“By the way, how is the business going with the commission from the royal family?”

“Are you talking about the business feasibility study for the trade agreement with the Thulac Kingdom? It’s almost finalized. We’re planning to go to the palace for a mid-term report soon to meet Prince William.”

“So? You’ll handle it well, but please pay attention to that matter.”

“Yes, Father. Since Eric is also overseeing it, don’t worry.”

“Anyway, since you’ll be in charge of the business side, I’m counting on you.”

It seemed that Eric was more suited for the Knights’ work than private business, and lately, he seemed busier.

The Duke, who was a high-ranking government official, was also uncomfortable with Eric’s involvement in running a private business.

Since Alicia was handling it well, he thought it would be better to leave it to her rather than Eric in the future. So, the Duke had already organized this in his mind.

Satisfied with the perfect division of roles, the Duke nodded approvingly.

“Alicia.”

As Alicia turned her head at the sound of a knock on the door, Eric appeared, and Alicia smiled.

“Welcome back. Did everything go well?”

“Yeah. By the way, did you see the business feasibility report for the Thulac?”

“Yes. Do you want to see it?”

“You probably did well on your own. Just show me the conclusion page.”

At Eric’s words, Alicia stood up from her seat, holding some of the documents she had been reading.

Approaching Eric’s desk, she took his outstretched hand, and they walked out of the room together.

“Did everything go well?”

“What else do I have to do? I just received the report. I haven’t looked at it myself. It’s a bit complicated.”

Today, the Marquis Clayton had gone down to his estate.

Although Debra had predicted punishment, it was not severe, but she was expelled from high society.

“It feels a bit strange.”

The victim who could have been harmed was worrying about the perpetrator.

Eric stared at her intently in response to Alicia’s concern.

“Are you kind or just not thinking about anything?”

“Neither kind nor not thinking about anything. Since she was a close relative, I worry about you and your parents. Oh, actually, I don’t care about what happens to Debra.”

“Really?”

“And honestly[Dash].”

Alicia, who had been placing documents on the table, turned her head and smiled at Eric sitting next to her.

“Even if I actually encountered them, handling two men is not that difficult.”

Alicia shrugged her shoulders, and Eric burst into laughter.

“That’s true.”

Given Alicia’s abilities, handling two ordinary men would be much easier than dealing with sorcerers or magicians.

Still, Eric thought it was fortunate that she had been with sorcerers and magicians at that time.

At least, thinking that he wouldn’t allow anyone else to approach Alicia, other than Alicia who was unavoidably involved, he considered it fortunate.

“Well then, here you go.”
Alicia handed the documents to Eric.

As Eric took the documents, he looked at Alicia and grinned.

“Let’s sit comfortably.”

“?”

Suddenly, Eric pulled Alicia over, seated her on his lap, and wrapped his arm around her waist, resting his head on her shoulder.

Surprised, Alicia tried to wriggle out of his grip.

“What are you doing?”

“It’s comfortable and nice. Also good to rest my head.”

“Huh?”

“I have a lot on my mind these days, and my head feels heavy.”

“Really, what a thing to say.”

Despite Alicia’s grumbling, Eric, thanks to Alicia staying put, held the documents in one hand and began reading them.

“… .”

Although being so close to Eric made her nervous, his firm grip on her waist provided stability and comfort.

However.

Stealthily, Eric’s face seemed to get closer to her neck, making the area around her neck and ears ticklish.

“Are you really concentrating right now?”

“Yeah. Completely.”

“… .”

Unable to say anything more to Eric, who replied absentmindedly without taking his eyes off the documents, Alicia kept her mouth shut.

But.

This time, Eric’s arm seemed to tighten around her waist even more, making their bodies closer, and now, her entire body felt ticklish.

“Hey, Eric.”

“Alicia, focus. We’re working right now.”

“… .”

Rather than responding, Alicia, feeling Eric’s rebuke, finally couldn’t say anything and bowed her head to hide her flushed face.

However, somehow sensing Alicia’s expression, Eric, while reading the documents, had a subtle smile on his lips.

For a while, peaceful days continued.

After completing the mid-term report on Thulac with William and finalizing additional requests, Alicia had a few days left until the final report. She was enjoying some leisurely days for the first time in a while.

Of course, even those days were spent taking care of her mother and siblings at the Lancaster Marquis’s mansion.

Then, one day, while Alicia was taking a break, the butler brought in an invitation.

“Miss, an invitation has arrived.”

“Invitation?”

Alicia received the invitation with a puzzled expression and checked the name and seal printed on the outside.

“Oh, it’s from Kate O’Brien.”

To Miss Alicia Lancaster.

It was a thank-you for being a witness to the incident at the royal palace reception. Although Alicia had tried to settle the debt by helping at the opera house, Kate O’Brien felt compelled to express her gratitude and sent an invitation.

I’m sure you don’t really want to come, but I still hope you’ll come at least once.

As I’ve already said, I’m a person in debt who can’t pay it back. Nevertheless, I would gladly accept this invitation.

Kate O’Brien.

Seeing the invitation from Kate O’Brien, whom Alicia knew, Alicia smiled brightly.

“Hmm. Going this far makes me want to attend. What should I do?”