Moreover, the twins liked the small magic Marquess Lancaster showed them. So, although it didn’t consume much magical power, the marquess implemented interesting or amazing magic of various types every day.

On the other hand, Edward and Emma stared at their father with astonished expressions.

“Why did Father keep being a sorcerer a secret? Didn’t he just not say it?”

“Does that make sense?”

“Well, I agree with my brother this time.”

Noticing Edward and Emma whispering, Marquess Lancaster gestured for them to come closer.

“Okay, Edward is preparing to enter the military academy, right?”

“Yes. My brother is helping me a lot. He said he’d write a recommendation letter for me.”

At the natural mention of ‘brother,’ Marquess Lancaster’s eyebrows twitched very briefly.

Edward didn’t notice, but Emma sensed that something was off.

‘Come to think of it, my brother-in-law hasn’t come except for the first day. My sister isn’t in a good mood either. There seems to be something.’

Emma narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

“Why are you like that, Emma?”

“What? It’s nothing, Father. But, can you really show the twins so much magic?”

“Oh, that. It’s fine. Seeing their strong interest, they seem to have some talent.”

“Do they have magical power?”

“Yeah. We’ll have to wait until they grow a bit more to be sure.”

“Hmm.”

Looking at Edward and Emma with curious eyes, Marquess Lancaster laughed.

“It’s strange since you didn’t show much interest at their age.”

“Well, I’m going to become a knight.”

“I’m not very interested either.”

“But still, wouldn’t it be okay for Edward to learn magic? If he knows magic while being a knight, it could be helpful.”

“Oh, really?”

Alicia briefly watched the three people talking about the future in the living room, revealing serious expressions.

‘Everyone seems happy.’

In this house, Alicia was the only one feeling down. Even though Marquess Lancaster didn’t explicitly say to part ways after that day, it wasn’t like he was friendly either. If anything, they were avoiding mentioning the issue with each other.

Of course, Alicia was pleased that her father had returned. Even if there hadn’t been an issue with the engagement with Eric, she would have hoped for her father to return safely and quickly.

However, Alicia felt disappointed. Instead of making an effort to find out how wonderful Eric was, how precious he was to her, there was opposition from the beginning. Marquess Lancaster’s wife mentioned that from Marquess Lancaster’s perspective, it was a sudden event, so he needed time to accept it. But Alicia couldn’t forget Marquess Lancaster’s gaze that day when he said to part ways – that gaze was continuously lingering in her heart.

Now, seeing the affectionate gaze they were sharing while talking with their siblings, it was hard to imagine that the same father’s gaze had been so cold, so indifferent.
Alicia quietly closed the door to the reception room and went back to her room, sitting wearily in front of her desk.

‘Come to think of it, wouldn’t the contract be terminated as originally planned?’

With a sudden thought, Alicia opened the locked drawer and took out the contract, scanning it with her eyes.

‘Right. When Father returns, the contract ends. No extension, no contact.’

‘I wonder what I was thinking back then.’

At that time, Alicia had never thought it would turn out like this. It was just a simple contract she had signed, planning to work at the Duke’s business and earn money while building her career.

Although the contract seemed simple, she recalled the earnest and serious efforts they had put into discussing and drafting it with Eric.

Both of them were so serious that they had written each word with great care.

Thinking back to that time, Alicia burst into laughter again. She propped her chin and tilted her head, rereading the clauses of the contract.

Knock.

With a knocking sound, the door opened, and Chase peeked in.

“Alicia. I’m here.”

“Chase?”

Chase, who hadn’t visited the Lancaster Marquess’s residence for a long time, despite being busy, came to greet Alicia upon hearing that her father had returned.

Alicia quickly pushed the contract under the documents as she stood up.

“When did you arrive?”

“A little while ago. I came to say hello since Father returned.”

“You met Father?”

“Yeah. I greeted him. Why don’t you come down and have tea with us?”

“Alright. I’ll be there.”

As Alicia got up from her seat, Chase approached as if curious.

“But what were you looking at that you had to hide?”

“It’s nothing. Just work stuff.”

“Really?”

Speaking vaguely, Alicia tried to follow Chase, who was about to leave, but her eyes caught the signature page sticking out from under the documents.

“What’s this? A contract?”

Chase absentmindedly pulled out the contract.

“Chase, no!”

Alicia hurriedly tried to snatch the contract away, but Chase raised his arm, avoiding her attempt.

“Chase, give it here.”

Despite Alicia’s bewildered plea, Chase’s expression was fixed on the contract he had already read.

“What’s this? Did you and my brother sign a contract?”

“It’s not like that. That was from before.”

“Before what?”

“It doesn’t matter now. So, give it here.”

“Alicia, tell me straight.”

“Chase Spencer!”

Alicia stared at Chase with a serious expression.

“It has nothing to do with you. This is between me and that person, and it’s something irrelevant now.”

“Alicia.”

“So, give it back. I was about to get rid of it. If you hadn’t come in, I would have torn it already.”

At that moment, the door opened with a knock, and the Marquess Lancaster entered.

“Why haven’t you come down yet? Why is there such a loud commotion?”

Noticing that Alicia and Chase hadn’t come down for a while, Marquess Lancaster, who was surprised at the arguing voices, asked.

At that moment, the Marquess’s eyes fell on the contract that Chase was holding.

“What are you doing? What’s that?”