“No, it’s not like that.”

“It’s not?”

Weren’t they on good terms? It seemed that way last time.

At that, Magnolia became serious.

“Veronica. It’s impossible for my brothers to be affectionate.”

“Both of them seemed affectionate to me.”

“They were just pretending. Especially Lake. He used to tease me so much when I was little. He’s just acting polite in front of Veronica. He’s become a hypocrite with age.”

“Is that… so?”

A hypocrite? Veronica recalled the Lake Fell in her memories.

Cold and ruthless, a hunting dog that would do anything for its master, hmm.

“Want to hear an interesting anecdote? When he was little, he claimed he saw a ghost and made a huge fuss crying in the middle of the night. Saying he had to get rid of the ghost, he muttered some strange spell he learned somewhere, scattered dead bugs all over, and finally locked himself in his room refusing to eat, worrying our parents. In the end, he only returned to normal after seeing a priest come to pray. That’s how much of a coward he is.”

“Children can be scared of ghosts.”

“He even wet his pants.”

“Wet his pants…”

Hmm, hunting dog, hmm, urine, hmm… Veronica tried hard to piece together the shattering image of Lake Fell in her memory.

“And then he insisted he didn’t do it! It’s ridiculous.”

“No matter how I look at it, you two seem close.”

“Well, we’re not on bad terms. I’m somewhat closer to my second brother among the two. Father favored the eldest, so we were second priority. A sense of solidarity, that kind of relationship.”

“Then he must have been very sad when Magnolia had the accident.”

“I wonder. He’d probably be sad for a moment and forget quickly? He’s so cold-hearted. Even when his pet frog died before, that guy didn’t cry.”

Wait, why a frog? Veronica was confused whether to ask why he kept a frog as a pet, or if it was okay to put herself on the same level as a frog.

Meanwhile, the carriage arrived at their destination within the imperial palace.

Magnolia took Veronica’s hand and got out.

They entered the annex and headed to the reception room today. There were two knights standing there. One was a familiar face.

“Brother!”

“Magnolia? What are you doing here?”

“Veronica said she was meeting His Highness today, so I came along.”

Lake noticed Veronica walking behind and bowed.

Veronica acknowledged the greeting and entered through the open door. She could hear Magnolia and Lake talking behind her.

“Why did you come to where I work? It’s troublesome.”

“That’s funny. I come to the palace often too, you know? I’m a member of the Empress’s book club after all.”

They really do seem to get along.

Leaving their conversation behind, Veronica entered deeper into the reception room and saw Cassian sitting at the table. His bored-looking face straightened up when he spotted Veronica.

“You’re late.”

“I’m only ten minutes late.”

“Don’t forget that those ten minutes are included in the hour.”

“Aren’t you being too strict?”

“I’m glad you realize I’m strict.”

Veronica sat down irritably in the chair across from him.

Refreshments were already on the table, likely prepared for her arrival time. A servant poured tea into her cup.

Veronica looked down at the rippling tea in the cup. She tapped the rim of the cup with her fingertip and sighed out words.

“When will Your Highness open your heart to me…”

She reached out to grab the cup handle, but lightly touched Cassian’s fingertips resting on the table instead.

Then she carefully intertwined their fingers, and the toe of her shoe nudged his shoe.

Scarlet eyes glanced up subtly. Cassian pulled back in surprise.

Cassian quickly withdrew his hand. Veronica smirked and put her hand on the teacup handle.

“…It seemed like someone came with you. Is it the same person as last time?”

“Yes. She came to see Lord Rining. It’s his younger sister.”

“Lord Rining?”

There was a question in his voice. Veronica savored her tea as she answered.

“One of Your Highness’s guards outside right now. Lord Lake Rining.”

Cassian’s gaze seemed to turn towards the door. Soon it returned to Veronica.

“I don’t know him.”

Is he pretending not to know? Veronica smiled and stared intently, trying to uncover Cassian’s true thoughts.

The man’s face, tilted slightly, really did seem to not know what she was talking about.

“More importantly, don’t you have anything to say to me about last time?”

“I already thanked you separately.”

“In a letter, you mean.”

“I’ve been a bit overwhelmed lately. Should I thank you now? I was grateful that day, Your Highness Cassian.”

“Don’t forget, you owe me one.”

“…”

It’s going to be etched in my ears. Veronica forced a smile and nodded.

“Just ask to spend time together instead. I’ll allow it.”

“What do you mean?”

Cassian gestured with his chin towards the door. Veronica turned to look too.

Having finished their conversation already, Magnolia was glancing this way from beside Lake.

Lake turned his face following her gaze and seemed to be saying something, but Magnolia’s face fell. He probably scolded her to stay put.

