Both Cedric and I seemed to recall that scene. He fixed his gaze outside the window and awkwardly pursed his lips.

“At that time, I couldn’t see anything. I thought you were really trying to escape.”

“…”

“And Adrian even left the Dark Mansion today. I heard about it related to the succession of the family.”

I blinked in confusion.

“Adrian went to the family mansion in the Demon Realm today. He reported to me that there’s something related to the family’s succession.”

“…”

“But why is Adrian’s story coming up here?”
Cedric blinked his eyes widely as if someone had caught onto his thoughts.

After such a pause, he opened his mouth again, letting out a few awkward dry coughs.

“By the way, how did you end up deciding to apologize to them? I thought people here had forgotten about it.”

“Do you know about Gray Zone Village?”

Cedric nodded his head.

“Of course. Since they settled here, our family has always supported them. I’ve stayed here quite a few times myself.”

“…”

“As the leader of the mixed-blood vampires, we have an obligation to protect them.”

“I see… That’s fortunate.”

He looked at me, who was smiling slightly.

It was around that time when Cedric’s lips unexpectedly uttered something completely unexpected.

“So, you don’t need to go out of your way to apologize to them, even if it offends you.”

I looked at Cedric with an expression of disbelief.

“…What?”

If it were before, Cedric would have demanded an immediate apology. No, he might not have given Rebecca a chance to apologize.

And yet, he was even taking my feelings of offense into consideration.

But that’s not all.

“If you’re really concerned, I’ll try to turn their hearts around somehow. And if that doesn’t work… I can always send them all back to the Demon Realm.”

Cedric, who considered it his mission to help mixed-blood vampires adapt to the human realm, was suggesting sending them all back to the Demon Realm?

Thinking it was a joke, I raised my head with a faint smile.

“Why would you say something like that, not at all like you…”

However, as I paused with a sudden thought, I stopped speaking.

‘Vincent sometimes pretends to be Cedric and wanders around. Could it be…?’

I glanced at Cedric with a sly look, slightly stepping back as I asked, “Who are you?”

“It’s me, who else?”

“Could you be Vincent Norman?”

“…I’m Cedric Twins.”

Cedric rolled his eyes, muttering, ‘Why does everyone keep mistaking me for Vincent?’ There was no trace of mischief on his face.

“Well, now… If you’re really Cedric and what you just said is sincere, then…”

Cedric simply nodded silently.

‘Cedric saying such things means… he might actually be able to send these people back to the Demon Realm?’

Urgently, I held out both hands.

“Absolutely, absolutely don’t do that! If those people hold even more grudges, what should I do?”

Even if I avoid the Hell Tower punishment for avoiding the Devil’s Peak journey, my fate would only be death if they held even greater resentment.

The moment I shuddered at the mere thought.

The cabin door opened, and Village Chief Deven came in holding a tray with teacups.

“Please have a seat, Your Grace.”

Deven placed the teacups on the table, speaking.

A humble background but a neat and elegant movement that didn’t match. It truly was the appearance of a former manager of the Light Mansion.
It was at that moment when I secretly observed Chief Deven’s movements.

“Your Grace, please come and have a seat. You too, Your…”

Awkward silence lingered around the table where the three people sat facing each other.

“Your Grace, can you really stay in our village? What about all your responsibilities?”

Chief Deven expressed concerns born from his long experience.

However, Cedric, as if it were nothing important, just shrugged his shoulders.

“A day away won’t cripple my duties. I still have outstanding subordinates, don’t I?”

“Of course, but…”

“As long as you don’t cause trouble, I wouldn’t mind staying here on vacation.”

In response to Cedric’s words, Chief Deven kindly smiled.

“If it’s not an inconvenience to Your Grace, you are always welcome in our village.”

The warm smile Chief Deven showed towards Cedric disappeared awkwardly as soon as his gaze met mine.

‘Welcomed by Cedric and Bianca only; I’m definitely not included.’

No matter where I go, it seems this is my fate.

Feeling a bit disheartened, I pursed my lips.

“Well, then, I should guide you to the cabin where you’ll be staying.”

After saying that, Chief Deven untied a leather scroll and spread it out on the table.

On the light brown leather, a detailed map of the village was drawn.

“For both of you…”

Chief Deven’s finger pointed towards the outskirts of the village on the map.

“You can stay together here.”

The cabin he indicated was located closer to the forest than the center of the village, in a very secluded place.

“Here… just the two of Cedric and me?”

I asked, not hiding my bewildered expression.

“Yes, that’s what he said…?”

Speaking as if conveying a decision made by someone else.

Even Chief Deven, who answered, seemed as confused as I was.

It was precisely at that moment, as he was about to rush into an explanation.

“Do that.”

Cedric replied leisurely, nodding his head.

I turned my head slowly towards Cedric, whispering in a hushed tone.

“Cedric, what are you doing right now?”

However, Cedric made no effort to lower his voice.

“What am I doing? The chief suggested it. The leader of this village.”

“That’s true, but…”

“Rebecca, there aren’t many empty cabins here. If we stay separately, there won’t be a place for Bianca and the maids.”

Cedric shrugged nonchalantly, as if there was no other choice.

“So, we have to compromise, don’t we?”

“Um…”

“Moreover…”

He stopped speaking and for a moment, he gazed at me with a certain intention.

At first, the corners of his lips smoothly curled up.

“Sleeping together in one space is quite natural for a couple, isn’t it?”