That part worried her the most. She wondered if Davian, who knew nothing, would simply take it as a favor.

“Davian sir.”

A lady-in-waiting who had emerged from the palace found Davian and called out to him. Then, noticing Evenel, she excitedly approached. The lady-in-waiting rudely looked Evenel up and down, then changed her expression instantly when she looked at Davian.

“We’ve been waiting for you. Please come inside.”

“Bris?”

“Come on.”

Bris didn’t even give Davian a chance to greet Evenel, dragging him away. Evenel watched them go, then exited the space as if wondering what had just happened.

“Wait, I haven’t even greeted her yet.”

“Don’t get close to that person.”

“Why?”

When they got back to the room, Bris expressed frustration and spoke as if driven by the sole idea of protecting her master.

“I told you she’s from Aodin, didn’t I?”

“Yeah.”

“She’s lost her position since you appeared. She’s likely harboring grudges. Or she might use the favor of having saved you to exploit you. Always be on guard.”

To Davian’s eyes, Evenel didn’t look like that kind of person. Rather, she seemed indifferent to what others said about her.

“She seemed like a good person though.”

“Don’t be fooled by appearances. Inside, she’s definitely envious of you. Just today, seeing all the gifts you received, she must have been jealous.”

Bris took every opportunity to mock Evenel’s situation. She must have been burning with inner rage to see Davian treated differently than herself.

“You’re not the same just because you have the same abilities. You are far more exceptional, Davian sir. Your mere existence is a light to Carieth.”

“A light, you say?”

Davian was awkward with the unfamiliar praise. It was the first time anyone had shown him such kindness.

He wanted to be acknowledged by everyone with this ability. He never wanted to go back to the miserable past he’d had.

Only the gun Shuher had given her lay in front of Evenel, who sat at her desk. Her eyes were filled with deep contemplation as she looked at it.

“What should I do with this?”

Having heard about the gun from Demil, she couldn’t use it carefree.

‘Should I return it?’
No matter how tempting the gun was, Evenel felt she couldn’t ignore it. After much contemplation, she abruptly stood up from her seat.

“Fine, let’s ask the person involved directly.”

Pondering wouldn’t get her anywhere. It just gave her a headache.

Evenel went to find Emil to inquire whether Shuher had returned to the palace.

“No, he has not returned yet. He’s likely in his office at this time.”

“Is he?”

Upon hearing her words, she headed straight for Shuher’s office. Having visited once before, she had no trouble finding her way. However, she was stopped by the knights guarding the entrance.

“What brings you here?”

“I’ve come to see His Majesty. I heard he’s in his office.”

“Unless you have a prior appointment, you cannot enter.”

“Then could you at least inform His Majesty that I am here?”

“That won’t do. Please leave.”

The knights, who had firmly cut off Evenel’s words, gestured impatiently for her to leave. As Evenel considered simply waiting for Shuher to return, a familiar voice sounded from behind her.

“Evenel?”

“Lord Demil.”

Approaching Evenel, Demil glanced at the knights blocking her path and immediately understood the situation.

“Clear the way. And ensure such rudeness does not happen again.”

Intimidated by Demil’s icy gaze, the knights immediately stepped aside. Ignoring their reactions, Demil spoke.

“I’ll guide you.”

“Thank you.”

Walking down the dimly lit corridor, Evenel glanced at the eerily silent surroundings. It seemed no one else was around, perhaps due to the late hour.

“I wonder if His Majesty is busy.”

“He’s working alone; he should be fine. What business do you have with His Majesty?”

Instead of responding, she showed the gun she had brought.

“I wanted to discuss this. No matter how much I rack my brains, I can’t come up with an answer.”

“Do you plan on returning it?”

“Well, that’s a possibility.”

Demil hadn’t expected her to seek out Shuher so directly, especially when she could have feigned ignorance.

Soon, they arrived in front of Shuher’s office. Demil was about to announce Evenel’s visit.

“Your Majesty.”

“Come in.”

Before Demil could speak, permission was granted. Demil opened the door for her.

“Thank you.”

Evenel, after thanking Demil, entered the office. Nothing much had changed since her last visit, and Shuher was engrossed in his work, not even lifting his head.
She moved quietly towards his desk, not wanting to disturb what seemed to be a serious atmosphere. Yet, even her slight movement seemed to alert Shuher that someone was approaching.

“What is it, Demil?”

Waiting but receiving no answer, he looked up and unexpectedly made eye contact with Evenel Istella. His hand, clutching a pen, flinched slightly.

Though it was not outwardly visible.

“What brings Your Highness here?”

“I’ve come to see you, of course. If you’re busy, I can return to the palace and wait.”

Detecting a special reason for her visit—she had never sought him out before—Shuher stood from his desk and gestured towards a sofa on one side.

“Sit there.”

Without another word, Evenel took her seat opposite him and placed the gun she had been holding onto the table.