Evenel continued speaking, unaware of Geryen’s facial expression.

“And I apologize. I’m sure it was crafted with care here, but I accidentally dropped it while dealing with a demon and it broke. I’ve been using it during training ever since I arrived in Karies, so I had intended to take good care of it.”

She felt sorry for having broken something that had surely passed through many hands to be made.

Just as she was becoming embarrassed by the lack of any reaction from him, the Count’s voice was heard.

“There’s no need to apologize, it has served its purpose as a weapon.”

“Thank you for saying so. I suspect I’ll be indebted to you many more times in the future.”

Evenel conveyed what she genuinely wanted to say, regardless of what the other thought of her. Geryen, rather, seemed disconcerted by her smile.

How many times can one person make another uncomfortable in just a few lines of conversation?

“Then, please go in.”

“Would it be alright if I looked around your workshop while you have a business discussion with His Majesty? If it’s inconvenient, I’ll wait in the reception room.”

Upon Evenel’s request, Geryen looked at Shuher, who signaled that the decision was up to him.

Hesitant, Geryen called for his butler.

“You called, my Lord?”

“Show His Majesty’s guest around the workshop.”

“Yes. Please follow me.”

“Thank you for allowing it.”

She expressed her gratitude and followed the butler. Geryen couldn’t take his eyes off her retreating figure, and Shuher spoke.

“I thought you’d refuse straight away.”

“Let’s just say it was a momentary whim.”

“You didn’t seem like someone swayed by flattery.”

“If she had phrased it that way, I would have refused without hesitation.”

But what Evenel had just displayed was neither flattery nor sycophancy, but pure goodwill and gratitude. He hadn’t been too pleased when she first said she’d visit, but now his thoughts had slightly changed.

“Meeting her in person has only made things more confusing.”

Shuher seemed to understand what that emotion was; it was something he felt every so often when looking at her.

“We should go in as well.”

He stared at Evenel’s retreating figure, now entirely out of sight, before entering the mansion.

Meanwhile, following the butler’s guidance, Evenel left the mansion and began to smell the familiar scent of gunpowder. At the end of the path was a building with an entirely different atmosphere from the stately mansion.

“Here it is.”

“It’s really expansive.”
The family had a long history with firearms, so there were various buildings for everything from research and development to testing, inspection, and repair.

Just seeing the numerous firearms and the busy people working on them uplifted her mood in a peculiar way.

“This is the development room used by artisans affiliated with the Eunis family.”

“May I go inside?”

“Of course.”

As she stepped inside, one wall was densely filled with guns, and the desks were full of familiar components and various blueprints.

“Madam, I think you need to check this.”

When the servant seemed troubled by the call, Evenel spoke first.

“It’s fine, go ahead.”

“I will excuse myself for a moment, then.”

Left alone, she began to look around the space in earnest. That’s when a revolver on the desk caught her eye.

Holding the gun, Evenel felt an obvious difference compared to what she was currently using.

‘Is this something new they are working on?’

While she was closely examining every corner of the gun, a strange voice came from behind.

“Who are you?”

Startled, Evenel turned around to find a woman standing there. With neatly tied dark blue hair and lighter blue eyes, she was dressed in gunpowder-stained clothes.

The woman soon extended her hand to Evenel. As Evenel looked at her hand, puzzled, the woman spoke again.

“That gun is still in the testing phase.”

“Ah, I apologize. It felt different from what I’m using, so I got carried away.”

Evenel handed the gun back to her. She then watched as the woman skillfully handled the gun from the muzzle to the trigger before suddenly speaking.

“Are you by any chance the Countess of Eunis?”

Upon her question, the hands of the woman handling the gun abruptly stopped, and she directed a brusque gaze at Evenel. However, a brief glint of surprise followed.

“Sorry for the late introduction. My name is Evenel Istella. I hope I’m not disturbing your work.”

After a brief pause, the woman’s monotone voice came forth.

“I am Henea Eunis. I was informed that a guest of Her Majesty would be coming today.”

The silence settled again, and to break the awkwardness, Evenel pointed to the gun Henea was holding and said,

“It’s definitely nice. It’s lighter than what I used to use, and the revolving magazine is much smoother.”

“Is that so…”
It was a small voice, but unhidden joy peeked through. Just seeing that made it clear how much affection she had for the gun.

“I really like shooting as well. You said it’s in the testing phase, so if it’s okay, can I try using that gun? I’m really curious about how it feels.”

“Is that alright?”