Alicia, who seemed to have tried to open the door, was also taken aback with her arm outstretched.

Grabbing that arm, Eric pulled Alicia towards him and closed the door with his other hand.

Only then did he feel relieved when he held her in his arms.

“You didn’t go?”

“I told you to wait, Eric.”

“So you waited?”

“No. I waited because I missed you.”

Worried that it might be awkward and embarrassing to face each other, but seeing that it wasn’t, Alicia felt relieved.

It seemed like unnecessary worry seeing how naturally the words “I missed you” came out.

“I missed you too. It’s strange.”

They had been together all night yesterday.

Being apart during the day was familiar, and it wasn’t that long, but strangely, he missed her.

“Is that so? I felt the same way strangely.”

Without adding any explanation, Alicia understood, and when Eric lifted her head, looking into his eyes.

As soon as their eyes met, a smile appeared on Alicia’s face, and her eyes sparkled beautifully.

“Really, Alicia. It’s inevitable when you look at me like that.”

“?”

At Eric’s unexpected words, Alicia’s eyes widened, and her lips met as soon as she opened them.

Her tangly lips that were alluringly approaching were too warm to let go.

The inner part would be much more thrilling.

Maybe because she already knew, it seemed even crazier.

What should he do?

It seemed like he couldn’t let go if he went further.

“Why are you like this?”

Uncharacteristically hesitating, Eric, looking puzzled, eventually kissed Alicia lightly on the cheek and smiled.

“My father has come back.”

“…What?”

Alicia was surprised, her eyes widening.

“Father?”

“Yes, your father.”

“You say my father has come back? But how did you know, and you? How did you know before me?”

Even she, the daughter herself, didn’t know he had returned. How did Eric know first?

“If contact had been made with Marquess Lancaster, Mother would have informed me at Russell Marquis’s residence.”

“I see. But why didn’t you tell me that your father is a sorcerer?”
“Father is a sorcerer?”

“…You didn’t know?”

Surprised Alicia and even more surprised Eric looked at each other.

“How could you not know that?”

“…I should have checked.”

“Yeah. That would be good.”

Alicia distanced herself from Eric and opened the door.

As she went down to the first floor, Eric thought.

Even though he hated being known as the Sorcerer, perhaps he kept it a secret from his family too.

No, even if he didn’t disclose the fact that he was a Sorcerer, couldn’t he at least mention that he is skilled in magic?

Marquess Lancaster’s thoughts were unknown, but revealing the secret he kept made him feel uncomfortable.

To carry Alicia on the carriage, Eric opened the carriage door and helped her get on.

After sitting down, Alicia looked at Eric, who was just standing there, with a puzzled expression.

“Aren’t you coming with me?”

“Is it okay?”

“Is that even a question? Of course, it’s okay.”

“Okay, Alicia.”

Eric opened his mouth hesitantly.

“It seems like your father doesn’t like me very much.”

“Really? Even if that’s the case, it’s okay. Because Mother is here.”

“Is that so?”

After a moment of hesitation, Eric got on the carriage.

It might be better to face it quickly, and it might be better to get rid of the horn quickly.

“Why are you letting that kid come in and out of our house?”

Marquess Lancaster grumbled when he heard that Alicia was at Russell Marquis’s mansion.

“It helps Alicia’s career as a court mage. And besides, we can go on dates while we’re at it. Eric is very busy.”

“That’s probably true. He must be incredibly busy, being the Commander of the Second Knights and acting Commander of the Zero Knights.”

Being the Commander of the Zero Knights, which is originally a position that moves secretly, and placing the acting Commander of the Zero Knights, known to everyone in the Empire, and recommended by the Imperial Chief of Staff, and also the recommended acting Commander of the Zero Knights by the Emperor, Lancaster Marquess didn’t know what to think.

And on top of that, it was that guy.

Marquess’s wife cautiously asked Lancaster Marquess, whose face was noticeably wrinkled.

“Why is that, dear? Did something go wrong?”

“It feels that way.”

“…”

“It seems difficult to find out anymore. There’s too little left.”

Lancaster Marquess wiped his hair while saying in a calm voice, but his eyes shook a lot.

“There’s only one way now. Find that guy and ask directly.”

“Dear.”

“So, we should be prepared just in case. We can’t help it, but dear, that guy is.”

At that moment, a knock was heard, and Alicia and Eric entered.

“Father!”

“Alicia.”

Alicia hugged Marquess Lancaster tightly.

“Welcome back, Father.”

“Yeah. I’m back. How’s your health?”

“I’m fine. And you, Father? Are you healthy?”

“Of course, I’m healthy.”

After exchanging greetings with a bright smile, Lancaster Marquess held Alicia’s hand for a moment and stared at the back of her hand.

Thinking of Noah, a court mage who was interested in the magic felt from the back of her hand, Alicia asked.

“Father, are you really a sorcerer?”

“Huh? Oh, right.”

“But why didn’t you tell me?”

Lancaster Marquess turned his gaze briefly to Eric, who was standing behind him, when their eyes met.

Then Eric, looking awkward, smiled awkwardly.

It seemed like it wasn’t something that should have been said after all, so Marquess opened his mouth while Eric was still struggling.

“I was going to tell you. Now is the time to do it.”

“?”

“And there’s something I need to tell you two before that.”

“What is it?”

“Break up, you two.”