Crackling, the paper in my hand crumpled hopelessly. I foolishly asked,

“…Huh?”

“The languages used in Elbas and Eros are surprisingly the same. Just a slight difference in accent. But the characters are different. For you, who have come from Elbas, to effortlessly read a complicated text written in Eros characters in just a month is logically impossible…”

Asphayren scanned me with a meaningful look. I could feel my extremities growing cold.

Pointing at the report I had just submitted, Asphayren spoke.

“Moreover, the report you’ve submitted is written in Eros characters. Even the spelling is perfect. Unless you’ve known Eros characters from the beginning, this doesn’t make sense. What do you think about this?”

It felt as if a cold wind was blowing in the room. Despite all windows being shut tight and the room being under temperature-control magic.

Three sets of eyes shot at me, embedding into my forehead. Cold sweat trickled down the back of my neck. The characters of Elbas and Eros are different?

…Now that I think about it, that’s true. I had automatically been able to read and write the characters without realizing. I wasn’t stupid.

‘Damn it, damn it.’

All three people in this room doubt my identity. How…how should I fix this?

My brain froze. Total panic. Eventually, I started babbling as naturally as I could.

“I…how would I know how to read Eros characters? Even I’m not sure about the reason.”

“Not sure?”

“Maybe the clue lies in my lost memories… So I formulated a hypothesis. Could I perhaps be the daughter of a scholarly family?”

“…”

“As you know, just like people from Elbas come to Eros, there are also people from Eros who go to Elbas. Maybe my family obtained and researched information about Eros from them…”

I stopped talking. Even to me, everything sounded absurd.

But I can’t very well blurt out, ‘Actually, I’m a possessor. I possess the ability to be proficient in all languages.’

The only thing I can honestly say right now is…just one thing.

I tightly closed my eyes and tossed aside the natural act I had been putting on.

The mask I had been forcefully wearing was torn off, causing my shoulders to slump down. I gripped my clenched hands and hesitantly opened my mouth.

“I know…it might seem suspicious. However, my Lord, my sole aim in life right now is to be even a tiny help to you.”

“…”

“You saved my life, gave me a place, gave me a name. From that moment, I’ve decided to live for you. I will never harm you or Loarkin.”

While reading , I always wished for Asphayren’s happiness. It’s still the same now.

That’s why I’m quietly obeying the order to marry him off; I want Asphayren to find love and be happy.

If the mission given to me were something that would harm him, like killing Asphayren or dethroning him, I wouldn’t comply even if threatened with death.

Will you realize that my sincerity wishes for your happiness more than anyone else’s?

Asphayren stared at me with his unreadable, deep blue eyes. I hesitantly, but directly, met his gaze.

A moment of silence.

Soon, Asphayren let out a soft sigh. He flicked his finger as if calling me closer. I timidly approached him.

As I got near him, Asphayren reached out to lightly pinch the tip of my nose and let go.

I opened my eyes wide.

“My Lord?”

“I understand.”

“Huh?”

He raised the corners of his lips in response to my puzzled question.
“I know you won’t harm me, that you genuinely wish to follow me. I wasn’t questioning out of doubt, but out of mere curiosity. If you don’t know, then that’s fine.”

“Alright.”

“Now go ahead. You are free to use the library.”

Before I could ask anything, Asphayren issued an eviction charm. Led by the sorcerer’s hand, I was politely ushered out of the office.

“Wait…!”

Thud. The large, white door closed with a heavy sound.

I nervously looked up at the door, scratching my head.

“Is it settled…?”

“Do you trust her?”

Kiara, who had been quietly staring at the tightly closed door, asked. Asphayren picked up the report that Shuria had submitted and replied.

“I do find her suspicious in many ways.”

Asphayren’s finger lightly flicked the report. A faint crease appeared on the paper filled with tiny writing.

He stared at the distorted text for a moment before finishing his sentence.

“But I do trust her.”

If one looked into her eyes, anyone would have to trust her.

Those sparkling brown eyes seemed capable of discovering beauty anywhere in the world.

Gazing into those eyes filled with self-belief, one couldn’t help but feel that everything would turn out fine.

If you were to receive that look, ready to share love unreservedly, you’d feel fully accepted.

Her eyes emitted light like the dawn and were so incredibly tender and warm. No one could easily fake that.

Someone with those eyes couldn’t possibly harm another.

So, Asphayren decided to trust Shuria.

Asphayren, putting down the report, asked his closest aides,

“What about you two? Do you think she should be expelled?”

Kiara and Canis looked at each other. Canis answered first.