“So, does that mean your words now express dissatisfaction with my recovery?”

“It’s not dissatisfaction; it’s more like resentment!”

“Why are you resentful? Don’t you know that it was you who lied, saying that Ibelia was sleeping while she was crying? And you sent me to her using that lie as an excuse.”

“That…!”

Felix stopped himself from speaking and tightly sealed his lips. In Caliph’s straightforward words, there was no room to find a fault. It was as he said. It was he who pointed at a crying Ibelia, falsely claiming that she was sleeping, and using that as an excuse, he sent Caliph to her.
So, improving the situation like this was all thanks to me. But to exploit such a tremendous achievement in this way.

Indeed, humans were cunning beings. Before the matter was resolved, they would stimulate my sympathy with all sorts of pitiful appearances, but after the matter was resolved, they quickly forgot the favors I had granted.

Especially that Caliph guy, who treated himself, the guardian deity of this land, no better than a passing stray dog. Perhaps he didn’t realize that even hoping for recognition of my efforts from him might be an excessive expectation.

Felix let out a deep sigh, withdrawing his gaze from Caliph. Then, he picked up a book from the table. It looked like a sulky gesture, yet Caliph remained unfazed, concentrating solely on preparing for the date.

Although Felix found Caliph’s movements annoying, he made an effort to ignore it and focus on the book. However, even as Caliph’s preparations were nearing completion, Felix couldn’t turn a single page of the book.

In the end, he slammed the book shut with an irritated hand. Wondering if he should enjoy a nap instead, he reached for the hamster. However, at that moment, an unexpected voice reached his ears.

“Thank you.”

Unable to believe those words, Felix snapped his head up. To his surprise, Caliph, who had become much neater, was looking at him.

“Did I mishear? What did you just… say?”

“Thank you.”

“What…?”

“Your contribution is significant. If you hadn’t sent me to Ibelia that day, today’s date with her wouldn’t have happened, even in my imagination.”

“…”

“Thanks to you. Sincerely.”

“Huh.”

Felix let out a sigh of disbelief. Although he heard and saw it clearly with his own eyes and ears, it didn’t feel real.

So, is the symbol of ingratitude, Caliph, genuinely thanking me now?

A faint smile appeared on Felix’s lips as he pondered over the same thought with a bewildered expression.

“No, it’s not that big of a deal. It’s not that difficult for me, and you thanking me so much makes me feel proud.”

Felix, who had turned into a cheerful face with no signs of complaints, shrugged his shoulders with enthusiasm. Looking at Caliph, who seemed puzzled, he couldn’t help but chuckle.

“So, stop with that childish stuff and quit pestering me with those scornful eyes.”

It was a voice that shattered the previously touching atmosphere. Still, Felix couldn’t erase his smile. At least in the moment when Caliph sincerely thanked him, Caliph’s face was full of genuine gratitude.

Watching Felix, who couldn’t wipe away his smile even in this ridiculous situation, Caliph chuckled in a different sense. Then, without any lingering emotions, he turned his back on Felix.

The time to meet Ibelia was right in front of them.

The pace of the steps heading towards the Crown Prince’s Consort’s Palace was extremely fast. Nevertheless, Caliph didn’t seem to be out of breath. However, the situation was a bit different for the attendants following behind him.

For some reason, the Crown Prince, who had never shown any interest in the Crown Prince’s Consort until now, had recently started openly visiting her with a delighted expression.

Moreover, whenever he walked towards the Crown Prince’s Consort, his walking speed increased significantly, as if just that alone could fulfill his daily exercise.

But that wasn’t the only change. The icy Crown Prince now smiled a lot more often. Observing this, one might be mistaken to think that he was a different person, despite having served as their master for a long time.

However, not a single attendant disliked his change. They were sincerely happy to see their loyal master, who had pledged allegiance, now enjoying an ordinary daily life.

The Crown Prince, who had left his mother’s embrace, maintained an affectionate relationship with the Crown Prince’s Consort and developed virtues as the Crown Prince and the future emperor.

Now, he had become a perfect master whom they could wholeheartedly trust and serve.

Though it was a bit breathless to match their master’s steps on the way to the Crown Prince’s Consort’s Palace, they could handle such things easily. Before they knew it, the exterior of the Crown Prince’s Consort’s Palace was visible, and it was almost there.

However, contrary to everyone’s expectations, the Crown Prince suddenly stopped walking. The voice that held his steps was even more unexpected.

“Why are you in such a hurry?”

It was Dwayne Garnet.