found it difficult to control his emotions when it came to matters concerning Rachel. It was the same now. He felt like a child just beginning to learn about emotions.

He feared Rachel might notice these feelings of his.

Ryan, who had been clenching his fist tightly, exhaled slowly and turned to look at Rachel. Her calm green eyes were directed at him.

“May I ask why you refused?”

“Pardon?”

Rachel was considerably taken aback by his question.

Ryan belatedly realized his question lacked context and continued, “Duke Bermund must have guaranteed you many things. You’re a mage with outstanding abilities. It couldn’t have been easy to refuse.”

Rachel finally understood Ryan’s meaning and spoke, “I found it uncomfortable. And I had already decided I wanted to help you.”

Rachel’s answer was brief. But for Ryan, no other response could have been more reassuring or given him stronger conviction.

Relief spread across Ryan’s face, which had been anxious.

“Thank you so much, Rachel.”

Ryan sincerely conveyed his gratitude to her. He was indescribably thankful that she had chosen him. Rachel looked at him and smiled faintly.

“You’re welcome. By the way, shall we go back inside now?”

“Already…?”

Ryan asked, reluctant to end their time alone together.

“Yes. Ryan, you’re cold.”

“You don’t need to worry about that.”

Ryan said confidently, but Rachel shook her head while looking at him directly.

“No. Your face has been red for a while now. Isn’t that because you’re cold?”

“Ah…”

Ryan finally realized that his emotions were plainly visible on his face.

“You’re right. It is a bit cold.”

“Then let’s go inside.”

“Yes.”

Ryan smiled awkwardly as he entered the banquet hall with Rachel.