The previously quiet Esper Castle became noisy with preparations to welcome unwelcome guests. Security was especially strengthened.

“……”

Irene, who was heading to the library after lunch, looked down at fully armed knights passing by outside the window. Judging by their attire, it seemed they were going to war rather than standing guard.

Irene was well aware that the relationship between the temple and the Esper family was not good.

More precisely, the temple side was persecuting the Esper family by spreading all sorts of bad rumors, such as that their bloodline had given birth to monsters or that they enjoyed killing.

So she understood why Kalos disliked and was wary of the temple, but was it necessary to be fully armed?

If the priests sent by the temple saw this, they might misunderstand that the Esper family wanted to go to war with the temple.

“What’s wrong, miss?”

When Jessie, who was walking ahead, asked, Irene shook her head.

“It’s nothing.”

That man must have his reasons for doing this. Although she was worried, Irene thought it wasn’t her place to comment on such matters as an outsider, so she headed back to the library.

Upon arriving at the library, Jessie asked,

“You’ll be staying in the library until evening again today, right?”

“I think so.”

“Then would it be alright if I step out for a moment? I have something I need to do.”

It used to be an excuse before, but this time it was real. Jessie was also busy because of the unwelcome guests arriving.

“Of course. Please go ahead.”

“I’ll be back shortly. Don’t go anywhere before I return.”

Jessie left after earnestly requesting this.

Irene entered the library and naturally sat down on the sofa. The book she had been reading yesterday was neatly placed on the coffee table.

It was a romance novel.

After hearing from Kalos that she needed to pretend to love him, Irene looked for books related to romance, including romance novels.

Because she had never been in love before. Because she didn’t know how to act.

Because only someone who has experienced being loved could love someone else.

Irene studied her best to understand what love was, knowing that she couldn’t deceive the priests with clumsy acting, nor could she clear her false accusation of being a witch.

Although she clearly studied to understand what it was, the more she did, the more she felt lost in a maze.

Because loving someone was too difficult. The way people expressed love was also different for each person.

“I should express it actively, right?”

Because she needed to appeal to the priests that she liked Kalos.

But if she expressed it too actively, it would look artificial, so she would need to adjust the intensity properly…

“It’s too difficult.”

I wonder what that man is planning to do.

Irene suddenly became curious about Kalos’s plan. She also wanted to follow what he did.

“Should I ask him when I meet him in the evening?”

What if things get awkward after asking?

A light knock sound woke Irene from her reverie.

“Come in.”

She thought it was Jessie, but unexpectedly, the person who opened the door and entered was Dewey.

“The master is looking for you.”

…Ah, it’s not Dewey but Deuce.

They looked so alike that it was hard to tell them apart at first glance.

“Let’s go.”

Though his tone was polite, his gaze towards Irene was cold. It was mixed with irritation and contempt.

Why is this man so…

“Do you dislike me?”

Oops, I should have just thought that in my head.

Irene, who had blurted it out without realizing, covered her mouth with her hand and glanced at Deuce.

Fortunately, there was no change in Deuce’s expression. His irritated gaze remained the same.

“Let’s go.”

After saying that, Deuce went out of the library first. At his perfect ignore, Irene reddened her earlobes and hurriedly followed him.

*

The place where Deuce stopped after walking for a while was a room located at the end of the west corridor on the 4th floor.

This is… the Grand Duke’s bedroom, isn’t it?

Recalling what Jessie had told her before, Irene looked at the door with elaborate patterns drawn on it, slightly surprised.

Deuce glanced at her and then knocked.

“Master. I’ve brought her.”

“Come in.”

Creak, Deuce opened the door and nodded at her as if telling her to go in.

Irene didn’t want to enter another person’s bedroom, especially a man’s, but she reluctantly stepped in.

As she entered the bedroom, she saw Kalos sitting comfortably on the sofa and Dewey standing straight behind him.

Dewey’s face, which had been greeting Irene with a friendly eye smile, hardened when he noticed Deuce entering behind her.

A strange and heavy atmosphere flowed between the two.

Caught between them, Irene looked back and forth between Dewey and Deuce in bewilderment. Weren’t they twins? Are they not on good terms?

“Have you studied a bit?”

When Kalos asked, Irene finally looked at him.

“Jessie said you were reading romance novels diligently.”

Did Jessie mention that too? Irene smiled awkwardly.

“I’m studying hard.”

“Love isn’t something you can learn by studying.”

“……”

“But I suppose it’s better than not doing anything.”

Kalos answered indifferently and then flicked his hand. It meant to come closer.

As Irene cautiously approached, Kalos grabbed her hand as if snatching it.

“Ah.”

A short scream rang out. Irene’s small mouth gaped open as she ended up sitting on his thigh in her confusion.

“Wh-what……”

“When the priests arrive, we might have to do more than this.”

More than this? For a moment, a fantasy flashed through her mind, causing her golden eyes to shake greatly.

“So from now on, let’s practice to get used to it.”

“Th-there’s no need to practice… eek.”

Irene made a strange sound and stiffened her body when Kalos’s hand touched her waist.

Finding it amusing, Kalos laughed out loud.

