“Finally, they’ve come. What does that mean?”

It didn’t seem to be referring to Abel.

From the tone and content alone, it sounded like a welcome figure they had been waiting for had arrived, but judging by the expression, that wasn’t the case.

Who could Kalos be talking about with such conflicting attitudes?

After pondering for a while, Dewey soon deduced the answer.

“The pigeons sent from the temple have arrived.”

More precisely, it was the delegation sent to investigate the monster riot incident that occurred during the Poyeonje.

They had tried to delay them as much as possible to prevent them from clashing with Abel, but it seems they have now arrived.

But how did Kalos know about this?

Could it be?

“Did you keep an eye on the inner city checkpoint?”

Kalos answered with a slight smile.

His power had already weakened considerably, which was worrying, yet he used it on such trivial matters.

“Master.”

When Dewey called out somewhat reproachfully, Kalos smiled more brightly.

“This much is nothing, so don’t worry.”

But when Dewey still couldn’t erase the worried expression, he added:

“I’m really fine. If need be, I can always take power from that woman.”

…But you don’t do that.

Even when your legs became translucent last time from using too much power, you could have quickly recovered by taking power from Irene, but you didn’t.

“I understand.”

Dewey swallowed the words he couldn’t say and replied.

Kalos continued speaking.

“An investigative delegation sent by the imperial side has also arrived, so we should greet them together.”

While delaying their timely arrival, the imperial delegation and the priestly delegation had separated midway.

So I thought they would arrive separately, but they came together. This was somewhat unexpected.

“Then shall we bring them all into Esper Castle?”

“No. Let’s greet them both at the inner city checkpoint.”

The corners of Kalos’s mouth smoothly turned upward.

“Make sure to bring gifts for the pigeons as well.”

*

“……”

Irene, who woke up as naturally as the sun setting and the moon rising, slowly opened her eyes.

She saw an unfamiliar ceiling with intricate patterns engraved on it.

Because it was an unfamiliar sight and the drowsiness hadn’t completely faded, it took a moment for Irene to realize where she was.

“That man’s bedroom…”

Soon grasping her situation, Irene checked the space beside her.

The pillow was neatly placed just as it had been before she fell asleep.

It was evidence that Kalos had not returned in the end.

In other words, it meant she hadn’t slept in the same bed with him, which should have been something to be happy about, but for some reason, she didn’t feel happy at all.

“……”

Rather, the sharp pain that kept pricking one side of her chest seemed to grow larger, causing Irene to frown as she got up.

Then she drew back the curtains and opened the window.

Dazzling sunlight shone down on her head.

Judging by how high the sun was in the sky, it didn’t seem to be morning.

What time is it now?

Irene tried to check the exact time, but there was no clock to be seen anywhere.

How come there’s no clock visible in the room?

Irene wanted to look around more, but it didn’t seem right to rummage through someone else’s room, so she didn’t.

Instead, she pulled the bell cord.

This is Kalos’s bedroom, so if I call for a servant, Dewey or someone who serves him should come.

“Did you call, miss?”

Contrary to her expectations, Jessie appeared, which surprised Irene slightly but also reassured her.

Although she had been staying at Esper Castle for quite some time now, she was still uncomfortable with people other than Jessie.

If she had to name one more person who was somewhat okay, it would probably be Dewey.

“What time is it now?”

“It’s twelve o’clock.”

As I thought, it’s not morning.

Still, twelve o’clock means I slept in late.

It shouldn’t matter much that I slept in since I don’t have anything particular to do anyway, but I felt bad about breaking the promise to have breakfast with Kalos twice now.

And it was all because I overslept and couldn’t keep the promise.

Even if Kalos were to reprimand me for this, I’d have nothing to say.

Though if I actually faced him and had breakfast, it might just sit heavily in my stomach.

“Did His Grace not say to wake me up?”

When Irene asked cautiously, Jessie shook her head.

“Not at all. Rather, he said not to wake you so you could sleep soundly.”

“I see.”

She knew it was an action meant to be considerate of her.

She knew, but… why does my heart hurt like this?

Irene bit her lip hard as she sat on the windowsill.

At first, she didn’t know the identity of the emotion that kept pricking her heart, but now she thought she understood.

She felt disappointed and let down.

That he had kissed her twice and then left her alone, disappearing without a word.

That he had brought her to his bedroom as if he would stay by her side, but didn’t return all night.

That his instruction not to wake her so she could sleep soundly felt like distancing disguised as kindness.

Fearing that he might suggest eating breakfast separately like dinner

…And that he might say she was no longer needed and should leave Esper Castle.

“……”

Along with all sorts of delusions, the swelling feeling of disappointment stimulated Irene’s tear ducts.

“Ah, miss!”

When Irene finally burst into tears, Jessie flustered tried to comfort her.

*

After crying for a long time and finally calming down, the first thing Irene asked about was Kalos’s whereabouts.

Jessie hesitated whether to tell her, as it seemed like she would rush to meet him right away if told.

