Add to that his stoic face and large build. He was so charismatic that his gaze alone could make one’s knees weak.

Aris clenched her hands that were stiffly placed on her knees.

‘……Could he have called me because of the incident with His Highness the Crown Prince? Does he know that I was the one who stayed in the guest room with him yesterday?’

Aris bit her trembling lips. Her hands were clammy with cold sweat.

If the Minister of Magic knew about the relationship between his granddaughter Serena and the Crown Prince, it wouldn’t be unreasonable for him to suddenly call Aris like this.

He put tea leaves into a prepared teapot and brewed the tea himself. Aris waited for him, watching nervously in the suffocating silence.

“Drink.”

“Th-thank you……”

“Ah, congratulations on receiving your honorary title yesterday.”

Aris smiled awkwardly at his compliment. Unaware of Aris’s burning anxiety, the Minister of Magic sipped his tea from a teacup that looked like a toy in his large hands.

“Just a few years ago, I thought you had run away without a plan after rejecting His Highness the Crown Prince’s marriage proposal. In fact, when I heard the news that Miss Aristena was enrolling in the Magic Department, I thought you would be expelled before long.”

“I-I see……”

“But with unprecedented excellent talent, you’ve even made it to the hall of fame as the youngest ever.”

The Minister of Magic, Wibert, raised the corners of his mouth slightly. Aris studied his expression. He didn’t seem angry, which wouldn’t fit if he called her to scold her.

“Indeed, you were worthy of rejecting His Highness the Crown Prince. It might have been a waste if you had accepted that marriage proposal. I’m truly proud of you, Miss Aristena.”

Aris thanked him dazedly for the continued praise. Did he really call her just to flatter her?

Aris gradually relaxed her tension. In fact, although Wibert had a solemn and tiger-like aspect, he really liked people who did their job well.

“So, I was thinking. I’d like to assign you to a better position.”

“Pardon? A better position, what kind of place do you mean?”

Aris asked back with a mix of bewilderment and curiosity. Wibert pulled out a document from the side and placed it in front of her eyes.

“It’s also close to where my granddaughter is. It’s not exactly the same, but I heard they’re newly establishing it this time……”

Aris looked down at the document following his gesture. Her gaze followed the letters.

Appointment letter…….

Aristena Eldeiz is hereby appointed to the……”

“I’m assigning you to the Magic Research Department directly under the Imperial Palace.”

Hearing Wibert’s words while simultaneously confirming the name written on the document, Aris was shocked and opened her mouth. Directly under the Imperial Palace…….

What on earth is this bolt from the blue?

Aris looked at Wibert with disbelieving eyes.

“Why are you sending me there……”

“I heard that the Imperial Palace wants to conduct separate research on monsters and wants to interact with the Magic Department. So they’re requesting a magic scholar.”

So why are you sending me there?

Aris almost asked that but held back. She couldn’t ask so rebelliously in front of this beast-like minister. Instead, she spoke indirectly.

“I’m not in the field of monster research, so I’m not sure if I can do well….. Wouldn’t another scholar be more suitable than me?”

“Such a modest young friend. Don’t feel too burdened. Although it’s directly under the Imperial Palace, it’s clearly temporary. Just think of it as moving your workplace for a while.”

Aris’s lips quivered. It was clear that she couldn’t refuse, but it was also hard to accept easily.

Was this adding insult to injury? Why, of all times, after what happened yesterday…….

“Yes, it’s understandable to be displeased about suddenly being transferred to a field that’s not your specialty. I’m sorry about that. But our circumstances leave us no choice.”

Perhaps reading Aris’s expression, Wibert sighed heavily and said.

“Last time, several scholars we sent for geological survey were swept away by a suddenly appearing rift and suffered many casualties. You probably know about that incident.”

“Yes, if you’re referring to that incident……”

“Most of them were scholars in the field of monster research. We really don’t have anyone suitable to send from our side.”

Aris was momentarily at a loss for words at Wibert’s plea. It was unimaginable to see the Minister pleading like this under normal circumstances.