“You’re freezing up at just this much, do you think you’ll be able to respond calmly when the priests come without practicing?”

“……”

Irene closed her mouth, unable to confidently answer yes.

Meanwhile, she was very conscious of the parts of her body that were in contact with him, and her gaze kept dropping down. When she slightly moved her hips, hot breath spread over her head.

“It’s troublesome if you keep moving like that.”

What’s troublesome? As Irene turned back curiously, Kalos smiled as if laughing slightly.

“You’re innocent.”

Who? Are you saying I’m innocent?

“I’m not innocent. I’m an adult.”

“I know.”

Though I don’t believe it. Saying that, Kalos released his hand gripping Irene’s waist.

Irene didn’t miss that opportunity and quickly stood up from her seat.

At that moment, there was a knock. Deuce, who had been standing by the door, went out instead.

“Master.”

Deuce’s expression was serious when he returned.

“The pigeons have just entered the territory, he says.”

There was a reason for his serious expression. Dewey’s expression also darkened.

“They’ve arrived already, have they?”

On the other hand, Kalos laughed cheerfully. Though his eyes were cold.

“Dewey. Welcome them grandly. And check on what I told you before.”

“Understood.”

“Deuce, you keep watch so they don’t do anything reckless.”

“By your command.”

As the twins left, Irene was about to follow and leave, but Kalos held her back.

“From today, your bedroom is here.”

“What?”

So, does this mean I’m sleeping here from today?

In the same bed as him?

Irene’s gaze naturally turned towards the bed. Unlike Irene’s bed with all sorts of elaborate decorations including lace canopy, Kalos’s bed was simple but much larger. It seemed like several grown men could sleep in it without any problem.

Right. That’s not a problem, but sleeping in the same bed as him is the problem.

Irene’s eyes, staring at the bed, shook greatly.

Of course, she knew that Kalos didn’t say this with any strange intentions. Everything was to clear her false accusation.

She knew that but… still, she was reluctant. She also wondered if it was really necessary to go this far.

‘Should I say something?’

But would he listen to me if I spoke up? He’d probably scold me for saying useless things.

Just like other people did.

“If you have something to say, don’t hesitate to say it.”

At Kalos’s additional words, Irene’s wavering heart leaned to one side.

“I don’t think we need to share a bedroom. Just because we’re in love doesn’t mean we have to share a bedroom…”

Irene expressed her opinion, tightly gripping her skirt with her hands that had become damp from nervousness.

“Of course it would look like we’re a couple, but… it might seem too showy and make the priests think strangely.”

“Is that so.”

Kalos thought for a moment and then nodded indifferently.

“Alright. We’ll do as you say.”

Oh my. My opinion was accepted.

“Then I should prepare to welcome the pigeons. You’ll have to meet the pigeons soon too, so go and get ready now. Jessie will come too.”

“Yes.”

After greeting Kalos and coming out, Irene stood in front of the closed bedroom door and put her hand on her chest. An unfamiliar sensation she had never experienced before welled up in her chest.

“Maybe he’s… not as bad a person as I thought.”

Once again inadvertently voicing her inner thoughts, Irene covered her mouth with her hand.

After quickly looking around to confirm no one was there, she headed to her bedroom with quick steps.

*

Not long after, a report came in that the priests had entered Esper Castle.

Although preparations were already complete, Kalos didn’t immediately go to welcome them, but leisurely drank tea.

By the time the steam rising from the tea had disappeared and even the teapot that had been warmed up had cooled, his bottom that had been stuck to the sofa finally lifted.

Dewey followed behind Kalos as he headed to the audience chamber where the priests were waiting.

“I checked, but it doesn’t seem to be related to that person.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

Then is this an independent move by the temple?

I thought he must be involved because their actions were too outrageous for that, but it seems I was mistaken.

“Still, keep watching just in case.”

“Understood.”

As they talked, they had already arrived at the audience chamber. When Kalos entered, the waiting priests all turned to look at them at once.

Perhaps due to the long journey, signs of fatigue were evident on the priests’ faces. The resentful looks were because Kalos had left them waiting for several hours.

Kalos neatly ignored the pouring gazes and sat in the seat of honor. A middle-aged man at the forefront of the priest delegation bowed his head in greeting.

“As a faithful servant of Paradeigma, I, Trope, pay my respects to the esteemed Grand Duke Kalos Dun Esper.”

Priests had no surnames because they belonged to the temple rather than their families when they became priests.

Kalos acknowledged the greeting with a slight nod of his head and sat back crookedly. It was clearly not a welcoming attitude.

The priests meeting Kalos for the first time were displeased by his attitude, but not Trope. He continued speaking indifferently, as if used to it.

“Thank you for personally welcoming us despite our sudden visit. May the blessing of the Lord…”

“That’s enough.”

Kalos flicked his hand as if he didn’t want to hear unnecessary words.

“What’s the matter?”

“……”

This time Trope hesitated for a moment, as if offended, but soon bowed his head and answered.

“The reason we have come is none other than because of the witch that Your Grace is keeping.”

Unlike his monotone voice with no highs or lows, Trope’s eyes were resolute when he raised his head.

“The principle is to burn witches at the stake as soon as they are found. So please hand over that witch to us.”