“Of course not, Your Excellency.”

“Sigh, you’re persistent.”

The Citadel, who had been staring at Eric unpleasantly, sighed.

“Is this related to the incident ten years ago?”

“You catch on quickly.”

“I heard that your mother’s health deteriorated after that accident.”

“That’s right.”

“What exactly happened at that time?”

“I can only say limited things.”

“?

“We made a pact. It’s like a binding agreement. Breaking that agreement without the other party’s consent is not allowed. That’s how it is, even for a Citadel like you.”

A pact, not an ordinary promise. What exactly happened ten years ago?

The words were strong enough to make even Eric serious.

“It wasn’t an ordinary incident. If you visited the Citadel for treatment, it must be related to magicians or demons, right? Like when you treated me before.”

“…”

“Except for this time, the most recent appearance of magicians and demons was ten years ago. The Citadel was attacked ten years ago. Your mother had an accident ten years ago. Are they all related?”

“…”

Silence indicated an affirmative response.

“Regarding Prince Harry…”

“Let’s stop here. I can’t give this kind of reaction anymore.”

The Citadel firmly refused, raising his hand to prevent any further mention.

But for Eric, it was enough.

The incident between Harry and Alicia, the one where Alicia couldn’t remember, was also related to the accident ten years ago.

However, unable to inquire further due to the Citadel’s attitude, Eric changed the subject.

“Can you provide a list of expelled mages from the Citadel?”

“I’m sure I saw it here.”

Alicia, searching for documents in the study, suddenly stopped moving her busy hands as an unexpected scene flashed in her mind.

“What’s this? Why now?”

Alicia stood still, blinking in confusion at the strange scene that had suddenly come to her mind.

“Alisia, what are you doing now?”

“I thought you’d figure it out.”

It was undoubtedly her own voice.

Then, she boldly grabbed Eric’s cravat and pulled him closer, intending to kiss him.

‘Ugh!’

Feeling like flipping the blanket over herself, Alicia wrapped her head with both hands.

But it didn’t end there; the strange scene continued to unfold in her mind.

“Do you really not know?”

Along with those words, her surprised expression as she pulled the bewildered Eric closer to plant a kiss on his lips was also visible.

Laughing slyly, she felt embarrassed herself, silently screaming inside.

‘What is this? What is happening? Why am I seeing something like this?’
On that morning, as if Eric had deliberately set out to tempt her, he was saying and doing things that, in his right mind, he wouldn’t have done.

If only it had been vague, it would have been better, but his expressions and actions were so vividly visible, as if being observed from a very close distance by a third party.

“This is absurd!”

“What is?”

Suddenly hearing Eric’s voice from behind, Alicia, surprised, turned around and immediately pressed her back against the bookshelf.

“Oh, Eric? How did you get here?”

“Looking for you.”

“Ah.”

Already flustered, Alicia became even more startled when she suddenly saw Eric, and, with nowhere to escape as her back was already against the bookshelf, she tried to move her body backward to distance herself from Eric as much as possible.

‘I need to escape. How do I get away? What excuse can I use?’

In the midst of intense contemplation, Eric’s gaze went to the book he was holding.

Alicia’s internal scream echoed once again in her mind when she noticed what book Eric was holding.

“Th-that…”

Alicia, too shocked to articulate properly, pointed at the book in Eric’s hand while stuttering.

“Oh, this?”

Eric grinned.

“I found this to ask you about it.”

Eric brought the book in front of Alicia’s eyes.

It was the explicit novel that Jenna had lent her.

Alicia’s internal scream resonated again in her mind. However, Eric, indifferent to Alicia’s feelings, tilted his head with a sly smile and asked her.

“Where did you get something like this?”

“Why are you snooping around someone else’s belongings?”

“Snooping? It was openly placed on your desk.”

Upon Eric’s words, Alicia gasped, holding her breath.

Today, she had intended to return it when she met Jenna. She had forgotten about it after pulling it out, thinking of quickly finding the required data and leaving.

What unfortunate timing it was for Eric to discover the book during the short time she left her seat.

“Here, take it. It’s Jenna’s. She asked me to return it today.”

“Jenna? Jenna Haley again?”

Last time, it was alcohol, and this time, it’s an erotic novel. How should Alicia deal with Jenna Haley, Chase Spencer, and even Prince Harry?

Eric blushed, uncertain of how to handle the situation, and stared at Alicia, who was still panicking.

Earlier, when Alicia saw this book on her desk, she was so shocked.

Perhaps Alicia thought about whether this book was the reason for her frivolous seduction during the grand ceremony.

“Anyway, give it to me quickly. I’m going to return it now.”

“Where to?”

Avoiding Alicia’s attempt to snatch the book, Eric lifted it higher to keep it out of her reach.

When Alicia, feeling determined, tried to grab Eric’s arm to pull it down, she protested.

“What are you doing?”

“Have you seen a lot of this kind of thing?”

“There’s no way.”

‘Who brought it in the first place.’

Slightly annoyed and exasperated, Alicia, who had become more stubborn, pursed her lips.

Seeing her in that state, Eric chuckled and lightly tapped his shoulder with the book.

‘Well, what should I do?’