“I chose you after agonizing for days. Normally, we would keep a talent like you tightly bound to the Magic Department, but… the situation is not looking good.”

“Not looking good? What do you mean?”

“The rifts where monsters appear are becoming too frequent. Even the Imperial Palace feels threatened by this and is trying to recruit scholars directly and communicate with the Knight Order.”

“That’s……”

“I’m sorry, but there’s no talent quite like you. So, I need you to go.”

In this situation, was there anything she could do? Moreover, this wasn’t a suggestion but an order from above. Aris reluctantly answered with a heavy heart.

“……I understand.”

“This will surely be a good opportunity for you as well, Miss Aristena. Becoming affiliated with the Imperial Palace means your path has opened up that much more. At least it’s better than rotting in the department.”

“Yes….. I think so too. Thank you for giving me this good opportunity, Minister.”

Thud. Aris squeezed her eyes shut as she left Wibert’s office.

This was truly a disaster. If she became affiliated with the Imperial Palace, she would have to move her residence to the capital, and she would frequently encounter Kalaian…….

Aris, who had been biting her lip hard, slowly opened her closed eyes.

Although the situation was like this and misfortunes were piling up, didn’t Wibert also say that the transfer to the Imperial Palace was temporary?

That incident yesterday was something they would both forget. She just needed to not worry about it.

‘……That person can’t be an obstacle in my life.’

Don’t worry. It’s just a short-term assignment.

* * *

The very next day. Aris let out a hollow laugh as she faced the Imperial Palace, her new workplace.

Her transfer proceeded at an alarmingly swift pace. She had barely said goodbye to Belle and Andre the day before.

‘I heard that Belle was assigned to the newly established Magic Research Department right after me. I’m glad I won’t be separated from her, but……’

But Belle had postponed her transfer due to the research she was currently pouring her heart into.

Aris sighed. The future truly looked bleak. Even the large travel bag she was holding in both hands seemed to be getting heavier, making her feel betrayed by such an unnecessary thing.

‘I never thought I’d come back here again……’

For her, the Imperial Palace was a place without even a shred of good memories.

“……Lady Eldeiz?”

A voice suddenly came from behind. Aris turned around, startled. As if he had just returned from an outing somewhere, Kalaian was watching Aris.

Her eyes widened for a moment, then Aris hurriedly bowed.

“I greet Your Highness the Crown Prince, the small sword protecting Belvaiden.”

“……What brings you here, Lady Eldeiz? Do you have some business at the Imperial Palace?”

“I’ve been… assigned. To the Magic Research Department of the Imperial Palace……”

Kalaian’s eyes narrowed slightly at Aris’s timid words. Then, seemingly thinking about something, he rolled his eyes and after a while, stopped his gaze on her. Kalaian let out a hollow laugh.

“I thought it couldn’t be…… So, you’re saying you’ve become a scholar in the newly established Magic Research Department?”

“That’s correct.”

As if it was news he hadn’t heard, Kalaian’s expression changed unfavorably. Aris gripped her bag tighter with an uncomfortable feeling.

Seeing that face, it seemed Kalaian was also uncomfortable seeing her. But did he think he was the only one who disliked it? Aris disliked it too.

She looked at him intently with her eyes slightly narrowed, then turned her body.

“Then I’ll go in first. The Imperial Household Department said they would guide me to the department’s facilities.”

“Let’s go together.”

“Pardon? Aren’t you… going in a different direction from me……”

“I’m in charge of that guidance.”

Aris opened her mouth slightly in bewilderment. This person is giving the tour? Why would he, the Crown Prince, do that?

As if he could read such thoughts without her having to say them, Kalaian answered quietly.

“At a time like this, aren’t you a precious talent from the Magic Department? Also, the department that was newly established by His Majesty will have a lot of exchanges with me.”

“……”

“So, let’s go together. You’ve been hesitating to enter since earlier.”

Aris asked with round eyes, feeling bewildered.

“…..Have you been watching me since earlier? W-when did you start?”

“About 10 minutes ago? I was on my way back after going out briefly to welcome you, and there you were standing. So I waited.”