If left unchecked, he would soon bring a bloody storm to the empire.

To prevent this, Rachel thought it would be okay to give Ryan a small hint.

“What you see isn’t always everything.”

“What do you mean by that?”

When Rachel muttered in a small voice, Ryan asked back with confusion.

“Duke Bermund. I don’t think he’s as good a person as he seems. It may be presumptuous of me to say this when we’ve only just properly met, but I think you should be careful around Duke Bermund.”

“Why do you think that?”

Ryan asked, clearly confused.

Rachel considered whether she should tell him directly that Duke Bermund was preparing a rebellion.

But she couldn’t tell him directly.

If nothing was found when they investigated Duke Bermund based on her information, the responsibility would fall entirely on her.

Having already experienced death multiple times through time regression, she wasn’t afraid of dying, but she didn’t want to cause trouble for her family.

Besides, the reason Duke Bermund hadn’t been caught while preparing for treason was because he had been so thorough. Such a person would surely have safeguards in place.

So all Rachel could do was provide a hint.

“Well, it’s just my opinion. I’m a bit drunk, so you can take it as a joke.”

Rachel said, swirling her empty wine glass to show Ryan.

Ryan frowned at the sight, looking uncomfortable.

“…Strangely, your words don’t sound like a joke to me.”

He seemed to have many questions, but Rachel pressed her lips together, refusing to answer further.

“Well, Lady Pluret, I understand your opinion. I’ll keep it in mind.”

Rachel nodded with satisfaction at Ryan’s words.

“By the way, Lady Pluret, aren’t you going to dance?”

Ryan suddenly asked, changing the subject.

“I don’t really feel like it. And I don’t have anyone to dance with.”

Rachel’s gaze briefly turned toward Tervan and Viola who were dancing. Then Ryan spoke to her again.

“How about me?”

Rachel blinked at Ryan’s suggestion.

“Your Highness?”

Ryan nodded at Rachel’s question. She stared into his eyes, trying to understand his intention. Ryan didn’t avoid her gaze and smiled gently.

“Would you dislike that?”

Rachel looked into his eyes for a moment, unable to understand why Ryan was asking her to dance.

Until now, through all her time regressions, she had never been involved with the Crown Prince.

In fact, after Rachel realized that this world was arranged for Viola, she had never gotten involved with anyone related to her.

But now, the main male protagonist of this novel, who was supposed to marry Viola and have a happy ending, was showing interest in her.

She had already guessed that the world wouldn’t follow the original story since she had saved Tervan, but she hadn’t expected Ryan to ask her to dance.

Rachel reflexively checked on Viola and Tervan dancing. Her eyes met Viola’s, who was looking at her.

Viola smiled with her eyes, seemingly encouraging Rachel.

Tervan was also glancing at her from a distance.

After confirming this, Rachel turned her gaze back to Ryan.

“I will.”

“I’m honored.”

Ryan, who had seemed a bit tense while looking at Rachel, relaxed his expression with relief.

Then he stepped half a step away from Rachel and extended his hand to her with a courteous bow.

“Would you give me the honor of dancing with you, my lady?”

A hand wearing a black half-glove, different from Tervan’s, was extended before her.

Rachel placed her hand on top of his.

“The honor is mine, Your Highness.”

As Rachel finished her response, Ryan led her by the hand.

When the two came to the center of the banquet hall, people who had been dancing made way for them. Viola and Tervan did the same.

The orchestra’s music changed. The next piece was a gentle allemande.

Ryan took his position and slowly began to lead Rachel.

Pressed close together and facing each other, Rachel and Ryan briefly exchanged glances.

Soon, the two began to dance slowly to the melody.

The music flowed slowly between them. Time itself seemed to flow along with the melody.

“You seem to be close with Lord Sanchez.”

Ryan suddenly mentioned Tervan.

“Yes, that’s right. We’ve been friends since childhood. Along with Lady Hestein.”

“I see.”

After giving a short answer, Ryan looked up to check where Viola and Tervan were. Then he met Rachel’s eyes again.

“Do you like him, by any chance?”

Rachel frowned at Ryan’s question.

“…Do I have to answer that?”

Strictly speaking, Rachel and Ryan had just formally greeted each other for the first time today.

Rachel thought this wasn’t the kind of conversation to have with someone she’d just met.

But Ryan didn’t give up and spoke to Rachel, looking at her.

“I would like you to.”

“Why?”

“Because then I can decide how to proceed from here.”

Ryan said with a smile directed at Rachel.

Rachel found it difficult to determine whether Ryan was saying this sincerely or if he had some other hidden intention.

“…I like him as a friend.”

Rachel answered carefully to avoid any misunderstanding.

It wasn’t a lie either.

She had once had a crush on Tervan, but now she felt nothing when she saw him.

But this didn’t seem to be such a simple matter.

Rachel realized something was wrong when, in her previous life, she had started to feel only “tired” of Tervan’s death.

She couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing from her.

That’s why Rachel had been lost in thought watching Tervan throughout their journey through the Witch’s Forest.

Wondering if that deficiency was just her feelings for him.

“That’s a relief.”

Rachel snapped back to attention at Ryan’s words.

“Is it a relief?”

“Yes. Because I’m interested in you. If you had said you liked Lord Sanchez, I would have had to give up and let go of my feelings for you.”

“…Are you serious?”

Rachel hesitated momentarily at Ryan’s confession.

Ryan nodded as if he had nothing to hide.

“Yes, I’m serious.”

“But Your Highness…”

Rachel started to speak but then pressed her lips together.

As far as she knew, Ryan was supposed to fall in love with Viola. So Rachel felt a bit confused when such a Ryan expressed interest in her.

But given that Tervan, who should have died, was alive, there was no rule saying that the world she knew couldn’t change.

Just like Ryan right in front of her now.

Rachel, who had been briefly moving her lips, stopped dancing and stood still.

“Forgive me, Your Highness, but I don’t think I’m the right person.”

“Why not?”

Ryan tilted his head in confusion.

“I’m not asking you to be in a relationship right away. I just…”

“I know. You’re just at the stage of being interested in me. But I don’t plan to meet or date anyone for a while.”

At Rachel’s firm words, Ryan looked down at her in surprise. Then he nodded as if he understood.

“I understand. I was too hasty. I apologize if I made you uncomfortable.”

“No, there’s no need to apologize. Now if you’ll excuse me…”

“Please wait a moment, Lady Pluret.”

As Rachel was about to leave, thinking there was nothing more to discuss with Ryan, he called out to her.

“How about being friends instead?”

“Friends…?”

“Yes. Like how Lord Sanchez and Lady Hestein are friends with you. Is that also not acceptable?”

Having already rejected Ryan once, Rachel found it difficult to deny his interest.

Then she nodded.

“I think being friends would be fine.”

The reason Rachel didn’t refuse was because she thought Ryan’s interest probably stemmed from simple curiosity. Besides, if he spent time with her, Ryan would inevitably meet Viola.

Then Ryan might gradually become more attracted to Viola than to Rachel.

Apart from being the protagonist of this world, Viola was a charming and lovable person.

Before Tervan joined the monster subjugation team, even Rachel had been captivated by Viola.

Even if the world didn’t flow according to the original story, any ordinary person couldn’t help but fall for her loveliness.

And Ryan would be no exception.

“Then from today, we’re friends.”

“Yes, let’s do that.”

When Rachel smiled faintly, Ryan responded with a smile of his own.