“Let’s take it easy once this is over.”

“Is that possible?”

Alicia knew from her past experiences that having such leisure wasn’t easy.

Especially since the moment the monsters appeared, it was always an emergency and a crisis.

“If it doesn’t work, it’s fine. If you’re okay with me being unemployed.”

“Then I’ll support you.”

“Being this reliable.”

Eric laughed and released Alicia from his embrace.

He went down to the first floor to return to the knight squadron but didn’t see Chase, who said he would wait.

“Chase?”

Alicia looked around, but Chase was nowhere to be seen.

Eric also looked puzzled as he wasn’t the type to leave Alicia alone and take off.

“Did he go back?”

“He didn’t say anything? He definitely said he would wait until I came down.”

“It’s late.”

“But he has never left like this before.”

“······He went to sleep?”

“Yes.”

“Well, maybe. I’m here now, so he’ll probably be considerate.”

“Do you think so?”

Seeing Alicia’s worried expression, Eric suddenly had a suspicious thought.

“By any chance, is the friend who slept in your room before, Chase?”

“Ah—”

Flustered, Alicia stuttered, and Eric looked at her incredulously.

“Really? Even though he’s a man, he slept in your bed?”

“Well, it was fine because it didn’t bother me that much.”

Defensively, Alicia laughed awkwardly, and Eric stared at her.

‘So, she wasn’t bothered by me back then either.’

Although it was understandable, he still felt a bit hurt knowing that Alicia didn’t mind him either.

Seeing the disappointed look on Eric’s face, Alicia added in an awkward manner.

“I didn’t consider Chase a man, that’s why he slept there.”

“Hmm. So what if I say I’m going to sleep now? Will you let me sleep in your bed again?”

Eric grinned mischievously.

“It’s late, and I’m really tired.”

“Ah—”

Seeing Alicia flustered, he wanted to tease her more.

“I’m not just anyone anymore, so I won’t be put to sleep alone, right?”

“······Not alone, of course.”

“Then?”

Facing Eric’s teasing, Alicia replied primly.

“Father’s pajamas are also there, so sleep with the twins.”

“What’s different then? And the twins are already asleep.”

Eric grumbled, but Alicia was unyielding.

“I know we have to go back anyway, so don’t talk nonsense.”

“Huh. I’m a bit disappointed now.”

“Whatever. Let’s go.”

Alicia said firmly, and Eric opened the door of the carriage.

The coachman, who was about to open the door, looked puzzled, but Alicia assured him and sent him back to his seat.

“You’re harsh. Kicking him out?”

“We need to leave quickly so we can finish quickly and return.”

“Fine, fine.”

Eric gave in and climbed into the carriage.

“Alicia. Just so you know.”

“?”

Suddenly serious, Eric caught Alicia’s full attention.

“From now on, the only man allowed to sleep in your bed is me, and I won’t sleep alone—”

Bang.

Before he could finish, Alicia abruptly closed the carriage door.

“What the—”

Eric almost bumped into the suddenly closed door, and his incredulous face was visible through the window, but Alicia signaled the coach to start.

However, as she gradually moved away, he noticed Alicia’s flushed face and finally laughed.

“Well, we have plenty of time.”

He leaned back and closed his eyes, intending to take a short nap.

(This is a time separator.)

Meanwhile, in the imperial palace, Prince William was sitting on the sofa in the prince’s reception room, arms crossed and face scowling.
“Eric, this brat. Disappears like that and doesn’t even report back? Can he really ignore me, the Emperor, just because we’re friends?”

He grumbled and drank cold water.

It was two days later when Prince William, who had been completely forgotten, heard the full story of the incident.

(This is a time separator.)

“What’s the matter? Why are you whining so much since morning? It’s scary.”

Allen looked at Eric with a disgruntled expression and asked his subordinate.

“Well, he’s been like this since morning.”

The subordinate replied indifferently, as if it were no longer surprising.

But Allen kept staring at Eric with suspicious eyes.

“In my experience, when he acts like this, something always explodes.”

“Please be careful with your words. What if something really does explode because words have power?”

“Would it explode on me? It would explode on the Commander.”

“If this goes on, you’ll really end up in prison.”

“You should be careful with your words, too. Didn’t you say words have seeds?”

“Yes, yes.”

‘How wonderful it would be if you just shut up and didn’t talk.’

Pretending not to hear Allen’s words, the subordinate grumbled inwardly and pushed the processed documents to the side.

“Ah, it’s creepy. Acting like a loose screw, isn’t it too scary?”

“I’m more scared that the Commander will give the Deputy Commander a big warning.”

“I can’t hold back my curiosity anymore. I have to ask.”

“Excuse me?”

The subordinate grabbed Allen as he suddenly stood up.

“What?”

“Deputy Commander, please. If you touch him wrong, you won’t be able to go home.”

“Ah, why is this happening!”

“Hey, shut up, shut up.”

“Uhuh.”