When Gilbert called her by her nickname in a low voice, Elizabeth nodded with a fake smile.

However, in her mind, she thought,

‘I need to look into it.’

Recently, it had been difficult to communicate with her daughter, and it was hard-earned to get her up here. Still, she couldn’t help but feel that the timing was subtle, even if it might be just a coincidence.

Having been a spy for a long time, she couldn’t shake off the habit of constant suspicion. Despite everything done in Fortrion being for him, the biggest reason was to ensure her daughter’s growth and safety.

When she entrusted the two-year-old child to Gilbert to go to Fortrion, the eyes of the child who resembled her were vivid in her memory. The small hand that firmly held her finger as she embraced her.
“If you’re hiding something from Elise…”

She had no intention of letting it slide, even if the counterpart were Gilbert.

“Having strong magic is good. You can delay the tension of a few guards with just one of your personal magic barriers.”

Cassius tapped Valter’s shoulder, mentioning that he had heard about Valter casting security barriers around the mansion last night, although it wasn’t visible.

“If you’re going to ease the tension, you shouldn’t hire guards. The safety and security of the mansion are crucial.”

“That’s true. Now that those Gurthuk assassins can’t infiltrate as they used to.”

Thanks to Lexion, who started monitoring Eizen, the head of the assassin group, and his team, Fortrion was benefiting.

‘I had them captured alive, wondering where to use them.’

They had hidden the assassins under the carriage floor during the last party. Taking advantage of the dispersed attention, they pretended that the assassins had infiltrated, creating a diversion.

Instead of acting directly, he was using Lexion to his advantage. Leveraging the second-ranking heir to the throne, it was quite a daring move.

As the two walked through the corridor, they soon spotted Edith. Valter carefully inspected Lexion’s invitation before handing it to her.

“I haven’t torn it open, but I didn’t play any pranks on the outside, so the content should be fine.”

“Thank you for checking.”

‘Huh?’

Cassius sensed that Edith’s gaze toward Valter was unusual. Clearly, there was more affection in her eyes than before.

After Edith turned away, Cassius asked Valter discreetly.

“Seems like there has been some progress?”

“What are you trying to say again?”

“Just that the lady’s gaze seemed more filled with love than before.”

“…Well.”

Valter didn’t mind Cassius making such an assessment.

And inwardly, he was aware of it. Edith’s gaze after the Lexion’s party had been peculiar.

It felt like she wasn’t just looking but meticulously examining every corner of his face. Whenever he saw her crescent-shaped pupils, Valter had to deliberately divert his thoughts to suppress the rising urge.

However, despite expressing affection in such a way, she didn’t seem to completely disclose everything to him now. That aspect bothered him.

“Now is more reliable than before.”

As he spoke, Cassius assessed the situation with a thoughtful expression.

“But beyond this point, you might not want to rely on it. People have different ways of expressing love.”

“What different ways?”

“Some might find entanglement as love, while others might consider doing their respective tasks based on trust as love.”

“…”

“Some might love with the feeling of occasionally taking out their most precious possession from the jewelry box.”

“Isn’t that unrequited love?”

Why was he making such tranquil remarks when everything was in order? Valter couldn’t understand, but on the other hand, he was perplexed as to whether Edith’s expressed affection toward him was of that nature.
So that she wouldn’t even think about leaving my side, it would have been better if she trusted and relied on me. But Edith seemed more accustomed to being alone.

‘Anyway, all messed up because of that guy Isaac leaving.’

Valter internally criticized Isaac, whom he didn’t even know.

The invitation Lexion, the Duke, sent to her was a flawless one. The time was tomorrow, and the location was Lexion’s mansion. It was an earlier invitation than she had thought, indicating he considered this matter more important than expected.

Considering that Lexion was the Duke and, moreover, the father of Lady Leah and Valter’s great-grandfather, he felt less intimidating than initially thought, yet at the same time, more tense. After all, he was someone Valter would eventually have to tell about having a child.

Edith headed to the Duke’s mansion with Valter, matching the time.

“Master is waiting for you.”

Vain personally guided the guests invited by the Duke.

The interior was still extravagantly luxurious, but as people left, it gave off a somewhat desolate impression.

Vain led the two to the innermost reception room among several.

“You’ve been through a lot coming here.”

Although the sunlit reception room was perfectly prepared, it somehow gave off a chilly atmosphere.

“No, thank you for the invitation.”

Edith replied politely and took her seat. Following the Duke’s gesture, Vain served tea with perfect posture.

Seeing unnecessary individuals being sent out, leaving only the closest aides, Valter could tell that the Duke took this meeting very seriously.

‘And this tea…’

Through the rich pink hue and the sweet yet heavy aroma, he could discern that it was Carnix tea.

Known for being pleasant and warming, it was a popular choice among people, but pregnant women were advised against it because it could have adverse effects on the child.

‘Is she trying it out?’

Edith pretended to sip and put the cup down. Since there wouldn’t be much small talk, it seemed better to leave this place as quickly as possible.

“I’ve brought the item I mentioned.”

She extended a box containing the blue necklace given by Lady Leah. She hoped the Duke would recognize her as Leah’s acquaintance after seeing this item.

However, the Duke’s expression stiffened significantly as he received the box from Vain and checked its contents. Suppressing various negative emotions bubbling inside, he asked.

“Let me ask you something. Are you planning to claim that my daughter is your child’s mother?”

“No? Absolutely not.”

“Then, I don’t understand why you have this item. This is something my wife passed down to my daughter, and she cherishes it, planning to pass it down to my granddaughter. If you possess this item and you’re not Leah’s daughter, then…”

It could be an item forcibly taken by Nicholas Fortrion from his daughter.
With that thought, the Duke’s presence pervaded in all directions. Just as Frantz was about to glare at Edith once again with a heavy, sinking gaze.

“Hmm, hmm… Hearing this voice means Edith has safely arrived in the capital and coincidentally met Father, right?”

“……!”

In response to the momentarily spreading magic from Lexion, the voice of the Duke’s beloved eldest daughter resonated from the necklace, which seemed to react.