Kalaian faced Aris with a perplexed expression. It was an expression she had never seen on him before, which made her feel strange as well.

“Miss Aristena… What brings you here?”

Aris spoke calmly,

“As a scholar of the Magic Research Department, I’ve come to seek permission for an investigation.”

She handed him the file she had brought. Kalaian cleared his throat briefly, then pulled his chair back into place, sat down properly, and checked the file.

During this time, Aris secretly glanced around his office. She had often visited his office when he ascended to the throne as Emperor, but this was her first time seeing his office from when he was a crown prince.

However, unbelievably, it seemed that the facilities were inferior to her research room. Despite appearing clean, signs of aging were undeniable in various places.

‘Was the Crown Prince’s palace an older building…?’

But the exterior looked fine. Perhaps he was using a particularly old-fashioned room as his office. Maybe it was a room filled with memories, which is why he used it this way.

Aris didn’t know much about Kalaian, so she just accepted it as it was. After all, it had nothing to do with her.

Kalaian, who had been silently skimming through what Aris had handed him, looked up.

“…So, you’re saying you want to go to the place where the crack appeared?”

Somehow, he didn’t look pleased. Considering the treatment she had received so far, it would make sense to send people to gather information about monsters. Was there something he wasn’t satisfied about it?

Aris began to speak logically to persuade him.

“Yes, I believe we need to get closer to uncover the secrets of these cracks that irregularly appear and produce monsters.”

“The place where the crack appeared is unstable in many ways and will be dangerous.”

“But just watching from afar isn’t very helpful. I think someone needs to take the risk and investigate, and I believe that’s my job. Isn’t that why I was assigned to the Magic Research Department?”

Kalaian remained silent. Aris looked at him anxiously.

What she had felt while reviewing papers and various materials was that all the data provided limited information without delving deep enough. Although she knew the place where the crack occurred was dangerous, an on-site investigation was essential to make further progress.

Kalaian, who seemed lost in thought, finally spoke.

“There’s nothing wrong with what you’re saying, but don’t push yourself too hard. You seem quite busy lately, how about taking a short break?”

Aris blinked innocently, then slightly furrowed her brows, seemingly finding it strange.

“Forgive me for saying this, but I don’t understand why Your Highness is suddenly saying such things…”

Feeling uncomfortable with Kalaian’s inexplicable intentions, she continued speaking,

“Of course, I am busy, but I feel responsible for this work and am doing my best. It’s bound to be tough because it’s work. But it’s my will to do this.”

Kalaian looked at her as if he wasn’t expecting her words, and with a slightly dumbfounded expression, he said,

“Don’t you dislike being burdened with this work?”

“At first…”

Aris, who was about to speak truthfully, closed her mouth again. When she opened her lips once more, she spoke of the present instead of the past.

“Now, I’m putting in effort, and I find fulfillment in that effort. Far from disliking this work, I want to do more and achieve results. I am a person who doesn’t abandon my duties and responsibilities, Your Highness.”

Aris’s eyes shone firmly like ripe grain. Seeing the enthusiasm visible in her eyes, Kalaian was at a loss for words. Her gaze and expression seemed to momentarily daze him.

He had just realized the wishes and goals of hers that he had foolishly overlooked.

Aris tensed up under his silent gaze. Had she spoken too boldly? Was it not the answer he had hoped for?

As all sorts of thoughts kept coming to her, Aris became a bit dejected.

“…I see.”

Kalaian spoke after a long while. And then he slightly pulled up the corners of his mouth into a smile.

“Since your resolve is so firm, I’ll grant permission for this. Although it’s dangerous, I believe you’ll return safely, Miss Aristena.”

“Thank you…!”

With a bright expression, Aris bowed her head in gratitude. Kalaian checked the documents again and said,

“The location is the Altre Mountains where the crack appeared a month ago… The date isn’t specified. When do you plan to leave?”

“Since there’s a lot to prepare, I’m thinking about a week from now.”

“If the schedule is moved up, please let me know.”

“I understand. Then, I’ll take my leave now.”

Aris politely greeted Kalaian and left his office. Only then could she breathe a sigh of relief.

After pausing for a moment, she soon left the place with a lighthearted expression.

* * *

The preparations for the research trip proceeded quite leisurely. Although she thought there would be many things to take care of, such as finding accommodation, a message arrived saying that the Crown Prince’s side would arrange everything needed in that area.

So all Aris had to prepare were her research tools, luggage, and herself. At this rate, she could leave the day after tomorrow, but since she didn’t want to go back on her word, she decided to stick to the one-week plan.

During this time, Aris wrote a letter to her sponsor about the trip.

‘…Come to think of it, I sent a letter not too long ago. What if I’m sending them too often and it’s becoming bothersome?’

But her desire to convey a hundred words to him and the temptation of having a mailbox right in front of her house made it difficult to resist the impulse.

In the end, Aris picked up her pen this time too. The paper was filled with greetings, news about the trip, and regretful words about not being able to send letters for a while.

“…Right. I won’t be able to send any while I’m on the trip.”

Aris fondly looked at the completed letter. Every time she wrote a letter, she always slipped in a playful remark, hoping that the person reading it would be able to smile a little because of her. In return, she would receive words saying that he enjoyed reading the letter.

Aris was always so happy at those times. After all, it meant that someone felt happiness because of her.

She left the house with a bright smile and approached the red mailbox right in front. Then she carefully inserted the letter into this magical red box that conveyed her words to her precious person.

Thud, she heard the light sound of her letter falling on top of other letters piled up inside the mailbox.

Aris entered the mansion with a gentle heart.

‘I hope a reply comes before I leave.’

Eagerly anticipating the letter that would return.

The next day, early in the morning, the postman came by. Aris, who had jumped up at the sound of the doorbell and received the mail first thing in the morning, looked at it confusedly.

It was a letter from Mr. E.

‘But I’m sure I sent the letter yesterday.’

The bewilderment only lasted for a moment before she suddenly remembered that there was no rule saying he could only send letters in response to hers.

He could send letters whenever he wanted to, just like her. Of course, this had never happened before…

Aris plopped down in an armchair and carefully opened the letter. In the meantime, a yawn escaped. She was still drowsy, having just woken up.

She lightly wiped away the tears that had gathered in her eyes and read the letter.

[To my dear Miss Eldeiz,

Thank you for leaving me a letter before departing for your investigation. I look forward to your letters every day, so it’s quite regrettable that we won’t be able to exchange them for a while.

As you, being clever, would know, the Altre Mountains are a fairly even terrain, except for the slightly chilly weather. But don’t let your guard down because of that.

If I could, I’d like to go in your place so you could rest comfortably. If you, who always brings me joy, were to get hurt, it would pain my heart greatly.

But that would be a cruel act that breaks your will and efforts.

Miss Eldeiz, I am truly proud of you. Seeing you grow day by day always fills me with new emotions.

Didn’t you easily obtain permission for what could have been a complicated investigation from His Highness the Crown Prince? It seems that he too has deep trust and thoughts about you to have granted it right away.

Like this time, you will accomplish anything, regardless of who you’re dealing with. I believe in you like that.

I hope you return safely from this investigation as well.

—From your sponsor, who always supports you—

P.S.

I’ve included a gift in the envelope. It’s a protective charm I prepared because you’re heading to a dangerous place, so please take this friend with you.]