“Please tell me, Jessie.”

When Irene pleaded with a tear-stained face, Jessie couldn’t firmly refuse and ended up telling her.

“Right now, the master is at the inner city checkpoint greeting the delegation.”

“The delegation…?”

“Yes. The imperial court and the temple have sent delegations to investigate the truth behind the Poyeonje incident.”

Irene recalled Kalos mentioning before that the priests would be coming soon.

And that even if she didn’t like it, she should greet them together as his lover.

But he went alone to meet them.

I’m no longer needed.

“I see.”

Irene was deeply saddened, but she smiled as if nothing was wrong.

It was partly because she didn’t want Jessie to worry if she showed it, but

She also held back because she felt like she would burst into tears again the moment she revealed her emotions.

However, that appearance only made her look even more pitiful.

“Miss…”

Jessie had grown fond of Irene like a younger sister, so seeing her like this made her feel even more sorry.

It seemed like something she didn’t know about had happened between Kalos and Irene last night.

If she could even guess what it was, she could offer some clumsy words of comfort, but she had no idea, so she couldn’t even do that.

This is driving me crazy. What should I do at times like this?

As Jessie was at a loss for what to do, Irene gently took her hand, and she looked at her.

“……”

A look in her eyes saying she had something to say.

But as if it was difficult to say, she only moved her lips without speaking.

Although Irene’s attitude was a bit frustrating, Jessie waited patiently.

She had a rough idea of what Irene might ask.

No doubt she’s going to ask if she can meet Kalos.

Then I’ll have to soothe her, saying it’s not possible now, but I’ll ask later when he returns.

Irene isn’t as stubborn as the previous women, so she’ll probably accept if I say that.

…Or so she thought.

“Um… would it be possible to see His Grace’s friend?”

When a completely unexpected question came out, Jessie forgot everything she had been thinking and stared at Irene with a dumbfounded expression.

Thinking that Jessie hadn’t heard her because her voice was too soft, Irene spoke more clearly and distinctly.

“I’d like to meet His Grace’s friend.”

*

At the same time Irene and Jessie were talking,

Kalos was greeting the delegation sent by the temple in the conference room of the inner city checkpoint.

The appearance of the delegation, who had endured a long journey and unexpectedly lost a colleague in an accident, was quite shabby.

If not for the high quality of the clothes they were wearing, no one would have dared to think they were priests or holy knights.

The delegation, exhausted both mentally and physically to such an extent, had planned to rest comfortably at Esper Castle while receiving Kalos’s hospitality.

“…Are you saying we should find our own lodgings?”

When Kalos made a strange remark, Albard, the current representative of the temple delegation, asked back in disbelief.

Kalos nodded with a clear smile.

“That’s right.”

He thought he had heard wrong, but it wasn’t the case.

Albard, as well as his fellow priests and holy knights, murmured in bewilderment.

Albard protested strongly.

“We are a delegation sent to investigate the truth of the Poyeonje incident! How can you treat us so poorly!”

Kalos, seated at the head of the table, tilted his head askew.

“Who asked you to come investigate?”

At the chilling voice that sent shivers down their spines, Albard froze with his eyes wide open.

The priests and holy knights who had been grumbling about how this wasn’t right and how this couldn’t be, all fell silent at once.

“I never asked you to come investigate. Moreover, I never gave permission for you to enter my domain.”

As the spine-chilling gaze fell upon them, they all bowed their heads and avoided his gaze without anyone taking the lead.

“Yet you came on your own. So why should I entertain you?”

“T-That’s…”

“Last time, I overlooked when the temple side falsely accused my innocent lover of being a witch and even held a witch trial.”

Bang—!

As Kalos slammed his fist on the table, the solid oak table split with a crack.

Is this truly human strength? The priests and holy knights were all taken aback.

“And now you try to disrespect me again with such actions. How long must I endure your rudeness?”

“D-Disrespect? That’s not at all—”

Feeling a terror that his head might fly off if this continued, Albard stammered an excuse.

“W-We just wanted to investigate the truth… so that Your Grace wouldn’t be falsely accused…”

Kalos snorted and rang a bell.

Then servants waiting outside came in carrying a coffin and placed it on the table where they were sitting.

“Can you still say that after seeing this?”

With a flick of Kalos’s hand, the lid of the coffin slid open.

Inside the coffin lay Sergio’s corpse, neatly arranged.

At first glance, he looked like an ordinary person, but the identity tag placed on his neatly folded hands and the holy power that hadn’t disappeared even after death proved that Sergio was a priest.

The faces of the priests and holy knights who confirmed Sergio’s corpse turned even more pale.

Some lost the strength in their bodies and couldn’t even sit properly in their chairs, sliding down to the floor.

“This man is a priest who dared to sneak into Esper territory without my permission.”

The purple eyes looking at them were as eerie as the demons guarding the gates of hell described in the scriptures.

“I think you sent this priest… Am I mistaken?”