Early in the morning, Ivellia, having finished dressing up earlier than anyone else, headed to the reception room. It was because of the letter her father had sent the previous evening.

After an unexpected meeting with Felix, her thoughts had become overwhelmingly complex. On one hand, Ivellia had responded warmly to the unexpected content, instructing Phaelin to reply that they should meet tomorrow.

In the unplanned time that had arisen, Ivellia pondered Felix’s words several times. Although every word he said stirred up her thoughts, the most concerning was the story related to her father.

[Ask your father. When you were young, did you really never go to the Marquisate of Caroline?] [Well… Why?] [Because the Caliph and your beginning started from there.]

This wasn’t the first time Felix had brought up the Marquisate. He had previously inquired about her childhood, mentioning as if she had gone to the estate in a convalescent carriage.

At that time, Ivellia thought it was a mistake he quickly corrected, but now it seemed that wasn’t the case.

“Marquisate…”

Ivellia mumbled the place that was almost like a repository for all secrets.

Her memories of going to the Marquisate were almost non-existent. The recollection of the place was limited to what she had seen in dreams.

The estate, full of lush fields in every direction, was dazzlingly beautiful, providing comfort to her mind.

In her dreams, she always wandered through the fields and wooded forests. Despite roaming around everywhere, she never felt lonely.

Except for herself, no one else’s face appeared, yet she was always so joyful and happy, as if she was with someone.

So Ivellia had simply regarded it as just a dream—a place that appeared in pleasant dreams. However, to think that it was the starting point with the Caliph.

Felix had no reason to lie to her, and she found it hard to believe.

“Your Highness.”

In the midst of deeply locked thoughts, Phaelin’s voice slipped in. Ivellia turned her head to look at her.

“Marquis is already here.”

“Father is already here?”

“He’s waiting, so please go in.”

“Alright. Phaelin, can you prepare some warm tea?”

“Marquis already mentioned it, so it’s already prepared.”

Only after hearing Phaelin’s continued words did Ivellia manage to force a smile.

Soon, the reception room door opened under Phaelin’s touch. Ivellia took heavy steps forward.

“Your Highness.”
Walking into the reception room, Edwick, who had arrived frighteningly early, rose from his seat and greeted her. Ivellia tensed her lips as a habit, but unlike in front of Phaelin, she couldn’t draw a smile.

Felix’s words, starting to echo scarily in her ears, filled her ears as her father’s face filled her vision.

“Sit down, Father.”

Ivellia replied a bit belatedly and took a seat on the chair by the table. In front of her, as Phaelin had mentioned, there were prepared teacups.

With trembling hands, she picked up the teacup. Leaning it to her lips, she tried to calm her mind with a sip.

While waiting for her father yesterday, there were so many questions she wanted to ask, but now she couldn’t remember any. Only memories of brief conversations with Edwick during her childhood remained vivid.

[Father, where is this…?] [It’s your room, Eve. Are you feeling better now?]

Just waking up from a short nap, her father was staring at her with a suddenly gaunt face. That’s all. Worried that she might transform any moment, he had urgently embraced her when she woke up in a hurry.

Ivellia blinked her eyes at her father’s abrupt action. But soon, she felt that something was strange and hurriedly asked.

[Father, is this, by any chance, my room in the Marquisate?] […Of course, Eve. Then, where else would your room be, if not here?] [I was definitely in the territory…]

She felt her father holding his breath for a moment at the words she unconsciously blurted out. Unable to understand the reason, as she was about to raise her head, a warm hand covered her forehead.

[Our daughter dreamed.]

It sounded strange. But the doubts didn’t linger for long. The mind of the child who had been ill for ten days was not in perfect condition, and the words from the father she trusted most soon became a reality for the child.

Ivellia believed that everything related to the territory was just a dream. This belief hadn’t changed now. She had considered it a dream for over half her life, and how could it suddenly change?

However, only now did she start to think that her father that day seemed somewhat strange.

“Your Highness, is there anything uncomfortable?”

Suddenly, the voice of her father seeped into the deep thoughts. Only then did Ivellia, who had just regained her senses, look at Edwick.

“No, it’s alright.”

“Or is there any pain anywhere?”

“No, really, I’m perfectly fine.”