Early in the morning, Evelia went to the reception room as a habit, mainly to spend time with Felix.

Although they hadn’t made any promises regarding dates or times, meeting Felix every morning had become a matter of course at some point.

Since accepting that the time spent with Felix was necessary to awaken the abilities within her that he spoke of, Evelia had never found the time uncomfortable. However, today, for some reason, her steps towards the reception room felt unusually heavy.

It wasn’t strange. She hadn’t slept properly last night.

Evelia stopped her slow steps only after reaching the entrance of the reception room. Then, she sighed softly and opened the door.

She carefully surveyed the reception room, trying to regain control of her expression, but Felix was nowhere to be seen.

It was odd. Usually, he arrived before her. Regardless, his absence was somewhat refreshing at the moment.

Evelia sank into a chair at the table and let out a sigh hanging at the edge of her throat.

“…Tired.”

A grumpy remark leaked out involuntarily. Her body felt too heavy. Yesterday’s unexpected meeting with Relia had been uncomfortable, but she hadn’t paid much attention. No, that’s what she thought.

The unspoken discomfort lingered for a moment, but it was only temporary. After Relia left, she chatted happily with Failin, who had prepared refreshments shortly after, and the dinner was more delicious than any other day recently.

Because of that, Evelia even thought that she had spent a day more full of energy than usual.

However, when night fell, leaving her alone in her bedroom, the forgotten conversation with Relia came flooding back into her mind.

She tried to erase Relia’s thoughts forcibly, but it didn’t work as she wished.

Her attitude, apologizing after suddenly coming to find her. That was too unexpected.

Relia wasn’t that kind of person. She was someone who would laugh off Evelia with just the arrogance of carrying her.

Relia going as far as to apologize for something? Evelia was convinced. Given the Relia she had seen so far, she would never do that. Surely, Yustia was behind Relia. Yustia must have been the one who could support her energetically.

Without that level of reason, she wouldn’t have bowed down to me even when lowering her great pride.

After reaching that conclusion, Evelia’s mind became even more complicated. If Yustia indeed manipulated Relia as expected, there was no understanding of her intentions.

Throughout the night, Evelia pondered, but in the end, she couldn’t find an answer. If only she had found that answer, her condition might not have sunk so low.

“Phew…”
Evelia lowered her gaze sharply, exhaling a heavy sigh. She was already worried. Even the time with Felix, which required full concentration and alertness, felt insufficient, and her condition was at its worst.

She wished he had skipped today without finding her.

While contemplating that thought and making an effort to calm her mind, a sudden knocking sound sharply cut through the reception room.

Momentarily startled, Evelia opened her eyes wide, shoulders twitching. Naturally, she thought it was Felix. However, reflected in her fatigued eyes was Khalif, his eyes stained with fatigue, pulling up the corners of his mouth.

“…Khal?”

Evelia stood up hastily, her eyes wide with surprise. Leaning against the doorway, Khalif raised an eyebrow, smirking.

“You’re just realizing it now?”

“When did you come?”

“A little while ago. What were you thinking about that you didn’t even notice someone entering?”

“Ah…”

Khalif tilted his head with a puzzled expression. Evelia couldn’t readily offer any response.

She couldn’t grasp how to handle his sudden visit without prior notice.

It wasn’t necessary for him to have a reason for seeking her out, but it seemed to be bad timing.

Was it just a coincidence that he appeared today of all days, as if waiting for her after Relia found her?

After pondering for a moment, Evelia couldn’t help but think that it wasn’t merely a coincidence. He probably heard about yesterday’s events from Felix and came early in the morning out of concern.

As her thoughts reached that point, a grumpy remark rose to her throat. It felt like it could burst out at any moment if she let her guard down.

But Evelia tensed her throat. Even if he already knew, she didn’t want to be the one to say it first.

With her current emotions, unfiltered grumbling would undoubtedly spill out. She didn’t want to make him uncomfortable with her words.

“Just… I didn’t sleep well yesterday. I was dozing off, not thinking.”

Evelia smiled wearily, narrowing her eyes. Even after seeing her like that, Khalif couldn’t easily relax his expression.

Just by that, it was evident that he already knew about yesterday’s events.

Evelia put more force into the corners of her lips.

“I hope that latent power within me awakens soon.”

“…”

“I’m trying not to think about it hastily, but it doesn’t work as I want. I keep having impatient thoughts unconsciously.”