Move, then stop, take another step forward, then retreat.

The sound of someone coming and going had been irritating me for a while.

But since dealing with it was more troublesome, Veronica pretended not to notice.

The presence that had been hesitating for a long time soon moved as if mustering courage.

“Miss Hardness!”

Magnolia appeared, calling out loudly. Veronica gave her an indifferent glance.

“Oh, what a coincidence.”

“…”

It didn’t seem like a coincidence at all. Honestly, there was no need to call it a coincidence. How many places were there to go in this duke’s mansion?

Veronica glanced once at the face that was clearly tense, then focused again on her sword training.

“You’re practicing swordsmanship, I see!”

“Yes.”

“Shall we do it together?!”

With an extremely awkward attitude, Magnolia picked up one of the weapons nearby.

But of all things, she picked up an axe. Veronica noticed the thin wrist peeking out from the long-spreading sleeve.

“You shouldn’t handle it carelessly.”

“Ah, I’m sorry!”

Magnolia instantly let go of her grip. As the axe clattered loudly to the floor, she became even more flustered.

Sighing, Veronica approached and picked up the axe.

“I-I’m sorry.”

“Weapons are dangerous when used by untrained people. Even a simple wooden sword. Miss Lining, you’ve never received this kind of training, have you?”

Realizing that Veronica wasn’t angry, Magnolia fidgeted with both hands.

“No… I was interested, but there was nowhere to learn.”

“It’s not usually learned.”

Martial arts weren’t essential for women. Noble women who had to take bridal lessons valued appearances.

Learning martial arts could roughen hands, leave scars, and change body shape.

While they might learn some light techniques, hardly anyone learned professionally.

Men preferred petite, delicate women they wanted to protect, not sturdy ones.

That’s why Veronica had refused to learn martial arts too. Magnolia was also clearly a typical noble lady who had never learned martial arts.

Her awkwardness in this unfamiliar place was obvious.

“How did you start learning, Miss Hardness? Was it the Duke’s influence?”

“That’s right. My father can’t always protect me.”

“Wow, that’s such a wonderful idea!”

Magnolia clasped her hands together in admiration, misunderstanding something. Her large eyes sparkled brightly.

Veronica put the axe Magnolia had picked up back in its place. Watching her, Magnolia asked,

“Can I learn too?”

“If you want, it’s possible, but is there really a need to force yourself?”

Actually, it’s better to be in an environment where you don’t need to learn such things. It means you’re not under threat.

Hmm- After pondering for a moment, Veronica suddenly stood next to Magnolia. Meeting the yellow eyes that had rounded following her, Veronica raised one hand.

“Make a fist.”

“Pardon?”

“A fist.”

Magnolia slowly clenched her fist.

“Like this?”

“Make your fingers a bit more bumpy. Like this.”

She adjusted the awkwardly clenched fist, making the bent knuckles protrude.

It’s more effective to grip with certain parts protruding rather than just tightly clenching.

It’s a shame the knuckles were too soft, but striking with a pointed stone is more likely to kill someone than with a flat stone.

“Clench your other hand similarly. Yes, hold that pose.”

She stood at an angle, showing both hands. Her knees were slightly bent.

It was a posture that could firmly maintain the body’s center of gravity while also allowing weight to be shifted to one side if necessary. Then, bam with the fist.

“Usually, you aim for the face. The jaw or between the nose and upper lip are weak spots that can cause unconsciousness if hit properly. The head too, and well, the best is to strike between the legs.”

“I see.”

“Try it.”

Magnolia took an awkward stance and threw a punch. Her expression was serious, but not at all threatening.

Unless she threw a punch with all her might, it would be hard to inflict much damage on an opponent. Maybe it would buy some time to escape. Though her wrist might break. Then again, in such a situation, would a wrist matter?

“Yah! Hiyah!”

Magnolia swung both fists while shouting. Honestly, it wasn’t the kind of action suited for someone wearing a yellow fluttering dress.

Moreover, her body lost balance and stumbled, but the way she raised her fists made it clear who she was imagining.

After flailing her arms for a while, Magnolia turned to Veronica with a bright smile.

“How was that?”

“Not bad. If someone annoys you, throw punches like that.”

Veronica put away the wooden sword she was holding and drank some water. Magnolia approached, smiling.

“You’re amazing, Miss Hardness. Learning such difficult things.”

“I haven’t been learning for long either.”

“The fact that you’re learning is what’s important! They say mindset is the most important thing in anything.”

“Is that so?”

“In, in that sense.”

Suddenly, Magnolia’s voice became cautious.

When Veronica looked at her, Magnolia, looking down at the floor and fidgeting, shouted energetically.

