After a brief moment of hesitation, Yerpi spoke.

“Could you step away for a moment?”

“Ah, yes, of course. I will wait outside, so please call me whenever you need anything.”

Johan quickly stepped out. Now only Raymond and she remained.

In the tense silence, she began to reveal the truth.

“…I’ve been having dreams. Dreams about Growen.”

Raymond’s gaze snapped toward her. She felt both comforted by his interest and fearful of what she was about to say.

“In my dreams, I see the nature of Growen. Every time I dream, I see the spirit beasts living here, and I come to understand them. The most recent dream I had was about the Forest of Discovery.”

She didn’t know exactly what was happening within it, but she insisted the forest was calling to her. That was what Yerpi said.

‘Will he even believe such a story?’

It all sounded absurd and false, yet half of it was true. After all, she had learned so much through her dreams until now.

Anxiety tightened her knuckles. Just then, Raymond spoke.

“There have been rare cases among duchesses who occasionally had prophetic dreams.”

Historically, spices had always been mysterious and shrouded in secrecy. So it wasn’t strange to think someone might have such dreams.

“You seem to possess an ability tied to dreams. And that ability appears closely connected to Growen. It might even be the ‘Eye That Sees Through,’ the one that gazes into the Growen territory.”

Yerpi’s eyes widened at his words.

“What do you mean?”

“Growen is a living land. The very ground we stand on is an ancient dragon’s relic. Given how enigmatic it is, there must be things existing beyond the perception of ordinary humans.”

In Growen, those possessing eyes capable of seeing what ordinary humans could not were called the ‘Eye That Sees Through.’

It was an extremely rare and special ability, appearing only about once every few hundred years.

“It’s not certain yet, but your dreams do seem to be a kind of ability. I’ve thought something was off since the Pink Bell incident.”

“The story about books leaking into the outside world was a lie. I’m truly sorry for deceiving you.”

She couldn’t confess everything, but her apology was sincere.

Raymond studied her for a moment before making his decision.

“All right. We’ll go together.”

“…Yes!”

She was overjoyed by his approval. Moreover, her heart fluttered at the thought that a stranger, not even family, trusted her.

‘Do I want his recognition?’

The more she looked at him, the more she felt this uneasy longing to grow closer—perhaps it was the budding friendship she wished to nurture through sincerity.

She wanted to define the confusing emotions she had pondered for so long in this way.

Yerpi shifted the conversation, recalling the maid’s request.

“Oh, may I perhaps meet Sir Ryan? A maid asked me to deliver something precious to him.”

Raymond wore an expression of surprise, clearly not expecting her to mention Ryan.

“Would that be a problem?”

“It’s not that. Aside from not remembering his sister at all, everything about him seems perfectly fine. His isolation will be lifted soon. But the maid’s heart must feel otherwise.”

Even if Ryan’s isolation were lifted, it wasn’t a situation to feel at ease about. Still, Raymond, who had readily permitted the meeting, took necessary measures.

“The knight is isolated in the east wing. If you plan to visit, let me know in advance.”

“Thank you. I’ll go right away.”

“Then take Johan with you.”

Raymond gave the instruction outward. Johan, who had been waiting in the corridor, stepped back in and received the order.

“My lady wishes to meet Sir Ryan. Escort her to the east wing.”

“At once, Your Grace. I shall accompany her.”

Along with the order came a sharp look warning him not to act foolishly. Johan seemed unusually cheerful, and Raymond watched his aide with mild disapproval.

“Johan.”

“I’ll be going now.”

Though generally oblivious, Johan somehow always sensed when she was in danger, and he quickly led Yerpi out of the office.

“Thanks to you, I got out early.”

Johan’s profile looked noticeably thinner, as if he’d been overwhelmed with work lately.

“You’ve been through a lot.”

“Thank you for your concern. I suppose I’ve been a bit overwhelmed.”

He laughed lightly and stretched his back. As they walked down the corridor, Johan chattered on about various things.

She had initially thought him a rather quiet knight, never imagining he could be so talkative.

Yet there were moments when he suddenly fell silent—moments that became more frequent as they approached the east wing. In those brief pauses, Yerpi could sense Johan’s inner turmoil.

“You seem worried about the knights who lost their memories.”

“…Ah, caught me. Well, it’s my first time experiencing something like this.”

In truth, his chatter was a mechanism to hide his worries.

As captain of the knights, he was responsible for leading and overseeing them. But the losses in this expedition were beyond anything he could have anticipated.

“There’s no problem that can’t be solved. The knights’ memories will return.”

He didn’t know how long it would take, but nothing lasted forever—misfortune included.

Johan fell silent for a moment, touched by the comforting words. Then, suddenly, he mentioned both Raymond and Yerpi.

“I’m truly glad to see how well the two of you get along.”

Johan wore a genuinely relieved expression as he abruptly referred to them as if they were a couple.

“My lord has needed someone like Your Grace by his side. Please, remain at his side for a long time to come.”

Before Yerpi could respond, he returned to his usual chatty self.

“Just as I thought! My lord finally opened his heart, didn’t he?”

“Is that so? I’m glad he seems to trust me.”

At that, Johan acted as if she had said something utterly ridiculous.

“Oh, come now, that’s stating the obvious! My lord would…!”

“Yes?”

“Uh, never mind.”

Johan was usually oblivious, but strangely perceptive in certain areas—especially when it came to romance.

He had many friends, and all their relationships had blossomed thanks to his help. Oddly, he remained single himself, but that was probably due to his lack of awareness.

‘My lord’s eyes were clearly those of someone in love.’

The look the duke gave his lady was something he had never seen before. But the person involved—whether aware or not—simply continued walking silently toward the east wing.

Before long, they arrived.

While Johan waited outside, Yerpi was granted a private meeting with Ryan.

He seemed restless from being confined, and was alone, exercising with his bare hands.

He appeared startled by her visit, yet still treated her with utmost courtesy.

“My lady.”

He was indeed the well-trained knight Pepe had described—a man of upright character.

Outwardly, there was nothing unusual to observe. Yerpi sat down across from him and took out what she had brought.

A morning glory embroidered on yellow cloth—it was such a beginner’s work that one could barely recognize it as a flower.

“Here. I was told this is something you hold most dear, so I brought it to you.”

“…I don’t recall this item. Did that girl give it to you?”

He seemed aware of the existence of his sister, though he couldn’t remember her.

That was only natural. Pepe had gone to meet the memory-lost Ryan and broke down in tears upon seeing him.

Ryan’s eyes remained fixed on the handkerchief. Though he had lost his memories, he seemed to carry guilt toward Pepe.

“I was shocked when an unfamiliar woman cried so much upon seeing me. To think she was my sister….”

Yet apart from that, he had completely forgotten Pepe’s very existence.

“It’s not your fault. Your memories will return someday. And this handkerchief is definitely yours. I was told you cherished it deeply, so please keep it close.”

“I’ve caused Your Grace such trouble. Thank you.”

Ryan reached out. As she passed him the handkerchief, their hands briefly touched. At that moment, a voice rang sharply inside Yerpi’s mind.

‘…Hey! …is mine!’

The chilling, sharp voice was filled with hostility directed straight at Yerpi.