“Lady Daisy?”

At my call, Daisy looked up, sniffling.

“Lady Rosebelia, is it true that you’re leaving for the monster subjugation?”

“Yes. I was selected for the subjugation list…”

Before I could finish speaking, Daisy’s eyes welled up with tears.

Could she be crying because of me? Because I was chosen for the subjugation list?

Not knowing how to react, I could only twitch my fingertips. All I could do was meet her gaze, which shone like a clear gemstone, with an awkward smile.

“I know you’re strong, Lady Rosebelia, but monsters sound so dangerous… So I’m worried…”

Behind Daisy, who looked like she might burst into tears at any moment, I saw Edwin approaching hesitantly.

“I’ll return safely, so you don’t need to worry. I’ve always done so, and this time I won’t even get a scratch.”

“My lady, as I mentioned earlier, Rose is one of the most skilled in the White Knights. So please don’t be too disheartened.”

Edwin, who was holding a cloak in one arm, said with a bright smile.

“…Rose?”

Daisy’s voice trembled slightly as she repeated the name.

What’s with this reaction?

“Ah, Rose is a nickname for Rosebelia.”

“You two must be close.”

Daisy, who had been in my arms, turned sharply to look at Edwin. Her narrowed eyes and slightly protruding lips showed signs of displeasure.

Could it be that Daisy has already taken an interest in Edwin?

Well, Edwin did leave a good impression on Daisy at the banquet.

“Of course, Rose and I joined the knights at the same time. So we’re quite close.”

Edwin, do you really have any intention of pursuing Daisy?

Calling another woman by a nickname and saying you’re close in front of a girl you like, how do you think Daisy will feel about you!

“Lady Daisy, we’re all close with our fellow recruits, so Edwin and I aren’t particularly closer than others.”

“Ah, I see. Then who are you close with, Lady Rosebelia?”

The sulky expression had disappeared without a trace. As she glanced down, I could see her eyes sparkling almost overwhelmingly.

“I… Well…”

If I had to name someone close to me now…

As I hesitated to answer, I felt Ian, who had been standing quietly beside me like a shadow, glance at me slightly.

What’s with that expectant look?

“Then become close with me, Lady Rosebelia.”

“Pardon?”

Not Edwin?

“Daisy?”

At the sudden interruption, Daisy’s mouth opened slightly in surprise. Emerging from among the members who had been glancing at this place was Renart.

“Elder brother.”

“What brings you here again?”

“Ah, that… I came to bring Lady Rosebelia her cloak.”

Daisy glanced towards Edwin. Edwin responded with a grin, waving the cloak.

Ah, so the cloak Edwin was holding was mine, brought by Daisy.

“You could have asked me to do that.”

“I wanted to come myself since I owe her a favor.”

Daisy, who had now approached Renart, said with her lips slightly protruding. Renart looked down at Daisy quietly for a moment before turning his gaze to me.

“I hope my sister hasn’t caused you any trouble.”

At his lowered voice, Daisy flinched and turned her gaze to me.

“Not at all, I was just having a pleasant conversation with Lady Daisy.”

“Is that so. Then…”

Renart suddenly stopped speaking. Judging by his widened eyes, he seemed to have noticed Ian standing beside me.

“Elder brother?”

Renart, who had been frozen for a moment, turned to look at Daisy with a start. Meanwhile, Ian beside me remained calm.

“Then I’ll take my leave with my sister first.”

“I’ll be going now, Lady Rosebelia.”

“See you again later, Lady Daisy.”

Daisy, who had been looking dejected like a puppy with its tail between its legs, suddenly lifted her head.

“Yes!”

An innocent smile spread across her face as she answered energetically.

How can she be so cute?

“Rose, look at that smile. Isn’t it beautiful?”

Edwin, who had silently moved next to me, muttered.

“Indeed.”

Amidst all the chaos, one thing I could be certain of was that Daisy had no interest in Ian.

Daisy didn’t spare even a single glance or the slightest bit of attention to Ian, who was right next to me.

