“I, I… um…”

She carefully chose her words.

“I don’t know if you’ll believe me, but I haven’t mentioned it because I think you’re lacking.”

“…”

“First of all, the issue with the gold coins looks unnatural to anyone. If the money circulating within the castle suddenly increases, rumors will undoubtedly spread.”

“Are you carrying this much gold?”

“It might seem like this much, but the amount of gold coins Valentin gave is well over half of the usual annual budget for entering Ansgar Castle. If he continues to give this much, people might think we’ve discovered a gold mine.”

Valentin’s lips curled slightly. The expression on his face suggested that the expression “discovering a gold mine” wasn’t far from the truth.

“If you think that way, can’t you just let it be?”

“If money flows in, there will naturally be forces eyeing the castle.”

Adel asserted firmly.

“In that case, the biggest problem is the lack of manpower to defend the castle. The skilled knights who just finished the war are tired, and even if we recruit new knights, the training period to use them as military forces is long.”

“Did I… not seem capable of protecting one castle?”

“Your Highness has the power to do so, and I believe you can block it sufficiently. However, ordinary people also live within the castle. If we get entangled in mysterious affairs, the impact on the residents will be immeasurable. Maybe…”

Valentin tilted his head as if urging her to say more. Adel cautiously continued.

“The trade routes may be blocked. If no one tries to trade with us, the upcoming winters will be harsh.”

Even though she said ‘mysterious affairs,’ there was only one rumor that would spread throughout Denburg when Valentin used his power to repel intruders. That Ansgar was using the power of a demon… Of course, if such a rumor started to circulate, the situation would inevitably worsen.

‘Cutting off trade’ felt like a minor matter.

Perhaps the Morrig cult would issue an extermination order against Ansgar. Valentin’s expression disappeared as if he had vaguely guessed that fact. Now the man looking down at her had a face so pale that it seemed fragile.

“How… can we… stop the rumors…”

Adel realized that he was much more shocked than she intended. He raised his right hand and roughly caressed her face.

“I spoke too straightforwardly.”
Adel blinked in surprise, her eyes rounded. Valentin seemed to be making a face almost as if he loathed himself. Perhaps thinking there was no way to hide his expression, he slowly embraced Adel in his arms. Crossing his arms around the concave part of her waist, he held Adel tightly without any gaps.

Only then did he exhale the breath he had been holding.

“I’m sorry.”

Adel realized that Valentin, who was holding her tightly, was trembling. It felt as if he considered it a mistake that couldn’t be undone. Adel raised her hand to pat his back but hesitated, placing it back in an awkward position.

The hopeful gaze that had hoped for just that contact a while ago now painfully triggered her sense of guilt. However, no matter how trivial it may be, delivering a sincere apology requires more courage than anything else. Adel knew he wouldn’t make the same mistake again, and to reciprocate, she summoned her own courage.

Adel raised both arms and gently pulled Valentin’s back into an embrace.

“Thank you for understanding.”

Even though it was just that, Valentin remained stiff, breathing shallowly. Gradually, a strange sense of gratitude and trembling emanated from his body language as he slowly buried his head into her neck.

Adel laughed at the ticklish breath on her skin.

“And, about the concern from earlier…”

“…”

“It’s because I felt so inadequate.”

Adel hoped her words didn’t sound too dramatic to him. Feeling embarrassed, she laughed softly and pushed him away. Valentin obediently released the tension in his arms and stepped back a few paces.

She casually brushed her hair, which had flowed down charmingly, behind her ear and smiled once again.

“Really, I told you it’s nothing.”