And since she was hungry, eating one wouldn’t be a problem. Irene picked up the sandwich.

“It’s delicious.”

The crisp lettuce and all sorts of vegetables, the salty ham and sweet sauce all harmonized together, reigniting her absent appetite.

Irene ate the sandwich deliciously, even forgetting that Carlos was beside her.

“…..”

It was only after finishing the sandwich that Irene realized Carlos was staring at her. Her face stiffened, as if the pieces of sandwich she had just swallowed were stuck in her throat. Her chest felt stuffy.

“Do you want more?”

Thinking she was still hungry, Zerden was about to give her another sandwich when Carlos stopped him.

“Enough.”

Carlos turned his head and looked at Irene.

“If you’re done eating, you may go.”

At Carlos’ cold dismissal, Zerden clicked his tongue, but Irene happily got up from her seat.

“Then, I’ll take my leave.”

As Irene politely said goodbye and stepped back, Jessie followed her.

As soon as the greenhouse door closed, Zerden asked Carlos,

“Weren’t you going to treat her kindly?”

Taken aback by the sudden question, Carlos looked at him, and Zerden elaborated.

“You said that for the flower to bloom sooner, she needs to open her heart to you. But instead of being kind, it’s like a cold wind is blowing, so I’m asking.”

“As far as I’m concerned, this is treating her kindly.”

Zerden wore an incredulous expression.

“Based on what?”

Carlos answered as if it were obvious.

“I saved her from a life-threatening situation and cleared her name of being a witch. Besides, I’m taking care of her without lacking anything. Isn’t that kind enough?”

That’s true. Carlos wasn’t someone who would show such favor to just anyone.

Considering his usual temperament, he was being quite kind to Irene, but….

“That’s… strictly according to your standards.”

Although Carlos frowned at the reply, he didn’t interrupt Zerden. He rather leaned back on the chair and placed his hands on his knees, as if asking him to continue.

“She won’t think the same way.”

Zerden spoke slowly.
You saw it earlier too, Master. The woman looked like a fragile rabbit placed in front of a ferocious predator, trembling while watching Master’s expressions. If she thought Master was a kind and good person, she wouldn’t have been so scared.

“It must be because of yesterday.”

Irene had witnessed him kill someone, so it was natural for her to be scared of him.

“So, did the woman normally not fear you, Master?”

“….”

Faced with the returned question, Callis closed his mouth and recollected his memories.

Soon, a deep furrow appeared on his forehead, as if Jardin was indicating him to notice it.

“So she has been afraid of you, Master?”

Callis responded in a low voice, as if he was stung by the truth.

“….Humans have always been afraid of me.”

“Well, of course.”

Jardin folded his arms, propped his chin, and looked into the air.

“When I first saw you, Master, I was so scared I couldn’t speak and trembled.”

Jardin met Callis about 13 years ago when he was just 10 years old.

Even adults feared the infamous Duke Esper. Meeting him directly, the young child was so afraid of Callis that he abandoned food and drink for days.

While ordinary children would usually be comforted with sweet treats or toys, Callis did not. He did not show even a sliver of interest and completely neglected him.

Ironically, Callis’s behavior assuaged Jardin’s anxiety and fear.

The lack of interest meant he had no intent to kill him.

Moreover, other nobles exerted themselves to appeal to Jardin, the future Emperor, but Callis was different, which was refreshing.

Curiosity soon turned into interest. Jardin gradually opened up to Callis and became the only royal who didn’t fear and followed Callis well.

Perhaps that’s why. Callis, who despised humans, did not ignore or reject Jardin.

“Living in the palace, I’ve met all sorts of people and I’m quick to catch on, so I knew right away that you’re not a bad person, Master… but she doesn’t.”

“….”

“So if you want to open her heart, please be kinder to her than you are to me or your subordinates. It’s okay to go to great lengths to be nice to her.”

Considering Callis’s usual demeanor, that was only average.

While Jardin had been talking, Callis, who had been quietly observing him, turned his head to look at the place where Irene had been sitting.

An image of Irene looking at him with eyes full of fear flashed in his mind.

He had already been concerned that he seemed to have reverted to the way he was when he first met her, and Jardin’s pointing it out made it more irksome.

“You should quickly regain what you’ve lost.”

At Jardin’s advisory addendum, Callis narrowed his eyes and then opened them, nodding his head.

“I’ll try.”