On the floor, Kalin Angkalt blinked her eyes and glanced at Grayan.

Grayan briefly observed that strange glint.

Her eyes didn’t contain subtle seduction as a woman. There was no admiration and tempting gaze familiar to Tagar, making him more focused, instead.

Instead, gunfire and greed seemed to merge as if they had always been one.

Many men would mistake that danger for charm.

Grayan didn’t mind the danger.

Isn’t fire incredibly useful as long as you keep a proper distance?

Kalin, meeting Grayan’s scrutinizing gaze with contentment, smiled leisurely and spoke.

“Do you know if it snows in the Tunbar Mountains at this time? I heard it’s where blooming spring flowers are killed.”

A young lady in the imperial social circle knows about the Tunbar Mountains. She must have thoroughly investigated as the Academy’s top student.

Grayan inwardly praised her thoroughness.

“The vibrant colors of wildflowers there only seem to die when the snow melts. Once the snow melts, the flowers open their closed buds and bloom again. Perhaps the soldiers didn’t observe closely enough, leading to such talk.”

“I admire the prince’s keen observation of even the smallest details.”

Grayan chuckled softly and led Kalin away.

She said, “The ‘Red Tear’ has returned.”

The way Kalin Angkalt approached a fight piqued his interest.

Grayan casually replied, “Really? Congratulations. I remember seeing the Thieving Knight, but I haven’t heard the news yet.”

“It hasn’t appeared in the newspapers.”

Kalin dared to look directly at Tagar, smiling.

Grayan, detecting her subtle change in expression, responded with a cold expression, trying to catch her gaze attempting to perceive his subtle reactions.

However, she didn’t back down first.

“If someone were to deliver it back to the mansion and return it, it wouldn’t be fun. Besides, it’s after the demise of the Pirate Annihilation Knight.”

“…”

“While knowing that the thief possessed an incredibly noble conscience was delightful for me.”

Their significant glances exchanged, and Kalin laughed.

In those glances, Grayan recognized that she was a different creature.

She had what she wanted.

However, such a hungry beast cannot be tamed by offering it food. Rocard knew this, which is why he kept her at a distance.

Yet, it was also true that he, Grayan, felt captivated by the immense power of Angkalt.

Although hesitating to keep someone so humble by his side, if one is a noble, the first lion’s offspring is already there.

Looking at her, Grayan muttered quietly.

“To say. Angkalt bought that jewel to enhance her reputation.”

“I’m trying to concoct news of the jewel’s return until a more dramatic story comes to mind.”

“A more dramatic story…”
“I’m thinking of making one. Will Your Highness help?”

“It might be possible. In the future.”

“In the future, yes.”

“Right now, we should keep our distance outwardly.”

Outwardly.

Kalin stared at Grayan’s eyes as if trying to explore the truth behind those words.

There was nothing more to discern from his silence, but she understood that now wasn’t the time to press further.

She had outbid Prince Grayan, winning the ‘Red Tear.’ She rejected the proposal to sell it, even when the prince offered to add extra money.

After that, the stolen ‘Red Tear’ played the role of bait to lure pirates and miraculously returned to her house.

If one thinks that Prince Grayan has no involvement in this, they must be a fool.

Of course, there was no way to prove it. However, Kalin didn’t doubt that she held a reasonably convincing card in her hand.

Isn’t the Second Prince proving that fact himself?

Sudden dance requests, that smile, and the concentration towards her – all of it.

After the music ended, Grayan escorted Kalin outside the floor and said, “Do you like parties, Angkalt?”

“If you wish, I will like them.”

“Then, see you occasionally.”

Bowing deeply to the prince, her face was reminiscent, and her heart beat rapidly.

The feeling of getting closer to power takes the form of such excitement.

She acknowledged her state, embracing it as a pleasure.

Returning to her seat, Kalin drank chilled champagne, cooling off the sweat. A mysterious smile naturally formed on her lips.

And there was a quiet gaze observing her as if enjoying such Kalin.

I was waiting behind the princess’s seat after Princess Milliora returned to the floor.

In the meantime, Grand Duke Caidel was dancing with two or three people and returning to the table. At least, that’s what I thought.

He suddenly turned and approached me.

Don’t pretend to know anything from outside!

“What’s the matter?”

Despite my irritated nerves, he whispered rapidly with almost no movement of his lips.

“Pretend to have a serious conversation with me.”

“Why? …Ah.”

Glancing around, I immediately understood the reason.

Behind numerous fans, the gazes of the young ladies were all directed towards him. Eyes filled with anticipation sparkled.

He intended to use me as a refuge. I didn’t know if it was because he disliked dancing or disliked the ladies.