He was surprised at the sudden appearance of Cehirus.

In fact, I had a lot of thoughts about whether to talk about it or not. However, if it’s Caritos, it should be okay. That he gave me strength. And that I won’t be able to see him for a while. After saying that, it was easier to talk about Ken and Ron.

Because he is a friend, I could say it as much as Caritos believes in me. By the time we finished such conversations, we walked very slowly towards the room where the daycare center director was.

“That’s how it happened. So, the children are begging like that.”

“Ah… He’s such an unpleasant person. From start to finish… Really…”

“Caritos… Do you think of Cehirus as a friend too?”

“A jerk who only thinks about his own interests is not a friend. How can someone who breaks up without saying a word be a friend? But later… that cat like Cehirus said… I want to see it too. I’ll grow a lot of furballs. Bad guy.”

I thought we would get along if we spoke informally. Caritos exhaled deeply, as if expressing the word “no” with his whole body.

“Yeah. Let’s go together. After everything is over.”

“Yes.”

“And, like Cehirus did, call Caritos my name comfortably. Isabella is fine, and Bella is fine too.”

Originally, I thought Caritos would agree right away, but he shook his head vigorously. Nope. It seemed like he was expressing the word “no” with his whole body.

“What does Lian say?”

“Yes. He says really bad things. More than not supporting our side, more than not being able to do bigger things… he says more.”

Seemingly fed up, he shivered all over his body.

“…I got it. Since you’re so serious about it… I can’t help it.”

But pretending not to mind, Lian… He seemed to express his feelings well everywhere.

“I prefer to be called Empress Mama.”

“Okay, Caritos. And let the director take care of Lecel until she, no, the princess comes. She might try to contact someone. Don’t worry.”

“Don’t worry about safety. She may be in the temple for safety, but she probably won’t give up hope until the end. In the Emperor’s side, she seems to have already been abandoned… but… on the other side, there still seems to be hope.”

“Don’t worry. It’s probably fate. Digging behind someone.”

Caritos, who had been talking happily, awkwardly nodded his head, then walked briskly ahead.

“Let’s go. Where should we go?”

Perhaps because he was embarrassed, his arms and legs were quite awkward. Smiling, I passed him and walked ahead. That way, we reached the front of the reception room where we had come to the director of the daycare center.

When Charity, who was in front of the room, saw us, she made quite a strong face. It seems like something happened.

“He’s inside now.”

“Just seeing ‘now’ makes me feel…”

“As expected of Empress Mama’s expectations. I’ll report it later.”

As soon as the conversation ended, she opened the door. Unlike when we left, the daycare center director moved around the room with a somewhat uneasy expression.

“Do you have a pricking thing? Why can’t you stay still like a quiet puppy?”

“Empress Mama… No, why like a quiet puppy…”

“If you don’t want to look like that, just stay still. Or did something pricking happen?”

“Ah, no. I just… hehe…”

She refused to speak while scratching her head. Since there wasn’t any particular question to hear the answer, I nodded my head.

“The deputy chief has come. Follow him.”

“Ah…!”

Only then did she see Caritos behind me, and her face turned pale.

“Thank you.”
“There’s nothing to be thankful for.”

“Yes?”

“I give as much as I receive. Anyway, since you also gave me information, it’s only right for me to ensure your safety.”

Of course, it wasn’t what it sounded like. It was surveillance disguised as protection.

So, I purposely didn’t ask about things related to Beatrice. She also seemed reluctant to talk about those things.

She subtly conveyed through her actions that she hadn’t let go of Beatrice’s influence yet.

“Oh, I see.”

Whether it was because the situation was pushed to the extreme or she had fallen into different thoughts, the daycare center director seemed unable to grasp the other intent behind my words.

“Then, let’s go. Empress Mama.”

“Yes.”

She briefly met eyes with Caritos. Caritos’s impression was overall gentle. However, probably due to what he had experienced, the director seemed to fear such Caritos.

Still, with the thought of following him, she awkwardly greeted Caritos and stuck close behind him.

“Then, go with Caritos and make sure to bring that person safely. Since the moment that person’s safety is compromised is determined by your words.”

“Ah… Yes.”

Seeming to have something to say, she distanced herself like that.

As they left quietly, Charity approached as soon as they went out, and the door closed.

“Empress Mama.”

“What were you investigating?”

“I investigated various things. Whenever I said I wanted to go outside because the room was stuffy, I seemed to be inspecting the entire Star Palace.”

“The entire Star Palace…”