Both Klaus and Muzel intentionally avoided each other all day.

It was clear that Muzel was as uncomfortable as Klaus.

Otherwise, two people who were once in perfect harmony couldn’t become so awkward.

Klaus didn’t know how the day had passed and faced the night in tension.

Having been there once before, he could easily find his way to Muzel’s residence the second time.

However,

“…?”

Her door was firmly locked. It seemed like no one was there.

“Ha!”

As disappointed as he was tense, Klaus decided to wait for Muzel.

Due to the complexity of his emotions, his mind was noisy. What could Muzel be doing at this hour?

The answer came quickly.

“…Roots.”

The conversation they had in the morning was vivid in his ears. Roots’ bright and comfortable voice felt painfully poignant.

I endured the cold wind all day, and for what? Just for that guy.

Resentment, tension, disappointment, and burning jealousy overwhelmed Klaus all at once.

…!

He tried to suppress the interrupted emotions, but it wasn’t easy.

His mind was filled with thoughts about what Roots and Muzel might be doing right now.

Imaginations linked one after another.

Roots not knowing that Muzel is a woman wasn’t crucial. Or maybe he does know.

Roots might actually have an inclination for men.

The most important thing was whether Muzel’s heart contained someone other than him.

Klaus had never felt so miserable in his life.

How much time had passed like this?

…!

If he didn’t listen closely, he wouldn’t notice the faint sound of footsteps.

The distinctive rhythmic sound of Muzel’s steps could be heard.

Klaus quickly hid beside the entrance.

“…”

Muzel was alone. Considering she wasn’t with Roots, it seemed like Klaus’ imagined scenario hadn’t come true.

However, he couldn’t let his guard down until he properly heard Muzel’s feelings.

It could be a way back from parting near the knights’ residence.

He swiftly blocked Muzel, who was coming through the entrance.

“Are you looking for me?”

He had a surprised expression, but he quickly explained that he had just gone out for personal business.

But Klaus couldn’t believe his words at face value. He finally burst the anxiety he had been holding.

“You’re giving a long-winded excuse, but it’s just because you’re with someone else!”

Muzel looked at him as if he couldn’t believe it.

“Ruth doesn’t know that I’m a woman. We only had a drink once, and that was because he offered to show me a good restaurant.”

However, Klaus heard all of Muzel’s words as nothing but excuses.

When he asked if she loved him, she denied it.
However, his body was more honest than words, and Klaus could quickly tell that he was lying.

Klaus couldn’t understand it at all. Why were there conditions other than love for becoming lovers?

In that case, the conclusion might be simpler than he thought. The premise itself might be wrong.

“One thing is clear. I’m not that precious to you.”

However, Klaus regretted those words as soon as he said them.

Sadness and resentment mixed in Muzel’s eyes. It was clear that, beyond the wounds Klaus had received, she, too, had been hurt.

An icy voice flew into his heart.

“See you tomorrow.”

Without giving Klaus a chance to say anything, she went straight into the room.

“Ah…”

Klaus stared blankly at the firmly closed door.

Returning to his bedroom, Klaus found it agonizing to know that he would have to face Muzel’s face again the next day.

There had never been a time when seeing him was so frightening.

However, those concerns were overshadowed. The next day, Muzel greeted Klaus with a much more natural attitude than before.

“Good morning, Your Highness.”

“Oh, yes…”

He replied in surprise.

Muzel faced Klaus with a faint smile, as if nothing had happened the night before.

“I’ve reviewed the documents sent from the palace. If there’s anything you’d like to exclude from this year’s hunting competition, please let me know.”

“…I’ll look into it and let you know.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

After giving a courteous response, Muzel returned to her seat.

Klaus was confused. Was this the right thing? Was the situation really returning to normal?

Muzel’s atmosphere wasn’t much different from before she asked for a relationship.

Maybe going back to square one like this was the right thing to do.

It wasn’t desirable for the relationship to be completely cut off just because the confession failed.

Then someone came to the office. Muzel went out first to check the visitor.

After a short conversation between Muzel and the visitor, it soon became quiet. Muzel handed Klaus a letter.

“Lady Elfrida has sent a letter to Your Highness.”

It hadn’t been long since they met, and another letter?

After delivering the letter, Muzel promptly returned to her seat behind the wall.

Klaus followed Muzel’s gaze with his eyes, opening the envelope.

The letter’s content was unusually serious and grave, not typical of Lady Elfrida. In summary, it went something like this.

Your Highness, I will ask you frankly. Was there anything unpleasant for you during tea time that day?