“Isn’t retrieving your lost memories the best thing for Khalif’s sake?”

“…Rather than thinking it’s the best, I just considered doing it immediately as the right order of things.”

“But why did that thought suddenly change?”

Felix looked at Ibelia with a puzzled expression. Although she must have felt his gaze, Ibelia stubbornly avoided looking directly at Felix.

Ibelia’s deep-set eyes were immersed in heavy contemplation. Apparently, there had been some change in her state of mind.

Felix, sensing that he shouldn’t press her randomly, waited in silence, and soon her voice was heard again.

“Khalif has always done his best for me. Even risking his life. So, it seemed right for me to do the same.”

“…”

“If there’s something I can do for Khalif, isn’t it right to try anything without being bound by the order of things?”

Ibelia confessed shyly, and a gentle smile adorned her lips. If Khalif had seen this, he would undoubtedly have been ecstatic, like a madman.

Rather than Ibelia’s shy smile, Felix couldn’t help but chuckle at the thought of Khalif acting crazily. There was still no explanation from Ibelia about why her thoughts had changed so suddenly. However, Felix didn’t insist on asking again. If she chose not to say so much, there must be a reason.

Anyway, from Felix’s perspective, Ibelia’s actively changed attitude was a heartwarming thing.

But had that attitude only superficially touched Ibelia’s heart?

As she hesitated, her expression changed unusually, and with a hesitant voice, she spoke.

“Actually, about the time I spent with Khalif last night…”

“Wait.”

Ibelia’s words, spoken again, clearly contained the content Felix was curious about. However, without listening to her words to the end, Felix could only furrow his brow.

Blocking Ibelia’s words decisively, he stared through the door of the reception room. From him, an unusual aura began to emanate.

Relia stared at the tightly closed door with rough, surging eyes, holding her breath. Although she hadn’t intended to eavesdrop on the conversation coming from beyond the door, unexpectedly, the words she heard made her stiffen.

“Khalif has always done his best for me. Even risking his life. So, it seemed right for me to do the same.”

“…”

“If there’s something I can do for Khalif, isn’t it right to try anything without being bound by the order of things?”

“…”

“Actually, about the time I spent with Khalif last night…”
It was undoubtedly Ibelia’s voice. Judging solely by the content, she was clearly engaged in a conversation with someone. However, apart from Ibelia’s voice, no other sound could be heard.

Relia approached the door even more closely and listened intently. Perhaps the other person was whispering short answers, but when she brought her ear close to the door, she couldn’t hear Ibelia’s voice.

At this point, she wondered if it would be a good idea to knock.

Suddenly, the tightly closed door creaked open, revealing Ibelia’s face up close. Startled, Relia trembled and took a step back.

An indescribable awkward atmosphere descended heavily on Relia in an instant.

“What are you doing here, Yeongae?”

In the midst of Relia’s confusion, Ibelia asked with a quite firm tone. However, Relia was too overwhelmed to answer, and she hesitated to follow Ibelia.

With confused eyes, Ibelia scanned every nook and cranny of the prince’s residence. However, no one else was visible except Ibelia.

No matter how much she examined, there was no hiding place, and she couldn’t find a single strand of hair belonging to the person she might have conversed with.

Relia was captured by a strange feeling that couldn’t be expressed in words for a moment. It was a sensation of shivers running down her spine, making her entire body tense.

“What are you doing here, Yeongae?” Ibelia asked again, frighteningly persistent. Now, Relia, who had somewhat regained her composure, finally parted her lips.

“…I have something to convey, and I came to see you, despite the intrusion.”

At the end of her words, Relia politely inclined her head. It was a side of her that Ibelia had never seen before.

Unable to forcefully confront Relia, Ibelia sighed and stepped aside, making way towards one side of the reception room.

“Come in for now.”

It was the uncomfortable beginning of their encounter.

“Your Highness, if you need anything, please let me know immediately.”

Having vacated the seat at Ibelia’s command, Phailin placed a teacup on the table and spoke towards her.

It was something she could say as Ibelia’s maid, but her tone was filled with caution towards Relia.

Ibelia gestured for Relia to leave in a hurry, fearing that Phailin might start questioning her. However, Phailin couldn’t erase the reluctant expression. Nevertheless, unable to persist stubbornly, she eventually left the room.

The door of the reception room closed once, leaving only Relia and Ibelia alone. More precisely, Felix was still there, leaning against the window, but Relia was completely unaware of his presence.