Aris’s face turned pale. Then, doesn’t that mean she had kept this person waiting all this time?

“You should have called out to me…!”

Kalaian let out a soft laugh at her flustered response. His gaze lingered on her face.

“I was afraid you might hate it if we met.”

His following words were too much of a mumble. Unable to hear properly, Aris stared at him in confusion.

As if it wasn’t an important remark, he sighed softly and brought up a different topic.

“I understand why you can’t help but hesitate.”

“…Pardon?”

He spoke as if he knew Aris was afraid to enter the imperial palace. Feeling as though her thoughts had been seen through, she was perplexed. However, his next words were, fortunately, completely different from Aris’s thoughts.

“It’s understandable to be afraid, considering you’re from the eastern side who’s still unfamiliar with our side. Well… there was also that incident recently.”

He glanced at Aris subtly. Aris’s face instantly matched the color of the summer roses blooming next to the main gate. Aris couldn’t help but open her mouth.

“Uh, we agreed to… pretend it never happened, didn’t we?”

“I didn’t mention what that incident was, though.”

Kalaian chuckled lightly. Aris was at a loss for words and pressed her lips together.

“Let me say one thing, I think your skills will be more than adequate for the purpose of this department.”

“……”

“Believe in your abilities. Don’t worry about anything else.”

Aris met the violet eyes that were looking down at her intently. The roses blooming behind him swayed gently with the wind like a backdrop.

“Shall we go in together then, Lady Eldeiz? Any more waiting would be a bit difficult.”

“Ah… Yes!”

He took the heavy bag from Aris’s hand and started leading the way. With the Crown Prince himself carrying her luggage instead of a servant, Aris had no choice but to follow him.

As she did so, Aris pondered deeply.

‘This person, no matter how I think about it, seems different from my past life…’

Could it be that the Kalaian from her past life and the Kalaian here are actually separate individuals with completely different personalities?

She had been thinking this for a while. Even if they had to maintain formal courtesy in their relationship, could this person really be this kind?

Lost in thought, Aris stopped when Kalaian suddenly halted. He turned to look at Aris with one eyebrow raised.

“Are you listening to what I’m saying?”

“I’m listening…!”

Aris hastily replied, hiding her startled feelings.

To think she could have other thoughts in front of Kalaian. It was true that he wasn’t as uncomfortable as in her past life. After all, she no longer trembled in his presence.

‘I’ve changed a lot too, over the past 5 years…’

She couldn’t count how much effort she had put in to toughen herself up. She had especially received a lot of help from the methods and consolations Mr. E had suggested while exchanging letters.

Among them, what helped the most was undoubtedly…

[If you wish to end your unrequited love, I will help you as much as I can.]

Although his help wasn’t the magic she had expected, he simply suggested a few methods.

Physically distance yourself from that person. Try not to think about him as much as possible. Immerse yourself in work or hobbies to consider other things more important.

‘I didn’t expect him to guide me so wholeheartedly…’

Perhaps recognizing Aris’s desperation, he put his heart and soul into stopping her unrequited love.

[There is nothing lacking in you compared to that person. Rather, it’s a shame that someone as insensitive as him gets to have you, Miss Eldeiz.

You deserve to be loved by someone more admirable, someone who won’t hurt you.

I sincerely hope you meet such a person, and don’t even keep that feeling as a memory.

I mean it.]

When she received that letter, she felt a bit perplexed.

‘Did I speak too negatively about that person?’

It seemed that Mr. E thought very poorly of Kalaian. Aris had only briefly mentioned about her past life, just saying that she was ignored by him…

‘He truly cares about me and thinks of me.’

Aris appreciated his concern. Anyway, this wasn’t an achievement made solely by Aris’s efforts. The help from her supporter was significant.

“The Magic Research Department is here.”

Aris broke from her thoughts and looked up at the building Kalaian was pointing to.

“Other departments are also gathered in the East Wing 2. The Magic Research Department you belong to is assigned conference rooms and individual research rooms.”

“I see.”

Aris followed closely behind Kalaian. As they passed through the pleasant and wide corridor, Kalaian suddenly stopped.

It was in the middle of the corridor. Aris looked at his back in confusion. Kalaian slightly turned his body to look at her, hesitated for a moment, and then spoke.

“…Would you mind waiting here for a moment? I just remembered something I need to take care of urgently.”

“What? Now?”

“It won’t take long. I’m sorry, but please wait just a bit.”

Then Kalaian left Aris and went somewhere else alone. Aris stared blankly at his retreating figure and complained.

“What the…”

Surely, he wouldn’t leave her standing all day. Thinking back to her past life, he was the kind of person who might forget about her existence and go about his own business.

Aris looked around disapprovingly.

‘…It’s been a really long time.’

The imperial palace she encountered after a long time felt a bit unfamiliar. Even in her past life, she rarely had reasons to come to the East Wing 2, but still, she used to visit about once a month for work.

While reminiscing about those times, Kalaian’s figure appeared in the distance. Contrary to her expectations, he really did return quickly.

Kalaian ran up to Aris in one breath, as if he had thrown away his dignity.

“Did you wait long?”

He asked, breathing slightly heavily. Aris shook her head, feeling bewildered.

“No, you came back quickly.”

He let out a sigh of relief and smiled softly. Kalaian started to lead the way.

“Please follow me.”

He soon stopped in front of a door.

“This will be Lady Eldeiz’s personal research room.”

Kalaian turned the round metal doorknob and opened the door.

“Wow…”

Aris slightly opened her mouth at the space that unfolded before her eyes. A gasp of admiration escaped without her realizing.

The clear sky visible through the wide-open window greeted her. The research room was bathed in warm sunlight pouring in abundantly.

Bookshelves facing each other on both sides and various cabinets for storing magical tools were visible. The desk where Aris would mainly sit was crafted from mahogany, exuding a sense of luxury, and the dark green cushioned chair with a backrest was equally so.

In addition, there were reception facilities for taking breaks, and a crystal chandelier that stubbornly occupied the space above, undaunted by the pouring sunlight.

‘There are a lot of plants too…! All the ones I like.’

Aris was purely amazed at the bright and lively appearance of the research room. But soon after, she turned to Kalaian with a suddenly darkened expression.

Kalaian, who had been smiling contentedly while watching her, was taken aback by her gaze.

“…Is there a problem?”

“By any chance… do I have to live here from now on? What kind of grueling work are you planning to give me to provide such an excessive room…”

Although she seemed to be trying not to show it openly, Aris’s shoulders were slumped. Even after attempting to manage her expression, her face looked gloomy.

Kalaian was silent for a moment, then asked seriously.

“Isn’t it better to be comfortable since you’ll be spending a lot of time in the research room? If you don’t like it, I’ll have it changed.”

“Ah, no. It’s not that I don’t like it! It’s just, compared to the Magic Department, the research room is too nice… Are such facilities provided to all departments directly under the imperial palace?”

“…That’s correct.”

“Ah, I see…”

Aris nodded in understanding. But her face still showed signs of displeasure.

‘I guess I’m destined to be overworked soon. It’s clear that an enormous workload will be given. There’s no such thing as kindness without a price.’

Kalaian observed Aris’s expression and then left the research room. Afterwards, Aris was guided by him to the department’s conference room and dedicated library. What she learned then shocked Aris.

“So, right now, I’m the only person assigned to the department?”

“From the beginning, His Majesty intended to form a small but elite department. The others who were invited will join soon.”

“So I have to conduct investigations and research on demonic beasts alone right away…”

Aris said blankly with a shocked expression.

“Don’t worry too much. You’ll be able to do well.”