That means, at least in this life, Daisy won’t suffer from unrequited love for Ian.

To manage Daisy’s condition so it doesn’t worsen, at least not more than it is now…

“I wonder if I can see her again?”

As I watched Daisy’s retreating figure in the distance, I slowly shifted my gaze to Edwin.

Edwin and Daisy.

It would be nice if there was a reason for them to meet…

Daisy, who needs regular exercise, and Edwin, with his injured ankle.

“Perhaps…”

“Hm?”

“It might be possible.”

I grinned at Edwin, who was tilting his head in confusion.

*

The clattering of horse hooves was particularly irritating. As Olivia pressed her forehead, Margaret, sitting next to her, looked at her complexion with worried eyes.

“My lady, are you very uncomfortable?”

“A little.”

Occasionally, she would get headaches like today after visiting her cousin and current empress, Evelyn.

“Should I tell the coachman to go a bit slower?”

“It’s not that bad. It would be better to get to the mansion quickly.”

She tried to divert her attention to the scenery outside the carriage, but the headache persisted. Olivia closed her eyes tightly and let out a faint sigh.

‘Olivia, you’re still conscious of the former marchioness.’

‘Your Majesty, I…’

‘You’re the one in that position now. You’ve been protecting it well for a long time.’

‘…’

‘The dead have no power. So now, try to be a little more at ease.’

‘It’s not that I’m conscious of her, it’s that she’s bothersome. Liliana may be dead, but her daughter remains, strutting around the mansion.’

Olivia had sensed it from the moment she first saw young Rosebelia. That child would be a thorn in her side.

If she had resembled Herman even a little, she might have embraced her. But Rosebelia was the spitting image of Liliana from head to toe.

As she grew, her beauty blossomed, and at times, Rosebelia and Liliana seemed to overlap.

Every time she faced those brilliant blonde hair and green eyes, Olivia had to rationalize to herself.

That this position wasn’t something she stole. That she had merely reclaimed her rightful place.

‘That child’s name was Rosebelia, wasn’t it? She must be of marriageable age by now.’

‘Yes. I’m thinking of marrying her off soon.’

‘That’s a very good idea. Olivia, you need to become a wiser marchioness. For our Riley family too.’

‘Yes, Your Majesty.’

‘Remember what I always tell you? A long tail gets stepped on. So you mustn’t act hastily. Always keep in mind how you were able to grasp that position.’

Evelyn used to tell her habitually. That a long tail gets stepped on. That she shouldn’t act hastily.

That’s why she had endured until now. But she felt like she was being driven to her limits.

Every time she saw Rosebelia, she felt suffocated. It was extremely unpleasant, as if facing Liliana who had come back to life.

“Margaret.”

“Yes, my lady.”

“Remember what I talked about before? We need to proceed with that quickly.”

“Understood.”

*

Ian tapped the table with his fingertips. Despite his calm expression, there was a hint of anxiety in the sound.

“Your Highness, why did you call for a royal researcher who studies monsters?”

“I have something to ask.”

As soon as Ian returned from the knights’ quarters, he summoned one of the royal researchers. Officially belonging to the department researching monsters, but unofficially having shown long-term interest in aurors.

“You’re not planning to go on the monster subjugation, are you? If His Majesty finds out…”

“He’s not one to stop me if I say I’m going.”

“That may be true, but isn’t it too dangerous?”

“Are you worried about me? Or are you worried about having to handle the work alone?”

At Ian’s playful question, Nathan hurriedly waved his hands.

“Of course, I’m worried about Your Highness…”

It was then that a knock sounded through the First Prince’s office. At Ian’s nod, Nathan immediately stood up and opened the door.

Standing at the door was a man with long purple hair tied back.

“I greet the First Prince.”

“Come in.”

The man pushed up his glasses and stepped into the office.

“For what reason did you call for me, Your Highness?”

“I heard that while you officially belong to the department researching monsters, you’ve had a long-standing interest in aurors. Is that correct?”

“Yes, that’s right. I am Vincent Glaser, a royal researcher.”