I still couldn’t fully understand, but I nodded my head for now.

“Yes… that seems to be the case…”

I didn’t know what he was thinking, but for now, I decided to go along with Kirian’s rhythm. It was also convenient for me.

I didn’t need to explain why I left the Duchy or go into deeper details about Marquise Magine.

My stomach churned as I thought that Magine was probably watching this scene. He must be observing everything, from me to the Duchess and Duke, and the thought made my breath catch.

“Um… my head hurts, so I think it’s better if I’m alone.”

Although it pained me to see the Duchess’s expression darken, with surveillance magic still in place, I had no choice but to distance myself from everyone.

“Shall I bring a cold towel? Do you need someone to take care of you?”
Tears of regret flowed from the Duchess’s eyes. However, I firmly shook my head.

“…I want to be alone.”

For a moment, disappointment stained the Duchess’s face, but she soon forced a smile.

“All right, ring the bell if you need anything. I’ll come running immediately.”

Even as she said that, the Duke gently helped her up without waiting for the Duchess to make a move.

“Take it easy.”

But as they turned away, I suddenly realized. I wished they hadn’t left. I wished they had stayed by my side forever.

But I couldn’t say that, so I took a deep breath and softly spoke towards their retreating figures.

“Thank you…”

I hesitated for a moment, but I didn’t want to regret it any longer.

“And I love you.”

The Duchess turned back immediately, her face filled with emotion. If the Duke hadn’t held her back, she would have rushed back to the bed.

“I love you too, our daughter!”

As the Duchess was pulled away by the Duke, she shouted.

“She’s tired. Let her rest.”

The Duke comforted the Duchess as he gently closed the door.

But deep down, I felt relieved. The energetic appearance of the Duchess was the first time in two years.

It was the first time since I couldn’t remember when she had last smiled, but now, laughter seemed to be lingering on her lips.

It had been some time since I could walk on my own.

“Miss, be careful. You might break your leg if you misstep.”

Eliza followed behind me, fussing over me even if I slightly stumbled.

“It’s okay. The floor here is even.”

I tapped the soft carpet with my foot. Despite just walking around the room, Eliza seemed concerned.

“By the way… Eliza, it seems like you’ve lost a lot of muscle.”

Eliza’s robust biceps were about a third skinnier than I remembered.

“Cough. I’m not pointing that out.”

Eliza flexed her arm, and she seemed to return somewhat to her previous state when she exerted force.

“Even so, the substantial muscles are still strong.”

“Yeah… it seems so.”

When Eliza looked proud, I couldn’t help but smile.

But my heart wasn’t entirely at ease. Eliza, who took pride in her muscles, had become so much skinnier in the time I hadn’t seen her. I thought she had been having a great time hunting demons with Kirian in the Denev Mountains for the past two years. It was all my misconception.

“Oh right, Miss, there was something you asked me last time.”

I immediately raised my head. As soon as I began to recover somewhat, I asked the Duchess to fulfill any request Number 5 had. Meeting Number 5 directly was dangerous as long as Marquise Magine was watching me. I had disguised myself as Kirian’s page that day, so Magine wouldn’t have recognized Number 5, but through surveillance magic, it was only a matter of time before he realized that I was Madeleine.
So, I deliberately asked the Duchess vaguely. I hoped that the favor I asked for, owing to the favor Kirian and I did for her as a page that day, would be granted.

The rest had to be left to Number 5. Number 5 was to demand the release of Madeline Para from the Duchess.

“Did it go well?”

When I subtly asked, Eliza nodded.

“But really, do you know what she asked for?”

“I don’t want to know!”

I hurriedly covered my ears. If I listened, I would only end up providing information to Marquise Magine.

“Ah, Miss, you’re really something. I even forbid her from mentioning that person’s name, and I only let her call him Kirian Master, but she still tries to find out how he’s doing while pretending not to care.”

Eliza lowered her voice slightly.

“Tell me honestly, Miss. Do you like him?”

“Yeah.”

I scratched my cheek. Since there was no other way to deal with this, I decided to roughly match her tone.

“I fell in love at first sight because he looked so cool when he saved me.”

“Hoho. I knew it.”

Eliza chuckled. She laughed so much that tears welled up in her eyes.

“Miss has that kind of taste.”

Then she let out a deep sigh.

“That’s also a concern. Miss probably has a destiny to carry incidents and accidents wherever she goes. If you like someone, you should like a solid and reliable man, like and trustable man. No, it doesn’t matter how he looks, so you would like someone who can take care of anyone like Kirian Master. That’s how reliable he is.”

“No! I don’t want to know how he looks!”

Really, surveillance magic was tiresome for this reason. I couldn’t say or hear anything…

Eliza sighed again.

“Miss, did you perhaps fall for that person’s inner qualities during this time?”

“Yeah.”

I decided to let go of all my pride.

Eliza gently shook her head.

“Kirian Master would be disappointed. He brought Miss to the Duke’s residence, after all. Hm.”

Eliza suddenly covered her mouth. Then she began to slap her lips.

“Oh my. Get yourself together. Kirian Master strictly warned not to talk about himself to Miss.”