Understanding why Mikhail had acted so coldly, because he thought I was a fraud.

“I apologize for the misunderstanding, albeit late.”

Mikhail courteously offered his apologies.

“As an apology, I will conduct the princes’ magical education myself.”

It was a happy moment.

But Mikhail wasn’t the only stumbling block.

“I’m sorry too. For unnecessarily bringing Freesia.”

Freesia seemed to have an interest in Kashar.

If Kashar was also interested, and they connected…

“No, that absolutely can’t happen!”

Not only in my heart but it would make Mikhail an accomplice as well.

Mikhail looked puzzled by my apology but soon nodded.

“I was glad to see her, but the lord will be annoyed.”

“What do you mean?”

Even though they seemed to have a known relationship, what could be the problem?

“Didn’t you know?”

Mikhail chuckled as if amused.

“I would like to tease you, but I’ll let it slide this time. Follow me.”

His tone was strange, like he was making a special effort.

As I stayed still, he asked why I wasn’t coming quickly.

“Aren’t you curious about what Freesia is doing right now?”

With that, I remembered Freesia, who had been with Kashar.

Then where could Freesia be headed to…

“Let’s go!”

I clung to Mikhail as if I’d never hesitated.

He led me to a reception room.

Through a tiny gap in the door, Kashar and Freesia were visible. The closed door made their voices barely audible.

As I pressed against the wall, Mikhail whispered softly.

“Step back.”

Then, a faint green light disappeared beyond the door.

Their voices became audible. It was soundamplifying magic.

“……So, you intercepted the ship deal?”

“Well, you took my diamond mine, didn’t you?”

“That was originally mine. Hand over the magic stone mining rights if you want it.”

“Why should I?”

…What are they talking about?

None of the dialogue sounded like ‘I love you’ or ‘I’m happy to meet you.’

The ensuing conversation was even worse.

“Don’t they teach manners or conscience at the magic tower?”

“Do you introduce yourself?”

“Of course, I introduce myself.”

‘How childish.’

It was like listening to a cat and dog growl at each other.

Mikhail whispered, audible only to me.

“The two have a longstanding feud.”

Kashar’s business and Freesia’s Elvetor had overlapping dealings, big and small.

‘A feud between royalty and a grand mage.’

That’s how their current relationship came about through theft and being stolen from.

“I thought you brought the princess to scratch the lord’s mood…”

“Absolutely not. I didn’t even know Freesia was coming.”
It was a grudge, something I hadn’t realized.

“Quite a reason for you to come in person. I heard you were recently dispossessed of a mine that produces Red Diamonds. You seem to have not given up yet.”

Kashar had promptly taken over Cassard’s ship, but hadn’t managed to reclaim the Red Diamond mine, Mikhail added.

While we were conversing, voices from beyond the door grew increasingly louder.

It seemed best to put a stop to it.

I cautiously opened the door and poked my head in.

“……Um, Kashar?”

Four eyes were directed at me.

“Aileen?”

“Aileen!”

Frizia was the first to rush over and hug me.

She clung to me, sobbing.

“Sniff, Aileen, the Duke is really scary. How did you get involved with someone like that?”

“Do you want to be thrown out right now?”

“Oh my, look at her speak! I came here as Aileen’s guest!”

Suddenly, the earlier scene from the office flashed in my mind.

They were clearly laughing then.

‘Were they actually fighting while laughing?’

I had been distracted by thoughts of first loves and reunions.

‘…So, if I make a contract with the princess.’

If they were fighting over ships and diamond mines, what would happen if they knew I was contemplating a contract with the princess?

It was an awkward moment for me.

With a tender voice, Kashar took me out of Frizia’s embrace.

“Aileen, are you hiding something from me?”

“Uh, not yet.”

“So you’re planning to?”

His sweet tone was quite terrifying.

“We need to talk separately.”

“Let go of Aileen!”

Frizia grabbed my arm, but she couldn’t pull me away from Kashar.

“Why should I let go of what’s mine?”

Annoyance seemed to reach a boiling point as Kashar growled.

Frizia snorted derisively and spoke to me.

“Aileen, you can be honest. Are you being threatened by the Duke?”

“Huh?”

“One day you suddenly become lovers. There’s more than one strange thing happening here.”

Stung by her words, I couldn’t reply.

I couldn’t fathom what would happen if I admitted that our relationship was a sham.

“You think that illtempered man could have a longstanding lover? Haven’t you heard about the Broad Thief Guild?”

“Thief Guild?”

“He destroyed them, just because he didn’t like the location of their sign.”

Frizia updated me on Kashar’s recent accomplishments.

‘So their name was Broad.’

I remembered the thugs who had attacked me and had been annihilated.

‘Well, there were reasons for that.’

Hearing about their complete annihilation was new information to me.

Frizia looked frustrated.

‘That she found it surprising that I was dating Kashar…’

It wasn’t a criticism of me, but of Kashar.

“Please be honest, I’ll help you.”

Frizia tightly held both of my hands. She was genuinely concerned for me.

“……I will.”

“Huh?”

I intended to say that our romantic relationship was genuine.

However, what came out of my mouth was an entirely different confession.

“I like Kashar!”

I like him…

I like…

My voice echoed in the anteroom.