Kalaian, with somewhat careful eyes, uncharacteristically let his words trail off. After a moment, he politely extended his hand to Aris.

“If you don’t mind, would you like to talk while we walk together?”

Faced with this unexpected situation, Aris hesitated for a moment. It seemed she had come at an inconvenient time during his rest period.

After much consideration, she gave her answer.

“You must have come out to refresh yourself, so I can’t interfere. I’ll go ahead and wait, so please take your walk comfortably, Your Highness.”

He probably made the offer reluctantly and would have hoped for such a response. Aris smiled sweetly as if to say it was fine and that he should go ahead.

Kalaian’s expression subtly hardened at her considerate answer. He withdrew his outstretched hand.

With his smile almost gone, he moved his lips once and spoke with lifeless eyes.

“…Thank you for your consideration, Miss Aristena. I’ll have someone called to escort you to the reception room. I’ll return shortly.”

Kalaian called over a passing servant to attend to Aris and turned away. Aris watched his retreating figure before following the servant to the reception room.

“Black tea, please.”

“Yes, Doctor.”

Aris discreetly observed the expressions of the maids serving tea. She was reminded of the rumor Serena had mentioned.

“If you need anything else, please let us know.”

“This is enough. But… I was wondering, what do you think about the East?”

Aris was startled by her own question. She had been conscious of how they might think of her, and the words had slipped out almost unconsciously.

If she was going to ask something, she should have asked about herself, why did she ask about her perceptions of the East instead?

‘She’ll probably… be flustered?’

Sure enough, the maid serving tea beside Aris showed a puzzled expression. Aris worried that asking such a question might lead to more unfavorable rumors.

Even though Aris belonged to the Magic Department where regional conflicts didn’t exist, she was still from the East after all.

While waiting for an answer in tense anticipation, the maid spoke up with a bright voice.

“The East is very beautiful! It’s warm, full of flowers, and such a bountiful place!”

“The East is… beautiful, you say?”

Aris looked at her with slightly widened eyes. She had expected a stereotypical answer, but this was similar yet somewhat different.

The maid smiled brightly and continued speaking.

“Yes, I visited the East two years ago, and it was such a wonderful place. Contrary to my worries, the people were all kind… I really want to go there again.”

Aris couldn’t help but be more surprised.

Though they say the edge between East and West had dulled somewhat due to harmony, the maids working in the Crown Prince’s palace would still be noble ladies from the West.

“You’ve been to the East?”

“Of course! His Highness the Crown Prince gave us the opportunity to stay in the East for vacation then. I had only heard stories from colleagues who had gone on vacation before, but then the opportunity came to me as well.”

The maid spoke with a truly dreamy, happy expression. Aris looked at the others behind her with a dazed feeling.

“Have they also visited the East?”

“Of course. Almost everyone working in the imperial palace has probably been there. At some point, His Highness the Crown Prince started sending us on vacation to the East, saying we worked hard.”

Aris felt confused by this unbelievable fact. Why did Kalaian do such a thing? In her past life, he was the one who had discriminated against Aris for being from the East.

The maid was looking at Aris with admiring eyes.

“Doctor, you’re from the East, right? Oh, I’m so envious. The West is too barren. To leave such a place behind, Doctor, you’re really amazing. And so talented too…”

“Thank you for saying so. Though I haven’t shown you my best side…”

“What are you saying? What’s wrong with helping people in need? Oh, if you’re talking about that incident… I actually admire you more now, Doctor. You refused that position to help people!”

The maids in the back were now joining in agreement. Aris felt embarrassed and burdened, not knowing how to react.

Like the maid she had met before, she never imagined the people of the imperial palace would have such favorable feelings toward her. She had assumed they would view her negatively.

“Thank you so much for saying that.”

As Aris hesitantly expressed her gratitude, the reception room door opened. Seeing who entered, the maids hurriedly composed themselves and stepped back.

Aris looked with surprised eyes at Kalaian who had just entered. Had it been about 10 minutes since she came to the reception room?

