Mitchell, who was about to push Ivan again, hesitated. Then, she stared at Ivan with a cold expression, as if she were looking at a subordinate who dared to raise his head.

“Darn, that look again.”

Ivan felt a pang in his chest from the gaze that saw him only as a subordinate, but that was it. He had no intention of giving up. However, even so, he did not plan to keep getting hurt foolishly.

“Listen carefully, Mitchell Sieron.”

Mitchell, with a determined expression, put her fists on and looked at Ivan.

“Daisy and I are just friends. Even though Daisy looks like that, she’s tough enough to handle more than ordinary knights. So, don’t misunderstand.”

“Why should I listen to you?”

“Because I like you.”

Mitchell’s attempt to sneer came to an abrupt halt. It was always like this. Young Ivan had always stuck to the proper method, making it difficult for Mitchell to avoid the advances she wanted to avoid.

“Even if you hear advice to get along with someone else, because I like you. That’s why I listen to such things. Hearing that. It’s more painful than being slapped by Commander Cherney.”

“…”

“I’ve said it before. Even if my feelings are admiration and a momentary prank, it doesn’t matter. But!”

Ivan leaned towards Mitchell. In an instant, Mitchell unknowingly stepped back.

In the black pupils that swirled like wounded beasts, the surprised face of the confused Mitchell was reflected.

‘W-when did he grow up like this?’

The towering height, broad shoulders, well-defined jawline, and the almost disappearing baby fat were clearly those of an adult man. Not the child who could reach up to the waist in Mitchell’s memory.

“But.”

The voice that sounded with a late and “Master” in the pronunciation that was pronounced with a late pronunciation in childhood was heard. Ivan, with a painful voice, continued to speak.

“Don’t do it like this. Don’t try to push me away like this. If you don’t like it, genuinely confront me, just as I sincerely confront you. Got it, Mitchell Sieron?”

“Iva…”

Mitchell tried to call Ivan, but before that, Ivan turned away.

“I know you’ve kept me as a hostage until now. So keep doing it if you want. It’s not that difficult.”

After casually saying this, Ivan, who seemed to have misunderstood something, walked toward the Duke’s mansion.

Bang!
The sound of Ivan personally opening and closing the door was particularly heavy. Mitchell, sitting alone in the middle of the garden path, distorted her face.

“Darn… What are you doing, Mitchell Sieron? Not even worth your age.”

Mitchell quietly wiped her face.

Benjamin, with a tense expression, looked at Ulrich and Yurisien sitting in their seats and spoke.

“First of all, I found out who was in that room when Hopeland Changeback died.”

“Is that really true?”

“Yes. I briefly stopped by before coming with Duke Windsor and checked. I found urine traces hidden by someone in that place. The investigation revealed that the urine belonged to Hiskliff.”

Upon Benjamin’s words, Yurisien grimaced immediately. It was a story she needed to hear, but at the same time, it was a story she didn’t want to hear.

“It is estimated that he was crouched in the corner at the time of the urination. So, there is no possibility that frightened Hiskliff killed Hopeland Changeback.”

“Then…”

Ulrich murmured low with a serious expression.

“It’s certain that it was Hwangbi’s doing.”

Even secretly leaving the Imperial City, killing Uncle and acting nonchalant until now. Looking at herself reflected in the deep swamp-colored eyes of Yurisien, Benjamin continued speaking.

“More than I thought… she had a more frightening power.”

Maybe even Kendallry himself was taken out. Thinking that, Yurisien shivered involuntarily.