“I want to become friends with you, Miss Hardness!”

And then her yellow eyes sparkled again. The sparkles seemed to prick Veronica’s cheeks.

Veronica quickly hardened her expression.

“No.”

The rejection was faster than ever.

Magnolia Lining was more troublesome than expected. After the last rejection, she didn’t approach Veronica directly, but instead started hovering around.

Magnolia’s affection was blatant and annoying.

While Veronica could understand her feelings, she had only provided a place to stay and had no desire to get closer. She didn’t want to give any false hope either.

Continually responding with ignoring, turning away, and indifference, Magnolia just hesitated and watched carefully, which irritated Veronica even more.

If she had nothing to do, she should be figuring out how to get rid of that bad guy.

It was the first time someone had pursued her like this. Honestly, it was tiring.

Even when told to stop, she would only shrink back momentarily, then follow more quietly and secretly.

She didn’t seem to realize that this actually made her more noticeable.

Her persistence was remarkable. Veronica could somewhat understand why Cassian got annoyed every time he saw her.

She changed into outdoor clothes and got into the carriage. Soon after, muffled footsteps quietly sat down opposite her. It was Magnolia.

“What is it?”

“I’m going out too!”

Magnolia lifted her chin haughtily.

“You might run into your family, is that okay?”

“Just, just because I’m going out doesn’t necessarily mean I’ll run into family.”

Since that was her intention, Veronica set the carriage in motion. While the carriage was moving, Veronica read a book. She ignored the hesitant presence felt from the front.

The carriage carrying the two arrived in the capital.

It was because Magnolia had said she was going to the capital for now. When the carriage stopped and the coachman opened the door, Magnolia didn’t get out.

“Aren’t you getting off?”

“You go to your destination first, Miss Hardness! I haven’t de-decided where to go yet.”

Her stuttering was suspicious, but Veronica set the carriage in motion again.

The carriage headed for the imperial palace. Veronica was on her way to meet Cassian today.

The carriage that entered the imperial palace stopped in front of the destination. Veronica got out of the carriage. Magnolia followed suit.

Veronica turned back, puzzled.

“Why are you getting off?”

“I have some business too!”

“Here?”

This was the separate palace where the princes resided. At that, Magnolia flustered and suddenly pointed in another direction, saying she had business there.

Veronica narrowed her eyes. She probably wanted to appear nonchalant, but signs of not knowing what to do had been evident since earlier.

‘Surely not…’

She shot a suspicious glance at the back of Magnolia’s head. She said nothing.

Since the appointment took priority, Veronica turned away for now.

Soon after, she felt a presence stealthily following. Veronica inwardly sighed.

Entering the Glass Palace, she found Cassian.

Seeing Veronica, he immediately gestured to a servant to bring refreshments. Veronica sat across from him.

“You really didn’t run away.”

“I tend to keep my promises.”

Servants quickly set refreshments on the table. The two sipped tea side by side.

“One hour.”

That one hour again.

Once every three days, for exactly one hour. Unless there was a major issue, they would prioritize each other’s appointments.

That was the rule the two had set. It could be called the point of agreement barely reached after a series of events.

“You’re alone today? Or did you wait for me?”

“Let’s not make unnecessary comments.”

“Then what should we talk about? Should I make boring remarks like, ‘The weather is nice today’?”

“That would be better.”

Her brusque attitude was consistent.

“It seems I’m always the one starting the conversation. Don’t you have anything to say to me, Your Highness?”

“No.”

“Aren’t you curious about anything?”

“Not particularly.”

“Then please come up with something to ask.”

What an absurd request this was. Cassian, who had neither anything to say nor any curiosities, let out a dry laugh, but the crimson eyes staring at him sent a quiet urging.

Cassian wracked his brains.

“Isn’t it difficult coming all the way here?”

“Not at all.”

“I heard women have a lot to prepare when going out.”

“Everything gets taken care of if I just stay still.”

“Still, it must be bothersome.”

“I’ve never thought it bothersome because it’s so natural, but should I dress down more when I come? I don’t do much anyway. Oh, perhaps you prefer a natural look?”

“Why are we talking about preferences here?”

“Because it’s an important matter.”

“Then what’s your preference?”

“Prince Cassian.”

“…”

Let’s stop talking. Cassian, who had learned through experience that it was only tiring to react to every word of a woman who seemed to lack any sense of shame, said nothing more.

Of course, there was resistance in his heart. Lie, that word came up to his throat, but he held it back.

If she were thinking of the person she used to have a one-sided crush on, it wouldn’t be a fitting answer. Although he and Asher were brothers, their looks and personalities were completely different.

Having thought that far, he got irritated at himself for caring about such things.