“Your Highness, you’ve returned very early.”

“The weather was hot, so I ended the walk quickly.”

Saying this, he sat on the sofa opposite Aris with quite a tired look. Thinking that it was natural to feel the heat as summer approached, Aris waited for his words.

“Why did you come to see me? Today is your vacation day, Miss Aristena, and you must have received the messenger bird this morning.”

“I have something to say about the contents of that letter, Your Highness.”

Aris took a slight breath and began speaking with a careful expression.

“First… I would like to return about half of my vacation days.”

“What is the reason?”

“I already rested at the Altre Mountains, and I don’t need this much vacation. Research is urgent right now.”

Aris lowered her gaze from her serious look at him and continued with an apologetic expression.

“And… the letter mentioned attending an imperial dinner, but how could I attend such an honorable occasion? I am insufficient to meet the noble members of the imperial family, Your Highness.”

Kalaian, who had been listening silently to Aris’s words, slightly narrowed his eyes. Feeling his disapproving gaze, Aris tensed as she waited for his response.

Soon, a soft sigh was heard from Kalaian. His subdued breath revealed complicated emotions.

“Insufficient, you say. Don’t deprecate yourself like that.”

“But it truly is too grand an occasion for someone like me.”

“Miss Aristena.”

“Yes?”

Aris raised her eyes to look at him. Kalaian’s gaze was more serious than ever. He also seemed somewhat troubled.

“Though I understand your discomfort and wish I could withdraw those words in the letter… I’m sorry, but it was His Majesty who invited you to the banquet. It’s beyond my control.”

The expected answer came. Aris was momentarily stunned, then slowly lowered her head. Hadn’t the letter already revealed it was an honor bestowed by His Majesty? It was pointless to speak to him about it.

But why? She thought that if she came to appeal to Kalaian… perhaps he might resolve this matter.

That he might remove her discomfort.

“I see… I’m sorry for troubling you with this, Your Highness.”

Though Aris’s expression was dejected, she forced a smile. It wasn’t like she was being petulant, and this seemed quite rude in front of him.

Kalaian spoke as if consoling her.

“His Majesty has been very eager to meet you for some time now, Miss Aristen. Though it’s called a banquet, it will be no different from a normal dinner, so please don’t feel burdened.”

“…His Majesty, for some time now?”

Aris’s face turned pale. What reason could His Majesty have for wanting to meet her? Surely… it couldn’t be because she was the one who had rejected the Crown Prince?

Kalaian, who had been silently watching Aris’s ashen face, asked.

“I understand you came here temporarily, but how much luggage did you bring to the capital?”

“I ended up bringing quite a lot as I packed necessary tools… but why do you ask?”

“…Did you only bring research tools?”

“Yes, I mainly packed things that would help with research.”

Kalaian’s expression became subtle. After listening to Aris’s answer and seeming lost in thought for a moment, he spoke.

“Then, would you come here before the appointed time on the day of the banquet?”

“Yes? Why…”

“I would like to prepare an attire for you.”

Aris, who had been looking at him with puzzled eyes, suddenly blushed. When he asked about her luggage, he had actually been asking if she had suitable clothes to wear.

And Aris had told him she only brought research items…

‘Come to think of it, I didn’t think about what to wear…’

Aris currently had no formal attire suitable for a banquet. She only had simple clothes that were comfortable to wear around.

Not having proper clothes to wear. Though she felt embarrassed, Aris couldn’t refuse his offer.

“Then… I’ll be in your care.”

“Very well.”

He answered simply and smiled, pulling at his lips as if to say it was no big deal and she should relax. Strangely, even Aris, who had been uncomfortable, like she’s sitting on pins and needles, felt somewhat calmer seeing his smile.

“Ah, and about returning your vacation days…”

“Yes…!”

Hearing Aris’s expectant response, he smiled slightly.

“Denied. Please go home and rest well.”

And with that, saying he was busy with his next duties, he practically drove Aris out of there. Along with words to hurry home and recuperate.

* * *