“It’s a relief that Randolph isn’t the culprit after all.”

Ryan spoke as they were just entering the banquet hall.

Rachel looked at him briefly before spotting Randolph in the distance, engaged in animated conversation with other mages.

Randolph had been Rachel’s prime suspect in this case. Memory erasure magic was an extremely difficult level of magic. Moreover, setting it up so that memories would disappear over time rather than erasing them directly was particularly challenging.

Not only that, the attacker had left almost no trace on the victims’ bodies. If it hadn’t been someone with Rachel’s abilities, they wouldn’t have even been able to identify the caster’s mana properties.

That’s why Rachel had determined that among the people she knew, only Randolph could use this level of magic. But upon arriving at the banquet and reading his mana properties, they were completely different from what she had recognized on the attackers’ bodies.

This meant Randolph had no connection to the incident.

Rachel found herself back at square one. Who on earth could be behind this? The mana left on the attackers’ bodies definitely belonged to someone Rachel had met before.

While she didn’t remember the mana of everyone she’d ever met, she was certain about this—the mana properties felt familiar.

So the culprit had to be someone among the people around her.

‘Who could it be?’

Contrary to her expectation that things would become clear once they entered the banquet hall, the case was becoming increasingly puzzling.

Rachel felt the need to look for someone who could handle mana besides the mages present.

[I think it would be good to visit Duke Bermund again.]

As Rachel struggled to identify the culprit, Creon, who had been observing, made a suggestion.

‘Duke Bermund? Why him?’

Rachel tilted her head, not understanding why Creon mentioned Duke Bermund.

It wasn’t that Rachel hadn’t suspected Duke Bermund. But it seemed too sloppy to be his doing. Besides, to use such high-level magic, one would need to be someone who could handle mana, even if not a mage. Someone who could manipulate mana more delicately than a knight.

Duke Bermund, as far as Rachel knew, was a knight. Therefore, he didn’t fit the criteria she had in mind.

[Isn’t he the most likely suspect? Whether he’s a mage or not doesn’t matter.]

‘Why is that…’

About to question this, Rachel belatedly realized she had missed a simple premise.

[That man doesn’t need to be a mage himself, right?]

Creon gave another hint. Rachel finally understood what Creon meant and nodded.

‘That’s true. With Duke Bermund’s wealth, he wouldn’t need to use his own power—he could simply hire someone.’

Rachel frowned, realizing this fact too late.

‘If I had known this, I would have examined things more closely when I visited Duke Bermund’s mansion last time.’

She sighed quietly with regret.

Ryan, who had been focusing all his attention on Rachel, checked her face with curiosity.

“Are you tired, Rachel?”

Rachel looked at Ryan, hearing his careful voice asking out of concern.

“No, it’s not that…”

Rachel briefly pondered whether to tell Ryan about her suspicions of Duke Bermund or to confirm them herself first before informing him.

With his help, meeting and investigating Duke Bermund would certainly be much easier. But there was also a reason she hesitated to speak freely.

No matter how careful Ryan might be, the Duke would surely know that Ryan suspected him and was watching him. Would such a person not prepare for a meeting that included Ryan?

The more she thought about it, it seemed unlikely.

“Come to think of it, I am a bit tired.”

When Rachel agreed and answered, Ryan’s eyes widened.

“Really? Let’s go over here for now. You should rest for a moment—no, it would be better for you to return to the mansion. You must have been exhausted keeping your guard up all day. I wasn’t thinking clearly.”

Ryan responded in a fluster. He then instructed a nearby servant to have the Pluret family’s carriage ready.

Rachel didn’t refuse Ryan’s consideration since it was a necessary procedure anyway.

“Rachel! Are you leaving already?”

Just then, Edward approached from a distance. Rachel, who was about to leave the banquet hall with Ryan’s guidance, stopped and turned to look at him.

“I’m a bit tired.”

“You’re not sick, are you?”

Rachel nodded at Edward’s worried voice.

“Then I’ll escort you back to the mansion. That would be alright, wouldn’t it, Your Highness?”

Ryan frowned at Edward’s question.

Rachel’s partner was Ryan himself. Yet Edward was not only concerned about her but also offering to escort her personally, disregarding her actual partner.

“I’m sorry, Young Lord Hestein, but I will escort Rachel since I am her partner. Please don’t worry and continue enjoying the banquet.”

His refusal was mixed with deep wariness.

Edward was aware of this. His words and actions were certainly disrespectful. However, he was equally concerned about Rachel and couldn’t easily back down.

“I am well aware that Your Highness is Rachel’s partner. But I am just as concerned about her, which is why I made this offer.”

Edward’s voice was calm.

He had vaguely noticed that Ryan had feelings for Rachel. But he considered it unclear whether those feelings were mere fondness or something more. However, now facing him directly, he could clearly sense it—that Ryan viewed Edward as a rival.

It wasn’t exactly wrong. Edward himself had harbored feelings for Rachel for a long time. Yet Edward quickly realized that Ryan was in much the same position as himself.

A silent tension passed between the two men.

Rachel found herself uncomfortably caught between them.

“I’ll go by myself.”

Rachel spoke up, observing the seemingly endless rivalry between the two.

“By yourself…?”

“Will you be alright?”

Ryan and Edward turned to her in surprise, speaking simultaneously.

“I’m not a child. And it’s not like I’m going home because I’m sick. I’m just a bit tired, so neither of you needs to worry.”

When Rachel calmly explained, neither Ryan nor Edward could argue.

After a moment’s delay, Ryan nodded and spoke.

“I understand. But may I at least accompany you to the front of the hall?”

“That’s fine.”

“Then may I also come along to the entrance?”

When Rachel agreed to Ryan’s proposal, Edward asked her.

“That’s fine too.”

Edward and Ryan both sighed in relief, seeming quite pleased. Then, suddenly realizing they were exhibiting the same behavior, they awkwardly turned their heads away.

Rachel left the banquet hall accompanied by these two men.

“If you feel unwell anywhere after you get home, please let me know.”

“I will. But Edward, like I said before, I’m not sick.”

Realizing what Edward was worried about, Rachel clarified.

Edward laughed, seemingly embarrassed. “I’m just concerned.”

“He’s right. Today has been especially…”

Ryan, who was about to mention the purpose of today’s ball without thinking, stopped mid-sentence.

Edward gave him a look when Ryan cut his words off at an awkward point. Ryan cleared his throat, trying to smooth over his statement.

“Anyway, if you’re unwell today, the responsibility is entirely mine. So if you feel unwell at all, please feel free to tell me anytime.”

“I will.”

Rachel chose to answer briefly rather than risk making a mistake by speaking at length.

Soon, the three arrived at the front of the Great Hall. The Pluret family’s carriage was already waiting outside.

Rachel turned to look at Ryan and Edward, who had escorted her, as she headed toward the familiar carriage.

“Thank you for seeing me off today. Both Ryan and Edward.”

Both men’s faces lit up with smiles when Rachel expressed her gratitude.

“Take care.”

“Get home safely. I’ll visit with Viola soon.”

Rachel boarded the carriage, receiving their farewells.