Veronica looked back at Cassian.

“Didn’t I ask you not to talk to other women?”

Cassian almost spit out his tea. He spoke in disbelief.

“No, isn’t she your friend?”

“She’s not my friend.”

“Then what is she? If she’s not your friend, then at the wedding…”

“There were circumstances.”

“As someone who was there, I’d like to hear about those circumstances.”

“You must have heard the rumors, right?”

“Rumors and truth can be different, and the Veronica Hardness I know isn’t the type to show such kindness.”

“Anyway, no other women until we’re married. Don’t even pay attention to them.”

“What.”

Veronica turned and waved her hand. Magnolia walked over with a bright smile. Her joy was evident even from afar.

“Don’t forget what I told you last time.”

“…To not be kind, right?”

By then, Magnolia had arrived. She composed herself and greeted Cassian.

“Y-Your Highness the Prince. It is an honor to share this occasion with you.”

“Yes, please sit.”

With his permission, Magnolia sat next to Veronica. She sat with her back straight, tense as she continued speaking.

“I-I’m truly sorry for my disgraceful behavior that day. Since I don’t have much experience in social settings, I couldn’t even properly thank you for attending.”

Magnolia only found out later that Cassian had attended as Veronica’s partner.

Moreover, when she heard that he was the one who caught her as she fell, Magnolia’s face turned pale.

It could have escalated into a major incident that might have destroyed their family, so even Magnolia trembled in fear.

Fortunately, Veronica relayed that he was unharmed, so she was finally able to feel relieved.

Besides, it was Cassian’s fault for rushing in, not Magnolia’s.

Of course, if Cassian’s body had really been injured, such reasoning wouldn’t matter.

“I heard news that your engagement was called off. You must be heartbroken.”

“Thank you for your concern. And I’m truly sorry about that day as well.”

Magnolia bowed her upper body so low that her forehead nearly touched the table.

When she lifted her face again, it was as pale and stiff as when she first heard about the situation from Veronica. Beads of sweat had even formed. Is she going to faint at this rate?

Seeing her unusual behavior, Veronica observed Magnolia closely. Cassian, watching from across, asked:

“According to Veronica, you’re not friends?”

“Ah, yes. That’s right. We’re not… friends.”

“You must feel hurt.”

At those words, Magnolia waved both hands frantically.

“No! I’m not hurt! Well, I was a bit hurt at first, but I’m fine now. Though it’s not like I’m not hurt at all. I am hurt. But we’re not friends. Or rather, we’re not, but…”

Seeing her rambling incoherently, she really didn’t seem to be in good condition. Veronica wondered if she should send her away.

“We’re not friends, but…”

But what? Veronica quietly waited for the rest.

But there was no continuation as Magnolia shyly twisted her body. I have no idea what she’s thinking.

Cassian’s eyes returned to Veronica. But why does his expression look like that?

“You sure keep interesting company.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Your not-friend is quite unique. She seems to suit you very well, Veronica.”

“What exactly are you implying?”

“I’m not implying anything.”

“It sounds like you are.”

When she pointed it out primly, Cassian crossed his arms and looked at Veronica crookedly.

Their gazes met briefly. As he absent-mindedly twirled the cup handle, he reached out his hand.

“People.”

Cassian’s hand touched the ends of Veronica’s hair. The fine light brown strands twirled round and round in his hand.

“Maybe it’s because you’re unique. Is that why similar people are drawn to you?”

His face showed a faint smile as he looked at Veronica with a somewhat mischievous voice.

Sunlight from outside flowed in through the window, softly illuminating Cassian’s face.

Though the sight looked quite affectionate, Veronica realized he was mocking her.

Veronica’s face quickly turned cold. Cassian smirked and let go of the hair he had been playing with.

“You asked me to be kind.”

“…”

“I’m worried, since my fiancée is so jealous.”

“It’s because I love Your Highness so much.”

“Ah, love. So this is love?”

“It is love. And Your Highness must love me very much too.”

“I feel the same as Veronica.”

“Is that so? Then we unique people must be a perfect match for each other.”

Veronica smiled brightly, and Cassian raised the corners of his mouth as well.

“I wonder if I’ll be able to handle Veronica’s unique charm.”

“I’ll adjust appropriately so you can handle it.”

“Can you really adjust something like that?”

“With the power of love, of course.”

“There must be problems that even the power of love can’t overcome.”

“My love is more than enough, so don’t worry.”

It was a conversation without the slightest retreat. After the dialogue ended, fierce energy clashed. They were smiling at each other, but it was clearly a battle of wills.

“The power of love, how romantic!”

The most oblivious person in this area poured water on the fierce energy.